Critical factors in information system development for a flexible manufacturing system
The successful implementation of a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is highly dependent upon the design and development of the system for information flow and control. The literature indicates that information systems are the primary source of problems in an FMS, but are the least studied subsystem within an FMS. Based upon the case study of a successful implementation of a fully automated FMS, six critical success factors (CSFs) were identified for information system development within an FMS. These CSFs point to the importance of four issues: (1) simplification and standardization, (2) communication, (3) team building, and (4) resource allocation. The FMS development process is described, and the six CSFs are compared to related findings in the literature on FMS implementation, project management, software design and factory automation. The paper concludes by stating the implications for management, system design and future research.
flexible manufacturing systems critical success factors computer integrated manufacturing information systems architecture