François Vernadat

Enterprise modeling and integration (EMI): Current status and research perspectives

Abstract Much has been written and high expectations have been placed over the last decade on enterprise modeling and integration. Applicable results are more modest. This paper first recalls challenges and rationale for enterprise modeling and integration. It then points out substantial results achieved so far as well as potential difficulties and pitfalls to make them a reality.

Standards on enterprise integration and engineering—state of the art

With the globalization of manufacturing activities and increasing requirements on interoperability, standardization will play an important role in R&D and day-to-day activities related to enterprise integration and engineering. The paper presents a survey of relevant standards in this area. After a brief introduction on various standardization activities carried out worldwide, the paper gives an overview of the major results achieved and work being performed so far. Comparisons between various standards are presented. A concluding summary and some recommendations for future works are given as part of the conclusion.

The CIMOSA business modelling process

Abstract Integrating and managing complex enterprises requires understanding, partitioning and simplification of the complexity. Enterprise modelling supports these requirements by providing means for describing process oriented systems and decomposing them into manageable parts. However, enterprise modelling requires both a common modelling language and a methodology. The language provides common understanding on enterprise models across the industrial community. User guidance through these rather complex enterprise modelling tasks is provided by a modelling methodology. The presented methodology, the CIMOSA Business Modelling Process, follows the enterprise system life cycle starting with requirements definition, followed by design specification and ending with the description of the implemented operational system. However, in addition to this top-down approach, bottom-up and iterative modelling are both supported as well. This paper describes the CIMOSA Business Modelling Process as defined by the ESPRIT Consortium AMICE. Additionally, a graphical representation of the process flow is provided and the process is illustrated using examples from a pilot implementation at the FIAT Auto Division. CIMOSA has been developed by the ESPRIT Consortium AMICE as a pre-normative modelling language for enterprise modelling. Enterprise models may be used not only in decision support for evaluation of alternative solutions in enterprise operations, but also for directly driving operation control and monitoring. Therefore, enterprise modelling is complemented by an Integrated Infrastructure which supports the execution of enterprise models.

Enterprise Interoperability: A Standardisation View

Standards that significantly contribute to achieve enterprise interoperability regarding both intra and inter-organisational environments are identified and reviewed. The concept of interoperability is firstly clarified and defined in comparison with some adjacent notions such as portability, compatibility and integration. A brief overview of standards in enterprise modelling and engineering is then given to better state their prerequisite role to standards more directly related to enterprise interoperability discussed next. Future needs to improve interoperability are discussed as part of the conclusion.

A model for cooperative planning within a virtual enterprise

Abstract The paper presents an agent-based architecture of the virtual enterprise (VE) and a model for production planning. The partners of the VE, modelled as nodes of the VE (denoted NEV), use negotiation and mediation principles to collaboratively elaborate consistent production plans. The proposed architecture of the VE is a set of levels corresponding to production cycles of products to be delivered by the VE to the customers. A multi-agent system is used to model the VE. For each level, a negotiator agent negotiates with the NEVs of the same level. Each NEV is able to locally elaborate direct and backward planning on the basis of an iterative planning model taking into account variation of demands and forecasts to guarantee a global benefit of the entire virtual enterprise.

The Intra-Cell Layout Problem in Automated Manufacturing Systems

Abstract The machine layout problem for manufacturing cells (or intra-cell layout problem) of an automated manufacturing system is addressed. The approach presented is divided into two main parts. The first part concerns the selection of the materials handling system and the possible machine layout type. This procedure is based on the characteristics of: (i) the products (which belong to the same product family), (ii) their manufacturing processes, and (iii) the machines. An expert system has been developed for this part. The second part concerns the physical arrangement of the machines inside the manufacturing cell in order to minimize the intra-cell traffic while respecting the physical constraints (distances between the machines, distances between the machines and their environment, product constraints, technological constraints, user preference, etc.). This part has been solved using Operations Research algorithms and especially the simulated annealing approach. The originality of the approach is to consider the cell layout, the materials handling system and the real distance followed by parts between the machines for the final arrangement of machines.

CIM-OSA: A Reference Architecture for CIM

Abstract CIM-OSA is an Open Systems Architecture for CIM which provides an enterprise modelling framework and an integrating infrastructure to support full business integration throughout the CIM system life cycle. The fundamental components of such an open systems architecture are first presented and then the CIM-OSA Modelling Framework and the CIM-OSA Integrating Infrastructure are discussed.

Advanced Modelling Approach to CIM Systems

Abstract The paper presents essential constructs used to model CIM enterprises in the CIMOSA modelling framework developed by the ESPRIT Project AMICE. The modelling approach makes it possible to focuss on functional analysis, information analysis, resource analysis or performance analysis of the CIM system.

COALA: A Manufacturing Plant Layout Approach

The design of modern manufacturing systems must rely on very efficient solutions. Manufacturing plant layout design is no exception. It must be based on optimal (or near-optimal) solutions taking into account the traffic of parts, handling costs and the location of the machines. In this paper, we present COALA, a manufacturing plant layout system. It consists of four modules: a preprocessing module for the analysis of the problem at hand, a manufacturing cell design module to group machines into cells, a machine layout module for intra-cell design, i.e. positioning the machines within a cell, and a cell layout module to position the cells on the factory floor. For each module, the problem is stated and the solution adopted is presented.