CIM IMPLEMENTATION
STRATEGIES
SHENG MA
Submitted in Partial Completion of the Requirements of
IEM 5303
Advanced Manufacturing Systems Design
Fall 2000
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Table of Contents
Intoduction to CIM ............................................................................................................ 1
Definition of CIM Systems ....................................................................................................... 1
History ........................................................................................................................................ 1
The Need for CIM ..................................................................................................................... 2
Benefits of CIM ......................................................................................................................... 2
Background ........................................................................................................................ 3
Background for CIM ................................................................................................................ 3
Manufacturing Systems ............................................................................................................ 4
Implementing CIM............................................................................................................. 5
Prerequisite ................................................................................................................................ 5
Implementing CIM Technology ............................................................................................... 6
CIM Implementation Strategies .............................................................................................. 7
CIM Implementation Strategies (Another Model) ............................................................... 12
Conclusion........................................................................................................................ 14
Bibliography ..................................................................................................................... 15
List of Figures
Figure 1: The processes by which CIM maybe implemented........................................... 7
Figure 2: Figure 2. Implementation Path ...................................................................... 13
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INTRODUCTION TO CIM
DEFINITION OF CIM SYSTEMS
Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) could means different things to
different people and different industries. However, regardless of the various definitions,
Computer Integrated Manufacturing systems can be best described by: Systems which
enable the integrated, rationalized, design, development, implementation, operation and
improvement of production facilities and their output over the life cycle of the product.
These systems identify and use appropriate technology to achieve their goals at minimum
cost and effort (1).
HISTORY
For much of the twentieth century, U.S. manufacturers were unchallenged in an
environment in which conservative approaches to both process technology and
managerial techniques produced successful results. Foreign competition was minimal.
Companies modified strategies and processes in minor ways in response to shifting
economic circumstances. During 1950s and 1960s, the America enjoyed a golden era of
manufacturing and the emphasis in manufacturing was on providing substantial
additional plant capacity that was needed just to keep up with market growth. Since
manufacturers had their hands full simply adding capacity of a know type, they saw no
need to add new process technologies at the same time, quality and cost were ignored.
Many U.S. firms spent incremental dollars on product technology and very little on new
process technology. Beginning in the early 1970s, the rate of growth slowed. By the
beginning of 1980s, U.S. manufacturing has the slowest growth compare to major
competitors like Japan, West German, U.K. and France. Also, U.S. manufacturer has the
highest labor cost. At the mean time, foreign manufacturer like Japan, are providing
much better quality and much cheaper products by adopting new process technologies
and new management concepts. With continuing cost and quality pressure from global
competitors, top management beginning to search ways to improve production processes
other than 1970s automation activities. One development is the concept of CIM. CIM
has been defined as the deliberate integration of automated system into the processes
producing a product. The CIM concept has taken hold in U.S. manufacturing and
companies are putting vast sums of money into automating their operations. However,
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the implementation of CIM was not successful at the early stage. Companies have failed
in the implementation of CIM in as many different ways as there are companies (3).
This lack of was partially attributed to the fact that the great majority of the senior
managers fail to understand and promote the implementation of CIM, also the lack of
success was due to lack of cooperation between computer and control vendors. By this
time, strategic approach of implementing CIM is realized.
The Need for CIM
According to R.U. Ayres (4), CIM is prompted by four linked hypotheses:
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New manufacturing possibilities have been created by rapid
technological progress in electronics and telecommunications.
The rapid development of technology facilities applications of
programmable automation and CIM arises from the confluence
of these supply elements (technology) and demand elements
(flexibility, quality, variety).
In manufacturing processes involving human “on-line” errors
result in defects. Because of increasing product complexity,
defective designs, components or assemblies are increasingly
intolerable.
Consumers want more choice, which means variety and
customization as well as reliability and quality, making the
manufacturing process more and more complex and increasing
the information-processing load in firms. The rapid introduction
of new products is becoming an increasingly important
competitive strategy, and product life cycles are shortening.
There is a trade-off between economies of scale and economics
of scope that result from flexible automation. CIM can help
increase the integration of functions and control as well as
higher quality and greater flexibility, at the meat time generating
lower costs.
Benefits of CIM
Many of the firms that are currently using CIM have reported a number of
improvement (5):
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15-30% reduction in engineering design costs
30-60% reduction in overall lead times
40-70% gain in overall production
200-500% gain in product quality
30-60% reduction in work-in process.
