CAE and CAPM: partners or alternatives?

Computer-aided engineering and computer-aided production management are seen as vital components of computer-integrated manufacturing. But do these technologies complement or conflict? The authors set out the arguments and look at the supporting evidence. They examine the design function and the impact CAE has had on it, and discuss ways in which the complexity generated by the CAE process may be monitored and controlled. The tasks confronting CAPM systems and the costs involved, both operational and capital, are also covered. Retrospective improvements and implementation problems are discussed