Even though in the Internet world the future arrives before you can grasp the present, here's our take on why the Internet is about to transform manufacturing.

Top 10 reasons why the Web will win over manufacturers:

• It works: properly harnessed, it's the world's best productivity boosting tool. Just using Web-based tools to improve company-wide communications can make a major difference. Not convinced? Shut down your company e-mail for a day and watch the chaos.
• Competent managers will regain control of strategy: the managers from IT departments will be politely elbowed from the corporate boardrooms, and will be less involved in strategy and more involved in system administration and maintenance where they can be most effective.
• To "e" or not to be: the big fish will force their suppliers to get online. Smaller suppliers will have to provide the transparency in their operations needed for a fully integrated manufacturing process to work effectively.
• The smooth ride of the Cadillac Internet: users willing to cough up the dough will be able to buy higher-speed, higher reliability Internet access. This will provide the reliability and bandwidth industry needs to effectively run electronic enterprises.
• Simpler technology: the mysteries behind computer code like HTML, cold fusion, java, shockwave and XML, will be old hat, and end-users will have access to simple Internet access software and programs. Shop floors will be outfitted with Internet devices that come with pre-loaded links to websites approved by their company's management: suppliers, customers, vendors, leading portals and information sources (and of course to www.advancedmanufacturing.com). Remotely hosted software programs will monitor internal and external operations, reducing the need for costly software licensing and compatibility and upgrade nightmares.
• Foiling the hackers: some soon-to-be-hugely profitable company will develop Internet security and privacy programs and techniques that will all but eliminate the major risks that now exist and are slowing the Web's growth among companies that jealously safeguard proprietary data.
• Information when you want it, how you want it, where you want it: mobile Internet access devices will allow manufacturers, especially those in multi plant settings, to remain in constant communication with critical data when needed, as needed. As Web use moves from personal computers and into handheld portable devices, and devices attached directly to machinery, Web use in industry will soar.
• Machines return phone calls: machine-to-machine Internet devices will be as routine and commonplace as phones and fax lines today. They will do remote condition-based diagnostics, online corrections and repairs, and will lay the groundwork for more complex and more complete automation systems.
• Time to market will continue to shrink: true online collaboration on major new product design projects will ease the need for global travel and finally allow corporations access to all of their intellectual resources without having to fly them all into one city.
• Better products, smarter website models: new and emerging companies will recognize the value of providing true value-added services to manufacturers and will create online goods and services that are actually helpful to manufacturers, who will have no choice but to use every available tool to remain competitive.
• And the most important factor: middle and senior managers who ran world class manufacturing plants long before the Internet, will eventually be replaced by the next generation of engineers and managers for whom using the new communications technologies are as routine as clicking on the television or twisting off a beer cap.