ABSTRACT
A manufacturing facility is likely to utilize multiple computers for sc;veral reasons. The first reason is to handle the required volume of data processing within a reasonable amount of time, while also providing a backup resource in the event that one system is unable to supply the needed computing capacity. Other reasons are to provide computer service to a variety of organizational entities that may be widely dispersed or because of the gradual manner in which computing systems are introduced to different areas of a factory. In order to obtain the maximum utilization to these diverse computing systems, it is necessary that they be able to communicate readily with each other. Data communications between different computer systems can occur in a variety of means such as mailing the information to another person who performs the data entry task, using a telephone to talk to this other person, physically transporting a computer-readable data record or utilizing a direct electronic communications link between them. This last communications technique is the one choosen when attempting to avoid time delays, although it is not necessarily the best approach from a cost, capacity or accuracy standpoint. In comparison to a direct electronic communications link, a truck that is packed with computer discs can certainly transfer more data in a given amount of time, with greater accuracy between two computer systems that are one mile
apart. However, the time delay associated with using the same transmission for smaller amounts of data or for significantly greater distances becomes prohibitive.
