A real-time hybrid information-sharing and decision support system for the mould industry

The mould is an indispensible element that affects the quality of the final product in the manufacturing industry. Therefore, manufacturers outsource the mould manufacturing processes to professional subcontractors. Mould manufacturing is operated in a Made-to-Order (MTO) manner, which involves the collaboration of various internal and external functions. It is important for every party to obtain different information to facilitate their work. In addition, production schedule and decisions have to be made within a limited time based on the information gathered. Thus, the short production lead time makes gathering information and making decision difficult. This paper proposes a real-time hybrid information-sharing and decision support system (RISDS) that allows sharing of information among different parties and provides scheduling and decision support for the MTO mode manufacturing, especially the mould manufacturing. The system helps different stakeholders in the mould manufacturing to obtain information effectively and mould manufacturing planners make decision within a limited time schedule. In this regard, the case provides an example of making use of emerging technologies to enhance planning and scheduling processes in MTO mode production.