SAC3B Flashcards
Managing materials
Is all about managing the way that materials are received and stored, and making sure that the right amount and quality of inputs are available in the operations system as and when required.
Strategies related to materials - forecasting
Forecasting uses past data and trends to attempt to determine future events and trends so that informed decisions can be made around materials. Businesses use this to ensure they maintain appropriate levels of materials so production can meet market demand.
Forecasting advantages
- can anticipate seasonal changes and adjust orders to save on costs and wastage.
- can help prevent over-ordering taking up storage space.
Forecasting - disadvantages
- unexpected events can still catch you out.
- requires a lot of time to anticipate, track and analyse all potential impacts on supply chain.
Strategies related to materials - master production schedule
Is a detailed outline of what is to be produced, in what quantities and when it is going to be produced
Master production schedule - advantages
- helps determine very accurate ordering quantities and timings - avoid wastage, time and costs
- very clear to all staff of processes and their sequence.
- very good for standardised production eg; cars
- easy for new staff to learn routine
- reduced general waste
Master production schedule - disadvantages
- initially time consuming and expensive to track, record and write up the “manual”
- hard to account for every situation
- not very flexible
Strategies related to materials -materials requirement planning
Is an itemised list of materials that are required to meet the master production schedule. To determine what something needs to be ordered and when
Materials requirement planning - advantages
- reduction in wastage
- reduction in storage space taken up
- reduction of idle machines
Materials requirement planning - disadvantages
- initially expensive to set up a dedicated system which can accurately track materials through the site.
Strategies related to materials - just in time
Is a strategy that ensures the right amount of materials arrive just as they are needed in the operations system. This happens by synchronise ordering so automatic computer alters are sent just when the resources are running low to give sufficient time for delivery so the resources arrive just in time.
Just in time - advantages
- when working perfectly this should lead to elimation of all waste
- no raw material waste age
- the bare minimum of cash trapped in raw materials
- no storage space required
- no idle machines
Just in time -disadvantages
- hugely reliant on suppliers to deliver on time, all of the time and failure to do this very quickly shuts down the whole production line.
Strategies related to technological developments - automated production
Is where the equipment and machines are arranged in a sequence and controlled by computer systems to perform tasks automatically. This can improve accuracies, efficiency ( productivity) and safety
Automated production - advantages
- productivity rates increase so costs per unit can fall.
- 24/7 production
- accuracy / precision increase.
- remove dangerous or repetitive tasks
- reduce wastage
Automated production - disadvantages
- initially very expensive
- if system breaks down major suspension to production
- requires technical training
- can lead to large scale redundancy
Strategies related to technological developments - computer aided design (CAD )
Computer programs or software which improve the creation and editing of products in the design phase. This enables the product to be tested, seen and costed before going into production
Strategies related to technological developments - Computer aided manufacturing (CAM)
This is software used to allow the manufacturing process to be directed by computers by controlling the production process. Often used in tandem with computer aided design.
CAD AND CAM - advantages
- increase quality
- practise and review design features before manufacture
- customer involvement
- make it when we need it
- allows employees to have more creativity
CAD AND CAM- disadvantages
- initially very expensive
- requires technical training
- may replace labour
Strategies related to technological developments - website developments
Can make it easier for customers to purchase products. This enables one business to communicate or provide information to customers