PROCESS DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY IN OPERATIONS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Introduction
In the last two decades, stakeholders like consumers, regulators in the industries, competitors, suppliers and the international community have put pressure on the manufacturers. Competition has made the entire supply chain management in cooperating practices in the entire process to satisfy their needs. The supply chain needs a clear layout to enhance management from acquiring raw materials to the consumer in a sustainable manner. The process design involves the linkage of strategy, channels, structures and process in a supply chain. Process design is essential since in incorporated technology in operation and supply chain management. The paper aims to show process design and technology in operations in supply management. It would also show the concept of technology in the design process and new trends in the design process.
Concept of technology application in the design process
Most companies nowadays are not independent since they are affiliated to multinationals across the globe. Organizations require several networks to enhance their supply chains to reach their end-users (Moreira, 2018, p43). Technology is essential in designing the process that makes decisions on the supplies chains to be used and resources to be invested. The use of modern technology is necessary to facilitate the management of these networks in the supply chain to achieve efficiency. Information technology is essential in the assessment of the supply chains of companies and its nature regarding the niche of the business (Blecker, 2015, p78). Technology should be incorporated in the design process so that it could reduce the costs of the incurred as a result of supply chains.
Information technology reduces the workload in inventory management and warehousing since in the touch of the button in use of real-time technology you could assess the inventories from any part of the world ( Chandra, 2015, p123). Ecommerce and use of modern technology have been used in the design to enable firms easily reach consumers, thus increasing sales through incurring minimum costs. With internet connectivity in most parts of the world, the embrace of technology enables organizations in the design process to venture into other markets across the globe ( Simchi-Levi, 2015, p97). Effectiveness and efficiency of the design process rely on technology by reducing the costs of operation and directly reaching out to consumers.
Four steps of the design process
There is four basic steps design process when it comes to technology in operations and supply chain management. They include identifying the problem, research and information gathering, carrying out the process and evaluating again ( Jung, 2017, p67). Identification of the problem which is essential for the success of the process this entails the desired outcome definition like identifying a new motto or logo for the form, or it can be wherein organization what to come up with a cost-effective, sustainable transport selection (Simchi-Levi, 2015, p 64). Designers to achieve it by asking questions that could help in satisfying the need.
The second step involves gathering the critical information to establish a suitable process for a successful process. Designers should understand the limitation involved and understand how to overcome the challenges. The information gathered is vital; hence one need to gather as many facts as he or she can regarding the situation at hand ( Priest, 2015, p143).it entails understanding the client, consumers and all stakeholders in the supply chain
Thirdly, execution of the process whereby the design performs the actions that would perform the process. It includes procuring all the resources and technology that is required in the process in the supply chains ( Schniederjans, 2015, p109). For example, if it was making an advertisement for a firm or selecting a transport channel, you do the advert.
Reevaluation is the last step in process design where the end product of the process is measured to determine whether it attains the desired needs. It involves looking at the solution and the effects it has on supply chain management to make changes that could make it better in the future (Hugos, 2015, p241). The design process should be unique to each project hence needs readjustment when considering the different process.
New trends in business design
Process design has evolved since there has been a significant development in technology, development of research, standards and innovations (Pullman, 2015, p27). Emerging Trends in the process design influence the operation and supply chain management and the consumer needs satisfaction. Businesses rely on data on emerging trends to be able to predict future shifts and be able to make strategic management decisions (Schniederjans, 2015, p76). Understanding the new trends helps a business to identify expansion opportunities.
There are new trends in process design that make the business to incorporate modern technology in its supply chain management. Embrace of technology makes the business to reduce costs on logistics since it enables firms to monitor and connect with end-users from all corners of the world (Schniederjans, 2015, p89). There is an emergence of competition in the production industry, thus to remain among the competitors, it is essential to understand new trends. It is vital to ensure the quality and efficiency of the supply chains to stand out from the competitors ( Pullman, 2015, p56). It is important to maintain best practices in a process that ensure quality assurance to satisfy the needs of consumers.
There are new process trends where firms incorporate value-oriented supply chain management. In the rise in use of technology in the pasts, two decades of existing relationships have shifted to automation hence leading to value addition and identification ( Watson, 2015, p132). Business management is typically consumer-orientated in their supply chains; hence the essential objective in design is to reduce logistics costs and increase customer satisfaction. There is an effort to improve human resource management so that to increase production and efficiency (Wang, 2015, p176). Firms have invested in the training of their personnel to equip them with skills that could make them more efficient.
Lean production in supply chain management using technology
There is a need to remain ahead in a competitive economy due to globalization; hence there is a need to embrace technology to enhance lean production in the supply chains ( Kouvelis, 2016, p137). Use of advanced technology and highest knowledge services in a vital strategy to enhance lean production. Organizations can achieve lean production through fostering industrial innovation. Equipping the human resource with knowledge and skills that could foster the development of industrial technology and the basic infrastructure that could minimize the cost of logistics in the supply chain management. Technology is now incorporated in all level of an organization in the modern world (Helo, 2016, p321). To achieve lean production in the supply chain using technology, it is essential to understand the social and cultural patterns of the consumers on top of technological knowledge.
The cultural and social behaviours of the stakeholders determine how they would embrace technology in the supply chain. The technology ensures efficiency and reduction of cost of operations (Schniederjans, 2015, p45). Use of technology in a firm requires planning, continuous development and evaluation. The technology used should be planned in terms of cost, time, possible threats and emerging issues. Organization in embracing lean production through technology is a management strategy that reduces the costs of operation at the same time optimizing consumer satisfaction (Syed, 2018, p132). It reduces operation costs by eliminating functions that are not essential. Technology enhances best practices that enhance effective management system like in keeping the inventories.
Factors that influence the choice of a process design
Different factors influence the choice of process design which in most cases, affect the company directly but indirectly influence the entire supply chain. The choice of the process design determines how strategic problems are solved (Priest, 2015, p128). These factors include the link that exists between supply chain stakeholders and the effectiveness of the supply chain. The relationship present derives mutual benefits among stakeholders which is essential ineffectiveness since it is not competitive (Blecker, 2015, p147). These relationship reduces costs of operation, significantly reduces the production cycle and enhances communication since information is shared among players.
Process design selection gives organization to have added advantages in the market since they can have a direct production protocol hence satisfying the needs of customers. The number of resources available directly determine to influence the design process ( Pullman, 2015, p78). Most process selection procedures require a lot of resources to be effective; hence an organization require a huge amount of capital in manufacturing and service. The design process should match the needs of the end-user of the products. Product profiling influences the design process since it helps to establish the relationship of the organization needs and the process (Hugos, 2015, p94). It projects the problems that may arise in the organization markets by ensuring it meets consumer needs.
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