Manufacturing plays a vital role in European economy and society, and is expected to continue as a major generator of wealth in the foreseeable future. A competitive manufacturing industry is essential for the prosperity of Europe, especially in the face of accelerating deindustrialisation. This book provides a broad vision of the future of manufacturing, analysed from a system-management viewpoint and with a special focus on ICT-related matters. Each contribution presents a complex and multidisciplinary research domain from a specific perspective.The first part of the book gives an overview on technology: past, present and future, while the following topics are introduced in the latter part of the book:- Product Lifecycle Management - Sustainable Products and Processes - Production Scheduling and Control - Benchmarking and Performance Measures - Industrial Services - Human Factors and Education in Manufacturing - Collaborative Engineering - Supply Chain Integration The book is intended to provoke debate, build consensus and stimulate creative discussion, leading to further novel research initiatives in the future.
