A Web-based support for HDD design chain collaboration

Hard disk drive (HDD) products are highly innovative characterized by rapid technological change, intensive cost pressure and short market lifespan. The evergrowing pressure of global competition and escalating customer demands are now prompting HDD manufacturers to shift their focus to effective design chain collaboration, which empowers them to both reduce costs and increase innovation. A Web-based support is an enabling technology for realizing and facilitating design chain collaboration. This work addresses the development of domain-specific portal tailored for HDD design chain collaboration. The collaboration model in HDD design chain is described. The test-bed portal-DSDCC-is developed and the major collaborative services have been implemented. The practical use of DSDCC is demonstrated by case study. With such Web-based support, the effectiveness and efficiency of design chain collaboration are expected to be greatly improved.