Hi tutor,

I need help with my project and got stuck in the Operational Environment. I don't know how to connect it with my project in transitioning manual manufacturing process to fully automated manufacturing process.

The Project is entitled: An Innovation Project -Fully Automated Manufacturing Process

Introduction

Technology has played a vital role in human history from the industrial revolution to the digital revolution. People find ways to innovate and change the world and its society. Innovation has become a constant thing in the world that it provides technological solutions from electricity, medicine, environment, business, manufacturing, electronics, transportation, and basically anything we can imagine. People will continue to bring in great ideas that will lead to innovation technology and the world will always be ready to adapt to change. After all, change is inevitable. In this course project, my proposed innovation project is about integrating technology into a company's food manufacturing process by transitioning from manual production process into a fully automated manufacturing process. By the end of this innovation project, it hopes toprovide why the company should embrace and fund a fully automated production process.

Background

The organization is a food manufacturing company that manufactures natural fruits, vegetables, and herbs into spray dried powder. It was established in 2014 and is currently located in the Philippines with 100 employees.Currently,the company has two high-capacity spray driers that can produce more than 10 tons of spray dried powders a day but unfortunately the company hasn't maximized the production capacity because of its current manufacturing process. The current manufacturing process that the company has right now is still in its manual stage wherein the process relies heavily on manual labor before moving it to spray drying process.

Since the manufacturing process is still in its manual stage, it has greatly affected the productivity and efficiency of the whole process.The use of manual and repetitive tasks in the manufacturing process led to issues likereduced productivity (low attendance, long production time at 24hrs, understaff), increased labor costs (2 work shifts that requires a lot of laborers, overtimes), human errors, high production costs, less inventory stock that leads to loss of income opportunity. Instead of getting 10tons of spray dried powders, we can only produce 3tons of spray dried powders daily because of these factors. All these aspects impact the operations of the organization in many ways from the production, operations, supply chain, and financial & accounting aspects.

Innovation Opportunity

It has always been my goal and vision to transform the company into an innovative organization by introducing and incorporating new innovations and technology in the company. In order to achieve that goal, we need to integrate technology components in the business by transitioning from manual process to a fully automated manufacturing process. By integrating technology in the manufacturing process, it will solve the current issues and problems that the company face. It will improve productivity and efficiency. It will provide good quality sprayed dried powders. Customer satisfaction will increase as less product returns will occur due to elimination of human error. The biggest opportunity that this fully automated manufacturing process brings is the benefit of earning more due to increase of production and the minimization of the cost of producing it.

Technology Integration

To implement the proposed fully automated manufacturing process, the company needs to invest in the following machines to improve productivity and efficiency in the production line. This proposed automated production line will shorten production time, resolve issues in productivity, and improve production and operations management that has hounded the company for two years.

Machines needed:

- Conveyor belt

- Industrial fruit and vegetable washer

- Extracting Machine

Solution Scenario

By implementing and embracing automation, it will definitely improve productivity and efficiency in the manufacturing process that will benefit the company. Automation will solve the problem in productivity since attendance and understaffing will not be an issue since minimal laborers are required to operated and work on the production process. Production output will also increase and maximize the intended spray dryer capacity of 10tons per day. Because of the increase of production, inventory stock will increase and taking back the loss opportunity in sales. Implementing the automation manufacturing process will also bring cost effectiveness for the company as it will lower the labor cost, price of raw materials will go down since we can order in bulks due to increase of production capacity, production time is shortened, and gross profit margin improves that translates to bigger revenues. Automation of the manufacturing process can help to reduce costs for the company and customers. Automation reduces the need for labor, which can help to reduce labor costs for the company. This reduction in cost can be passed on to customers, providing them with a more cost-effective product. Automation also helps to reduce waste, which can also help to reduce costs. Investing into automation may be costly at first but will reap returns and rewards that will beneficial and favorable not only for the company but will also better serve its customers in years to come.

When transitioning from a manual process to a fully automated manufacturing process, the customer solution and end-user population is greatly impacted in a positive way. Automation of the manufacturing process provides customers with better quality product as well as faster production times. In addition, customers will experience a more reliable, consistent, and cost-effective product with the automation of the manufacturing process. Customers can experience better quality product due to the reduction of human error. Automation eliminates errors that may be caused by tired or distracted employees who may have to work long shifts or have to work with repetitive tasks, which can lead to mistakes in the production process. Automation also helps to reduce the amount of waste that can be caused by these human errors.Integrating innovation technology in the company will also encourage employees to present innovative ideas that will be helpful to the company. Recommitting the company's stance in innovation technology is the first step in changing the innovation and technology culture for the company.

In conclusion, transitioning from a manual process to a fully automated manufacturing process can help to provide customers with a better quality product, faster production times, and cost-effective prices. Automation of the manufacturing process can help to improve customer satisfaction by providing them with a more reliable, consistent, and cost-effective product.

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The question is Operational Environment

You should describe the infrastructure needed or in place, for example, network partners, delivery mechanisms. and payment methods.

do i need a network partner in integrating technology in a fully automated manufacturing process? delivery mechanisms? payment methods?

payment method is cash basis by the company to manufacturer of the machines?

Please help. I got stuck with this Operational Environment topic.

Thanks in advance.