A Study of Computer Integrated Manufacturing and its Effect on Manufacturing Productivity

The emphasis of .this study is that the improvement in quality and performance that could be realized through Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems (herein referred to as CIMs), would likewise improve the United States\u27 competitive position in world markets. Global competition has become a key issue that manufacturers all over the world must address, but in the United States this has become particularly pressing due to the age and condition of a great many of our manufacturing plants. We have automated many of our routine business functions, but have not taken full advantage of the advanced technology that is available - to us. CIMs, through the use of such products as manufacturing automation protocol (MAP) make it possible for communications to occur between various computer products of different vendors both within and between manufacturing environments. The adoption of an integrated system would require management at all levels to reevaluate their past methods of operation. A new set of cost criteria would have to be developed, as items that are currently regarded as immeasurable would have to be considered. An example of this would be the crucial question of how well a company has chosen its markets; all the efficiency in the world is useless unless the products being manufactured are what consumers want and are willing to purchase. It will also follow-that upper management will need to become computer literate as they will be (and are at the present time) being faced with making final decisions on very sophisticated hardware and software purchases and installations which carry large price tags. Finally manufacturing departments which have traditionally.been regarded as cost centers will need to be viewed as profit centers and included in on strategic planning. Improvements in information availability could conceivably result in more efficient operations, provided programming at each data source has been refined before the systems are linked together. However the most vital element in the successful implementation of a CIMs will be the training of its users