Reference architectures for manufacturing organizations—some relevant ergonomics issues

This article addresses the implications of the drive towards defining Reference Architectures for manufacturing companies. These architectures are intended to accomplish many purposes: to allow companies to define models of their structure and operations for discussion and planning purposes; to provide workflow models for companies to utilize in their everyday operations; to provide recognized interfaces with which different companies can interoperate; to provide hardware and software suppliers with generic functional models and frameworks into which they can fit their offerings; and to enable a wider understanding of manufacturing. This is an area currently dominated by information technology and its professionals; however, because of the vital and intrinsic role of people in organizations, ergonomists must become involved in this movement as well. This article outlines some of the thinking that has gone on, and identifies some of the deeper ergonomics issues that must be addressed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.