Enterprise modelling : building a product lifecycle (PLM) model as a component of the integrated vision of the enterprise

Enterprise modelling has proved to be an efficient tool to study organisations structure and facilitate decision making. The enterprise is a complex system that is required to use its processes to generate value in a given environment (concurrent, market, suppliers and humanity). We focus on three management disciplines: Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). These business processes are so intertwined that the enterprise has to concentrate on the three to attain its economic objectives. To enhance the development of PLM, SCM and CRM models, the enterprise needs to capitalise the knowledge necessary to adapt and apply modelling techniques. Knowledge Management (KM) is a key factor to give a unified enterprise vision. Firstly, we propose an integrated enterprise model depicting the interactions between PLM, SCM, CRM and KM models. But a state of the art showed that PLM models are scarce. Most of the PLM models found depends strongly on the particular case studied and can not be used with other enterprises. After defining the most important components of the PLM vision, we propose to organise these components into a formalised way. The study of SCM and CRM models proved to be helpful to structure these components. Finally the validation methodology that is to be established in our coming research works is not only to be used with the PLM model presented in this paper but with SCM and CRM models also.Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Enterprise modelling, Enterprise systems

Process improvement in BAe Systems and the wider aerospace sector

Purpose: To research the change management processes used to implement ‘world class’ improvements in a major aerospace company, BAE SYSTEMS, and to propose a model for process improvement in the wider aerospace sector. Design/methodology/approach: The research was undertaken as a longitudinal study over a period of five years. A variety of research methodologies were used at various stages of the research including action research and observation. Semi-structured and unstructured interviews were used to gather qualitative data along with documentary evidence of the processes being used. Findings: There are three key findings. Firstly, an understanding of the production stages in the aerospace sector: future project; new product; sustain and return to work. Secondly details of a matrix-based approach and the issues regarding its implementation in a large organisation are discussed. Thirdly, a generic set of principles to aid process improvement in the aerospace sector is proposed. Research limitations/implications: Given that the study is based in one company, there are issues regarding the generalisation of the results. A potential further research project would entail the implementation of the proposed generic principles in another aerospace organisation. Practical implications: For BAE SYSTEMS, this research project aided their understanding of the issues involved in rolling out a process improvement program in a large organisation.Originality/value: Until recently, most of the research into process improvement had either been universalistic or aimed at another type of industry, such as the automotive industry. This research helps to address the specific needs of the aerospace industry

Lifecycle Value Framework for Tactical Aircraft Product Development

Due to a dramatic reduction in defense procurement, the benchmark for developing new defense systems today is performance at an affordable cost. In an attempt to encircle a more holistic perspective of value, lifecycle value has evolved as a concept within the Lean Aerospace Initiative, LAI. The implication of this is development of products incorporating lifecycle and long-term focus instead of a shortsighted cost cutting focus. The interest to reduce total cost of ownership while still improving performance, availability, and sustainability, other dimensions taken into account within the lifecycle value approach, falls well within this context. Several factors prevent enterprises from having a holistic perspective during product development. Some important aspects are increased complexity of the products and significant technological uncertainty. The combination of complexity in system design and the limits of individual human comprehension typically prevent a best value solution to be envisioned. The purpose of this research was to examine relative contributions in product development and determine factors that significantly promote abilities to consider and achieve lifecycle value. This paper contributes a maturity matrix based on important practices and lessons learned through extensive interview based case studies of three tactical aircraft programs, including experiences from more than 100 interviews

Design and Planning of Manufacturing Networks for Mass Customisation and Personalisation: Challenges and Outlook

AbstractManufacturers and service providers are called to design, plan and operate globalized manufacturing networks, addressing to challenges such as ever-decreasing lifecycles and increased product complexity. These factors, caused primarily by mass customisation and demand volatility, generate a number of issues related to the design and planning of manufacturing systems and networks, which are not holistically tackled in industrial and academic practices. The mapping of production performance requirements to process and production planning requires automated closed-loop control systems, which current systems fail to deliver. Technology-based business approaches are an enabler for increased enterprise performance. Towards that end, the issues discussed in this paper focus on challenges in the design and planning of manufacturing networks in a mass customization and personalization landscape. The development of methods and tools for supporting the dynamic configuration and optimal routing of manufacturing networks and facilities under cost, time, complexity and environmental constraints to support product-service personalization are promoted

