Originally Published MX July/August
2001

Information Technologies

Part 3: The Bold New Web

The Web revolution is rapidly reaching even the most complicated processes
of medtech development and manufacturing, but top management's role will be
critical in separating hype from reality.

Cliff Henke

In corporate America,
the advent of highly advanced information technology (IT) systems has brought
about a revolution in management thinking. As illustrated in the TV-commercial
anecdotes that have opened the previous installments of this series, however,
the course of this revolution has unfolded only gradually. At first there was
ignorance and confusion ("ERP?"), followed by the dawning of a business vision
(but, "I don't know how to do that"). And today, corporate leaders are ready
for the next phase—ready to adopt and reap the benefits of IT applications
in their businesses.