What is PERA ?

PERA stands for Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture. Initially the term referred only to the "Framework" or "Life Cycle Model" (this is also sometimes called the "PERA Wind-chime").

As time went on, use of the term expanded to include a set of tools and concepts which are presented together on this website. These include:

• The PERA Enterprise Life-cycle Framework (or Model or Architecture if you prefer either of these terms).

• Concepts of maximum and minimum lines of automation as applied to both Control and Information Systems, and Manufacturing Facilities.

• Concepts explaining the effect of recycle and time delays on the design and operation of facilities.

• The PERA Master Planning Methodology

• Concepts for dividing Enterprise Systems into Physical and Logical Architectures.

• Purdue Reference Model for CIM including Generic Reference Data Flow Models.

• Example Logical System Architectures from various industries (Note: These web pages are still under development).

• Physical Systems Architecture Concepts including "Levels" and the "4Rs".

• Example Physical architectures from various industries (Note: These web pages are still under development).

• Mapping of hardware and software products within the PERA Framework (Note: These web pages are still under development.).