Digital Twin Technology

Digital twin technology is considered to be the core technology of realizing Cyber-Physical System (CPS). It is the simulation technology that integrates multidisciplinary, multiphysical quantity, multiscale and multi probability by making full use of physical model, sensor update, operation history and other data. It is the mapping technology for the whole lifecycle process of physical equipment in virtual space. It is the basic technology of Industrial 4.0. This chapter mainly introduces: (1) the generation of digital twin technology; (2) the definition and characteristics of digital twin technology; (3) the relationship between digital twin and digital thread; (4) the implementation of the product digital twin model; and (5) the research progress and application of digital twin research

Towards a Framework for Smart Manufacturing adoption in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Smart Manufacturing (SM) paradigm adoption can scale production with demand without compromising on the time for order fulfillment. A smart manufacturing system (SMS) is vertically and horizontally connected, and thus it can minimize the chances of miscommunication. Employees in an SME are aware of the operational requirements and their responsibilities. The machine schedules are prepared based on the tasks a machine must perform. Predictive maintenance reduces the downtime of machines. Design software optimizes the product design. Production feasibility is checked with the help of simulation. The concepts of product life cycle management are considered for waste reduction. Employee safety, and ergonomics, identifying new business opportunities and markets, focus on employee education and skill enhancement are some of the other advantages of SM paradigm adoption. This dissertation develops an SM paradigm adoption framework for manufacturing SMEs by employing the instrumental research approach. The first step in the framework identified the technical aspects of SM, and this step was followed by identifying the research gaps in the suggested methods (in literature) and managerial aspects for adopting SM paradigm. The technical and the managerial aspects were integrated into a toolkit for manufacturing SMEs. This toolkit contains seven modular toolboxes that can be installed in five levels, depending on an SME’s readiness towards SM. The framework proposed in this dissertation focuses on how an SME’s readiness can be assessed and based on its present readiness what tools and practices the SMEs need to have to realize their tailored vision of SM. The framework was validated with the help of two SMEs cases that have recently adopted SM practices

Product Lifecycle Engineering and Management a Life Line for SMEs in Nigeria: An Appraisal

In this 21st century and beyond characterized with rapid development change in technology and innovations, organizations must relentlessly improve their product processes and systems, if they hope to outperform their competitors and maintain relevancy. Invariably, every product has 'life', starting with the design/development, followed by resource extraction, production, use/consumption, and end-of-life activities. However,, Product Lifecycle Engineering and Management (PLM), represents a very important approach for achieving a more sustainable paradigm of work and life, a more sustainable product development, manufacturing, use and dismissal. It is remarkable to note that SMEs account for 97% of all businesses in Nigeria, employs 50% of Nigeria's workforce, and produce 50% of Nigeria's industrial output, but most of these companies (SMEs) are short-lived. The sustainability of these companies and their products' lifecycle has become imperative in order to increase their contributions towards economic, social, political, environmental, and technological development of the Nigeria nation. This paper therefore, shows that effective and efficient PLM will inevitably play a vital and unprecedented role in creating sustainable product environment for SMEs in Africa and most especially fast growing economy like Nigeria. Keywords: Lifecycle, Management, Sustainability, SMEs, ICT Solution, Product Life, Developmen

DIGSM 4.0 CURRICULUM LIFECYCLE BASED ON COMPONENT ORGANISED LEARNING METHOD

The research under consideration is how to build COL (Component Organised Learning) based curriculum lifecycle that teachers can apply in different fields. The problem is that the degree studies curriculum is not always applied to working students as the needs of the companies they work for differ. Companies find it more valuable when students can use the existing curriculum topics to solve today's company problems. Current degree studies take considerable time and are unsuitable for full-time employed specialists. The proposed Education 4.0 concept brings the knowledge and skills required by the market for full-time employed students in a time-efficient way. One possible solution to apply this concept in practice is to create a micro-credential curriculum for companies. The authors suggest using the intensive week approach for analysis, where the students will solve the real company problem using previously studied solutions. They will also use the Moodle courses linked to the developed COL to speed up access to the materials. Authors suggest organising such an event in collaboration with consortium partners and involving all teaching staff who worked on course development. After introducing problems brought by the company and visiting the company on site, asking the questions, students define the task to be solved in groups. After that, the Authors recommend providing intensive courses where each partner will present the developed Moodle materials. The target is that the students will solve the problem in 24h and present solutions to the company representative.