JP2002312012A - Information processor, network system, production control method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network system capable of easily and efficiently carrying out production control even in a large scale factory and easily realizing constitution free to refer to control information in the factory from outside of the factory without large investment. SOLUTION: A first server means (Web application server) 120 executes data processing concerning the production control on a factory network (intranet) 170. A second server means (Web server) 110 provides the client side (terminal device used by site worker) 160(x) with screen information (browser screen) in correspondence with the information provided by the first server means 120.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an apparatus or a system for performing production management, including, for example, product management and information management in a factory for manufacturing industrial products.
Information processing apparatus, network system, production management method,
And a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for realizing these.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, production management in a factory for manufacturing industrial products has been constructed by a client-server system. For example, in a factory, there are provided a plurality of terminal devices in which production management software (various application software for executing data processing, screen display processing, and the like) is individually installed. By inputting various kinds of information (information on product manufacturing, etc.), production management in the factory is performed.

[0003]

However, the conventional production management method as described above has the following problems (1) to (3).

(1) It is necessary to construct a production management system by separately installing production management software in each of a plurality of terminal devices used in a factory. Therefore, in large-scale factories that use many terminal devices, not only this work man-hour (manufacturing man-hour of the production management system), but also a large amount of man-hour is required for adjustment of test operation and correction of software when trouble occurs. Was. In particular, if the software needs to be modified due to a defect,
It is necessary to perform the correction work for each terminal device. This is a very cumbersome task and inefficient.

[0005] (2) Examples of terminal devices used in a factory include a wireless terminal device (such as a handy bar code reader (BCR)) and a fixedly installed terminal device (fixed terminal device). In practice, information input and processing are often performed in a fixed terminal device. this is,
This is because the wireless terminal device has disadvantages such as a small display portion and inferior processing capability to the fixed terminal device. Therefore, the on-site worker has to perform simple information input or the like with the wireless terminal device, and perform the actual information input and the processing with the fixed terminal device. In other words, the field worker has to walk up to the place where the fixed terminal device is installed, and perform operations such as information input and execution of the processing. In particular, for example, in a large-scale factory, it is necessary for a field worker to walk to a place where a fixed terminal device is set apart, which adversely affects work efficiency.

(3) It is very difficult to refer to the production management information in the factory from outside the factory. Specifically, conventionally, it has not been possible to access the actual site, for example, access from outside the factory is to an office in the factory. For this reason, for example, it is not easy for a salesperson outside the factory to obtain information such as the progress status of the product manufacturing at the site inside the factory and the delivery date. In order to achieve this, a large investment was required.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and can easily and efficiently perform production management even in a large-scale factory. An information processing apparatus, a network system, a production management method, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for realizing the configuration, which can easily realize a configuration capable of referring to information without requiring a large investment The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

For such a purpose,
A first invention is an information processing apparatus that is connected on a network in a factory and processes information related to production management of a product in the factory, wherein a storage unit that stores the production management information, and a storage information of the storage unit Based on the first server means for executing the process relating to the production management, and screen information corresponding to the information obtained by the first server means,
And a second server means for providing to the client side on the network in the factory.

[0009] The second invention is the above-mentioned first invention, wherein:
The second server means provides the screen information to a client outside the factory via a network outside the factory that can be connected to the network inside the factory.

In a third aspect, in the first aspect,
The first server means processes information provided from the client side.

In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect,
The first server means generates production plan information of the product based on order information from outside.

[0012] In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect,
The first server means, based on the production plan information,
It is characterized in that work instruction information is given to each work process side for manufacturing the product.

[0013] In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect,
The first server means processes information returned from each work process side.

[0014] In a seventh aspect based on the first aspect,
The first server unit acquires corresponding information from the storage unit based on a request from a client outside the factory via a network outside the factory that is connectable to the network inside the factory, and the second server The means provides screen information corresponding to the information obtained by the first server means to the client outside the factory via the network outside the factory.

An eighth invention is a network system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other via a factory network in a factory for manufacturing products, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices is provided. Has the function of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

According to a ninth aspect, at least a first server,
A production management method for performing production management in a factory for manufacturing a product by a factory network connected to a second server, a database, and a plurality of terminal devices, wherein the database stores the production management information. And a first step in which the first server executes processing relating to the production management based on the storage information in the database.
And a second processing step in which the second server provides screen information corresponding to the information obtained by the first server to the terminal device.

