In fact, the cost of software-driven machines is driving manufacturing down, as our strange rise in productivity during a recession suggests.

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Likewise Digital Equipment focused on its profit margin in computer-aided design and manufacturing software only to be destroyed by its lower margin but higher volume competitor AutoCad.

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But the Fusion was the first Ford vehicle developed with advanced 3-D digital software that allowed engineers to instantly make the changes and simulate how the manufacturing process would be affected.

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Wadhwani, born in India 52 years ago and schooled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had founded a software firm (since sold to ABB of Switzerland) and was chief executive of Cimflex Technology (computer-assisted manufacturing) before founding Aspect in Mountain View, California, in 1991.

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