TECHNOLOGY- IMPROVING EFFICIENCY

TECHNOLOGY- IMPROVING EFFICIENCY

1. ROBOTICS

   • Over time, have been able to carry out more complex tasks
   • Handling operations
     • Robots manipulate materials to be used for other activities.
   • Welding
     • Join materials together, build and shape.
   • Other applications
     • Cutting, grinding, painting etc.
   • Assembling
     • greater speed and accuracy
   • Packaging and Palletising
     • Immediate delivery
   • Measurement, inspection and testing
     • Sizes and quality
   • Hazardous application
     • robots carry out tasks that are dangerous for humans

2. MORE

   • Automation
     • Planning, operating, controlling
   • Planning
     • What if analysis used to evaluate risks, remedial action taken
   • Operating process
     • Production lines- small components meaning humans cant handle them. Programming allows variation
   • Controlling
     • Overcome human error, rigorous scrutiny

3. STOCK CONTROL

   • Patterns noticed, and able to predict demand, to cater for needs.
   • Instantly access stock levels.
   • Electronic point of sale, when an item is in the till the stock count changes.
   • Branches can share stock.

4. COMMUNICATIONS

   • understanding of market, external and internal communications.
   • Motivation as two way communication more efficient.
   • Saves time as data can be accessed.
   • Speed of communication- delayer- wider spans of control
   • Loyalty cards- tailor to customers
   • Internet- 24 hrs, no high street stores.

5. DESIGN

   • Compare and test new ideas.
     • eliminate prototypes.
   • Creation of new products
     • apps. eg. playing cards.

6. TECHNOLOGY AND EMPLOYMENT.

   • New skills and jobs
     • more jobs in administration and planning
   • Multi-skilling
     • Jobs are more adaptable to changes
   • Changes in working practices
     • work from home- more flexible.

7. BENEFITS

   • Costs
     • Labour reduced, no prototypes, reduce waste, internet, locate away from expensive sites.
   • Quality
     • no human error, scrutiny, understand consumer requirements.
   • Reduce waste
     • Orders at appropriate time, integrated stock control, time quicker.
   • Productivity
     • Faster, reduce manual stock checks, plan efficient approach
   • Flexible- immediate response
   • Finance monitoring- plan budget
   • Better goods and services
   • Working conditions- reduce noise level, temperatures.

8. ISSUES

   • Change resistant- can mean redundancy
   • Lower morale- break up teams,
   • Cost- introduce, update and service
   • Keeping up- frequent training
   • Lower barriers to entry- international, able to compare prices.