In a tenth aspect based on the ninth aspect, the second server provides the screen information to an external terminal device via an external network connectable to the factory network. It is characterized by including three processing steps.

In an eleventh aspect based on the ninth aspect, the first processing step includes the step of:
Processing the information input by the terminal device.

In a twelfth aspect based on the ninth aspect, the first server includes a fourth processing step of generating production plan information of the product based on order information from outside. Features.

In a thirteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, the first server is configured to execute the first server based on the production plan information.
The method includes a fifth processing step of providing work instruction information to each work process side for manufacturing the product.

A fourteenth invention is characterized in that, in the thirteenth invention, the first server includes a sixth processing step of processing information returned from each of the work process sides.

In a fifteenth aspect based on the ninth aspect, the first server is based on request information transmitted from an external terminal device via an external network connectable to the factory network. And a seventh processing step of acquiring the relevant information from the database, and the second server
An eighth processing step of transmitting screen information corresponding to the information obtained by the first server to the external terminal device is included.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects or the functions of the network system according to the eighth aspect. It is characterized by being recorded on a medium.

According to a seventeenth aspect, a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the production management method according to any one of claims 9 to 15 is recorded on a computer-readable storage medium.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Structure of this Embodiment> The present invention is applied to, for example, a system (factory system) 100 in a factory for manufacturing products as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the in-factory system 100 according to the present embodiment particularly includes an information distribution function 111 and a screen processing function 112.
, A Web application server 120 including a data processing function 121 and an operation display function 122, and a database (DB) server 130.

The WEB server 110 is configured such that software (screen display application) for screen display on a terminal device having a browser function can be started, and the information distribution function 111 is executed by executing the software. And a screen processing function 112.

The WEB server 110 is connected to a network 200 outside the factory via a network 170 inside the factory such as an intranet and a network 230 outside the factory such as the Internet.
It is configured to be able to communicate with.

In the WEB server 110, the information distribution function 111 performs processing such as distributing information fetched from outside the factory 200 to a corresponding device or system of the factory system 100.

The screen processing function 112 uses the information processed by the WEB application server 120 as screen information, and uses the terminal device 160 (1),
160 (2), or to a device or system outside the factory 200.

The terminal devices 160 (1) and 160 (2)
Both display / operation functions (browser functions) 161 (1),
161 (2), and includes a mobile wireless terminal device such as a mobile phone, a wireless wireless terminal device with a BCR, or a fixedly installed terminal device (fixed terminal device) such as a personal computer. Here, for simplicity of description, as an example, the terminal device 160 (1) is a fixed terminal device, and the terminal device 160 (2) is a portable wireless terminal device with a BCR.

The devices or systems outside the factory 200 include, for example, terminal devices 210 (1) and 210 (2) connectable to the network 230 outside the factory via an ISP (Internet Service Provider) communication network 220. And

The terminal device 210 (1) has a browser function and is, for example, a terminal device (fixed terminal device) such as a personal computer fixedly installed in a customer's office. The terminal device 210 (2) also has a browser function, and is, for example, a mobile wireless terminal device such as a mobile phone owned by a customer at the customer site.

The WEB application server 120
Software (operation application) for executing processing necessary for data processing and operation instructions to the terminal device having a browser function is configured to be able to be started, and by executing the software, the data processing function 121 and the operation are executed. The display function 122 is realized.

In the WEB application server 120, the data processing function 121 has an EPR (Enter)
(Rise Resource Planning: Comprehensive Business Package / Software) system 140 and data processing related to production management by the line-by-line control system 150, and data processing in the DB server 130, and the operation display function 122 performs WEB screen operation processing.

The ERP system 140 has an order receiving function 1
41, a shipping instruction function 142, and a performance instruction function 143. These functions 141 to 143 enable production management,
Perform sales management and financial management.

The line-by-line control system 150 controls the operation of each product manufacturing line by the equipment controller 151.

It is to be noted that the outside of the factory 20
When the information is transmitted to 0, the transmission is performed through a firewall as a security means. If the transmission information is screen information, the screen information is converted into a screen format corresponding to the destination device or system.

