A DSS approach to developing systems to support production planning and control in smaller companies

Smaller Manufacturing Enterprises (SMEs) would benefit from manufacturing d ecision support systems (DSSs) in which the links between customer orders a nd manufacturing operations were maintained throughout the production plann ing process. However, systems with this characteristic are not available at prices that most SMEs can afford. This paper describes how a prototype DSS with this feature was developed and validated using data from a manufactur er of fencing materials. A hybrid relational database/object-oriented appro ach to modelling the manufacturing process is outlined. Static and slowly c hanging data about the manufacturing system were stored on a relational dat abase, while more dynamic production planning information was built into an object model. The system made use of a 'Bill of Production' for each manuf actured item that contained both materials and operation information, and w as constructed at the time it was required from information held on the dat abase.