Information Modeling: From Design to Implementation

Abstract

Today's manufacturing industry greatly relies on computer technology to support activities throughout a product’s life cycle. Effective and efficient information sharing and exchange among computer systems have been critical issues. Formal information modeling languages that describe information requirements unambiguously is an enabling technology that facilitates the development of a large scale, networked, computer environment that behaves consistently and correctly. This paper describes an information modeling process. Emphasis is placed on the need for the implementation of “quality ” information models to facilitate an integrated manufacturing environment. How information models are used to define data requirements and how, in a practical application, information models enable information sharing and exchange are described. Several information modeling methodologies, modeling languages, and implementation methods are reviewed. In addition, recommendations on building practical information models are presented.