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4. APPLICATION DOMAINS AND EMERGING INTEGRATED APPLICATIONS
4.1. APPLICATION DOMAINS
As previously discussed, several investigators have recognized the promise and advantage of ES/MM integration synergy. Many have concluded that these integrated technologies provide opportunities for solution of specific domain problems that presently cannot be solved or are more productively resolved in this manner. As a result, a wider interest beyond laboratory research and technical reports is being shown for integrated applications.
Interactive MM systems are primarily used for diagnostic applications that were formerly the mainstay of ES. Future, not yet fully explored, possibilities include (1) intelligent computer aided tutoring, (2) simulation and training, (3) human resources development, and (4) performance measurement. Additional opportunities within the productions operations domain include (1) inventory management, (2) planning and control, (3) operations management, (4) purchasing, (5) quality control, and (6) logistics. Upon reflection, other domain-specific applications can be identified.
Table 3 identifies a spectrum of business, science and engineering, education, and entertainment domains where integrated ES/MM solutions are appropriate; undoubtedly, others exist. Also indicated are representative application examples of each, including diagnostic, information preparation and presentation, sales and services, and communications. While this list may not be exhaustive, it shows a depth and breadth of user and application possibilities. Various architectures, orientations, models, and media forms will be required because of the diversity of these domain and application possibilities.
TABLE 3 |
Examples of ES/MM Integration Synergy |
|
Domains |
Representative application examples |
Executive information |
Capture, store, distribute, present, and manage internal corporate asset knowledge and experience between top managers with the ES used to correlate MM information (Karr, 1992). |
Distributed MM information systems |
Facilitate the storage, retrieval, integration, and transmission of formatted data (database management systems), unformatted text (document retrieval systems), pictures/diagrams/schematics (image management systems), audio (message systems), and expertise (knowledge-based systems) (Coyne, 1990). |
Diagnostics |
Use captured expert knowledge to guide and provide explanations (and training support) for troubleshooting with the support of MM repair procedures, graphics, schematics, still images, and full-motion video where appropriate. |
Intelligent educational/training |
Construct intelligent computer-aided instructional systems that model the student and/or the instructional domain to support interactive learning and remediation based on competency level, learning preference, progress, and needs of the student (or teacher). Use MM for learning and comprehension enhancement. |
Interactive presentations |
Create and synthesize from a MM database, interactive MM presentations based on audience attributes, needs, and desired level of participation; and presenter objectives and available resources. |
Scientific/engineering |
Use graphics and animation to visualize data, experimental results, layouts, and designs; and provide capabilities for assisted interactive analysis and revision. |
Technical documentation |
Use the power of an integrated system to select and combine various static media (text, graphics, and still images) into compound documents. |
Multimedia documents |
Create compound MM documents that contain static and time- arying media for user-interactive exploration and manipulation, publication, or transmission to colleagues, customers, or suppliers. |
Home entertainment |
Use personal preference and mood knowledge/information to create real-time entertainment presentations and interactive games. |
Video productions |
Use an integrated system to intelligently select, locate, and combine stored full-motion veideo and audio segments for review, edit, and presentation. |
Consumer sales/service |
Provide selective MM product and service information to consumers based on needs, preferences, cost limitations, and product/service availability. |
Simulation and modeling |
Use knowledge-based expertise to advise on the best simulation model to use and the length of the simulation, and MM to animate the simulation itself. |
MM networking |
Support resource setup, operation, and management for MM conferencing, videoconferencing, collaborative systems, E-mail, and broadband and wide/local-area networks. |
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