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Reduced delivery time and strict observance of deadlines; Decentralized information technology in services; Large networks operating in real time; Automation of simple and repetitive tasks and the suppression of unskilled jobs; Spread of programmemable automation allowing production to adapt to demand (Jalllade, 1998); Development and timely introduction of new technologies in both production and products, “innovation and time to market”; Reorganized production process, and restructuring of production chain; Just-in-time production and services; Provision of modern technological equipment.
Businesses and industries have experienced dramatic transformations as a result of the exponential growth of ICTs. For example, the transportation industry has seen massive computer integration into their operating systems. Some vehicles use three or more computers to control different onboard systems. Separate computers are being used to control the engine, transmissions/transaxle, instrumentation, and climate control, suspension system, and antilock brakes. Today’s automotive technicians must not only update themselves with changes in automotive technology but must also keep up with new equipment and procedures. In modern automotive repair shops, workers must use computerized diagnostic tools to diagnose problems and make repairs. Other information technology systems provide access to technical service bulletins, manufacturers’ service information, and inventory databases (Erjavec and Scharff, 1996). The design, the manufacturing, and the printing sectors have also been transformed in major ways. Many machines that were traditionally manually or mechanically operated and controlled are now controlled by information technology. In the machining trades, Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) has replaced traditional setups and processes. Computer-Assisted Drafting (CAD) has replaced much of traditional hand drawing. In the printing trades, computers are replacing light tables and artists’ knives (Lewis, 1996 p. 47). The manufacturing sector has also been dramatically altered by ICTs. Many technologybased processes have been implemented in manufacturing such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). Today, computer numerical control (CNC) machines are found almost everywhere, from smaller shops in rural communities to Fortune 500 companies in large urban areas. Truly, there is hardly a facet of manufacturing that is not in some way driven by these innovative machine tools (Lynch, 1998). There has been further integration of information technology on the shop floor through the Ethernet and more recently, the Internet. These technologies are used to store and retrieve data and provide communication among programmemable devices. (Haynes, 2001). An ethernet on the shop floor has also meant immediate, easier, and paperless communication between workplace personnel (Zelinski, 2002).
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