An expert system for assessing the effectiveness of manufacturing information systems

While manufacturers are urged to achieve higher standards of complexity and flexibility, few methods exist to guide them on how to measure these qualities, never mind achieve them. An information theoretic measure of complexity has been developed, extending the work of Frizelle, and is introduced briefly in this paper. This measure forms the basis of two expert systems that have been written to guide production managers, planners and schedulers on how to assess their facilities for complexity, and identify the problems which prevent them from achieving and maintaining cost-effective flexibility.