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While CIM programs have reported large gains for manufacturing firms, CIM can
be costly and difficult to implement. CIM implementations require large capital
expenditures, a strong commitment from top management, organizational flexibility and
partnership.
BACKGROUND
To better implement CIM in a manufacturing firm, one must understand elements
of CIM.
BACKGROUND FOR CIM
Technology Background for CIM
Concerning the technology background of CIM, R.U. Ayres (4) distinguishes
three categories of technologies:
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enabling technologies
transition technologies
central technologies
In the first category are telecommunications, microelectronics and computers.
These technologies are applicable far beyond the domain of manufacturing.
In the second category appear technologies where microelectronic and computer
devices have been applied over the past thirty years, but on a stand-alone basis. NCs
machine tools, programmable controllers and robots are examples in this category.
The third category consists of technologies directly related to computer
integration. The major example of these technologies are computer-aided design and
computer aided manufacturing and design (CAD/CAM), computer aided planning (CAP),
computerized manufacturing resource planning (MRP), local area networks (LAN) and
flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). FMS represents a key steps in the introduction of
more advanced manufacturing systems including CIM technology. FMS enables links
between programmable automation at the machine level and the integration of computer
manufacturing at the information level.
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Organization background for CIM
CIM is more than a simple technology problem. It must be considered as a
combination of technologies, organization and data processing. CIM is a specific concept
for the firm. People at different levels of the firm should understand specific factors in
favor of a specific CIM concept for each firm. Among these factors:
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Marketing demands (products, quality, delays…);
Technical and economic objectives of the company (reduction
of manufacturing costs, improvement of material flow,
information flow...)
Degrees of computerization and networking (type of hardware
and software, network implementation, size of network,
distributed architectures…)
Factors specific to the manufacturing conditions (formation,
personnel, and types of machines, types of technologies,
production strategy, size of company…).
CIM overall is a specific strategy embracing all the components above to help
achieve companies long term objectives.
MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
Manufacturing maybe defined as a series of interrelated activities and operations
involving the design, selection of materials, planning, production, quality assurance,
management, and marketing of discrete consumable and durable goods. The interaction
among these activities and operations form a total manufacturing system. A system is an
organized collection of human resources; machines, tools, and equipment resources;
financial resources; and methods required to accomplish a set of specific function. A
typical manufacturing enterprise can be viewed as representing a conceptual system
whose major functions are business, engineering, human resources, and production.
Manufacturing phases can be summarized as follows:
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Early planning and product support.
Typical of such activities are forecasting, product selection and
contracts, advanced engineering and research, business and
product support planning, and operational research. Teams
from the major functions work together during this phase.
Engineering and product design.
Design engineers analyze, synthesize, design, and cultivate the
product to meet a set of design specifications. If the product as
designed meets the specifications, engineering management
approves it.
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Manufacturing engineering.
Manufacturing engineering, sometimes called production
engineering, develops the production processes by which the
design is translated into manufactured goods at the lowest
possible cost.
Production planning.
Production planning may be defined as the systematic
scheduling of workers, materials, and machines by using lead
times, time standards, delivery dates, work loads, and other
similar data.
Production controls.
This phase involves directing or regulating the movement of
goods through the entire manufacturing cycle from the
requisitioning of raw materials to the delivery of the finished
product.
Production.
This phase involves the operation of changing the shape,
composition or combination of materials, parts, or
subassemblies to increase their value.
Product shipment and support.
The final phase is to deliver to the customer quality products
and services in a timely manner. This phase also provides
complete support for the products.
IMPLEMENTING CIM
PREREQUISITE
CIM represents a complex environment, embodying all activities of designing,
making, and marketing a product. All firms need to be computerized to achieve a true
CIM environment.
Hardware
Parallel-processing-based hardware and fifth-generation computers are needed for
CIM to become widespread. Because of the interaction among numerous computers and
other devices, a local area network (LAN) is needed for each geographical location. If
the manufacturing business is carried out at different locations or in different countries,
the LANs must be connected to each other via wide area networks (WANs).
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CIM Software
CIM software is an integrated package containing as many individual programs
functionally amalgamated into one as possible. The CIM environment requires
application program that can be easily integrated. Typical CIM software should be able
to handle all major production tasks in conjunction with other business tasks. It should
be capable of:
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Managing NC programs and their distribution,
Shop-floor data collection,
Interface to any NC/CNC system,
Handling manufacturing management functions such as
prescheduling job flow and saving shop-edited programs,
Electronic mailing throughout the plant and office,
Creating database-accessible files using shop-floor data, and
Working in varies operating environments (Dos, Unix).
