Internet Based Product Configuration, CAD Drawing Generation - A Review of Present Systems and Technologies

This paper is based on the continued evolution of software for Product Selection, Configuration and CAD Drawing Generation. The third of a series of presentations that have followed Fluid Power product software from stand-alone PC based programs to rules based, on-line Internet and World Wide Web enabled systems. There have been several approaches taken by Fluid Power product manufacturers to bring product configuration and/or CAD drawings delivered over the Internet. This paper will review these systems and technologies. The ability to provide dynamic, real time information 24/7 for configured to order and engineered-to-order products, directly from the manufacturers and distributors Web site, to customers is now the focus for fluid power e-business solutions.