A review of multimedia technology in manufacturing

Multimedia is an application of real time-critical computing. In a networke d multimedia system such as video conferencing, real-time image communicati on is the key for its success. The application of multimedia in the manufac turing industry has received significant attention since the emergence of t he Internet and World Wide Web. This paper attempts to review the applicati on of multimedia technology in manufacturing organisations. In addition, th e justification for the application of multimedia in new manufacturing envi ronments such as lean agile manufacturing is highlighted. A conceptual fram ework for the design of a multimedia system for manufacturing is presented and discussed. Future research directions are also proposed. (C) 1999 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.