CIM

Description of the CIM model

According to the CIM model all enterprise information systems are divided into levels by two criteria: discretization of a time axis in terms of which information systems, and amounts of data processed at each level of model function. Within the concept of CIM information systems form a pyramid. The systems of the top level operate with data on rather big periods of time, and lower — deal with a big data stream of real time. Each section of a pyramid has the area proportional to volume of the processed data. At top this volume is minimum, in the basis — is maximum. For communication of a discrete time axis above a pyramid with events of real time in its basis the intermediate systems of shop level are used, (Production Control, or Manufacturing Execution Systems — MES).

One of options of the CIM model.

The bottom level of model elements of data collection represent (sensors), average — program-controlled devices (for example, controllers of CNC machines), then there are automated systems of supervisory control of SCADA interacting with the equipment. Over them there are MES systems collecting data on technology processes and providing information for ERP systems.

The concept of the interface, i.e. method of interaction of information systems was one of the main concepts of CIM. At the same time did not interest developers of model what information is transmitted through interfaces (with what frequency and accuracy as it will be transformed in the course of data exchange) — were in focus of their attention methods of binding of the systems of different level. CIM offered only model of development of different types of interfaces of application integration.

Feature of the CIM model is almost total absence of information flows from external market environment. Authors of CIM believed that in the conditions of stable market demand, surplus of clients and a lack of goods stabilization of production processes and ensuring proper product quality should be the key business purposes. Thus, from the biological point of view the enterprise assimilated to the simplest organism which is living under own laws, not interacting with "relatives" and being in relative balance with the external environment. At the same time basic purpose of its information system is collection of information about own status for the purpose of maintenance of internal balance.

Tasks of the CIM model

• Improvement of a method of application of information technologies for collecting, processings and uses of information at the enterprises with discrete type of production.
• Elimination of islands of automation, i.e. the information systems which are servicing a certain user group, solving a local problem and which are not interacting with other information systems (for example, the geometrical models created in a CAD).
• Performance improvement and business competitiveness.

Shortcomings of the CIM model

• The human factor was not considered.
• There was no accurate implementation methodology of model.
• It was not possible to estimate correctly labor costs on creation of integration solutions.

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PERA (Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture) is the model of information systems which is development of the CIM model