use of computer systems 1.6

Question 1

what is Just in time?

Answer 1

a stock control management system that depends highly on integrated computer systems- materials and components are ordered in as they are needed to go onto the production line. This means the stock is brought in quantities required for each batch of products and is not stored in the warehouse.

Question 2

how are products and stock tracked in JIT?

Answer 2

using barcodes attached to every single product, which gives manufacturers access to up-to-date stock information- this allows manufacturers to place orders more quickly when fashions change so they can be more flexible in their working practise.

Question 3

what are the advantages of JIT?

Answer 3

• saves materials and energy from being wasted on unwanted products
• fewer workers/operators need to be employed which saves money on wages as the production line is not continuously running
  -enables high-street fashion stores to react to consumer demands and fashion trends, enabling them to remain competitive
  -no stock room required as the products are ordered in batches required and used directly in the production line- saves on warehousing costs
  -stock doesn’t become obsolete, damaged or deterioated

Question 4

what are the disadvantages of JIT?

Answer 4

-the system depends highly on suppliers and transport infrastructure- if a fabric/component is delivered late it could slow down the whole process
-reliant on a high quality supply chain
-fewer benefits from bulk purchasing e.g discounts

Question 5

what is modular/cell production?

Answer 5

workers operate in small teams to enable products to be made- quick response manufacturing

Question 6

what is a flexible manufacturing system?

Answer 6

a flexible manufacturing system, just like quick-response manufacturing is able to respond quickly to market demand and new trends. Flexible manufacturing system uses ‘demand activated manufacture’ meaning that the products are manufactured after a consumer purchases them, basing their manufacture from demand- this means consumers can get their items specially tailored for their needs or have the product personalised using embellishment techniques.

Question 7

what does JIT entirely depend on?

Answer 7

a barcode system- barcodes are attached to every product and are read using scanners at each stage of manufacture- this allows manufacturers to place orders for components or materials quickly

Question 8

what are the advantages of flexible manufacturing systems?

Answer 8

-can readily adapt to changes in the type and quantity of good being produced- allow for quick response to changes, consumer demand and new trends
-FMS is largely computer automated, reducing overall labour costs
-allows for customised products and specially tailored products- e.g some companies allow customers to choose their jeans in a specific waistband and length
-keeps inventories low
-avoids/reduces wastage- products are manufactured when they are ordered by a customer

Question 9

what are the disadvantages of flexible manufacturing systems?

Answer 9

-the systems are more expensive to design and initially costly to install- requires skilled technicians

Question 10

what does PPC stand for?

Answer 10

production, planning and control

Question 11

what does CAM stand for?

Answer 11

Computer aided manufacture

Question 12

what does CAM include?

Answer 12

-manufacturing processes e.g:
-fabric manufacture and printing
-cutting
-sewing
-pressing

Question 13

what does CAD stand for?

Answer 13

Computer aided design

Question 14

what does CAD include?

Answer 14

-virtual modelling
-colourways
-PDS software
-draft patterns
-grade patterns
-produce lay patterns

Question 15

what does CAA stand for?

Answer 15

Computer automated administration

Question 16

what does CAA include?

Answer 16

-marketing and sales
-accounting and costing
-processing orders
-stock administration and buying

Question 17

what does CIM stand for?

Answer 17

computer intergrated manufacture

Question 18

what does EDI stand for?

Answer 18

Electronic data interchange

Question 19

what are standardised components?

Answer 19

components such as zips, bias binding etc which come in pre-set sizes and are mostly brought in from specialised manufacturers to add function and/or aesthetic qualities to a finished garment (although some components such as fastenings may be added during the construction of a garment)

Question 20

what are the advantages of standardised components?

Answer 20

-there is a wide range to choose from
-components can be brought in bulk to reduce unit cost
-JIT stock control systems can buy components as and when needed and be taken directly into the production line rather than being stored, allowing manufacturers to meet consumer demands and fashion trends much more quickly and efficiently without wasting any products
-it is more economical for manufacturers to purchase standardised components there is no need to invest in machinery to make the components instead

Question 21

what is sub-assembly?

Answer 21

where individual parts/ groups of parts are brought together to form a finished product- some parts of the product can be made as a separate line of manufacture before being fed into the main production line e.g shirt collars or sleeves. The separate production line may be in the same factory in a designated area, or a different factory space, or even a factory in a different country. The sub-assembled parts are then fed into the main production line at the appropriate stage of manufacture.

Question 22

what are the advantages of sub-assembly?

