Enterprise Management Network Architecture: Distributed Knowledge Base Support

Abstract

Achieving manufacturing efficiency requires that many groups that comprise a manufacturing enterprise, such as design, planning, production, distribution, field service, accounting, sales and marketing, cooperate in order to achieve their common goal. In this paper we introduce the concept of Enterprise Management (EMN) as the element to facilitate the integration of distributed heterogeneous functions of a manufacturing enterprise. The integration is supported by having the network first play a more active role in the accessing and communication of information, and second provide the appropriate protocols for the distribution, coordination, and negotiation of tasks and outcomes. The EMN is divided into six layers: Network Layer, Data Layer, Information Layer, Organization Layer, Coordination Layer, and Market Layer. Each of these layers provides a portion of the elements, functions and protocols to allow the integration of a manufacturing enterprise.