7.11 - CIM

Locally owned distributed applications can provide quantifiable benefits to the functional activity by improving efficiency, reducing overheads and simplifying computer operation and management procedures. This is achieved while ensuring competitive advantage via tailoring to meet specific needs as distinct from general needs.

To maximise the benefit of reorganising into cellular manufacturing units and obtain further cost reductions, it is necessary to integrate these independent computer systems. Such integration should revolve around a logical structure within each business, thus forming the basis of Computer Integrated Manufacture (CIM).

Integration can be accomplished by simple manual procedures or by automation, following the principle that data is only held where it used and only summaries transmitted upwards, as well as exception reports and measures of performance.

To simplify the process of any functional restructuring in support of a CIM project it is important to recognise the disciplines around similar database needs, steady state and dynamic change requirements. Each segment of distributed database should have a clear owner who needs it and who keeps it in good order.

Such reorganisation transforms the traditional business functions to a logical structure of manufacturing operations, commercial operations and business development. Such and organisation structure may be referred to as the three office concept. Each should run and maintain its own relevant support systems

This organisation is then consistent with the following CIM structure and can facilitate communications via a set of agreed standards, provided the sets of inputs and outputs between the three offices are defined first supporting the overall specification and design.