2. OPERATIONS Technology

3.  A business must produce their goods efficiently to compete successfully.  This means that they must produce at the lowest price, but highest quality.  One way a business can improve it’s efficiency is by introducing new technology.

4. Computer Aided Manufacture CAM  This is when computers are used to control machine during the manufacturing process.  For example when making clothes cutting machines can be computer controlled.

5. Computer Aided Design  This is where products are designed on the computer.  This allows businesses to see what the finished product will look like.  Changes can be made to improve details.  For example a garden design so that the customer can see what their garden will look like before any work starts.

6. Computer Integrated Manufacturing CIM  This is when computers control much of the production.  Robots replace humans by doing repetitive tasks.  An example is paint spraying when making cars.

7. Automation  Manual workers being replaced by machines.  Supervision of machines is required.  Workers are needed to programme machines.  Fewer unskilled workers are needed.  More skilled workers are needed.

8. Costs of New Technologies  Machinery is expensive to buy initially.  Large quantities of the good need to be made to make a profit.  Machines can go out-of-date very quickly.  Some workers may be made redundant.  There may be less job satisfaction when working with machines.