Roadmap to the E-Factory

Trends Creating the e-Factory

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Product development collaboration refers to the sharing of needs, require-

ments, process capabilities, previous history, and future plans. Creating cross-

functional product development teams that include customer and suppliers

alike has been a best practice for years. However, a more intimate form of

cooperation might be a major challenge. Clearly, computer tools such as

workgroup technology, product data management, generative design technol-

ogy, and product configurators that assist in the creation of new product

solutions are improving in their ease of use and comprehensiveness. Along

with these improvements come a greater array of teamwork features.

Demand management collaboration refers to the sharing of information ...