System and method for producing production control software

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for producing control software, and more particularly, to a system and method which supplies a network of computers for processing control software from design to production. A method and system for producing production control software for a plurality of electronic control modules, is provided. The electronic control modules are located on production machines. Each production machine includes a subset of the electronic control modules. The system includes a part file staging area for receiving and storing new production control software from a design engineering group. A product engineering workstation is coupled to the part file staging area and operated by a product engineering user. The product engineering user can review, modify and approve the new production control software. A production staging area, coupled to the product engineering workstation, receives and stores approved production control software and receives an order for a production machine. A production workstation, coupled to the production staging area, receives the order for a production machine, determines the subset of electronic control modules located on the ordered production machine, and retrieves the production control software corresponding to the subset of electronic control modules located on the ordered production machine. The production workstation is coupled to the ordered production machine and adapted to download the production control software from the production staging area to the subset of electronic control modules located on the ordered production machine.