Immortal information and through life management (KIM): how can valuable information be available in the future?

Customers' needs are changing and organisations across all sectors are increasingly being asked not only to provide products in the first instance, but also to support them throughout their service life. At the same time, many engineering companies in defence, civil, aerospace and construction sectors are today undergoing a paradigm shift from product delivery to through-life service support. Our 3-year research project aims to identify novel business, operational and information-system models that can extend thirty years or more and help these sectors remain competitive. The project focuses on how products can best be designed and supported in this highly dynamic, network-focused environment. There are two main issues that companies have to address. Firstly, how can information be most effectively created and the knowledge gained during the design, production and subsequent operation of the product remain manageable and accessible to the diverse community that may need access throughout the life of the product. Secondly, should they put in place suitable organisational resources and decision-making methods to work effectively in this new business paradigm. This paper first makes a brief review of the project, and then discusses the research concerned with the value of information.