The effectiveness of system integration in CIMS of Japanese companies

Under the present situation of diversification of users' needs, rapid technological innovation and internationalization, most Japanese manufacturers are required, as a management strategy, to develop an effective production system with small lot size and short production lead time. In order to meet these requirements, CIMS(computer-integrated manufacturing system) has been developed and introduced for practical use as a new computer-based production system. CIMS is characterized as an integrated system of software and hardware for production management with the purpose of meeting market requirements and counteracting fluctuations in users' demand by maintaining effective production planning and control. The style of CIMS varies with conditions of production and goals of system design. The purpose of this study is to investigate its effectiveness and examine future problems of system integration of CIMS in terms of production management in Japanese manufacturing companies.