An intelligent planning network for manufacturing systems management

摘要

The paper describes a planning network (PN) which is to assist the bette harmonization and higher quality and production volume of Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SME), if they are joining their efforts by being active members of the PN. The PN means a real-time, on-line network with three basic functions. The ocal planning module (LPM), the co-ordination unit (CU) and the evaluation module (EM) are the three software units that cover the functions. This PN is a kind of virtual, or extended enterprise, however it is different because of the longterm co-operation of the partners, instead of working together only for 1-2 given orders. The intelligence of the PN is supported by expert systems in the CU and EM.