Advanced product development integration architecture: an out-of-box solution to support distributed production networks

Abstract

This paper presents novel collaboration methods implemented using a centralized client/server product development integration architecture, and a decentralized peer-to-peer network for smaller and larger companies using open source solutions. The product development integration architecture has been developed for the integration of disparate technologies and software systems for the benefit of collaborative work teams in design and manufacturing. This will facilitate the communication of early design and product development within a distributed and collaborative environment. The novelty of this work is the introduction of an ‘out-of-box’ concept which provides a standard framework and deploys this utilizing a proprietary state-of-the-art product lifecycle management system (PLM). The term ‘out-of-box’ means to modify the product development and business processes to suit the technologies rather than vice versa. The key business benefits of adopting such an approach are a rapidly reconfigurable network and minimal requirements for software customization to avoid systems instability.

Keywords:

• Product development integration architecture
• Collaborative networks
• Product lifecycle management
• Peer-to-peer

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), for the project Distributed and Collaborative Product Development and Manufacturing Knowledge Management (Grants GR/R26757/01 and GR/R35148/01). We are also grateful for the support of the industrial collaborators ArvinMeritor, LSC Group, Mabey & Johnson and PTC.