* Corresponding author. Tel.: # 886-3-574-2651; fax: # 886-3-572- 2685. E-mail address: trappey@ie.nthu.edu.tw (A.J.C. Trappey) Robotics and Computer Integrated Manufacturing 16 (2000) 339}352 ISO10303 compatible data model and its applications for PC con"guration management Yin-Ho Yao, Amy J.C. Trappey* Department of Industrial Engineering & Engineering Management, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC Received 20 August 1998; received in revised form 20 August 1999; accepted 24 November 1999 Abstract This paper focuses on identifying and de"ning standard data model for conducting con"guration management (CM) of Personal Computer (PC) design and redesign. ISO product data representation and exchange standard (ISO10303) is adopted to support the realization of PC industry's global logistic management. The required data types are studied, identi"ed and interpreted using ISO10303 Application Protocol 203 (AP203) to support the ISO10007-based standard CM procedure. This research enables the CM-related data being exchanged using a common data model among heterogeneous PDM systems of the supply chain partners for data sharing and virtual enterprise integration.  2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Con"guration management (CM); Product data management (PDM); Supply chain management (SCM); ISO10007; ISO10303 1. Introduction In recent years, companies particularly in consumer electronics and PC industry are fast evolving into globally operating enterprises. Under such business structure, manufacturers must emphasize on cooperation among members of supply chains to accomplish e$cient and economic production cycle and shorten time to market. They rely heavily on electronic data that inter- change with their cooperating partners and integrate with the enterprise back-end information system for the quick response to the market needs while lowering the production cost. Therefore, standardization for the elec- tronic interchange of product data becomes an inevitable trend. Whether or not an enterprise can take a lead depends on the accurate and e$cient usage of the enter- prise's product data, including the ability to share and transfer the most updated dynamic data (e.g., the design, manufacturing, testing, and maintenance data) among business partners. This research focuses on the issues that the PC indus- try faces on exchange of product data, particularly for con"guration management (CM). Using ISO10007 [1] standard as a guideline, this research adopts the Con"guration Controlled Design Application Protocol of ISO10303 [2] to establish the CM data modeling scheme. The scheme is in a common data standard, so it can be used for an enterprise and its related lower- or upper-stream partners to share consistent product re- cords, product versions, components list, and product structures, and to support engineering changes and CM activities in a supply network. Furthermore, this research develops the algorithm of PC assembly analysis, which veri"es the CM data to ensure valid product revisions and engineering changes. This research chooses PC industry as the case study because it is one of the fastest growing industrial sectors globally. Furthermore, the business practice of the indus- try is toward the global supply chain logistic structure, which requires common standard protocol for informa- tion exchanges. Based on ISO10303 standard data modeling technology aligning with ISO10007 standard CM procedure, the CM-related data can be exchanged and integrated with back-end Product Data Manage- ment (PDM) systems of various companies among the supply networks concurrently and consistently. 2. Background During the product life cycle from its conceptualiz- ation, design, production to distribution, many product 0736-5845/00/$ - see front matter  2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 7 3 6 - 5 8 4 5 ( 9 9 ) 0 0 0 6 2 - 9