Production Of Goods And Services: How Technology Has Changed And Is Changing Production Methods (Copy)
Cheat Sheet: 4.1.3 Technology in Production
Key Changes from Technology
| Area | Old Method | New Method with Technology | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Hand-drawn designs | Computer-Aided Design (CAD) | Architects using CAD for buildings |
| Manufacturing | Manual assembly lines | Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), robotics | Car plants with robots |
| Stock Control | Manual counting | Computerised systems, barcodes, RFID | Supermarkets scanning inventory |
| Quality Control | Visual/manual checks | Automated sensors & data analysis | Electronics testing by machines |
| Communication | Face-to-face memos | Email, project management software | Factories using ERP systems |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Business Studies Full Scale Course
Benefits of Technology in Production
| Benefit | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Efficiency | Faster output, fewer mistakes | Robotics in automobile industry |
| Lower Costs | Reduces labour, less waste | CAM machines cutting materials precisely |
| Improved Quality | Consistency in products | Computerised bottling plants |
| Flexibility | Easier to customise designs | CAD in fashion industry |
| Better Communication | Integration across departments | ERP linking sales & production |
Limitations of Technology
| Limitation | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| High Capital Costs | Expensive to buy/install tech | Robotics in small businesses |
| Training Needs | Workers need new skills | Staff learning CAD software |
| Job Losses | Machines replace human labour | Automated checkout tills |
| Risk of Breakdown | System failures halt production | IT server crash |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Business Studies Full Scale Course
Quick Revision Bullets
- Tech = CAD, CAM, robotics, computerised stock & quality control
- Benefits = efficiency ↑, costs ↓, quality ↑, flexibility ↑
- Drawbacks = high cost, retraining, job losses, reliance on tech
- Overall = technology makes production faster, more accurate, but costly upfront
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Business Studies Full Scale Course