Production Process Management information is managed through three layers. Using a layered approach in manufacturing enterprise information systems can provide significant advantages including ease of change and dramatically easier understanding of how production processes work. The Resource layer identifies the complete range of information sources or repositories. The business process layer retrieves the data elements from the designated resource and manages the information within the context of the specialized knowledge domain through a series of steps identified within a process. From the process level specific information is delivered to the user via the presentation layer.
The Resource layer consists of all data resources at your disposal, even that data outside the enterprise. Within the enterprise there are typically a vast number of information repositories including business administration applications such as ERP, accounting, human resources etc. Your PLM system and your value chain PLM systems can hold substantial information that might support manufacturing needs when retrieved and made part of a process. It is also obvious your Supply Chain applications including MES, LIMS, SPC and other manufacturing processes also can be invaluable support in other areas of the business once the idea of information sharing is the rule. One easy example is the use of supplier data included in a presentation of work instructions necessary to perform an assembly task.
The Resource Layer includes any and all applications and data repositories. The Process Layer actually retrieves the data and builds the user interface deliverable. The Presentation Layer which might be a cell phone, a machine PLC or work instruction display.