A methodology to select optimal system components for computer integrated manufacturing by evaluating synergy

The enormous growth in manufacturing automation has produced a plethora of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) with diverse features. These AMTs could consist of semi- and fully automated systems or equipment. Manufacturing companies are seeking ways to gain a competitive edge over their competitors by investing in AMTs, where the ability to make rational choices among these AMTs is important for success. Integration of AMTs in an enterprise brings many islands of automation into a single database-shared entity. Effective integration by efficient communication links among these AMTs will generate significant benefits across many traditional functional units, eliminate many functional barriers, and provide opportunities to achieve the competitive goals. The effect of synergy caused by the integration of AMTs will have an impact on various functional units of the enterprise. This paper provides a methodology, firstly to identify appropriate technologies for a company based on their strategic focus, and secondly to estimate the functional interrelationships within the framework of a unified approach for the justification of computer integrated manufacturing (CIM). These derived functional interrelationships are utilised to assess the effect of synergy in an integrated enterprise and identify the optimal capital investments in AMTs as system components of CIM.