Richins Company is considering the acquisition of a computerized manufacturing system. The new system has a built-in quality function that increases the control over product specifications. An alarm sounds whenever the product falls outside the programmed specifications. An operator can then make some adjustments on the spot to restore the desired product quality. The system is expected to decrease the number of units scrapped because of poor quality. The system is also expected to decrease the amount of labor inputs needed. The production manager is pushing for the acquisition because he believes that productivity will be greatly enhanced— particularly when it comes to labor and material inputs. Output and input data follow. The data for the computerized system are projections.

For each of the three following Requirements, identify the overall data analytic type that drives the analysis. Note that some of the subcomponents of the analysis may represent a particular data analytic type, but you should identify the type that drives the overall analysis. See Exhibits 2.5 and 2.6, pp. 37, 40, for a brief review of data analytic types.

Required:
1. Compute the partial operational ratios for materials and labor under each alternative. Is the production manager right in thinking that materials and labor productivity increase with the automated system?
2. Compute the productivity profiles for each system. Does the computerized system improve productivity?
3. Determine the amount by which profits will change if the computerized system is adopted. Are the trade-offs among the inputs favorable? Should the computerized system be adopted?

Exhibits 2.5

Exhibits 2.6

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Output (units) Output selling price Input quantities: Materials Labor Capital (dollars) Energy Input prices: Materials Labor Capital (percent) Energy Current System 60,000 $80 240,000 120,000 $120,000 60,000 $8.00 $18.00 5.00% $4.00 Computerized System 60,000 $80 200,000 80,000 $600,000 150,000 $10.00 $20.00 5.00% $6.00