CIM Workstations
Workstations are specialized computer systems that have tailored hardware and
software to carry out specific tasks more efficiently. Workstations are fast and have
sufficient memory to handle manufacturing tasks more efficiently.
Security and Computer viruses
PC-based systems and LANs, normally less security-controlled than the
mainframes, are more vulnerable. Companies need to ensure that end-user systems that
link PCs to the corporate computer cannot enter undesirable information. In addition, a
crisis management plan should be developed to help the CIM system recover in case of a
viral attack. Databases and other erasable components must be backed up.
IMPLEMENTING CIM TECHNOLOGY
To implement CIM technology, the following points should be focused:
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Strategy for CIM, based on organization, partners and concept.
CIM implementation is characterized by a sequential decision
process that should consider technical assistance,
organizational modifications, manufacturing techniques
configuration, data processing technology needed, personnel
qualification and acceptance of CIM by personnel.
Organization for CIM
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
This is a special CIM team for leading CIM business in the
company. This team deals with problems such as structuring
the objectives, the definition of necessary guidelines or the
translation of CIM concepts into reality. In reality, success of
the CIM project is principally dependent on the capacities of
the CIM team to overcome complex relations and to build
appropriate representation models close to the CIM strategy.
Collaboration with partners.
This includes the internal collaboration and the outside
consultants, advisors, and suppliers of CIM components.
CIM Implementation Strategies
CIM is not generic. Each individual company has unique characteristics and is
subject to different external influences, each will require a different a different point of
balance between people and automation, and hence will require a different form of CIM.
Process
Figure 1 shows the process by which CIM maybe implemented.
Mission Statement
Company’s Objectives
Strategies
Business Plan
Goals
Programs/Projects
Activities
Resources Allocation
Implementation Plan
Figure 1. The processes by which CIM maybe implemented (7).
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The company first defines the business it wants to be in terms of the nature of the
products, and the market (i.e., mission statement). It then defines its desired future
positions in terms of growth, profitability, etc (i.e., company’s objectives). Strategies,
which outline the best way of achieving the objectives and accomplishing the mission,
given the constraints of the market and the resources of the company, are then set. These
strategies are elaborated upon in a business plan, which shows the specific targets to be
sought at specified points in time (i.e., goals), and an array of prioritized
programs/projects through which the goals are pursued and the strategies implemented.
Finally, funds, personnel, etc are allocated to the programs/projects (i.e., resources
allocation), and an implementation plan is created to ensure their successful
implementation.
Setting the Strategies
To achieve the objectives and accomplish the mission, the company must set three
strategies: the market, the product, and the manufacturing strategy. The manufacturing
strategy must be connected to the market and product strategies – it must be derived from
the latter and at the same time it must support and influence them. The latter must
themselves be closely coupled and their choice must be the results of careful analysis of
the external environment, the company’s objectives, and the strengths and weaknesses of
the company itself.
Developing the Plan
The process of developing and implementing CIM can be described in the
following eight discrete stages.
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Project initiation. During this stage, the overall project
organization and methodologies are established. Personnel are
assigned to the project and trained in specialized techniques for
developing a CIM plan.
Development of the company’s economic model. The model
shows all the performance measures which can be related to the
critical success factors and their relationships with the factors,
and relationships between the critical success factors and
business metrics such as price and market share.
“As-is” analysis. Analyses of the company’s current
environment to provide the baseline for further analysis and
improvement efforts.
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Needs analysis. An analysis conducted to identify the business
functions, which could most effectively benefit from new
technologies.
Selection and evaluation of improvement technologies.
Alternative technologies that support the manufacturing
objectives and are consistent with the manufacturing strategy
are selected for evaluation against both economic and noneconomic criteria.
Master plan. The total package of selected technologies with a
specific request for expenditure is then submitted to top
management. Once approved, it is converted into a master plan
for implementation.
Incremental implementation. The master plan is implemented
on a project-by-project basis, either starting with the projects
that promise the highest returns, or with the least threatening
projects and letting the implementers “steer” the culture and
build confidence in the workforce.
Cost-benefits tracking. The actual costs incurred and the
benefits attained are ascertained.
