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Chapter 2
Trends Creating
the e-Factory
Purpose of This Chapter
There are a variety of forces that for a variety of reasons are creating changes
in the way manufacturing industries operate. Many of these changes have
been underway for over a decade and have little to do with Internet technol-
ogies. Other changes are only now beginning to take place and have been
inspired or stimulated by Internet technologies. Although these changes are
being caused by different sources, combined they are defining the e-factory.
The purpose of this chapter is to discuss these key trends, describe how they
are affecting the evolution of the e-factory, and highlight ...