Affiliations: [a] Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering Department, University of Michigan – Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, Michigan, 48128-1491, USA, Tel.: +1 313 593 5258; Fax: +1 313 593 3692; E-mail: charu@umich.edu | [b] Manufacturing Systems and Engineering Department, University of St. Thomas, Mail #OSS101, 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105-1079, USA, Tel.: +1 651 962 5768; Fax: +1 651 962 6419; E-mail: skumar@stthomas.edu
Abstract: Management of technologies requires managing complexity attributed to their conflicting objectives. A system framework with information modelling using object-oriented paradigm is proposed for managing technological complexity in the enterprise. It emphasises interaction among various components of an enterprise by designing solution methods that explicitly recognise domain independent problem solving and modelling, and domain dependent analysis and implementation. The purpose of such an approach is to ascertain characteristics of the problem independent of its environment. Consequently, the approach delivers solution(s) that are intrinsic only to the problem. A cellular manufacturing system enterprise example is utilised in explaining concepts discussed in the paper. A strategy to implement the proposed framework that enables building flexible and configurable enterprises to deliver customised products is presented. Benefits accruing from such framework are improved conceptual modelling, leading up to development of an object-relational database for scalable and extensible uses of enterprise decision modelling tools.
