Web-based collaboration for the rest of us

Design Management Journal, Spring 2002 by Liu, Paul Cheng-Hsin, Tsai, Gladys, Teng, S Gary

SUPPORT

In business, sophisticated digital communications have dramatically enhanced the quality and productivity of distant

partnerships. Unfortunately, in the realm of design, this has generally required expensive hardware and software. Here, colleagues Paul Cheng-Hsin Liu, Hsiao-Ching Tsai, and S. Gary Teng propose a less-costly approach to the virtual-design dialogue that opens this collaborative opportunity to small and medium size companies.

The past decade has seen a steady increase in business's use of the Internet, electronic data interchange (EDI), and various forms of e-commerce. Product design, too, has begun to reap the benefits of information technology. Engineers at far-flung locations can collaborate through shared data files to view and modify designs, shortening the design cycle. This is a wonderful development; however, these technologies are still in their infancy, and they're not available to everyone. Current collaborative environments require that all users have programs such as CATIA, or Pro/ENGINEER, and that they know how to use them. Designers have also had some success with virtual reality (VR) technology. However, most facilities and tools for the virtual environment of product design are created only for large companies, such as General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, and Boeing; and the equipment cost is high. The headpieces, data gloves, touch sensors, and other items used for developing virtual worlds are extremely expensive, and so is the software. A complete system, like the ones offered by vendors such as VPL Research and W. Industries Ltd., starts at a price of $55,000 and can go as high as $250,000. And again, most of the current virtual environments require 3D CAD software at the client's, as well as the designer's, site.

The need for small and medium-- size companies to have Web-based collaborative and virtual environments for product design is critical, especially for the global market, since it allows instant communication with clients regarding a developing design to be achieved at low cost.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a Web-based collaboration using Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) for product design. Its relatively low cost makes it a possibility for smaller companies, and it does not require the client to have special software. Our collaborative environment uses VRML, HyperText Markup Language (HTML), and JavaScript. A simple case study will illustrate its use among four companies-one in the United States, two in Japan, and the fourth in China.

Introduction

VRML is a dynamic 3D scene-description language that can include embedded behaviors and camera animation and can bring 3D worlds online. Users can view the contents of a graphic file, as well as navigate to other 3D worlds or HTML pages using VRML. VRML is the standard description language that defines how 3D environments are represented on the Web. It uses a 3D format that can be viewed simultaneously by clients and consultants, even when they are in other parts of the world, as long as they are on the Web using either Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer.

JavaScript is a powerful tool in dynamic Web design. When the user accesses the Web page, the server sends the Web document to the user's browser. The HTML codes instruct the browser how to display the page, and the JavaScript codes execute predefined functions. JavaScript is user-friendly and does not require much programming.

The VRML approach, which combines 3D, computer-aided design (CAD) software, the Internet, and simple virtual reality, can reduce cycle time, lower cost, and raise quality through a virtual communication channel between all parties involved. Immersing themselves in the virtual design environment, engineers can create and modify potential designs in real time, see the effects of their modifications, and make required changes immediately. Furthermore,

the combination of virtual reality and the Internet will help clients take part in the design process and provide instant feedback, without having to be extensively trained in CAD. With the use of VR and the Internet, customers are able to represent themselves by becoming an integral part of the design process.

A better solution

Company A is a California-based engineering company whose main market is in Japan. Company A works with two entities based in Tokyo. One is its sister company (Company B); the other is its main customer (Company C). Company B shares engineering responsibilities with Company A and provides a local contact for Company C. To make things even more complicated, the OEM company for Company As products-Company D- is based in Shanghai, China.

Company A receives an order from Company C, in Tokyo, to make a particular product for the Japanese cell-phone market. Company B verifies the invoice, product functionality, specifications, delivery schedule, payment terms, and customer service issues. Company D has been working with Japanese customers for many years and is able to handle all the government license and certification issues.