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This monograph examines research needs in computer aided production management (CAPM). Recommendations for future research and its organisation are made. The monograph is based on an in‐depth study of current CAPM practice in a varied sample of 33 companies. The study conclusions confirm many existing beliefs. Many companies are paying inadequate attention to the necessary prerequisites for successful CAPM implementation. The prerequisites change as the extent of CAPM system integration increases. Organisational rather than implementation issues dominate as integration increases. The proposed research would bring together existing knowledge of best CAPM practice to form methodologies for the audit, design and implementation of CAPM systems. The aim is to reduce the time‐span of the learning curve required for successful CAPM integration. The methodologies need to be specific to particular industrial sectors.

This paper provides an overview of a series of research projects investigating the diffusion and appropriation of technologies for production and inventory control (PIC). These technologies are referred to, collectively, as production and inventory control systems (PICS) though also appear under a number of other names (for example, computer‐aided production management). PICS are information technologies used, predominantly by operations management or logistics personnel in manufacturing industry, to plan and schedule production runs and materials handling so that materials are available when required for production without holding unnecessary inventory. Typically, though not always, the technologies are computer‐aided. Like other technologies, they involve a significant amount of organisational as well as technical innovation (c.f. Damanpour, et al, 1989).

A software package is described that attempts to develop students' knowledge of Computer Aided Production Management (CAPM) systems and an awareness of the power of the computer to predict the future by iteratively simulating individual workshop operations. It demonstrates the techniques of CAPM by means of manual simulation. Students then operate and adjust a simple computer simulation model and compare it with the manual exercise. Both versions are described and compared. The CAPM system is presently installed on the ACT Sirius and the IBM personal microcomputers. It consists of a series of basic programs and data files in four modules. There is wide scope for using both versions in degree courses in mechanical and production engineering and production management.

This article examines the impact of introducing computer technology in just‐in‐time (JIT) systems. Literature review has generally supported the notion that introducing computers within JIT production systems may enhance productivity. Also, the productivity of a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) system may be enhanced by integrating it with the just‐in‐time (JIT) production system. This integrated production system is called the computer integrated just‐in‐time (CIJIT) production system. This empirical study provides strong evidence that integration of CIM and JIT can significantly improve a firm′s productivity and competitiveness.

Computer production management systems are far more common than they were even five years ago, as a result of reductions in the costs of computer hardware and the growing use of package software by both large and small firms. However, there are still many problems associated with such computer systems. Though the symptoms are somewhat different depending on whether we are concerned with large or small companies, the root cause is the same: a lack of any clear philosophy of what production management systems do and how they should be designed. In addition companies face a need to integrate hardware from many different suppliers and the ability to do this would also be helpful to smaller firms. At the moment such integration is difficult to carry out.

Production engineering has changed extensively in the last decade and today as many production engineers are found in the non‐metal cutting industries as in the old traditional metal cutting ones. Even metal cutting techniques have changed with the introduction of computer‐controlled machine tools, computer‐aided design, robotics and the semi‐automated factory.

Considers the way in which firms first become aware of computer‐aided production management technologies, with reference to three case studies. Focuses on the process through which firms ultimately decide to invest in MRPII, in order to understand more fully the way in which MRPII has diffused within the UK. Highlights the way in which the decisions taken at the selection/adoption stage can affect eventual outcome in terms of successful implementation of MRPII. Suggests that if firms are to compete in global markets, they must adopt and adapt technologies and approaches that are suitable for their unique context and environment, rather than attempting to imitate a “best practice” template.

In 1986 a comprehensive study into the state of the art in Computer Aided Production Management (CAPM) in UK industry commissioned by the ACME (Application of Computers to Manufacturing Engineering) directorate of the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) revealed a number of deficiencies in existing CAPM systems and approaches. As a consequence of this report, a number of specific sectors were identified including the small company sector, large company sector, make to order sector and the electronics sector. This article outlines the results of the work of the research team engaged in developing a CAPM implementation methodology for the electronics sector, which was the largest of the ACME CAPM projects. The research team believe that the results are equally applicable for CAPM implementation in other manufacturing sectors.

Examines Just‐in‐Time (JIT) from its evolution as a Japanese concept through to a review of its philosophy and implementation. Cites several techniques of implementation. Includes a review of the early work of various researchers and practitioners. Concludes that JIT is a very effective manufacturing philosophy which is universal in nature encompassing all aspects of manufacturing. Suggests a few deficiencies in current literature.