Planning the next big thing

Article Abstract:

Multimedia development firms attempt to combine innovative and established technologies in order to create novel products that will capture the collective imagination of the consumer electronics market. Companies such as Sony, Sharp Electronics, Hitachi of America, Philips and Toshiba have each created intra-company divisions that specialize in multimedia development. Successful multimedia companies must align their marketing and distribution divisions with technology development teams in order to ensure to best anticipate consumer needs and desires and create market penetration. Multimedia firms should also establish a developmental framework that allows various technology-based segments of a company to interact regularly and mutually support multiple products. As multimedia technology becomes more prevalent, companies must learn to differentiate themselves by content.

Production management, Innovations, Product development, Toshiba Corp., Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Market trend/market analysis, Sony Corp., Sharp Electronics Corp., Multimedia technology, Multimedia systems, Hitachi America Ltd. Converging Technologies Group

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Contract manufacturers to suppliers: there's room to improve

Article Abstract:

A survey of 50 contract manufacturers finds general satisfaction with component distributers and manufacturers but suggests that improvements in delivery-rate reliability are needed throughout the industry. Over 50% of the survey's respondents indicate that component manufacturers' lead times and availability rates are also a primary concern and that distributers' prices were generally inflated. More than 50% of contract manufacturers intend to increase the number of distributer and component manufacturer relationships in 1997 and 1998, despite complaints, and only 32% indicate that they expect their number of such relationships to drop. Contract manufacturers also allege that distributors are intentionally misleading about their actual inventory levels in order to retain business.

Surveys, Manufacturing, Contract manufacturing

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