The CAPM/CAE interface within CIM system approaches in medium-sized companies

Approaches to CIM system development in medium-sized UK manufacturing companies are discussed. Alternative views of CIM are presented, illustrated by case studies of medium-sized companies engaged in linking their CAE and CAPM systems. The conclusion reached is that the most realistic path towards CIM for this size of company is one determined by a business-oriented justification for investing in each element. The conceptual frameworks developed for larger companies, e.g. CIM-OSA, pay insufficient attention to existing AMT investments to be able to produce CIM programmes that medium-sized companies can afford