STEP and the Virtual Enterprise (SAVE)

A working prototype will be delivered that will show how a supplier can gain remote access to the lead contractor CAD-CAM/Product Data Management (PDM) systems to "pull" the latest data and information relating to a particular task he has been asked to carry out.

The technical objectives of the project are:

• To develop a Virtual Enterprise Data Model - This will take and extend existing information modelling standards (STEP AP 203, AP214, AP232, PDM Schema and the OMG PDM enablers) to create a central model which represents the different contractual relationships and business protocols which govern engineering information exchange in a Virtual Enterprise.
• To develop tools to support a mapping methodology which will allow members of a Virtual Enterprise to translate their own, proprietary models and ways of working into the Virtual Enterprise Data Model.
• To implement a Virtual Enterprise Framework based on standards (CORBA, AIT Reference Model, AIT Implementation Platform) which will enable companies at whatever level from prime contractors to 2nd tier suppliers (and beyond), to, at low cost, rapidly join, participate in, and leave a Virtual Enterprise, exchanging and sharing information and applications with high degrees of integrity. The use of Java Applications and remote access to high cost tools through Intranet/Internet technology will be a key element of reaching this goal.

Expected bene€ts from the project are:

• A 10% reduction in the number of requests for change created during the design and manufacture of complex components and assemblies by the supply chain.
• A 10% improvement in leadtime towards the creation of €rst component or assembly.
• A time improvement in the selection of strategic suppliers and the implementation of a data exchange strategy.
• A reduction in the need for face to face meetings arising from queries over data misinterpretation.
• Reduction in waste material from manufacture due to incorrect speci€cations.
• A signi€cant reduction in the average cost incurred by an SME when joining a new extended enterprise as a member of its supply chain. The project started on September 1 1998 and approximately 13 man years of effort at a cost of 2.4 MECU will be spent over 28 months on this project. The project is jointly funded by the CEC's Brite-Euram Initiative and the European partners involved. The partners are Airframe Engineering of The Netherlands, Aerospatiale, Dassault Aviation and Dassault Systemes of France, Parametric Technology and ProSTEP Verein membership organisation of Germany and the project is led by British Aerospace's corporate research centre, Sowerby Research Centre.

For further information, please contact:

Dr Rob Bodington at rob.bodington@src.bae.co.uk