Using the Generic Product Model for storing and sharing ERP data

Nowadays, all product life cycle processes are investigated deeply in order to get an advantage over competitors. To support these processes, several software applications are available. However this wide range of heterogeneous applications leads to a large variety of data formats that hinder data integration. To tackle this problem, the Hitachi company proposed a modeling language called GPM (Generic Product Model) into which they propose to translate data coming from several domain applications. This research proposes to broaden the range of application data able to be stored in the GPM data warehouse by developing translators between ERPs and GPM. Methodologies are given for the translation of mass production and customized products' data.