International Operations Management

International Operations Management

Current process flow diagram for SANDC (Semi-Automated National Distribution Center)

Alternatives for fewer bins with a great proportion

For the system improvement, the first action they need to take is to reduce the tote bins size; it will be efficient because it will reduce the volume. The efficiency of where they pick the bins needs to be increased to save time. Also, the amount of modification in the sector of collection needs to be reduced to reduce confusion. However, workers’ morale and cooperation need to be increased so as to ensure larger dispatch with less number of bins. The automatic system of using robots should be used so as to make the dispatching process of the products simpler. It makes the process simple by lifting products from one place to the other using robots. Robots also place products in convey belt increasing efficiency of the labor (Salaman & Storey 2016). This means that robots work more efficiently, harder, and accurate. On the other hand, processes and data information control should be done by the use of computers; this makes it simple to store information hence giving the company the ease of calculations of bins and also gives them alternative methods of package.

Home Shopping dedicated area with SANDC

Within SANDC, home shopping should continue with the usual operations but under the specific area in the organization. Home shopping does their operations with their equipment, for instance, the OSR, which assembles products in the planogram, making it easy to store the products on the store shelves. It is easy and time-saving to transport products because the OSR stores products specifically and not randomly (Salaman & Storey 2016). When compared with AS/RS, which stores things randomly, it makes the movement of the product more efficient and in large quantities using the OSR method. It means that home shopping is a very crucial part of SANDC, and therefore the operations should continue.

The flexibility of Semi-Automated National Distribution Center (SANDC)

Change in demand patterns makes the organization comfortable meet increasing demands. When demand increases, it means that a large number of goods need to be transported and picked up. Currently, the number of picking stations is 33. However, at the conveyer, the lower level consists of 12 tote bins. At the upper level, the front picker receives tote bins from the lower level. At that rate, the organization can achieve 650 picks per hour. After they have finished picking from the store, the conveyor system moves away from the bins to picking points (Salaman, 2016). Therefore, in the warehouse, the computer system needs to be installed because the data computed needs to be accurate, and another reason is that the warehouse is big. For the organization to meet anonymous demands, the installation of an automatic system needs to be done on the company.

SANDC operations can be improved in several ways. Their main aim at now is to meet the demands expected by clients. The first way for the organization to improve its operation, they need to integrate their operations to current information technology. They also need to allow clients to access the inventory information of companies store so as the clients can gain confidence with the company and work with them more. SANDC should ensure that the standards of their inventory are at high standards by managing their processes automatically using modern Information Technology. They also need to have an environment that is efficient and friendly, whereby to use machines to reduce the errors in the company in the product processing procedure. The environment also involves designing the facility and mainly the warehouse by installing equipment like solar panels, light control system, which is automatic and system of collecting water from rain.

The comfort of the workers needs to be considered in designing the warehouse so that high-quality labor can be produced (Salaman & Storey 2016).  The automatic system has various advantages if included in the organizational structure, for instance, the layout rearrangement, equipment, advanced computer system for storing information and other processes, and lean system operation. By doing this, all the processes will be effective, including waste elimination during the process of manufacturing. The value of the product automatically increases, and the cost of waste management reduces (Salaman, 2016). The lean system is utilized in the manufacturing company to simplify the work. It reduces production costs as long as machine efficiency increases.

In conclusion, there is success predicted in the future of SANDC (Semi-Automated National Distribution Center) if they major on discussed options. Currently, the company falls in the top 10 in the United Kingdom. The ownership structure of the organization is distinctive in that every worker is an independent partner with the organization. Furthermore, their operations increase day by day, which gives them advantages over other external companies. They have quality management strategies and qualified workers, taking the company to the right track. The company has good anticipated results due to the quality services production to the clients, therefore, attracting more investors now and in the future.

References

Salaman, G., & Storey, J. (2016). A Better Way of Doing Business?: Lessons from the John Lewis Partnership. Oxford University Press.