Further, in FIG.
0 terminal devices are two terminal devices 161 (1), 1
60 (2), the terminal device 200 outside the factory is 2
Although the terminal devices 210 (1) and 210 (2) are used, the present invention is not limited to the number of terminal devices and the type of terminal device such as fixed or portable wireless.

Further, in FIG.
0, the WEB with respect to the factory network 170
Although the state where only the server 110 is connected is illustrated,
Actually, the WEB server 110 and the WEB application server 12
0, DB server 130, ERP system 140, ryan-based control system 150, and terminal device 160 (1),
160 (2) exist, and the factory network 1
Will communicate with each other via the.

<Overview of Operation of this Embodiment> For example, ER
The P system 140 receives order information from the outside by the order receiving function 141 and supplies the order information to the WEB application server 120.

The WEB application server 120
The data processing function 121 acquires information necessary for processing by exchanging data with the DB server 130, and manufactures a product indicated by the order information based on the acquired information and information from the ERP system 140. Determines line control such as which line should be sent to which line, and supplies the determined information (line control information) to the line-by-line control system 150.

The line-by-line control system 150 controls the operation of each line by the equipment controller 151 based on the line control information from the web application server 120. In addition, the line-specific control system 150
WE records the work result information etc. by the equipment controller 151
B to the application server 120.

The web server 110 has a screen processing function 11
2, the processing information in the WEB application server 120 is used as screen information, and the fixed terminal device 160 (1) of the in-plant system 100 and the portable wireless terminal device with BCR 16
0 (2) or fixed terminal device 210 outside factory 200
(1) and the portable wireless terminal device 210 (2).

The WEB server 110 uses the information distribution function 111 to provide the fixed terminal device 160 (1) of the in-plant system 100 or the portable wireless terminal device 160 with BCR.
(2) Or, the fixed terminal device 210 outside the factory 200
It receives operation input information on the browser in (1) and the portable wireless terminal device 210 (2), and supplies it to the web application server 120.

The web application server 120
The data processing function 121 processes operation input information from the web server 110.

Therefore, the on-site worker in the factory can use the fixed terminal device 160 (1) or the BCR-equipped portable radio terminal device 16 (1).
By means of 0 (2), desired information in the factory can be referred to on the browser, and a person in charge of a customer outside the factory 200 can similarly use the fixed terminal device 210 (1) or the portable wireless terminal device 210. According to (2), desired information in the factory can be referred to on the browser. That is, information can be shared inside and outside the factory.

<Specific Example of Operation of the Present Embodiment> Here, the target product is a “vending machine”, and a series of flows from ordering of the vending machine by a customer to completion of production at a factory. The operation of the in-factory system 100 (operation example 1) and the operation of the in-factory system 100 at the time of an inquiry from a customer outside the factory 200 (operation example 2) will be described.

(1) Operation Example 1 (Order Placement to Production Completion) First, outside the factory 200, the person in charge of the customer places the fixed terminal device 210 (1) or the portable wireless terminal device 210.
Using (2), order N red vending machines. The order information is taken into the factory system 100 via the ISP communication network 220 and the network 230 outside the factory (Step S1, Step S2).

In the in-factory system 100, the WEB server 110 receives order information (N red vending machines) from outside the factory 200 via the in-factory network 170 by the information distribution function 111, and receives this order. The information is transferred to the ER via the web application server 120.
The data is supplied to the P system 140 (Step S3 to Step S5).

The ERP system 140 has an order receiving function 1
41, the order information from the web application server 120 is received, a production plan is drafted based on the order information, and the shipping instruction function 142 issues a shipping instruction based on the production plan to the web application server 120.
(Step S6).

The WEB application server 120
Based on the shipping instruction information from the ERP system 140, the DB server 130
Information necessary for manufacturing N red vending machines is obtained (step S7, step S8). Specifically, for example, the WEB application server 120 sends, from the DB server 130, necessary material information such as ten iron plates, production line (production process) information such as sheet metal → welding → painting → assembly, and scheduled arrival time of each line. Acquire various information such as information.

The WEB application server 120
The data processing function 121 performs data processing on the information obtained from the DB server 130, and supplies the obtained line control information to the line-by-line control system 150 (step S9). The line control information here includes, for example, an operation instruction of the sheet metal machine, an operation instruction of the welding robot, an operation instruction of the coating line, and the like.

