Silicon Graphics prepares to open its 3-D technology

Article Abstract:

Silicon Graphics Inc plans to announce that it will license its Iris Graphics Library three-dimensional (3-D) graphics technology in order to make the technology a computer industry de facto standard, thereby increasing the market for the company's products. Compaq, Intel Corp, Microsoft Corp and DEC are all expected to endorse the Silicon Graphics software. The Iris Graphics Library consists of 440 commands for tasks including drawing and rotating 3-D objects. Standardization will allow developers to write graphics programs that will employ these 440 common commands. Silicon Graphics and DEC are expected to announce their plans for the joint-development of a unified 3-D graphics standard that combines the Iris Graphics Library with the Phigs standard, currently used by DEC and Sun Microsystems Inc, among others.

Prepackaged software, Standards, Computer software industry, Software industry, Standard, Standardization, Silicon Graphics Inc., SGI, Three-dimensional graphics, Three dimensional graphics, Licensing

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Putting it all together: computer-integrated factories are said to be the savior of industry. But can anyone make the system work?

Article Abstract:

Robots will apparently not be as important in the factory of the future as had previously been believed. The secret to competitive manufacturing will probably depend less on heavy automation and more on using computers to gather and exchange information and establish and maintain communications with every aspect of business, from sales departments to product engineering to shipping. The way Motorola Inc. makes and sells its Bravo pagers is an example: a salesperson specifies an order, which can in some ways be unique; a computer automatically schedules the order and orders components; and on the day of assembly, the computer informs shipping so that the order is express-mailed to the customer. Such techniques, known as computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), are increasingly important in US manufacturing.

Manufacturing industry, Manufacturing industries, Forecasts and trends, Technology application, Manufacturing, Motorola Inc., Automation, Forecasting, Computer-integrated manufacturing

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Technology firms ship out to shape up; Japan, Europe make up for sluggish U.S. markets

Article Abstract:

The US electronic industry's domestic sales are slumping, but sales to European and Asian markets are making up the difference. Foreign sales are also helping the country's huge trade deficit. Electronics made up 17.2 percent of US exports in 1988, compared with 15.7 percent in 1987 and 8.9 percent in 1980. Seven out of every 20 microcomputers that US manufacturers sell in 1989 will go overseas. Overseas markets account for 40 percent of sales at US chip makers in 1988, up from 30 percent in 1984. In the past, the strategy was that staying within the US market would be profitable enough. But now, it is apparent to US companies that they need to be involved in the global market. Dependence on the US market alone may be devastating to some companies if the US were to slip into recession.

Electronic components, not elsewhere classified, Europe, International trade, Asia, Electronics industry, Electronic Industry, Marketing Strategy, Trade Deficit

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