Page 312 - Sensors and Control Systems in Manufacturing

The Role of Sensors and Contr ol Technology in CIM
in engineering’s CAD application, and as a routing in a paperless 269
shop order from plant operations.
As data are shared across the enterprise, they must be trans-
formed into definitions and formats that support the need of indi-
vidual users and applications. Applications must be able to access
shared data, collect the required information, then format that infor-
mation for delivery.

5.8.6 The Requirement for Integration
Communication, data management, and presentation each have their
own set of technical requirements. In addition, before these three
building blocks can be integrated, a CIM architecture must also
address a number of enterprise-wide constraints. For example, a CIM
architecture should be able to:

• Utilize standard platforms
• Integrate data
• Protect the installed base investment
• Work with heterogeneous systems
• Utilize industry-standard operator interfaces
• Reduce application support cost
• Provide a customizable solution
• Offer phased implementation
• Deliver selectable functions
• Improve the business process

5.8.6.1 Standard Platforms
Utilizing standard computing platforms is one step industrial enter-
prises can take toward integration.
Today, many products are available that utilize standard plat-
forms. These include processors, operating systems, and enablers for
communications, database management, and presentation. In addi-
tion, platforms such as IBM’s systems application architecture (SAA)
and advance interactive executive (AIX) help make application consis-
tency a reality across strategic IBM and UNIX operating system envi-
ronments.
SAA, for example, is a comprehensive IBM blueprint for consis-
tency and compatibility of software products. SAA begins the process
by establishing definitions for four key application aspects: common
user access, common programming interface, common communica-
tion support, and common applications. Through these definitions,
SAA will support the development of new applications across major
operating environments.