3D - Technological Strategies

Question 1

Automated production lines

Answer 1

Involve machinery and equipment that are arranged in a sequence, and the product is developed as it proceeds through each step

Add:
- Can increase the speed in which products are produced, helping meet customer needs
- The machinery can often be more accurate than humans, which can improve the consistency of each product
- The machinery may be able to work longer hours without breaks. Can help increase production and improve efficiency

Diss:
- High initial cost of implementing an automated production line
- Ongoing maintenance costs can be high
- Machines may break down which can halt production

Question 2

Computer-aided manufacturing techniques

Answer 2

Involve the use of software that controls and directs production processes by coordinating machinery and equipment through a computer

Add:
- The machines are consistent, improving the quality of the end product
- Improved efficiency by producing products quicker
- Designs can be altered without the need to manually reprogram machines, improving flexibility

Diss:
- Computer errors can occur, slowing down production
- Training employees is expensive
- Initial set up can be expensive

Question 3

Artificial Intelligence

Answer 3

Involves using computerised systems to simulate human intelligence and mimic human behaviour

Add:
- Ability to speed up processes with operations as data can be analysed and tasks performed quicker than humans
- Can perform repetitive jobs, allowing employees to take on more complex tasks
- Improved data security as AI is able to detect potential security attempts as well as provide additional security precautions

Diss:
- Inital cost of implementing AI can be very high
- The program can make errors as it relies on the human data that is being implemented
- Possibility of job losses

Question 4

Online services

Answer 4

Are services that are provided via the internet

Add:
- Increased speed of the service being delivered
- Ability to meet increased customer demand as the online service often allows more customers access to the products without significantly increasing the cost
- Often reduced costs due to reduction in the need for labour or a reduced need for facilities

Diss:
- Increased need for investment in cybersecurity as having the service online opens the potential to be hacked
- The ongoing maintenance costs can be expensive
- If selling tangible goods online, other infrastructure must be established to ensure that the products can be delivered to the customer

Question 5

Robotics

Answer 5

Are programmable machines that are capable of performing specified tasks

Add:
- Improved safety as the robots can perform dangerous tasks rather than the employees performing these tasks
- Greater accuracy and consistency, improving the quality
- Robots can perform longer hours without as many breaks as humans, improving the amount of work being prepared

Diss:
- Initial cost can be high for some robots
- Impacts production while the robots are being introduced into the business and programmed to perform tasks
- Increased costs as training may need to occur to train employer on working with robots