Newsroom
NEMI Schedules June Workshop to Review 2004 Roadmap
Workshop will reflect more international input as well as
other structural changes to this year's edition
HERNDON, VA - May 11, 2004 - The National Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (NEMI) is hosting an open workshop to review year-to-date progress on the 2004 NEMI Roadmap. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 23, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at NEMI headquarters in Herndon, VA (near Dulles Airport).
"This workshop serves as an important reality check for the teams writing the various roadmap chapters and helps us enhance the quality of the final product. It also gives industry a 'sneak peak' at what will be featured in the final roadmap," said Jim Arnold, director of roadmapping for NEMI and a fellow of the Motorola technical staff. "The June workshop is a critical part of the roadmapping process, as it gives us the opportunity to broaden our reach in soliciting input from industry. And, this year, we are expanding our scope even further by actively soliciting global participation in this review as we begin the first steps toward internationalizing the NEMI roadmap. For example, we have already secured commitments from IEEE/CPMT and IMAPS Europe to participate. In addition, we have had positive interactions with JEITA, and representatives from Japan will be involved in the 2004 roadmap."
Every two years, NEMI maps the future manufacturing needs of the global electronics industry in order to identify the key technology and infrastructure developments required to assure leadership of the supply chain over the next decade. It helps companies anticipate shifts in product requirements and provides an early warning of changes in technology or infrastructure. It also serves as the foundation of all of the consortium's activities. NEMI uses the roadmap's forecasts to identify critical technology and infrastructure gaps, prioritize R&D needs to meet these gaps, and initiate activities to address industry needs.
The 2004 roadmap marks the tenth anniversary of this highly successful initiative. The first roadmap was created in 1994 by the National Electronics Manufacturing Framework Committee, a group of 200 individuals from industry, government and academia who came together to study the challenges facing the nation in electronics manufacturing, and to develop technology roadmaps and policy options with which to address these challenges. To celebrate this milestone, NEMI is planning a banquet on the evening of June 22 at the consortium's headquarters. The event will feature speakers from industry and government and provide an opportunity for the group to meet informally prior to the workshop sessions the next day.
The 2004 roadmap cycle includes several improvements, reflecting lessons learned from previous roadmaps as well as the mega trends that are observed in today's electronics industry:
- Internationalize the NEMI roadmap: NEMI is actively recruiting participation from both Europe and Asia by working with organizations with the appropriate international constituencies as well as with key representatives from targeted firms. This effort represents the first major phase of NEMI's strategy to become more international in its reach.
- Strong cooperation with ITRS: The semiconductor industry is increasingly considering market forces (along with Moore's Law) to help define industry projections. With this change, collaboration with NEMI is more important than ever as both groups work to synchronize product sector requirements for future editions of both the ITRS and the NEMI roadmap.
- Strengthen and broaden product needs: While the NEMI roadmap has always been driven by product needs, Product Emulator Groups (PEGs) have been organized for the 2004 roadmap to help ensure wider participation in developing the product emulators (fictitious products that help describe future product attributes and requirements). In addition to some reshaping of the existing product sectors (e.g., creation of standalone Netcom and Defense/Aerospace PEGs), new PEGs have been added for System in Package (SiP) and Medical Electronics. In both cases, these changes reflect the increasing importance of these areas as potential drivers of technology. [Download list of PEGs]
- New chapter on sensors: While MEMS and nanotechnology are addressed in several of the roadmap chapters, an area of growing importance that utilizes these emerging capabilities is sensors. Accordingly, a new chapter is being included this year to focus exclusively on sensors, which are increasingly found in automotive, medical and defense products and are expected to be important in homeland security applications.
- More emphasis on innovation: Each chapter will identify the research needs for that specific technology area. In addition, identification of major disruptive technology and business events will be forecasted. This expanded focus on innovation, coupled with NEMI's efforts to strengthen its ties with institutions that are involved with funding and carrying out research, will help ensure an ongoing competitive environment for the electronics industry.
Logistics
The workshop registration fee is $200 for non-members and $100 for members. This fee includes attendance at the banquet, participation in the workshop (including lunch and breaks), a CD of workshop presentations and the 2004 NEMI Roadmap CD when published. (Cost of the roadmap for non-members is usually $250.)
Link to registration information and details about hotels and transportation.
About NEMI
The National Electronics Manufacturing Initiative's mission is to assure leadership of the global electronics manufacturing supply chain. Based in Herndon, VA, the industry-led consortium is made up more than 60 manufacturers, suppliers, industry associations and consortia, government agencies and universities. NEMI roadmaps the needs of the electronics industry, identifies gaps in the technology infrastructure, establishes implementation projects to eliminate these gaps (both business and technical), and stimulates standards activities to speed the introduction of new technologies. The consortium also works with government, universities and other funding agencies to set priorities for future industry needs and R&D initiatives. For additional information about NEMI, visit www.nemi.org.
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For further information:
Cynthia Williams
207-871-1260
cynthiaw@maine.rr.com
Acronym Glossary
| CPMT |
the Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology Society (CPMT) of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) |
| IMAPS |
International Microelectronics and Packaging Association |
| ITRS |
International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors |
| JEITA |
Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association |
| MEMS |
microelectromechanical systems |