The line-by-line control system 150 controls the operation of each line by the equipment controller 151 based on the line control information from the web application server 120. Then, the line-by-line control system 150
Returns the work result information and the like by the equipment controller 151 to the WEB application server 120 (step S12).

The web application server 12
0 indicates that the data processing function 12
In order to provide the processing result of Step 1 to the field worker or the like, the type information of the screen displaying the processing result information is supplied to the WEB server 110 (Step S10).

The web server 110 has a screen processing function 11
2 generates screen information based on information from the WEB application server 120, and transfers the screen information to the fixed terminal device 160 (1) or the portable wireless terminal device with BCR 16.
0 (2) (step S11).

The fixed terminal device 160 (1) and the portable radio terminal device with BCR 160 (2) have a display / operation function 161.
According to (1) and 161 (2), information from the WEB server 110 is displayed on a browser. The display contents here include, for example, "transport 10 iron plates before machine X by 10:00 am in the sheet metal process".

Therefore, the on-site worker in the factory refers to the contents displayed on the screen of the fixed terminal device 160 (1) or the portable wireless terminal device with BCR 160 (2), and proceeds with the corresponding operation according to the instruction. In addition, field workers
The work progress information and the like are input to the fixed terminal device 160 (1) or the portable wireless terminal device with BCR 160 (2). This input information is supplied to the web server 110 (step S12).

The WEB server 110 transmits the input information (work progress information and the like) from the site worker to the fixed terminal device 160.
(1) Or, it is received from the BCR-equipped portable wireless terminal device 160 (2), and the
0 to the DB server 130 (step S
4. Step S7).

Therefore, the progress information of each process such as “completed up to sheet metal”, “completed up to painting”, “completed up to assembling” and the like is recorded in the DB server 130 in real time. Become.

(2) Operation Example 2 (Inquiry from Customer) First, outside the factory 200, the person in charge of the customer receives the fixed terminal device 210 (1) or the portable wireless terminal device 210.
Using (2), the in-plant system 100 is inquired about the production progress status of the N red vending machines ordered by the user (whether it will be by the scheduled installation date, etc.). This inquiry information is sent to the ISP communication network 220 and the network 23 outside the factory.
0, and is taken into the factory system 100 (step S1, step S2).

In the in-factory system 100, the WEB server 110 receives inquiry information from a customer outside the factory 200 via the in-factory network 170 by the information distribution function 111, and transmits the received inquiry information to the WEB application. The data is supplied to the server 120 (Step S3, Step S4).

The WEB application server 120
The data processing function 121 acquires information corresponding to the inquiry information from the WEB server 110 from the DB server 130, and processes the acquired information (steps S7 and S8). For example, in the case where the inquiry information is information “whether it will be by the scheduled installation date”, the WEB application server 120 uses the data processing function 121 based on the information acquired from the DB server 130 to complete the delivery to the customer. Calculate the expected delivery date.

Then, the WEB application server 1
20 supplies the processing result of the data processing function 121 to the WEB server 110 (step S10).

The web server 110 has a screen processing function 11
2 generates screen information based on information from the WEB application server 120, and transmits the screen information to the fixed terminal device 210 (1) or the portable wireless terminal device 210 (2) of the inquiry destination in the factory network 17.
0 and transmitted via the network 230 outside the factory (step S13, step S14).

The fixed terminal device 210 (1) outside the factory 200
Alternatively, the screen generated based on the information from the factory system 100, that is, the information of the DB server 130 is displayed on the portable wireless terminal device 210 (2) by the browser.

Therefore, the customer outside the factory 200 is either the fixed terminal device 210 (1) or the portable radio terminal device 210 (1).
By referring to the display screen of (2), an answer to his / her inquiry can be immediately obtained.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the WEB technology is applied to the production management system in the factory, and the in-factory system 100 having the WEB server 110 and the WEB application server 120 as the core is constructed.
Server 110 and web application server 120
Terminal devices 160 (1), 1 used in the factory
Functions such as data processing and screen display processing can be provided in common for each of 60 (2). For this reason, conventionally, terminal devices 160 (1), 160
There is no need to install production management software (software such as a screen display application or an operation application) that has been individually performed for (2). That is, in the factory system 100, the terminal devices 160 (1), 160
Even if there is a large number of (2), since it is not necessary to install production management software individually for these terminal devices, even a production management system in a large factory having a large number of terminal devices. , Can be easily constructed.

