07-02-2013, 01:10 PM
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
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INTRODUCTION
The international automotive sector is undergoing profound change in two distinct areas: supplier and customer collaboration and telematics. ICT is central to both thrusts and the Internet is the core technology that the industry is using to meet these needs. For instance, industry analysts expect that, in the US at least, within the next couple of years upwards of 70% of firms will respond to bids and Requests for Quotation online.
Defining ICT
“The industries that produce the products (goods and services) that support the electronic display, processing, storage and transmission of information.”
Working Definition of the Automobile Sector
The manufacture of motor vehicles sector includes the manufacture of motor vehicles for the transport of persons and goods, as well as tractors for semi-trailers, and engines for all of these. The vehicle components sector includes the manufacture of parts and accessories for motor vehicles and their engines (including electrical equipment) and the manufacture of vehicle bodies and trailers. The components industry is critical to the automotive sector as auto parts and raw materials make up almost 70% of the cost of any vehicle. It is a complex industry to describe and the standard “tier one, tier two, tier three” model is not wholly adequate on four counts. Firstly, the length of the supply chain varies from product to product. For instance, Shatterprufe is a one-stop supplier of windscreens whereas for car seats or electronics subsystems, the supply chain is much longer. Secondly, many supply companies manufacture for other industries such as defence, chemicals and aerospace. Thirdly, some companies are simultaneously first tier suppliers for some products and second or third tier for others. Finally, many automotive components companies, such as ArvinMeritor, produce not only for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) but also for the after sales market that supplies auto parts for vehicle repair and maintenance.
The nature of the sector has changed in recent years, largely due to the ICT revolution. It is proposed that dealers, insurance companies, fleet operators, and cellular communication network operators be included in the sector for the purposes of this study.
International Applications and Diffusion of ICT in Sector
The international automotive sector is undergoing profound change in several distinct areas: vehicle design process, production system design, within-vehicle technology, supplier and customer collaboration, and telematics. ICT is central to all these thrusts.
Vehicle design technology
Computer aided design (CAM) has been around for some time. Current forms allow for rapid visualisation through ‘virtual reality cubes’ and ‘rapid prototyping. The use of ICT within the design process also permits virtual networks of designers in locations remote from each other to work on the same design, merely transmitting updates to each other to coordinate progress.
Production system design
Technologies to allow broad collaboration and consultation in the design of production facilities are also being developed. Camera systems allow a team to work on a flat planning table on which objects representing machines, etc. can be moved about, and simultaneously see a 3D picture of any perspective of the facility they are developing on a wall screen. Simulations can be run at any stage to check for conflicts and efficiencies of the proposed layout.