AUTOMATION AND TOOL INTEGRATION TRENDS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE DESIGN METHODOLOGY OF ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS

摘要

Rapid and significant changes are occurring in the electronics industry that affect the way that work is preformed. "Corporate Re engineEring" is changing every aspect of the development process. Downsized and dispersed staffs are pressed to increase productivity, trend toward generalization, and achieve greater efficiency. Affordable desktop computing loaded with powerful applications, with access to relevant databases provides a means to achieve these objectives. They must be integrated effectively or they will serve as a distraction, focusing time and energy on the protocol, work-abounds and operation of the tools than the task at hand. This paper will address trends that are emerging to automate all aspects of the product development process, minimizing redundant tasks, reducing errors, accessing databases, automating standardized tasks, facilitating collaboration, and increasing analysis assuring product performance.