The terminal devices 160 (1), 160
(2) It is possible to perform desired data processing, screen display processing, and the like even with a terminal device that has not been used for simple data input and the like, such as a wireless radio terminal device with a BCR. Since a sufficient function can be provided, this can be used as a main terminal device. As a result, field workers are not limited to locations,
Desired information input, information acquisition, and the like can be easily performed at a desired place.

Further, even if it is necessary to change or modify the production management software due to the occurrence of a problem or a version upgrade, only the software installed in the screen WEB server 110 and the WEB application server 120 is changed or modified. Since the correction may be performed, the change or the correction operation can be facilitated. For example, even if it is desired to display 10 digits instead of 5 digits, it is not necessary to individually re-install new software for all terminal devices, and the screen WEB server 110 and the WEB application server 120 are not required. Only new software needs to be installed. Therefore, the efficiency of the system development work and the system test operation work can be improved, and the reliability of the system can be improved.

Also, by applying the WEB technology to the in-factory system 100, it is possible to construct an environment that can be connected to devices and systems outside the factory 200 via the existing off-factory network 230 such as the Internet. It can be easily realized without requiring investment. That is, it is possible to easily construct an extranet capable of communicating with the off-site factory 200 such as an affiliated company or a business partner via the off-site network 230. As a result, it is possible to provide various information in the factory, such as information on the progress of product manufacturing, answer information on the delivery date desired by the customer, or stock information, as screen information to the outside of the factory 200.
In addition, since it becomes possible to communicate with the end users such as affiliated companies and business partners in the factory, especially in the factory, the effective SCM (Supply Chain Management) is effective.
ent can be easily provided.

An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the host and the terminal of the present embodiment to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or a computer) of the system or the apparatus. C
Needless to say, this can also be achieved by a PU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the present embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, a ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used. By executing the program code read out by the computer, not only the functions of the present embodiment are realized, but also the OS and the like running on the computer perform actual processing based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the above is performed, and the processing realizes the function of the present embodiment. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extended function board inserted into the computer or an extended function unit connected to the computer,
Based on the instructions of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the present embodiment. Needless to say.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the function 300 of the computer. The computer function 300
As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 301 and the ROM 302
, A RAM 303, a keyboard controller (KBC) 305 of a keyboard (KB) 309, a CRT controller (CRTC) 306 of a CRT display (CRT) 310 as a display unit, and a hard disk (HD)
311 and floppy disk (FD) 3
Twelve disk controllers (DKC) 307 and a network interface card (NIC) for the network 400 (corresponding to the network 170 in FIG. 1 described above)
308 are communicably connected to each other via the system bus 204.

The CPU 301 is provided in the ROM 302 or the HD
By executing the software stored in 311 or the software supplied from the FD 312, each component connected to the system bus 304 is generally controlled.
That is, the CPU 301 stores the processing program according to the predetermined processing sequence in the ROM 302 or the HD 31
1, or by reading from the FD 312 and executing,
Control for realizing the operation in the present embodiment is performed.

The RAM 303 functions as a main memory or a work area of the CPU 301. KBC305
Controls an instruction input from the KB 309 or a pointing device (not shown). CRTC 306 is
The display of the CRT 310 is controlled. The DKC 307 includes an HD 311 and an FD that store a boot program, various applications, editing files, user files, a network management program, various processing programs, and the like.
312 is controlled. The NIC 308 bidirectionally exchanges data with devices or systems on the network 400 such as the factory network 170 and the factory network 230.

[0076]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a factory network such as an intranet, processing related to production management is executed by the first server means, and is used by field workers by the second server means. The screen information corresponding to the information obtained by the first server means is provided to a client such as a terminal device.

Specifically, for example, in a product manufacturing factory, a network (intranet) in the factory is
a Web application server (first server) that executes processing related to production management required for data processing and operation instructions of a terminal device (client side) having a browser function used by field workers by applying the web technology; A Web server (second server) for providing various information as screen information to a terminal device having a browser function,
A configuration is provided in which a database for storing various information and the like necessary for the web application server is provided.

With the above configuration, functions such as data processing and screen display processing can be commonly provided to the client side on the factory network. Therefore, it is not necessary to individually install the production management software on the client side in the factory. Therefore, even in a large-scale factory having many clients, the production management system can be easily constructed. be able to.

