COMPUTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS -- The MISsing Link

BY MARK SMITH

Since the earliest days of computing, technology gurus have espoused a grand vision for a digitally interconnected future. The full potential of electronics and automation will only be realized if people and data are not kept captive in isolated systems, they've said. Making individual processes digital—or creating "islands of automation"—increases productivity, but is just the first step. Computer-integrated manufacturing is supposed to be the ultimate goal.