A Web-based system for manufacturing co-ordination in complex supply networks

In today's manufacturing industries, companies have recognised the importance of focusing on their core manufacturing capabilities, leading to a greater reliance on suppliers and business partners. Consequently, manufacturing co-ordination across the supply network is of vital importance for improved customer service and efficency of individual companies and the whole network. This paper introduces the important aspects of the IST project: Co-OPERATE, which aims to develop a Web-based system for better co-ordination of manufacturing planning and control activities across the supply network. A framework for manufacturing co-ordination in the supply network is first introduced, which consists of seven interrelated co-ordination processes. Then, they are prioritised and four core processes for co-ordinating supply chain planning and execution activities in the short- to medium-term are chosen for further development, which comprise the main modules of the Co-OPERATE system. This is followed by the description of the implementation and evaluation for the Co-OPERATE system. Finally, some important issues are discussed and the presented work is concluded.