The Development Of J2ee-based PDM System For Small & Medium Sized Enterprises

With the increasing diversity of customers' demands for product, the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must shorten the product design time to market if they want to survive and develop in the competitive market, and the implementation of IT is an effective way. Product data management (PDM), one kind of information technology-based technology, is used to manage all product related information and all proeesses, and is an essential tool for the manufacturing enterprise's informatization construction. However, because of the economic strength and technology constraints of SMEs, they cann't buy large commercial PDM system. In addition, most commercial PDM systems are based on the traditional C/S model, which has defects in software installation, update, maintenance and usage. According to the actual needs of SMEs and the openness and flexibility of J2EE features, we designed and developped a B/S structure PDM system which is in line with the SMEs characteristics. The author's main workings are given as follows:(1) Summarize the PDM source, definition, current research and the significance of developing this system for SMEs.(2) The practical problems of SMEs are analyzed. The overall system design scheme that meets the needs of SMEs is established.(3) According to flexibility and openness features of this system, the key technologies used in the process of developing this system are introduced, and according to its characteristics, the role of these technologies in this system is analyzed. The three J2EE design patterns used in the system are discussed in detail, and specific implementations of the three models in this system are given.(4) The detailed design process of the PDM system is discussed by functional module. According to the actual business needs of SMEs, the database model of each module is designed. Based on the above, code is written to achieve the related business function.(5) The application example for SMEs of this system is described.Systems based on J2EE technology have many characteristics such as short cycle, low cost, easy operation and maintenance. It has certain engineering value for those SMEs who have low threshold implementations and relatively weak financial and technical strength.