Technological Developments: KK4

technological development

• technology is the equipment and knowledge available to assist a business to function and create products

• may facilitate new methods of production

• can create new equipment used to quicken or lower costs of production

• efficient and quality improvement

• can mean initial increased costs in its development or acquisition, this must be weighed up against potential improvements in productivity (efficiency) and quality (effectiveness).

• a business that fails to keep up with the latest technological advancements will rapidly lose competitiveness.

automation

the replacement of human effort by machinery and technology

strategies to improve efficiency and effectiveness related to technology

• automated production lines (& robots)

• computer-aided design (cad)

• computer aided manufacturing (cam)

• artificial intelligence (ai)

• online services (websites)

automated production lines

• automated production lines comprises machinery and equipment arranged in a sequence with components added to a good as it proceeds through each step, with the process controlled by computers

• each station performs a specific operation in sequence, preferably with automatic transfer between station

robotics

• robotics a form of technology capable of complex tasks

• used in production lines where a programmable machine capable of doing different tasks is required

• allows for a degree of precision and accuracy generally unmatched by human labour

• useful for repetitive/difficult/dangerous task

advantages of automated production lines & robotics

improves efficiency:

• using fewer human resources

• reducing wastage due to improved accuracy

• perform tasks quicker

improves effectiveness

• allowing the business to meet customer demand as they can speed up the process

• improving safety - humans do not have to perform complex and dangerous tasks

• increased quality due to improved accuracy and consistency - meet customer standards

disadvantages of automated production lines & robotics

• Robotics are high-cost forms of technology that can be unaffordable for many small and medium-scale manufacturers.

• Robotics can be costly to maintain or replace.

• Training is required so that employees are familiar with using robotics - this will cost the business both financially and in time.

• The use of this strategy can lead to the loss of jobs as fewer employees are likely to be required.

• Robotics can break down, halting production.

computer aided design (cad)

• CAD is a software system that enables a product to be created in digital form, modified, analysed, and tested.

• allows changes to designs to be made easily with fewer resources

• CAD may be linked directly to a manufacturing process using CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) software.

advantages of cad

improve efficiency:

• using fewer resources to design a product

• allows the business to determine material requirements, preventing understocking/overstocking

• ability for others to view the product and provide feedback, preventing producing a product the market doesn’t want

improve effectiveness:

• viewing the product before production and making adjustments to ensure it meets customer needs

• can view 3d product to get more realist perspective

disadvantages of cad

• Computer software can crash, resulting in the possible loss of work.

• Costs of software can be expensive.

• The costs and time involved in training staff can deter many businesses from the use of CAD.

• The use of this strategy may lead to the loss of jobs as fewer employees are likely to be required.

computer aided manufacturing (cam)

• cam is the use of software and machinery that allow computers to direct and control the manufacturing process

• can link with cad to manufacture a design with minimal human involvement

advantages of cam

improve efficiency:

• speeding up production

• need for fewer human resources

• ability to produce with fewer errors

improve effectiveness

• can enhance product quality

• can meet customer demand

disadvantages of cam

• Computer software can crash, resulting in production stopping.

• CAM-enabled machinery is generally designed for a specific task, and is typically not versatile.

• CAM systems and machinery are very expensive, requiring a business to make a huge upfront investment.

• The costs and time involved in training staff can also deter many businesses from the use of CAM.

• The use of these strategies can lead to the loss of jobs as fewer employees are likely to be required.

artificial inteligence

• ai is the ability of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that are usually done by humans

• can be used by many facets of business including the production of documents and paperwork, at airports using facial recognition, chatbots, and are able to adapt and improve continuously

advantages of ai

improve efficiency:

• can greatly speed up the analysis of large amounts of data. e.g. can analyse customer demand

• can monitor materials to ensure there is no over/under stocking

• can identify errors in a product early and notify employees to allow corrective action to take place

improve effectiveness:

• improving decision making (provides real time insights and forecasts e.g. customer demand, allows managers to make evidence based decisions)

• improving quality of the product being produced (identifies errors)

• speed up and improve customer service (chatbots, provide 24/7 support, reduce waiting times) - frees up staff to focus on more complex tasks

disadvantages of ai

• high initial costs

• can make incorrect assumptions/advice as it relies on human data

• potential for ethical issues to arise without regulation

• possible job losses

online services

• online services allow businesses to connect with their customers in some way over an internet connection

• can include: website/mobile applications, social media platforms

advantages of online services

improve efficiency:

• reduced costs of operating

• ability to monitor real time data, helping manage materials

• communicate with others with fewer resources

improve effectiveness:

• increased accessibility, improving customer satisfaction

• ability to monitor demand, helping plan materials and production needs

disadvantages of online services

• need to invest heavily in data privacy

• may require large investment to keep online services updated and up and running

• may need to increase distribution channels if offering products abroad