Tech in ops management

• how does technology improve operational efficiency?


  technology is the use of tools, machinery and computers to help produce a good or service
• how can technology be used to improve efficiency?


  robotics

  automation

  communication

  design technology
• what are the advantages of using robotics?

  • quicker and more efficient than humans
  • pick and pack goods quicker
  • quality assurance can be done faster
• what are the disadvantages of quality robotics?

  • risk of job redundancy
  • lack of flexibility
  • expensive to set up or finance costs
  • use of technology linked to division of labour only complete simple tasks
• what is automation?


  use of machines to control a process e.g. stock control
• what is stock control?

  • more accurate predictions of stock usage through statistical analysis
  • automatic control of stock levels and reordering
  • assess data on stock levels and geographical location
• what are internal communication technoology?


  interdepartmental, order processing, quality data
• what is interdepartmental?


  operations management could email HR about staffing requirements
• what is order processing?


  waiters use hand held devices to transfer order to the kitchen
• what is quality data?


  live data telling production workers about the number of defects/ progress to targets
• what are the external communication technology?


  working with suppliers

  sourcing supplies

  tracking of supply chain
• what is working with suppliers?

  using EDI to process orders
• what is sourcing supplies?


  growth of the internet to find new suppliers
• what is tracking of supply chain?


  informs customers of the progress of their order
• what is design technology?


  use of computers in the design stage of developing a product

  computer aided design

  used in many professions- architecture

  3D simulations allow for greater degrees of manipulation prior to investment in prototypes
• what is the advantages of operations efficiency?


  costs- installing tech will be cheaper than paying staff wages

  quality- technology can create a lot of the same goods to a high standard

  speed of response and flexibility- machine can run 24/7 so it can make a lot of products. able to meet urgent orders
• what are the disadvantages of operations efficiency?


  costs- expensive to implement

  quality-bespoke items cant be made

  speed of response- if macine breaks it can affect the whole system

  dependability- machines cant always be reliable