Information modelling: an integration of views of a manufacturing enterprise

To compete in world markets, manufacturing enterprises must design and prod uce new products in an effective, competitive manner. To minimize product i ntroduction times, they must be versatile, open to change, and ideally able to design and modify their own facilities and processes in parallel with n ew product design. The Factory Design Software Environment provides designe rs with an information-centred range of modelling and evaluation tools to e nable progressive design of the manufacturing enterprise. The benefits of a pplying alternative views of the enterprise, throughout the design process are presented through an industrial case study.