A prototype system has been developed by integrating two higher-level hierarchical production planning application programs (aggregate production plan (APP), master production schedule (MPS)) using a common data model integration approach into an existing planning system for short-term scheduling and supervisory batch management which was originally proposed and developed by Rickard, J. G., Macchietto, S. & Shah, N. (1999). Integrated decision support in flexible multipurpose plants. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 23, S539-S542. The hierarchical production planning system has been modelled and validated around an industrial scenario concerning multi-site, multipurpose batch process operations making household chemicals from start to transportation to regional warehouses. This preliminary work suggests that the idea of integrating software applications through a common data model, which was originally described by Stanley, G. M. (1994). The emerging trend towards knowledge-based frameworks for computer-integrated manufacturing. Advances in Instrumentation & Control, 49, 1121-1133 and further developed by Rickard, J. G., Macchietto, S. & Shah, N. (1999). Integrated decision support in flexible multipurpose plants. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 23, S539-S542 is feasible. However further research work, improvements and validations are required using varieties of industrial batch process operations and distribution problems to prove its viability.