In manufacturing, new communication technologies have ushered in a new era for the team-based product development strategy of concurrent engineering. Known as collaborative engineering, the new phase makes it unnecessary for team members to be in the same room, seated around the same table. The team members can be scattered around the facility, around the city, around the country--even around the world, and they can all still contribute their valuable input.
More complex than traditional concurrent engineering, collaborative engineering not only deals with collaboration itself, but also th infrastructure and environments that enableand nurture it. Going far beyond describing the use of the Internet, Anthony Mills thoroughly examines the principles, applications, and various tools relevant to this new age of industrial communications. He explains how an organization can use them effectively in melding together internal and external team members--no matter how far flung--so that they can play major roles in the organization's success.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 : What is Collaborative Engineering?
Chapter 2 : Foundations of Collaborative Engineering
Chapter 3 : The Collaborative Engineering Toolbox
Chapter 4 : The Internet, Intranets, and Extranets
Chapter 5 : Successes and Benefits
Chapter 6 : An Organizational Strategy for Collaborative Engineering
Chapter 7 : What The Future Holds
Appendix
Bibliography
Index
