Technology

Technology

1. Robotics

   • Handling Operations- On a production line, robots can be used to manipulate materials and components into position, in order for other production activities to take place
   • Welding- Robots can be programmed to join together materials(e.g sheets of metal) during the production process, in order to build up and shape the final product
   • Other Production Applications- Activities such as dispensing liquid, painting and coating materials, sealing components and gluing materials together can be done at a much faster speed by pre-programmed robots, improving efficiency. Cutting grinding and polishing can also be done by robots
   • Assembling- the actual construction of the finished product from a range of materials or Components can be completed with much greater speed and accuracy and in some cases(micro technology) means that robots can now assembles pieces of material together that are too small for the human eye to accurately work with
   • Packaging and palletising-To improve the efficiency of production many products are now automatically packaged by robots
   • Measurement, Inspection and testing- Robots are able to scrutinise both finished products and partially completed products on an assembly line with great accuracy
   • Hazardous Applications- There are instances when carrying out a particular process is dangerous to human life. In such cases, specially made robots can be produced to withstand hazardous environments

2. Automation

   • Automation is the use of machinery to replace Human Resources
   • Computer aided manufacturing, known as 'CAM' uses computers to undertake activities such as planning, operating and controlling production

3. Planning

   • Production planning is an area of operations management that benefits from the use of technology
   • Networks are constructed and manipulated on computers and 'what if' analysis is applied to examine the implications of any modifications to the network
   • By using this approach for all of its activities a business can plan the use of all of its resources more effectively

4. Operating Process

   • Technology can also be useful in the manufacturing process. In CAM the use of robots and fully automated production lines, controlled by computers, has increased productivity and reduced the problems arising from human error

5. Controlling

   • Once the manufacturing process begins, it is vital that the quality of the product and the efficiency of the process are scrutinised constantly.
   • Maintaining control of the process through computer based quality assurance systems can overcome the possibility of human error and also provide a higher quality

6. Stock control

   • Computer programmes linked to statistics on patterns on consumer purchases allow firms to anticipate changes in the stock levels more accurately
   • Computerised systems allow organisations to access instantly their current stock levels, reducing the need for time consuming manual checks
   • Retailers are able to link their tills to stock control through EPOS (electronic point of sale) systems. Every time an item is sold, the EPOS system adjusts the stock level. These systems can also order stock from suppliers automatically when a stock as reached a certain lebel
   • Organisations with many branches can use technology to establish the locations of where the stock is being held, so that in an emergency stock can be moved from different branches

7. Communications

   • Allows a business to improve both internal and external communications improving efficiency
   • Internal information can be processed and amended more quickly
   • Company intranets enable employees and, where necessary, suppliers and customers with access to company information at any time
   • Technology increases the speed of communication and the scope for greater responsibility
   • The growing use of loyalty cards allows firms to accumulate information on the buying habits of their customers. Firms can use this to tailor there goods/service to satisfy customer needs
   • The internet has led to a whole new category of business (e-commerce or dot.com companies). This brings a number of advantages such as; eliminates the need for expensive high street premises; Operations can be moved to places where costs such as rent and wages are considerably lower; also it can reduce the need to employ high amounts of staff

8. Design

   • Comparison and Testing of new ideas; Different ideas can be introduced and compared much more quickly in a computer-aided design(CAD) system then in a manual one
   • Creation of new products; Traditional leisure pursuits, such as playing cards, have been hit y computer based alternatives, such as computer games.

9. Benefits of using Technology

   • Reducing Costs; The use of technology to replace manual systems in areas such as planning as greatly reduced labour costs.
   • Improving quality Computer based quality assurance systems can overcome the possibility of human error and also provide a higher standard of quality
   • Reducing waste; Stock control systems ensure that orders are placed at the most appropriate time so that excessive stock levels do not build ip
   • Increasing productivity Machines can work at a much faster and more consistent speed than a workforce without the benefit of such technology
   • Flexibility
   • Financial monitoring
   • New and better goods and services
   • Better working conditions

10. Issues With Technology

    • Resistance to change
    • Lower Morale
    • Cost
    • Keeping up with change
    • Lower barriers to entry