The growth in the manufacture and distribution of electronic devices is one of the most significant sources of continuing innovation of the last half-century. These products are notable in that they integrate physical elements (i.e. hardware) and virtual elements (e.g. software) to deliver value to customers. This chapter examines the role of innovation in electronic product supply chains by exploring the commonalities and differences between the distribution models of digital and physical elements and examining alternative frameworks from which digital and physical distribution methods can be merged. A number of contemporary case studies are presented that highlight how the different elements can work together to deliver continuously innovative value to customers.
The growth in the manufacture and distribution of electronic devices is one of the most significant sources of continuing innovation of the last half-century. These products are notable in that they integrate physical elements (i.e. hardware) and virtual elements (e.g. software) to deliver value to customers. This chapter examines the role of innovation in electronic product supply chains by exploring the commonalities and differences between the distribution models of digital and physical elements and examining alternative frameworks from which digital and physical distribution methods can be merged. A number of contemporary case studies are presented that highlight how the different elements can work together to deliver continuously innovative value to customers.
The growth in the manufacture and distribution of electronic devices presents a source of continuing innovation. Electronic devices are products that integrate physical forms (i.e. hardware) and virtual forms (e.g. software) to deliver value to customers. These forms are very different from a product design and supply chain perspective, but nevertheless they need to work closely together in order to create value for the customers. For electronic device manufacturers, it is important that processes are in place to facilitate the seamless integration of both forms throughout the engineering, production, distribution and support stages of the product lifecycle. This chapter examines the role of physical and virtual supply chain innovation strategies in electronic device supply chains by exploring the commonalities and differences between the design, manufacturing, and distribution models of digital and physical elements. It also explores to what extent such strategies can be employed for engineer-to-order (ETO) supply chains.
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