ABSTRACT
In response to the steady increase of technology and general welfare after World War II, most industrial enterprises adopted an organizational structure based on the principles of Taylor. This chapter discusses several issues related to the implementation of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) in the food industries. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) deals with automation at the factory floor level. The hierarchical model and the network model are both examples of navigational databases, in which the objects are stored as records and linked by means of pointers. On-line quality analysis and control has become a crucial topic in modern food manufacturing plants. This is particularly the case for a JIT environment, where the aim is to minimize product defects. The implementation of CIM is an important strategic decision that involves commitment of all hierarchical levels in the company management.
