An integrated vehicle information system based on an object-oriented database

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An integrated vehicle information system based on an object-oriented database

Koch, D. / Warschat, J.

For handling the documentation of highly complex technical products like vehicles a database system is crucial. The data must be in a consistent state and there should be no unnecessary redundancies. All departments which require product data should have efficient access to (only) the data they need, and this data must be represented according to the respective department views (like bills of materials, assembly plans, etc.). The Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation (IAO), Stuttgart, has developed a prototypical information system based on an object-oriented database system which enables users to issue information and update requests in all life stages of the product. The underlying object-oriented data model conforms very much to the users' perception of their real world product objects. It enables redundancy free data storage, fast response times, and reusability of object class definitions and application code, and thus simplifies maintenance of the system. The developed system prototype performs integrated management of product data throughout all departments of a vehicle manufacturing enterprise (from Conception and Design to Sales).