A prototyping methodology to support development of generic user software

It is pointed out that a substantial body of knowledge exists on the take-up and use of software in small manufacturing enterprises (SMEs). Software use within SMEs, however, is typically limited by resource and idiosyncratic content restraints. A further barrier is that such software is frequently expensive to alter and will often require a shift in control behavior. It is noted that this need not be toward the user's perception of requirements, nor necessarily toward best practice. The prototyping concepts used, together with the derived methodology, based on object-oriented structures are described. The use of the developed software in practice and as a learning tool in computer-aided production management for SME environments is discussed.<
>