Keywords
Citation
(2000), "The Age of Modularity", Assembly Automation, Vol. 20 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2000.03320bae.003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited
The Age of Modularity
The Age of Modularity
P. O'GradyAdams and Steele Publishers1999256 pp.ISBN 0-9670289-0-6$49.75 Hardback
Keyword: Modular concept
This book aims to describe how, by using a similar framework, modularity can be used for all products. The development of the framework allows modularity to be both contemplated and implemented in industries as diverse as automobiles, software, financial services and electronics. Modularity can allow a product variety but also reduce product development times, costs and capital requirements.
The Age of Modularity is divided into three parts. Part I gives an executive overview of modularity, while Part II gives the background to modularity. Chapters discuss strategies for modularity, managing the move to modularity and the architecture of modularity. Part III, Modularity and the New Economy, discusses soft modules, computer appliances and information products. The book also contains a bibliography and a list of articles for further reading.
This is a superbly written book which is easy to read but does not have a simplistic theme that ignores the important concepts and interactions associated with modularity. It is suitable for students from engineering, computer science and management courses and for business managers and consultants.