Interface

The Interface module is made up of four sub-modules:
• user interface sub-module
• program interface sub-module
• data interface sub-module
• information presentation sub-module
These sub-modules provide access to the EDM/PDM system for people and systems, and allow different data formats to be used in different activities.

The user interface allows people to access the system from various graphics devices such as PCs, workstations, VT 100 terminals, X-terminals, and shop-floor terminals.

The program interface sub-module supports efficient and secure on-line interaction between the various programs in the EDM/PDM environment. The environment will include many computer programs that create, store, and access or modify the various types of data managed by the system. Examples of these programs include CAD, software development, technical publication, and engineering drawing scanning systems.

The data interface sub-module provides efficient and secure data exchange and data translation functionality for data that may be either in the EDM/PDM environment or outside it. For example, the EDM/PDM system may be managing data files on a CAD system and on a structural analysis system. If the data on the two systems is compatible, the data interface sub-module may be used to transfer data from the CAD system directly to the structural analysis system. If the data is not compatible, the data interface sub-module may be used to translate the CAD data to a suitable format, and then transfer it to the structural analysis program. The data interface sub-module should provide a set of translators, some standard (e.g. IGES or STEP), and some direct.

The information presentation sub-module offers report generation facilities for screen, file and paper reports. They should be tailorable to fit user requirements, and user-programmable for special cases. Users will want reports on subjects.