Information-Based Manufacturing with the Web

Manufacturing has been evolving over the years as different needs and technologies arise. This paper describes an emerging manufacturing technology driven by information systems, the global network infrastructure, and new business models driven by the availability of real-time information. Information-based manufacturing concerns using the right information to know what products to make, when to make them, and then making them the best possible. This becomes more complicated when a number of products, facilities, markets, and companies are involved. More than just information is needed. Connectivity, ability to coordinate and integrate, and implementation strategy all are important. Information systems provide the infrastructure to carry out these objectives. Because of the need for an effective information infrastructure, the Internet has the potential to further enhance information-based manufacturing. Information-based manufacturing can be efficient only when the underlying supply-chain network is run efficiently, for the supply chain provides the infrastructure for directing all the activities from receiving raw materials to the delivery of final products. This paper illustrates how the Web technology can help coordinate the supply-chain activities in manufacturing. It also illustrates the relationships between product types, supply-chain structures, information-sharing, coordination, and the Web.