To facilitate the development of CIM plan, the following are required:
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A progressive approach to integration. A recommended
progressive approach to integration is to plan integration inside
management functions, plan integration between management
functions, and plan integration with external environment. The
aim is to achieve not just process/operations integration, but
also material flow, controls, and information integration.
A CIM reference model. The model gives the implementers a
vision of how a company will operate in an integrated
environment, and so helps them to avoid creating islands of
automation and information.
Structured company model. Three types of company models
should be built: the “as-is”, “should-be”, and the “to-be”
models. The “as-is” models, which are models of the current
company’s environment, are built first. They enable tuning of
existing facilities via simplification and rationalization using
such techniques as JIT, GT, plant layout, TQM, WITs, etc.
Then, the “should-be” models, which not only implementing
the recommendations of tuning exercise, but also comply with
the stated company’s manufacturing objectives, are built. The
“should-be” models form the basis of a CIM plan. They are
used to identify functional requirements for advanced
manufacturing technologies such as MRP II, FMS, AR/RS,
CAD, CAM, DBMS, robotics, etc. From the “should-be”
models, state-of-the-art technology, and the company’s idea of
its future need, the “to-be” models are developed. They are
models of the company’s future environment showing how
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things are to be done in the future with advanced
manufacturing technologies.
 Cost-benefits analysis. Cost-benefits analysis for advanced
manufacturing technology projects may involve the following
steps:
Step 1. Identify manufacturing functions and function
groups.
Step 2. Identify all significant cost classifications.
Step 3. Develop the “as-is” cost baseline.
Step 4. Develop an “as-is” performance baseline.
Step 5. Prioritize improvement potential.
Step 6. Selection of technology alternatives,
Step 7. Determine the “to-be” cost baseline for each
technology alternative being investigated.
Step 8. Determine the “to-be” performance baseline for
each technology alternative being investigated.
Step 9. Rank the technology alternatives.
Step 10. Develop risk management plan.
Step 11. Perform economic analysis.
Step 12. Consider non-economic and strategic justification
factors.
Implementing the Plan
CIM plan is developed from top down, it is implemented from the bottom up.
The implementation of a technology project can be carried out in five stages:
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Project leader selection. Once the technology projects have
been selected and prioritized, a leader for each project is
chosen. In any project, the best choice for project leader is the
person who has the greatest chance of successfully
complementing the project.
Project team formation. Once a project leader has been chosen,
the necessary human resources for support should be provided.
To select the appropriate people requires that the project be
divided into manageable subtasks. The nature of the subtasks
then defines who should be on the project team and what their
responsibilities should be.
Project organization. Once the project team has been formed,
its place in the organization structure must be decided. It
allows the project team to draw on and interact with all the
functional areas, thus maximizing representation and
communication as is typically required with an advanced
manufacturing project.
Project planning. The project leader is responsible for project
planning which includes defining the tasks that will be required
to implement the project, setting budgets and milestone
schedules for each task, assigning responsibilities for
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accomplishing the tasks on time and within budget, and
allocating resources.
Project control. The aim of project control is to ensure that the
project is on schedule and within the budget and performance
constraints. To achieve this aim, a project management
information system should be set up to enable the project to be
monitored through comparison of planned performance with
actual performance.
Cost-Benefits Tracking
Cost-benefits tracking necessitates the capturing of data required monitoring the
status of the critical success factors, and also the identification of the sources of these
data. Once the required data are captured, the actual cost and performance baselines are
developed and are then compare to the “to-be” cost and performance baselines to identify
variances.
A Continuous Planning process
As things changed overt time, the CIM plan must be reviewed periodically to
reflect these changes. Within a few years, the implemented projects will be the subject of
a new “as-is” analysis, needs will have to be reassessed, and the plan reviewed.
Needs for Successful Implementation of CIM
CIM should be implemented from a position of strength, not weakness. The CIM
implementers need to decide whether the company is in a strong position to implement
CIM. Following are some prerequisites for successful implementation of CIM:
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Top management involvement. Top management involvement
is always a critical factor in any major change in an
organization. They not only should be committed, but also be
actively involved in CIM planning.
A knowledgeable work force. Knowledge of employees
consists of skills, experience, and talent they bring to the
company. All are highly relevant to CIM implementation.
A smooth normal functioning and highly readiness for CIM.
The day-to-day operations of the company should normally be
carried out in a planned thoughtful way rather than in a crisis
mode.
An organizational culture conducive to CIM implementation.
The implementation of CIM demands some cultural upheaval.
