| Product design and manufacturing have been | | | | Local Area Networks (LANs). |
| changing greatly in recent years, largely because of | | | | MAP is used to link robots with numerically controlled |
| the application of computer technology. Computer | | | | machine tools. Automobile companies like General |
| Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing | | | | Motors has achieved considerable savings by using |
| (CAM) and the Manufacturing Automation Protocol | | | | the new method to change the production line when |
| (MAP) are some of the cornerstones of the factory | | | | introducing a different kind of front axle for an |
| of the fulfillment software. | | | | automobile. What previously took 3 days now takes |
| CAD/ CAMs help engineers design products much | | | | only 10 minutes. With the new fulfillment software, |
| more quickly than they could with the traditional | | | | General Motors and other US manufactures hope to |
| paper- and-pencil approach. This will become | | | | overtake Japanese firms, which now are quite |
| increasingly important, since product life cycles are | | | | advanced in automation. |
| getting shorter. Capturing the market quickly is crucial | | | | What factors show signs of influencing future |
| in the very competitive environment. Moreover, firms | | | | developments in the fulfillment software? Several |
| can respond more rapidly to the requests of | | | | major trends can be expected in operations |
| customers with specific requirements. The ultimate | | | | management. The increased complexity of |
| aim of many companies is "computer- integrated | | | | technology will be reflected in the product |
| manufacturing." | | | | themselves as well as in the processes used to |
| Automobile companies, as well as firms such as | | | | produce them. New machine tools, microprocessors, |
| Boeing and East man Kodak, developed what is called | | | | sensory technology and computer controls now |
| manufacturing automation protocol, which is a | | | | make it possible to reduce machine setup time and |
| network of machines and various office devices | | | | costs. This means a greater variety of products at |
| hooked together. MAP is a sophisticated extension of | | | | lower cost. |