Answer 22

1. the sub-assembly lines do not have to be in the same factory or operated by the same manufacturer
2. can improve product quality and simplify and speed up the manufacturing process
3. Sub-assembly facilitates JIT manufacture and product parts can be brought in as needed and taken directly into the production rather than being stored, allowing manufacturers to meet consumer trends and demands
4. Sub-assembly can be used for parts of the product which require specialist machinery
5. the product overall will be very high quality, as some parts of the garment will be manufactured in separate sub assembly lines in different factories which specialise in specific manufacture. The sub-assembled parts will also be checked for quality before they are sent off to the main production line, ensuring quality checks throughout and a high quality finished garment

Question 23

what is global production?

Answer 23

Garments/products can be designed in one country and manufactured in another. The designers and manufacturers can easily exchange information and communicate via the internet and computer- generated information can be sent to a manufacturer where it can be fed directly from the computer into computer automated machinery

Question 24

what are the advantages of global production?

Answer 24

• The internet has made it incredibly easy to exchange information and computer- generated information via the internet
• manufacture is often cheaper in other countries in continents such as Asia- labour costs are often cheap which makes the garment cheaper

Question 25

what is off-shore production?

Answer 25

products are often made overseas because labour is often cheaper or materials may be more readily available. Some overseas manufacturers also have skilled workers who are able to perform specialist tasks that other factories may not be able to do.

Question 26

what are the advantages of off-shore production?

Answer 26

- labour costs are usually cheaper in off-shore countries which therefore makes the garment cheaper - raw materials in a specific country may be more readily available or may be cheaper than in other countries - retailers can employ skilled workers in other countries that specialise in a specific section of manufacture- this increases the overall quality of the garment. - Off shore production can support and boost the economy of developing countries that manufacture garments for retailers - off-shore production means that the retailer doesn't have to pay for a factory space in their own country -the lack of investment in the textile industry in the UK means factories offshore are more likely to have up-to-date machinery

Question 27

what are the disadvantages of off-shore production?

Answer 27

- there may be social and moral concerns about off-shore production in countries in continents such as Asia- many factories have poor working conditions and do not consider health and safety regulations or equal, fair labour wages for workers - many products that are brought in the UK are manufactured over-seas, this raises environmental concerns as garments have to be transported, usually by boat, plane, lorries etc which rely heavily on non-renewable energy sources such as petrol, coal and oil which releases harmful gases into the atmosphere - Many products that are purchased in the UK have been manufactured overseas, this has consequences for employment in the UK, as there are fewer jobs available for product manufacture

Question 28

what are imports and exports?

Answer 28

Import refers to goods that a country buys from another country, whereas exports are goods that a country sells to another- the UK fashion market trades with many different countries within the global market. The scale of trade depends on labour and material costs, international trade agreements, tariffs and currency exchange rates.

Question 29

what are the disadvantages of imports and exports?

Answer 29

manufacture of fashion products has declined in the UK as low-cost products are made over-seas and then imported. Many British retailers specialise in making a small batch of high value and specialised products which are exported

Question 30

what are branded goods?

Answer 30

products that come from brands such as Nike- Brand image is often very important to customers- customers will buy branded goods to enhance their personal image. A brand name can also give consumers assurance about the quality of the product and help to differentiate one brand from another

Question 31

what are the advantages of branded goods?

Answer 31

A well known brand name which is respected will help increase sales because consumers have confidence in the quality of the product. Strong brand names can also help to sell products in the global market place, especially to those consumers who have high levels of disposable income to spend on the latest fashion trends.

Question 32

what are the disadvantages of branded goods?

Answer 32

-it is expensive to set up and create a brand name -the brand can make high-value products attractive to counterfeiters.

Question 33

What 4 things does CIM (computer integrated manufacture) include?

Answer 33

-CAM (computer aided manufacture -CAD (computer aided design) -PPC (production, planning and control) -CAA (computer aided administration)

Question 34

what are contracted goods?

Answer 34

a contracted manufacturer makes branded or labelled products for another company. e.g a manufacturer may make a number of products for different retailers, even though those retailers will be in competition with each other for customers. A manufacturer may be unable to produce all of the goods that have been ordered, so will look for other factories to manufacture the product under the original manufacturers name

Question 35

what is mass customisation?

Answer 35

The modification of a standard design to individual consumer requirements

Question 36

what is Electronic data interchange (EDI)?

Answer 36

barcode system that can work alongside the JIT stock control system, which can track the progress of products from manufacturing to distribution stages. it entirely replaces paper based documents like purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices etc and is the process of computer to computer exchange of standardised business documents

Question 37

what are the benefits of electronic data interchange?

Answer 37

-reduces errors in data entry and communication -reduces costs spent on paper,printing and posting business documents