Technology and Productivity What Are the Potential

Technology and Productivity

What Are the Potential Benefits of Technology?

What Are the Potential Drawbacks of Automation?

National Challenge l Emphasis on short-term business planning l Industry has limited ability to access and apply state-of-the-art research findings l Education crisis presents technological challenge in the future l Increased technology transfers to developing countries

Technology Strategy for PI l Long-range planning for modernization of the organization’s productive core and its key interface and support functions l Holistic view on product/service process technology l Technology strategy for improving an organization’s distinctive competence and its potential competitive advantage

Evaluating Values of Technology l l l Strategic impact – new market, competitive position, market share Customer impact – selection, price, quality, convenience, speed, etc. Financial impact – cost, profit, ROI Operating impact – efficiency Social impact – job, health, safety, environment

What Are the Costs and Values of Technology?

Technology for Productivity Improvement l Five interdependent dimensions: • Product/service design • Physical production/service processes • Information systems • Management technology • Product materials technology

Applications of Technology for PI – An Example

Product Design Technology for Productivity Improvement l Computer-Aided Design (CAD) l Rapid prototyping Virtual collaboration and communication for designers, cross-functional teams, suppliers, customers – web, groupware, instant messaging, project management, etc. Database and data warehouse for enterprise integration and data mining l l

Process Technology for Productivity Improvement l Manufacturing (AMT) • Numerically-controlled machines (NC) • Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) • Cellular systems • Computer-integrated manufacturing systems (CIM) • Robots

Application of Technology in Manufacturing - Examples l l l l Welding Painting Lasers Fabrication Assembly Material Handling and storage Measurement and tracking systems

Automation in Distribution l Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) l Automated Guided Vehicle System (AGVS) l Point of Sales (POS) system l Tracking system (e. g. UPS) l Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) system

Process Technology for Productivity Improvement l Service • Automated/computerized equipment • Automated software systems • Telecommunication systems • Hand-held devices • Software systems • Internet

Applications of Technology in Services - Examples l Billing and Payment l On-line services l Document transfer l Order taking and tracking l Customer service l Application processing

Information System Technology for Productivity Improvement l Application Software Systems • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) • Supply Chain Management (SCM) • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) • Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS)

What Are the Key Functions of those Software Systems?

Management Technology for Productivity Improvement l l l l Standardization Continuous improvement/Kaizen Process mapping/improvement Project management Just-in-time Six sigma Knowledge Management

What Are Those Management Technologies?

Product Materials Technology for Productivity Improvement l Ferrous metals l Aluminum and Alloys l Titanium l Plastics l Composite materials l Ceramics l Coatings and finishes

How to Develop Leadership in Technology for Managers?