Product Data Technology. Vision 2000

This keynote paper will project future perspectives and describe possible scenarios for Product Data Technolgy (PDT) as we approach the next century. The evolving information society will present us with new technical opportunities, business services, enterprise communication structures, and PDT environments. The transition requires a conscious, systematic approach to avoid the risks of further information pollution, and to conserve the values of human knowledge and competence. How will we master this challenge of human control and adaption for the PDT of the future?