Issues in the development and implementation of web applications for product design and manufacture

There have been considerable interests in providing the state-of-the-art product design and manufacture techniques and methods accessible on the Internet from web browsers. Many believe that the development and implementation of web applications is merely a matter of programming. While programming is undoubtedly an important step, the web technology has evolved so rapidly that it becomes difficult to select the suitable features for implementing application systems. Researchers in the field of product design and manufacture would not usually have much time and efforts to investigate the web features in great detail. Instead, they have to focus on the development of the product design and manufacture methodologies. This article aims to discuss the issues that arise in the design and implementation of such web applications. The three-tier architecture for web applications is discussed. The two most popular web technologies, i.e. ActiveX and Java, are then discussed in terms of their main constructs. The methods for the deployment of web application clients and servers are highlighted. Remote database access and connection deserve clarification because many web applications in product design and manufacture involve product, process and resource data. It is hoped that this article will assist researchers to develop their proof-of-the-concept prototype web applications for their methodologies after considering these issues discussed in this paper.