What is the enterprise wheel and how does it illustrate a cohesive manufacturing procedure?

Answer 1

New insight brings us to the new Manufacturing Enterprise Wheel. This updated vision preserves the understanding gained from the previous CIM Enterprise Wheel. The old Wheel looked primarily at automation and integration inside the enterprise. The new Wheel looks outside as well. It adds understanding in these six areas:

o The central role of a customer-oriented mission and vision to strive for continuous improvement.

o The importance of teams and human networking in the new manufacturing environment.

o The continuing importance of computer tools, now increasingly distributed and networked. This includes tools to support networking and concurrent engineering.

o A focus on key processes and best practices throughout the enterprise, from marketing through design, manufacturing, and customer support.

o Recognition of the move away from bureaucratic structures, to leaner and more agile organizations.

o The need to integrate an understanding of the external environment, including customers, competitors, suppliers, and the global manufacturing infrastructure.

CASA/SME continues to provide leadership in enterprise integration, through education and information services for its members. The new Manufacturing Enterprise Wheel is, in a sense, a graphical index to the knowledge and organizational approach required in today's manufacturing world.

(DANIEL MYERS)