Integrating the open framework

Users are building their own environments, using a mix of the optimum hardware and software for their individual needs. By piecing together their own solutions, users are turning to frameworks to integrate this hardware/software mix. A framework can provide the functionality to organize, track, manage, and analyze the entire design process, across platforms and tools. The author focuses on how frameworks, and, in particular, open frameworks supplied by third-party vendors, can help users achieve their goal of integration. The function of the framework is to organize, manage, control, and analyze these tools, data, and resources as they relate to the design process. It can do all this graphically, for even the most complex functionality. A discussion is also presented as to where the framework fits.<>