What Technology Systems are Used in Operations? 

Firms utilize technological systems in the following ways in operations management:

What are Machining Centers? 

These provide automatic control of a machine and automatic tooling changes.

What are Numerically Controlled (NC) Machines? 

Machines that are under the control of a digital computer. Feedback control loops determine the position of the machine tooling during the work, constantly compare the actual location with the programmed location, and correct as needed.

What are Industrial Robots? 

These are substitutes for human manipulation and other highly repetitive functions. 

What is Computer-aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM)?

Uses a computer to integrate component design and processing instructions. In current CAD/CAM systems, when the design is finalized, the link to CAM is made producing the manufacturing instructions. 

What is Computer-aided Process Planning?

(CAPP) - CAPP can shorten and, in some cases, even eliminate traditional process planning.

What is a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS)?

This is a category of systems that differ in the degree of mechanization, automated transfer, and computer control and are sufficiently flexible to produce a wide variety of products. 

• A flexible manufacturing module is a numerically controlled (NC) machine supported with a parts inventory, a tool changer, and a pallet changer. 
• A flexible manufacturing cell consists of several flexible manufacturing modules organized according to the particular product‟s requirements. 
• A flexible manufacturing group is a combination of flexible manufacturing modules and cells located in the same manufacturing area and joined a materials handling system, such as an automated guided vehicle (AGV). 
• A flexible production system consists of flexible manufacturing groups that connect different manufacturing areas, such as fabrication, machining, and assembly. 
• A flexible manufacturing line is a series of dedicated machines connected AGVs, robots, conveyors, or some other type of automated transfer device.

What is Computer-integrated Manufacturing (CIM)? 

The integration all aspects of production into one automated system. Design, testing, fabrication, assembly, inspection, and materials handling may all have automated functions within the area. 

What are Islands of Automation?

Refer to the transition from conventional manufacturing to the automated factory. Typical islands of automation include numerically controlled machine tools, robots, automated storage/retrieval systems, and machining centers.

What is Bar-coding? 

A bar-code is a readable representation of information a computer. Barcodes are widely used to implement automatic data capture systems that improve the speed and accuracy of computer data entry. Bar-coding accelerates the flow of products and information throughout, counting raw materials and finished goods inventories, automatic sorting, production reporting, automatic warehouse applications.

What is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)? 

An RFID tag contains a silicon chip that carries an identification number and an antenna able to transmit the number to a reading device. This means improved inventory management and replenishment.

What is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)?

ERP is a business management system that, supported multi-module application software that incorporates all departments or functions of the organization. ERP is applicable to all organizations and allow managers from all functions or departments to have an understanding of what is or is not taking place throughout the organization. 

Common  modules in the ERP system are finance, marketing, procurement, manufacturing, supplier management and human resource among other modules. 

What is Material Resource Planning (MRP)? 

A system that assists in the detailed planning of production and its characteristics and geared specifically to assembly operations. It enables orders and materials to be tracked throughout the entire manufacturing process.

What is Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP)? 

Distribution requirements planning (DRP) is a scheduling technique that controls inventory and applies MRP principles to the distribution of inventories.