| Previously, when additional facilities were required, it was expected that the whole device would need to be changed. Very often the lifespan of a product was dictated by its abilities rather than its wear and age.
Today's modern devices are designed with change and "upgrade" in mind. Rather than replace the entire device it is now common practice to add additional modules to enhance the original specification, and to extend the product's useful life.
For example:
A "stand alone" photocopier can become a high speed, low running cost network printer. Later it can become a high capacity facsimile machine and then a high speed scanner for document archiving and document email.
A "stand alone" facsimile can become the office printer as well, with the addition of a print board and additional paper supplies. |
