Modular design of integrated databases in production management systems

Abstract

Complexity is a serious problem with respect to the application of information technology in the field of production management. This paper presents an overview of the more fundamental problems encountered and proposes a solution for some of those problems in the form of modular decomposition of the conceptual database structure. It is argued that the complexity of information systems is closely connected to the complexity of the organization. Therefore a condition for the realization of integrated information systems for production management is a simplification of the organizational structure by way of defunctionalization and the forming of autonomous units.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

H. J. PELS

HENK JAN PELS is an assistant professor in the Information System Group of the Department of Industrial Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology. After he received his masters degree in electrical engineering at the same university in 1971, he joined Philips Industries, where he was engaged in the development of database applications for business as well as for the manufacturing area. In 1982, he moved to his current position, where he is researching and teaching data modelling, especially for manufacturing applications. In 1988, he received his Ph.D. on a thesis on modular decomposition of data models.

J. C. WORTMANN

JOHAN C. WORTMANN studied industrial engineering and management science at Eindhoven University of Technology. He has been active in the development of information systems for production/inventory control since 1973 and wrote a doctoral thesis on the subject. He has been involved in a number of practical applications, both in component manufacturing and in assembly operations. He worked in the first half of 1985 as visiting professor at Rutgers University, New Jersey on databases. Dr Wortmann is currently employed at Eindhoven University of Technology as professor of information systems for production management.