Further, even when a terminal device that has not been used for simple data input or the like, such as a wireless radio terminal device with a BCR, is used as the client side, desired data processing and data processing can be performed. Since a function sufficient for performing a screen display process or the like can be provided, this can be used as a main terminal device. Accordingly, the field worker is not limited to the place, and can easily perform desired information input, information acquisition, and the like at a desired place.

Further, even if it is necessary to change or correct the production management software for the occurrence of a defect or a version upgrade, only the software installed in the first server means and the second server means is required. Since the change or the correction may be performed, the change or the correction can be easily performed. Therefore, the efficiency of the system development work and the system test operation work can be improved, and the reliability of the system can be improved.

Further, it is necessary to construct an environment that can be connected to a client side (a terminal device used by an end user) outside the factory via an existing network (external network) such as the Internet. It can be easily realized without need. That is, it is possible to easily construct an extranet that can communicate with a non-factory such as an affiliated company or a business partner via a network outside the factory. This makes it possible to provide various information in the factory, such as information on the progress of product manufacturing, answer information on the delivery date desired by the customer, or stock information, as screen information outside the factory. In addition, since it becomes possible to communicate with the end users such as affiliated companies and business partners in the factory, particularly the site level in the factory, an effective SCM (Supply Cha
In Management can be easily provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer function for executing a program for implementing the functions of the system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Factory system 110 Web server 111 Information distribution function 112 Screen processing function 120 Web application server 121 Data processing function 122 Operation display function 130 Database server 140 ERP system 141 Order receiving function 142 Shipping instruction function 143 Result instruction function 150 Line control system 151 Equipment controller 160 (1), 160 (2) Terminal device 161 (1), 161 (2) Browser function 200 Outside factory 210 (1), 210 (2) Terminal device 220 ISP communication network 230 Network outside factory

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kuroki 3-19-5 Hakata Ekimae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City 7F, Hakata Building 7F FME Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3C100 AA01 AA38 BB01 BB33 BB39 CC02 CC03 CC08

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus connected to a network in a factory for processing information related to production management of a product in the factory, wherein the storage means stores the production management information; A first server for executing the process related to the production management; and a second server for providing screen information corresponding to the information obtained by the first server to a client on the network in the factory. An information processing apparatus comprising: a server unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second server means is connected to a network outside the factory that is connectable to the network inside the factory.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen information is provided to a client outside the factory. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first server means processes information provided from said client side. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first server means generates production plan information of said product based on order information from outside. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first server means gives work instruction information to each work process side for said product manufacturing based on said production plan information. . 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first server means processes information returned from each of said operation steps. 7. The first server means acquires corresponding information from the storage means based on a request from a client outside the factory via a network outside the factory connectable to the network inside the factory, 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second server unit provides screen information corresponding to the information obtained by the first server unit to a client outside the factory via the network outside the factory. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 8. A network system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other via a network in the factory in a factory for manufacturing a product, wherein at least one device among the plurality of devices is connected to a network. A network system having the function of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. A production management method for performing production management at a product manufacturing factory by using a factory network to which at least a first server, a second server, a database, and a plurality of terminal devices are connected. A storage step in which the database stores the production management information; a first processing step in which the first server executes processing related to the production management based on storage information in the database; A second processing step of providing the terminal device with screen information corresponding to the information obtained by the first server. 10. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second server includes a third processing step of providing the screen information to an external terminal device via an external network connectable to the factory network. The production management method according to claim 9. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first processing step comprises:
10. The production management method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of: processing the information input by the terminal device. 12. The fourth server, wherein the first server generates production plan information of the product based on order information from outside.
10. The production management method according to claim 9, comprising the following processing steps. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first server includes a fifth processing step of providing work instruction information to each work process side for manufacturing the product based on the production plan information. 12. The production control method according to item 12. 14. The production management method according to claim 13, wherein the first server includes a sixth processing step of processing information returned from each of the work process sides. 15. The first server acquires corresponding information from the database based on request information transmitted from an external terminal device via an external network connectable to the factory network. A seventh processing step, and an eighth processing in which the second server transmits screen information corresponding to the information obtained by the first server to the external terminal device via the external network. 10. The production management method according to claim 9, comprising a step. 16. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to realize the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or the function of the network system according to claim 8. 17. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the production management method according to claim 9.