This becomes a selling job for all management levels,
accompanied with an unending education process for the work
force.
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A supportive infrastructure. CIM requires an infrastructure
considerably different from what exists in most companies
today. So the organization of the company may have to be
altered to make more effective use of the new technologies.
Adoption of industrial standards. Industrial standards, when
widely adopted by vendors, generally lower the cost of systems
and equipment. They increase the options for user when
sourcing systems and equipment, and simplify the tasks of
system development and integration. They facilitate ready
accessibility and free flow of information and also allow for
flexibility to make partial upgrades and replacements of
integrated systems when new technologies appear (7).
CIM IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES (ANOTHER MODEL)
Establishing Objectives
The starting point for a CIM system is the strategic planning of the enterprise by top
management, project leaders, etc. The enterprise can orient itself according to one of
three general objectives:
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Cost leadership
Product variety
Market position.
These generalized objectives are then rendered more operational in the subsequent
evaluation of concrete CIM sub-projects (process chains).
Definition of CIM process Chains
A user who wishes to implement CIM can start with CIM sub-chains once the
necessary framework has been defined. The choice of sub-chains depends on branchand factory-specific characteristics.
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Sub-chain 1: Linking planning and control
Sub-chain 2: Linking CAD and CAM
Sub-chain 3: Linking master data management (product
description database)
Sub-chain 4: Linking production control and CAM
Sub-chain 5: Inter-company process chain (include PPC
integration and CAD/CAM integration)
Sub-chain 6: Linking operative systems with accounting and
controlling systems.
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Implementation Paths:
Figure 2 represents implementation paths leads to the same global CIM
implementation.
Technical Data
CAD-NC
CAD-NC-DNC
PP-CAD-NC
DNC-CAD-NC-PP
PP-CAD-NC-CAP
PP-CAD
PP-CAD-CAQ
PP-ODC-CAQ-CAD
PP-ODC-MC-CAP
PP-MC-ODC
PP-ODC-MC-CAQ
PP-ODC
PP-CAQ-ODC
PP-CAQ
Business data
CAD = Design/Development
CAP = Process planning system
CAQ = Quality assurance
DNC = Cluster of several NC systems
MC = Manufacturing control system
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Global
CIM
NC = NC programming system
ODC = Operational data collection
PP = Production planning
Figure 2. Implementation Path (6)
For example, if the current problem is one of meeting a customer’s quality assurance
requirements (CAQ) the existing production planning and control system can be linked
with CAQ by adopting test plans (see lower shadowed path). Thereafter, this can be
linked with an operational data collection system for feedback of quality data. CAD is
then introduced in a subsequent step.
The current problem for another enterprise might be that of linking CAD with NC
programming, so as to shorten the delivery time on variant orders. The next step would
then be to introduce DNC and thereafter to reorganize production planning (see the upper
shadowed path).
More detailed model development could be seen in reference (6).
CONCLUSION
Due to the global competition and fast change customer requirements,
implementing CIM is beneficial. It could provide products with better quality, lower
costs, better support, and in a short lead-time.
Implementing CIM requires organizational and technical understanding and
strategic approach.
People at all levels should be educated and commit to the implementation of CIM.
Each individual company has unique characteristics and is subject to different
external influences, each will require a different a different point of balance between
people and automation, and hence will require a different form of CIM.
Implementation of CIM requires long-term effort and continuous improvement.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
1.
Dr. John W. Nazemetz, “Class Notes”, Lecture 2 Slides, 2000
2. Arthur L. Foston, Carolean L. Smith, & Tony Au, Fundamentals of ComputerIntegrated Manufacturing, Prentice Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1991.
3. John W. Clemons, "Successful CIM Projects: From Business Strategy to CIM
Strategy", Manufacturing Systems, Volume 9, Issue 11, pages 64-68, Wheaton, Nov.
1991.
4. Victor Sandoval, Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) in Japan, Elsevier,
Amsterdam-London-New York-Tokyo, 1994.
5. John S. Morris and Linda J. Morris, “Problems In CIM implementation: A Case
Study of Nine CIM Firms”, Computers ind. Engng., Volume 27, Nos. 1-4, pages 147150, 1994.
6. August-Wilhelm Scheer, CIM: Towards the Factory of the Future, Springer-Verlag,
New York, 1994.
7. C.L.Ang, “Planning and Implementing Computer Integrated manufacturing”,
Computers in Industry, Volume 12, Pages 131-140, 1989.
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