The overseer of the relationships between all of the units in a workflow is known as Management Information Systems or MIS. MIS is, in effect, a macrocosmic Controller. It is responsible for dictating and monitoring the execution of all of the diverse aspects of the workflow. To do this, it must remain in contact with the actual production facilities. This can be accomplished either in real time using JMF messaging or post facto using the audit records within JDF.
(Source: JDF Spec. 1.4a)