Abstract
Information technology is steadily reaching every corner of our society. No one can refuse its influence. IT management is crucial for companies, especially for manufacturers. They are trying hard to realize technology innovations embracing cutting-edge IT solutions. Various IT software packages are developed such as MRP, ERP, SCM, PDM, PLM, CAE and CAD/CAM. These packages become the fundamentals of manufacturing technology. It brings fatal results to manufacturers whether they can make the most of IT software or not. In this paper, a practical methodology of utilizing the CAD/CAM system is described, from the standpoint of operation procedure and that of corporate management. This methodology requires three major steps ; target setting, system evaluation/selection, and system implementation. In target setting phase, the current situation is analyzed, problems to be solved are discussed, and a handful of goals are abstracted. In evaluation/selection phase, a most appropriate CAD/CAM system is selected through a series of evaluation procedures. In implementation phase, practical knowledge and empirical know-how are infused into the system. Consequently, the CAD/CAM software is optimized. The success of CAD/CAM utilization upgrades everyday operation into learning process, enhances operator's motivation, and results in production cost and lead time reduction.
