The purpose of this book is to discuss the state of the art and future
trends in the field of computerized production management systems. It is
composed of a number of independent papers, each presented in a chapter.
Some of the widely recognized experts in the field around the world have
been asked to contribute. lowe each of them my sincere gratitude for
their kind cooperation. I am also grateful to Peter Falster and Jim
Browne for their kind support in helping me to review topics to be
covered and to select the authors. This book is a result of the
professional work done in the International Federation of Information
Processing Technical Committee IFIP TC5 "Com- puter Applications in
Technology" and especially in the Working Group WG5. 7 "Computer-Aided
Production Management". This group was established in 1978 with the aim
of promoting and encouraging the advancement of the field of computer
systems for the production management of manufacturing, off- shore,
construction, electronic and similar and related industries. The scope
of the work includes, but is not limited to, the following topics: 1)
design and implementation of new production planning and control systems
taking into account new technology and management philosophy; 2) CAPM in
a CIM environment including interfaces to CAD and CAM; 3) project
management and cost engineering; 4) knowledge engineering in CAPM; 5)
CAPM for Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) and Flexible Assembly
Systems (F AS); 6) methods and concepts in CAPM; 7) economic and social
implications of CAPM.