Computer-based manufacturing planning and control systems in small companies

At the Department of Production Economics, Linköping Institute of Technology, empirical studies concerning the use of computer-based manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems have been and are being carried out. In 1980, a number of larger Swedish companies using minicomputer-based MPC systems were studied. That study was followed up in 1987, mainly concerned with usage changes over time. In another study in 1983, a number of smaller Swedish companies were interviewed about their use of microcomputer-based MPC systems. This paper presents a follow-up study on twelve of these smaller companies. Are companies satisfied with their computerized MPC system? In what sense and to what extent can a computerized MPC system make the MPC routines of a small company more efficient? Reasons for purchasing and modifying an MPC system, educational efforts as well as personnel attitudes toward the MPC system are discussed. In addition, one company is presented as a case study. The results are then compared with the results from the follow-up study (1980-1987) of the larger companies.