Integration of manufacturing systems

A description is given of a methodology currently under development which is designed to improve the integration of the business activities of small/medium sized manufacturing enterprises. The methodology will be generic in nature and is aimed at organisations which want to improve their current operations as opposed to developing a green field site. It will be structured in such a way that companies may apply it themselves with a minimum amount of external assistance and will utilise only existing techniques and tools. The authors outline the reasons why such a methodology is required. This is followed by an explanation of the research approach adopted by the authors which also details the fundamental aims of the research. The main steps in the methodology are then described, with reference to industrial situations in which it has been successfully applied