Abstract
The research focuses on designing and prototyping a PDM system considering Build-to-Order PC configuration management (CM). CM consists of four integrated activities. They are Configuration Identification, Configuration Control, Configuration Status Accounting and Configuration Audit. The research develops four Application Activity Models (AAM) to describe the procedures of PC assembly. The AAM procedures are used as guidelines to implement the PDM system. The research suggests a Build-to-Order (BTO) business model for the PC design and production, because many companies encourage customers to select miscellaneous PC components as a marketing strategy and can build a single computer to meet those specifications. To implement a BTO model, the PDM system with a CM capability must evaluate the configuration functional and technical feasibility. The research uses the CM procedure to eliminate the impossible combinations and consider the realization of concurrent and consistent product data management. Under the typical supply chain model, companies and suppliers rely heavily on electronic technical and business data interchange among cooperating partners for the quick response to the market needs. Therefore, the research uses STEP-based (an international standard) data model for the purpose of global technical data exchange.