1 research outputs found
Distributed autonomous real-time planning and control of small to medium enterprises
The research reported in this paper is built on the use of the concepts of ‘holonic
manufacturing’ and is seeking new methods to reinforce the autonomous and cooperative attributes
of planning and control activities within human centred manufacturing facilities. It is claimed that
in small enterprises, where the success depends on the skill of individual employees and their ability
to collaborate, the manufacturing performance can be improved by the use of the appropriate
information technology (IT) tools and the appropriate planning and control structure, designed and
developed on the basis of these holonic concepts. Such novel tools and planning structures must
provide the most appropriate information in a way that enhances collaborative activity within the
business and strengthens the role of the individual. This paper identifies a number of major
requirements that must be considered for the design and implementation of an effective production
planning and control (PPC) structure, tailored for the needs of small enterprises. Based on these
requirements and the use of holonic manufacturing concepts, a novel distributed autonomous
real-time planning and control structure is presented. The final sections of the paper describe the
implementation of such a planning and control structure within a typical configuration for the
production facility of a small metalworking enterprise