Distributed architecture for production planning and control in discrete manufacturing

The production management (PM) problems to be solved in a discrete manufacturing plant of large dimension are analyzed. Two separated approaches are discussed: the plant manager approach and the systems integrator approach. In the former, one states the PM objectives to be optimized; using the latter, one must suggest the mathematical formalizations of PM problems and the methods to solve them. A hierarchical decentralized architecture is outlined in which methods of integrating decision modules implementing PM problem-solution strategies are suggested. The practical problems concerning the total integration are presented