Discusses some of the key elements of research which will investigate the role of the Internet within the manufacturing supply chain and, in particular, focuses on its impact on the manufacturing planning and control operation. Although much of the current Internet discussion focuses on sales and marketing applications, step change improvements in the management of the supply chain are possible using the same fundamental technologies. However, it is argued that a paradigm shift in the way in which manufacturing companies plan and control their operations is required if full advantage is to be gained; an alternative to the traditional linear transfer of information within supply chains is required. The Internet provides the opportunity for demand data and supply capacity data to be visible to all companies within a manufacturing supply chain, consequently companies can be in a position to anticipate demand fluctuations and respond accordingly. This is in contrast to the more established reactive approach. This paper proposes the development of supply webs and a more interactive approach to supply chain partnering and identifies some of the research issues within this context to facilitate the development of Internet‐based manufacturing planning and control.
Cellular manufacturing has been advocated as the preferred approach to the organization of a company's manufacturing system for moderate volume and moderate variety parts. In addition, the use of cells is central to just-in-time (JIT) production and lean manufacture. Although the merits of cells in comparison with a traditional functional arrangement continue to be debated, it remains to be seen as to the actual extent of adoption of cells by the discrete-batch manufacturing community. This short communication presents a review of recent UK-based studies which concludes that cellular manufacturing is not as widespread as might be expected. In this context, the present authors undertook a regional study investigating the application of cellular manufacturing within Merseyside, and with a specific focus on small to medium enterprises (SMEs). The results of this study are presented. The implications of the adoption of cells with respect to the SME community, including support for their implementation, are also discussed.
This paper will introduce some of the fundamental elements of the proposed DOMAIN research project. It is argued that if full advantage is to be made of the emerging Internet technologies a paradigm shift is required in the way in which manufacturing companies plan and control their operations. The current and future capabilities of the Internet mean that it is possible for demand data and supply capacity data to be visible to all companies within a manufacturing supply chain. In conjunction with developments with respect to communication and information technologies, an alternative to the traditional linear transfer of information within supply chains is possible; the development of supply webs and a more interactive approach to supply chain partnering provides an enhanced alternative.
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