Implementing integrated advanced technologies is an effective approach towards solving most problems in today’s competitive global market Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) technologies are presented as a solution to manufacturing organisations which need to perform well.
This research describes the major issues and problems facing developing countnes that wish to implement CIM. In this investigation, Libya is taken as an example of a developing country, while Ireland is used as a model of a more developed country, which has already implemented components of the CIM technology in some of its industrial companies. This research demonstrates the effect of CIM technology on Irish industry by investigating the cost effectiveness of implementing CIM, reduction of the production time, reduction of the product cost and management efficiency.
To carry out this study, 267 questionnaires were distributed to manufacturing companies in Ireland in order to help establish the status of CIM within manufacturing companies, to study the effect of CIM on Irish industries. To study CIM in Libyan industries, four Libyan companies were investigated to assess the CIM level in their companies and the possibility of implementing CIM technology in Libyan companies as a developing country. The mam findings of this research are that successful implementation of CIM depends on sufficient initial and continued investment from within the country and outside. Furthermore, in order to implement CIM successfully it is vital that there is sufficient expertise and trained workers.