Architecture of a Manufacturing Enterprise

Abstract

Recent years have seen the emergence of megamanufacturing systems, also called enterprises, that are integrated often globally, across continents. Through the use of information technology products such as electronic data interchange (EDI), the Internet, intranets, and other evolving communication techniques, large amounts of structured information can be transmitted securely and reliably over long distances. This has provided an impetus to locate product design centers far away from headquarters of companies. Development of high-speed logistics and fast customs clearance practices have led to the distribution across the globe of various facilities of a manufacturing enterprise in order to minimize either the total delivery cost or the delivery time. Thus, hardly any product worth its name is currently designed, manufactured, and sold in the same country.