Title: Analysis of available software products in the North American cabinet industry

Authors: Richard Hewitt; Taraneh Sowlati; Joseph C. Paradi

Addresses: Industrial Engineering Research Group, Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2931-2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada ' Industrial Engineering Research Group, Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2931-2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada ' Centre for Management of Technology and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada

Abstract: The effective use of information technology (IT) is increasingly important to remain competitive in modern manufacturing. In general, wood products industries are slower in adopting IT, which may erode their long-term competitiveness. Using cluster analysis, this study evaluates the functionalities of software products currently available in the North American cabinet industry. Association rule learning is also used to determine how functionalities are coupled together to achieve integrated business tasks. Design and manufacturing functionalities are well represented in software products available for the industry. However, marketing and sales functionalities are poorly represented. Industry research indicates that these capabilities may become more important in the future. Therefore, an increased emphasis on sales and marketing functionalities in future cabinet industry software products is prudent. Also, many products automate the design-related activities, but not necessarily the production-related ones. This has negative implications for the industry's productivity and future competitiveness.

Keywords: information technology; software packages; cabinet industry; wood industry; cluster analysis; association rules learning; ARL; data mining; wood products; wood manufacturing; North America; sales functionality; marketing functionality; design functionality; manufacturing functionality; production functionality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2013.055437

International Journal of Applied Management Science, 2013 Vol.5 No.3, pp.281 - 296

Published online: 30 Jan 2014 *

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