Operations Flashcards
Inventory Management System
Maximum - Most amount of inventory held
Avoids overstocking
Minimum - Least amount of inventory that should be held
Avoids understocking
Re-order Level - Level which inventory is re-ordered
Avoids running out of inventory
Re-order Quantity - Amount ordered
Ensures quantity ordered isn’t too much or too little
Lead Time - Time taken between order placed & inventory arriving
Allows business to react to rush orders
Buffer Inventory - Extra inventory to be used in emergencies
Ensures production doesn’t stop & sales are continued to be made
Centralised Storage
Storing inventory in one central location in a large, purpose-built warehouse
Centralised Storage - Advantages
Staff employed to maintain inventory
- Improves speed of inventory handling
Can store massive amounts of inventory
- Benefits from economies of scale
Same procedures for issuing inventory used across organisation
- Improves consistency
Located close to infrastructure
- Easier for suppliers to deliver inventory
Centralised Storage - Disadvantages
Inventory delivered to each department
- Causes delays
Specialist staff employed to maintain inventory
- Increases wage costs
Specialist equipment needed
- Expensive to purchase & maintain
JIT
Ordering supplies only when required for production
JIT - Advantages
No money tied up in inventory
- Improves cash flow
No warehouse required
- Saves costs
Lean production
- No waste
JIT - Disadvantages
Late deliveries mean understocking
- Delays in production
Requires good relationship with suppliers
- Takes time to develop & maintain
No room for error in production
IT
Used to purchase supplies quickly
EPOS
Can automatically re-order depleted inventory
Computerised Systems
Can check & find inventory
Automated Systems
Can track deliveries
Spreadsheets
Accurately & quickly produce production budgets
CAM
Used in automated production
CAD
Used to design item before manufactured
CAD - Advantages
Reduces space needed
- Hard copies of drawings not needed to be stored
Accuracy
- Less human error in drawing measurements
Layouts can be saved to use again
- Saves time
CAD - Disadvantages
Less people required to create CAD drawings
- Impact on unemployment
High expenses
Staff need trained in how to use software
- Takes time & money