A model-integrated information system for increasing throughput in discrete manufacturing

The use of information systems (IS) has been increasingly playing a critical role towards enhancing productivity and throughput in manufacturing enterprises. The primary drivers are efficiency and quality increase through automation, facilitation of better business processes and improved decision making. Many problems and issues relating to the design, development, integration, evolution and maintenance of ISs in large-scale and complex plants have become apparent which are not adequately addressed by the traditional Process Monitoring and Control (PM&C) systems. Model-Integrated Computing (MIC) offers a feasible approach towards providing cost-effective development, integration, evolution and maintenance of ISs through the extensive use of plant models. This paper describes an application of MIC in providing a problem-solving environment and decision support tool in the context of discrete manufacturing operations at Saturn. The Saturn Site Production Flow (SSPF) system is a client-server application, designed to provide consistent and pertinent information, analysis and decision support services that are needed for informed decision making.