Glossary

The phrase electro-mechanical system originated to describe all devices with interaction between electrical and mechanical elements – for example, a motor, or a switch. Now it means a mechanical device which is triggered or controlled by an electrical or electronic device including, for example, the huge number of products containing electronic microcontrollers, ranging from washing machines to aircraft fly-by-wire controls.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standard data formats were developed in the early 1970s to support business-to-business e-commerce. Refined over the years, and with specific versions for particular industries, EDI is still in use today, for example, as messages attached to AS2 protocol communications, which can use Internet connections and maintain security.

Electronic Design Automation (EDA) is the class of software tools used for development of integrated circuits, PCBs, and electronic systems. Early EDA software enabled users to manipulate complex connector and device geometry layouts, and generate manufacturing instructions. Current systems have layered many levels of automation on top of this capability – now, users input requirements using diagrams or software-code-like statements. EDA software generates layouts from these inputs, and simulates their performance.

Electronic manufacturing services (EMS) is the name used in the high-tech industry to identify companies that assemble, produce, and test electronic components and assemblies for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Typically, OEMs retain ownership of product designs and brand names. Some EMS companies offer design, rapid prototyping and product testing services, and are described as contract electronic manufacturers (CEMs).

Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems are commonly found at retail checkouts, both instore and online. An in-store EPOS terminal supports item identification, pricing, and loyalty card systems as well as payment, in addition to communicating actual sales to finance and supply chain systems. Online EPOS systems are hosted on secure servers and used by an online customer via a web-interface to finalize delivery and payment arrangements.