Design and implementation of a virtual information system for agile manufacturing

Abstract

In the new and emerging Agile Manufacturing paradigm, where multiple firms cooperate under flexible virtual enterprise structures, there exists much need for a mechanism to manage and control information flow among collaborating partners. In response to this pressing need, this paper addresses the design and implementation of an agile manufacturing information system integrating manufacturing databases dispersed at various partner sites. We propose a framework in which: (1) Information is modeled in a hierarchical fashion using Object Oriented Methodology (OOM). (2) Information transactions are specified by the workflow hierarchy consisting of partner workflows. (3) Information flow between partners is controlled by a set of distributed Workflow Managers (WM) interacting with partner knowledge bases, which reflect partner specific information control rules on internal data exchange, as well as inter-partner mutual protocols for joint partner communications. (4) The prototype system is accomplished using the world wide web based on a Client-Server architecture. The overall approach and system provides within a dynamic environment, where virtual partnerships are synthesized in response to specific business initiatives, a dynamic and flexible mechanism to support partner information exchange and to keep the dispersed information consistent.

Coordinating for Flexibility in e-Business Supply Chains

“…In order to effectively coordinate with existing and potential supply chain partners, an enterprise needs to be aware of the specific process competencies of other players and to understand what it would take to connect to them [40]. Partner knowledge bases that capture interpartner protocols and associated rules need to be in place to support agile interenterprise partnering [72].…”

Virtual integration with a multi-criteria partner selection model for the multi-echelon manufacturing system

“…Each member company will provide its own core competencies in areas such as marketing, engineering, and manufacturing to the VE [2]. In addition, Walton and Whicker [3] and Song and Nagi [4] separately explain "The VE consists of a series of co-operating 'nodes' of core competencies which form into a supply chain in order to address a specific opportunity in the market place" and "A VE, different from a traditional enterprise, is constructed by partners from different companies, who collaborate with each other to design and manufacture high quality and customized products. It is product-oriented, teamcollaboration styled, and featured as being fast and flexible."…”

An order tracking system in dynamic virtual enterprise based on SaaS and web service

“…An agile manufacturing information system was designed and implemented which can integrate manufacturing databases dispersed at various partner enterprises, the information system architecture was presented and the information model was built by using object-oriented methodology, and the information flow between partner enterprises is controlled and managed by a set of distributed workflow technology. Finally, the prototype system was developed by using client-server architecture (Song and Nagi, 1997). As to the kind of outsourcing enterprise, an information exchange foundation framework to integrate partner enterprises in a supply chain to support the business cooperation, bidding contract, procurement and delivery of products was put forward (Badiyani and Raja, 2009).…”