Information models: A precursor to software interoperability

Abstract

The move towards integrated manufacturing systems, which requires advances in software interoperability, is becoming a strategic issue. This paper reports on research work which was initiated to derive a new generation of reconfigurable and modular systems. Their components can ‘functionally interact’ and share information of common interest across conventional functional boundaries of an enterprise in an efficient, flexible and standardized manner. Problems of information fragmentation and lack of formalism are addressed with particular emphasis on: the definition of generic information models which underpin the sharing of common data among production planning, product design, finite capacity scheduling and cell control systems; ‘soft’ or flexible integration of functional activities via an integrating infrastructure in order (i) to help simplify typical integration problems found when using contemporary interconnection methods for applications integration, and (ii) to enable their reconfiguration and incremental development. In order to facilitate adaptability in response to changing needs, a new methodology and software toolset have been developed in this research study to formally structure and support implementation, run-time and change processes. The toolset combines the use of IDEFix (for entity-attribute relationship modelling) and EXPRESS (for information modelling). © 1996 Taylor & Francis Ltd.