Computer Integrated Manufacturing : Springer : 9783540196167 : 3540196161 : 25 May 1990 : The impact of CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) on the competitiveness of industry is nowadays well acknowledged. Significant increases in productivity, reduction of production costs and the ability to modify operations quickly are amongst the gains made when applying CIM technologies. The integration of automation islands and the application of information technology throughout manufacturing and engineering environments constitute key tasks for European industry. ESPRIT (European Strategic Programme for Research and Development in Information Technology) is a pre-competitive industry-oriented collaborative research and development programme in information technology. The programme is managed and co-funded by the European Community and is organised in close liaison with industry, national administ­ rations and the research Community. ESPRIT has the following three objectives: - To provide th