Practical Session 7
Repetitive Focused StrategyContinued
♦ Facilities often organized by assembly lines
♦ Characterized by modules
♦ Parts & assemblies made previously
♦ Modules combined for many output options
♦ Other names
♦ Assembly line
♦ Production line
♦The most clearly example of a repetitive process is the usage of a robot:
“ A robot is a mechanical device that can perform
preprogrammed physical tasks. A robot may act
under the direct control of a human (eg. the robotic
arm of the space shuttle) or autonomously under
the control of a pre-programmed computer. Robots
may be used to perform tasks that are too
dangerous or difficult for humans to implement
directly (e.g. the space shuttle arm) or may be used
to automate repetitive tasks that can be performed
more cheaply by a robot than by the employment of
a human (e.g. automobile production).”
Repetitive Focused StrategyContinued
• Another expamle is the Automated Storage and
Retrieval System (ASRS).
• Computer-controlled warehouses that provide for the
automatic placement and withdrawal of parts and
products into and from designated places in a
warehouse.
• These systems are also found in inventory and test
areas of manufacturing firms.
• Material handling machines
• Used to move parts & equipment in manufacturing
• May be used to deliver mail and meals in service
facilities
Mass Customization-Continued
• Individualized goods and services
• Proliferation of products improving quality and reducing costs
• Making what the customer wants when the customer wants
economically
• System: sales-design-production-supply chain-logistic
• Use of computers to interactively design
products and prepare engineering
documentation (drafting and three-dimensional
drawings)
• To save time and money.
• The payoff is particularly significant because most
product costs are determined at the design stage.
Which is the role of technology in
relation with process strategy?
Is the use of information technology to monitor and control a physical process. For example, process
control is used to measure the moisture content and thickness of a paper.
To determine and control temperatures, pressures, and quantities in petroleum refineries,
petrochemical processes, cement plants, steel mills, nuclear reactors and other product-focused facilities.
It offers control:
•
Numerically controlled machines
•
Numerical control
•
Computer numerical control
•
Direct numerical control
•
Process control
•
Vision systems
•
Robots
•
Automated storage and retrieval systems
•
Automated guided vehicles
•
Flexible manufacturing systems
•
Computer integrated manufacturing
•
Numerical control (NC) - machine can be controlled electronically
•
Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) - machine actually has its own microprocessor and memory
•
Direct Numerical Control (DNC) - wired to a central computer
Which factors should be included?
• Quantitative factors
– Considerations relevant to a decision that can be measured in
terms of money or quantitative units. Examples are incremental
revenue, added cost, and initial outlay.
• Qualitative factors
– They are the factors relevant to a decision that are difficult to
measure in terms of money. Qualitative factors may include:
effect on employee morale, schedules and other internal
elements; relationships with and commitments to suppliers;
effect on present and future customers; and long-term future
effect on profitability. In some decision-making situations,
qualitative aspects are more important than immediate financial
benefit from a decision.
Which is the impact of the usage
of Communication and Informations
Technology?
The information sciences are making a major impact
in additional areas that have applications in
operations:
– Transaction processing
– Management Information Systems
– Artificial Intelligence
It is a system dedicating to obtaining, formatting,
manipulating, and presenting data as information to
managers when needed.