Management information system for moulded component development

Companies that Design and Manufacture new products use many types of computer application through the various phases from product concept through to full production. Typically information is stored in various formats such as CAD, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Product Data Management (PDM) systems. Various types of information need to be referenced to perform analysis and process monitoring during the development of new products. However any type of analysis that has to reference information from various sources will quickly become out of date as the product develops and the referenced data changes. This paper describes the New Product Development (NPD) process at Hozelock Ltd, and then goes on to discuss the development of a Management Information System (MIS) that monitors component costs as a new product develops and also controls the mould tool manufacturing process.