What MAP Means to the Production Manager

The implications of Manufacturing Automation Protocol (MAP) are examined from the perspective of the production manager. Due to the size of the financial investment required and the demands on technical resources of a MAP implementation, it is likely that the decision to employ MAP technology will be a corporate one. Under the heading of strategy, the integration of MAP into corporate and manufacturing strategies will be investigated. Financial justification of the capital investment will also be assessed as will the technical skills required to install a MAP-based Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) facility. The present position and possible future development of MAP and how the production manager may have to adjust to it will be addressed, from which, finally, conclusions will be drawn.