Vision Series 4

By CNET News.com Staff
June 23, 2003, 4:00 AM PT

Massive technology initiatives are fundamentally changing major industries looking for ways to cut costs through efficiencies in today's unforgiving economic climate.

These multibillion-dollar campaigns, some mandated by law, are generating new business for hardware, software and service companies desperate to dig themselves out of the prolonged high-tech slump. In an occasional series this month, CNET News.com examines five industries in the midst of technology evolution: life sciences, finance, health care, security and entertainment.

Hollywood's digital blockbuster

	Computers replace petri dishes The biosciences industry is relying on high technology to speed drug development and even replace laboratory work.
	Wall Street turns dollars to digits Brokerages and investment banks are dumping obsolete paper operations to cut waste and vastly improve efficiency.
	Intensive care for medical data Health care organizations face a federal deadline to overhaul records ranging from patient files to insurance claims.
	The high cost of war on terrorism Government agencies are working furiously to strengthen homeland security systems as a matter of life and death.
	Hollywood's digital blockbuster Studios are turning to tech companies in converting a century of archives for the Net, HDTV and other new media.