The path of least resistance and the path of highest return in the pursuit of a computer integrated enterprise

The approach taken by Digital Equipment Corporation to integrate the functions which design and produce their computer-system products is examined. In this area, Digital has been very successful in creating technological interfaces to link the input and output of organizations which are predisposed to the integration effort. In the past, integration of the design-through-production functions has taken the form of an interface and occurred along a path of least resistance. Digital has been less successful at (and therefore less inclined towards) truly integrating functions, especially those which have a tradition of not working very closely. Today, there exists an understanding that these organizations must work together as never before to attain business goals. As a result, the paths of highest return in the pursuit of CIM/CIE are beginning to be addressed. The conclusion drawn is that CIM/CIE is not so much a technology to be used but more a business method to be adopted