Design of an information system for a networked industry

Abstract

The industrial network is composed of active firms and public organizations evolving in a specific industry and of an industrial network manager. The information system for a networked industry (NetIndSI) is constructed to transfer information between firms of a business network. The firms are modeled as processors in a network linked together to manufacture products or deliver services. These processors can perform many tasks on the NetIndSI such as bidding on a project, requesting bids for a project, analyzing strategic information, developing bidding strategies, developing strategic alliances, managing the firm operations and contracts, and archiving pertinent information. The industrial network manager is modeled to maximize the network contribution to its member's. Its role is: to manage membership; to answer requests from the network members; to ensure information flow between the network members; to distribute decision supporting tools to the network members; and to develop new business opportunities for the members.