Developing affordable CIM: a user led implementation of an industrial network

A collaborative project has been set up between the University of Surrey and Pathtrace Engineering Systems Ltd., a leading supplier of CAM systems with a user base founded in the smaller company. It comprises a programme of research and development which has set out to establish the status of CIM in this class of company; to develop a prototype example of the form of integration which is appropriate to smaller companies, based on an affordable industrial network; to develop a methodology designed to assist small companies to attain the benefits of integration.<>