Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) is a combined system that runs a plant automatically through a main computer and a series of sensors. This system controls the entire manufacturing process from the main frame. People can be replaced along assembly lines and control boards, but some engineers are still needed to program the computer and fix sensors and equipment.

As with other types of computer systems, CIM has many different subdivisions that work together as a whole. By subdivisions I mean different software designed to do a specific job. Each part of the software works with the rest and make up the main computer. Computer-Integrated manufacturing systems would not work without the following areas.

• ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning—Computer software that collects data to help with resource planning. This area will collect and store information coming in from the system. It will then manage and interpret the data.
• CAD: Computer-Aided Design—Computer software that communicates data to the system that aids to improve productivity and quality. It is the area of the system that creates and modifies the design of the products. After the data is collected it will then analyze and optimize the line.
• CAM: Computer-Aided Manufacturing—Computer software that controls the tools and components of the production line. It is the section of the system that creates faster and more efficient processes.
• CAPP: Computer Aided Process Planning—Computer software to aid in the planning process. It is the area of the system that determines the sequence of the production process, as well as the use of materials. It combines CAD and CAM software system requirements to improve planning of the production line.
• CAE: Computer-Aided Engineering—Computer software that aids in the engineering section of the production process. It analyzes and validates the line by using the CAD system.
• PPC: Production Planning and Control—Computer software that manages the tools and estimates resource usage. It is the area of the system that aids with scheduling, time management, resource allocation, and estimations that improve production costs and speed.
• CAQ: Computer-Aided Quality Assurance—Computer software that inspects the quality of products. It also analyzes any measuring equipment, meaning the distance of specific tools or sensors, that the system uses for production tasks. Vendor ratings are also computed in this area of the CIM.

It may seem like all the subsystems above are similar, or even the same. They all work together to form the overall CIM system. One main computer runs the entire show by using these smaller areas within its brain. They work together to control the production process which allows manufacturing companies to improve overall profit and waste numbers.

The Computer-Integrated Manufacturing system is reliable and cost effective. It is still a computer, though, and must be repaired and programmed. On site engineers are staffed to complete these tasks and to ensure that everything continues to work together. If the production plan, design, and execution are smooth profits go up, waste goes down, and the overall impact on the environment decreases.