Abstract
This paper presents an overview of the evolution of manufacturing systems integrating infrastructures and standards, ranging from industrial network standards(1) such as MAP(2) and CNMA(3), that essentially support hardware integration, distributed platforms like OSF/DCE4 and OMG/CORBA(5) promoting industrial applications integration, up to integration frameworks like CIMOSA(6) which try to encompass all the aspects linked to business integration. This overview has a particular emphasis on the integrating infrastructure concepts towards enterprise integration. The advantages and constraints of a CIMOSA integrating infrastructure implementation using OSF/DCE is also presented and discussed.

Abstract
This paper describes a integrated set of tools supporting Prototype Development, Test and Integration of Shop-Floor Management Applications, as well as an illustrative case study. Increasing Requirements advise that rapid prototyping of shop-floor software applications is fostered by the use of powerful modelling tools. The authors describe the use of a combined agent oriented/structured analysis approach to build the software system agent hierarchy and behaviour, which are further modelled as SDL process classes through a powerful Modelling Workbench. The result of this approach was the integration of two off-the-sheIf tools, the Teamwork CASE Tool and the Modelling Workbench. This integration allows the SDL executable models to be used as emulated shop-floor applications. These application models, interacting with the prototypes of their user interlaces, as well as with the actual shop-floor simulation and production control models, may then be fully tested by the end-user in close-to-real conditions.

Abstract
The investigation of existing architectures of CIM shop floor control systems has shown that they often fail to give the user a really usable tool. Usabilitity requirements such as ease of utilisation, installation and maintenance are not generally met. High engineering costs are an immediate result of these deficiencies leading to higher system costs and rendering these important tools inaccessible to the industry. INESC Industrial Automation Group has been undertaking R&D work in this field for the last six years, both through european and national projects. The results of one of these european projects ESPRIT Project 5478 Shop-Control, are now being installed in Portugal. The installation of this state-of-the-art tool calls far a considerable though expected effort, since Shop-Control is basically an integrated set of plant floor management tools that need special customisation to meet different shop floor requirements. Moreover, as a state-of-the-art shop floor control architecture, it aims at providing interoperability, integrating existing systems at the shop floor level as well as at management level. Since even state-of-the-art tools should be simple to install and use, a Decision Support System (DSS) supporting future Shop-Control installation teams on their task by allowing some installation automation as well as providing tools to manage the needed interoperability across different platforms, is being developed. Although biased by the Shop-Control and REAL-I-CIM (EP-8865) projects, a genuine effort is being made to make this Decision Support System a generic tool. This paper puts into perspective the relevance of CIM systems decision support, and describes the specification, design and testing of a novel DSS for shop floor CIM systems design, testing and installation.

Abstract

Abstract
This is a conceptual paper supported by empirical research giving details of a new Business Narrative Modelling Language (BNML). The need for BNML arose given a growing dissatisfaction with qualitative research approaches and also due to the need to bring entrepreneurs, especially those with little training in management theory, closer to the academic (as well as practitioner) discussion of innovation and strategy for value creation. We aim primarily for an improved communication process of events which can be described using the narrative, in the discussion of the value creation process. Our findings, illustrated through a case study, should be of interest to both researchers and practitioners alike.

Abstract
Existing e-marketplaces, built on traditional client-server architectures, severely restrict the scope and dynamics of B2B interactions. Peer-to-peer (P2P) architectures will provide far more decentralised infrastructures, white allowing a much wider range of business patterns to take place. The purpose of this paper is twofold: (1) to argue that interaction over a P2P network better resembles the way enterprises perform business with each other, and (2) to point out a set of essential services required it) make P2P infrastructures fit for B2B exchanges. An overview of those services is presented, based on one of the leading P2P platforms (JXTA).