Introducing micro-controller based Internet Technology into Small Manufacturing Enterprises

摘要

The small business manufacturing sector is widely acknowledged as essential to a nation's economic growth and prosperity. The North East of England provides an excellent example of a region with an outstanding manufacturing heritage in heavy industries such as steel manufacture and ship building. However, as these industries continue to diminish the region must develop new ways in which to regenerate. Computer technology with its promise to achieve efficiency and cost savings seems to provide a way forward. However, in practice many small manufacturing companies find themselves unable or even reluctant to embrace it. The barriers to small businesses include; cost, maintenance, training and management. This paper attempts to address the concerns of SME's by introducing standard network connectivity designed to automate key manufacturing rnprocesses.