CAD/CAM在历史上一直是一种变革的技术，不断发展并融入新技术。通常，CAD/CAM系统的安装标志着公司首次进入自动化领域。连锁反应使公司开始升级所有业务。如今，大多数工程和制造公司都有某种CAD系统。多年来，其合理化和安装方式的遗留问题要么促进了该业务，要么困扰着该业务。

CAD/CAM has historically been a technology of change, constantly growing and incorporating new techniques. Often, the installation of a CAD/CAM system signals a companies first entry in automation. The ripple effect starts the company upgrading all operations. Today, most engineering and manufacturing companies have some sort of CAD system. The legacy of how it was justified and installed either promotes or haunts the operation for years.