The market for computer products is a multi-billion dollar business where one can find a perfect balance of technology and efficiency. The huge industrial market is lead by such names as IBM, Hewlett Packard, and Compaq. In the world today, computers are used for a variety of tasks and play a crucial role in the areas of academics and business. The steps that are taken to bring the computer from several small components to a desktop product are organization of the manufacturing facility, assembly of hardware, installation of software, and a test process. The production of a high quality product is important to computer buyers. The following discussion demonstrates steps large corporations take to make an efficient computer. Companies such as IBM and Apple computers are well known in the computer industry. These companies have several manufacturing facilities around the world where thousands of computers are built. Manufacturing factories, which typically range between “75,000 to 200,000 square feet”() in size, produce approximately 14,000 systems weekly. Companies generally use 2 methods of computer assembly. One method involves complete unit assembly by one person, the other being group assembly where several people construct a single computer (the latter method is known as assembly line production). A factory employing the single unit assembly method produces about 40 to 60 computers a day (this number varies base on the complexity of the system being assembled). The assembly line method yields approximately 70 computers a day in the average factory. The assembly line method is the most efficient way to produce computes as individual workers become highly specialized in a specific task. In addition, the next person down the ‘line’ can check the pervious person’s work to check for errors. “Additional inspection [, as used on assembly lines] tends to increase the computer’s quality”(). The first step in manufacturing a computer is for the designer to consider a balance between economic need (customers price level) with computer power and practicality. Manufacturers try to make the best computer (in a given price range) for the lowest cost. Once a specific model is designed the company orders the high quality parts from their own component manufacturing divisions or outside suppliers. Inventory control is an important part of acquiring components as, to remain efficient, the company tries to avoid overstocking. Manufacturers take note of the consumer demand, on a daily basis to efficiently establish quantities for the production line.
In today’s operational management arena, there are certain expectations from a managerial aspect that must be met in order to be successful. A comprehensive look at the Space Age Furniture Company will show exactly what the Materials Requirement Planning (MRP) calculations are for this company at present time and then take the information given in order to properly suggest ways to improve the sub-assemblies. In addition, there will be an analysis on the trade-offs between the overtime and inventory costs. A calculation will be made on the new MRP that will improve the base MRP. This paper will also compare and contrast the types of production processing to include the job shop, batch, repetitive, or continuous, and determine which the primary mode of operation should be and exactly why. A detailed description on how management can keep track of the job status and location during production will also be addressed. Finally, there will be a recommendation on they type of changes that need to occur that will be beneficial to the company and at the same time add value to the customer. This paper will conclude with summary of the major points.
I recommend a strong buy on Cisco’s stock with a target price of $32.50, a 50% upside from its current price. Cisco has a solid competitive advantage, because there are not many strong competitors in the market. The other firms show a higher P/E ratio than Cisco because they have a lower market share. The company shows a constant growth. Cisco markets its products globally with the highest market shares than its competitors. The main risks for Cisco are worsening of economic conditions or exchange rates. The company has a good growth in sales, which will lead higher profits. The company also gives out an annualized dividend to its shareholders every year.
Apple Inc. originated out of California in 1976. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak dropped out of college together to begin making technology in their garage. Apple’s technology skyrocketed becoming one of the top technology producing companies. They fell short in the nineties though, companies began to catch up and now there was more competition than before. Apple released their ipod in 2001, putting them back in the leadof the technology industry (The History of Apple). Presently, Apple is still exceeding other companies in the technology industry, such as Microsoft, Blackberry, Google and Hewlett Packard. Microsoft is Apple’s largest competitor, which is revealed through the Dupont analysis and other activity ratios, these particular ratios also make known that Apple’s numbers are not all accurate.
Capital requirements to set up an assembly line to produce PC's are also relatively low, estimated at roughly a million dollars (Rivkin & Porter,1999 pg. 5) which means that virtually any firm can enter the market easily. Despite sky rocketing demands for PC's, PC producers are unable to capitalize due to increasing number of competitors. The PC industry is also affected by environmental turbulence due to price fluctuations of its components. Constant innovation in PC technology causes older components to be rendered obsolete and prices of older versions to plummet. PC producers who are stuck with inventory of obsolete products incur high costs of dumping these components.
PC industry is affected by two opposite forces: technological advance that pushes the industry forward and the industry sensitivity to economical stagnation (if the economical situation is bad customers won't upgrade their computers).
Unfortunately for Byte the demand for these computer components have increased and Byte simply can not meet the demands. This dramatic increase in demand has allowed many new firms to enter into the industry and have cause an increased number of competing firms. Although Byte management and shareholders are pleased with the profits and growth of the market, it still faces a major issue of the increase in demand. Byte currently operates three manufacturing facilities that operate 24 hours a day, with three shifts, and 7 days a week. This constitutes the maximum production capacity that Byte can do and can not increase its output.
To meet and respond to its customers needs, IBM creates, develops and manufactures many of the worlds most advanced technologies, ranging from computer systems and software to networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. Indeed, IBM has various product lines and services a few of which are: the Personal Computer that was first created in 1981, AS/400 business system, RS/6000 family of workstations and server systems, S/390 enterprise server, groundbreaking ThinkPad notebook computer; the award-winning IBM Netfinity and finally, PC Servers. It is an important supplier of hard disks, random access memories, and liquid crystal monitors.
The modem assembly line pours out finished products faster than Taylor could ever have imagined. This production "miracle" is just one legacy of scientific management. In addition, its efficiency techniques have been applied to many tasks in non-industrial organizations, ranging from fast-food service to the training of surgeons.
We often dream of owning the best computers in the world. However, various options from the wide range of manufacturers tend to make it difficult to do a selection. Therefore, picking a reliable model that is stupendous is inevitable; a computer that even after four years, it will still be outstanding. Knowing the chances of its success is fundamental. This means that a good machine should break less often. Additionally, a company that has a great technical support, which helps a computer owner to receive timely and reliable customer support services. What is ignored are the outliers. There are companies that have had awful record of accomplishment of crappy and extremely expensive computers. One must ensure they purchase from established and genuine dealers.
Kumar S & Craig S, 2007, 'Dell, Inc.'s closed loop supply chain for computer assembly plants', Information Knowledge Systems Management 6, 197-214, IOS Press.
AutoEdge is facing crisis since millions of its automobiles has had to be recalled due to product quality issues. Many things should be considered in order to implement a proactive response to rectify the situation. As the research analysis, I have been tasked will helping to rebuild AutoEdge’s reputation as well as to reduce and control operating costs. When making any decision on implementing change within the organization market analysis must look at the market structure of the organization. Market structure is made up of the relationship that exists between buyers, sellers, competition, product differentiation, and ease of entry into and exit from the market. The article “Review of Market Structure” (n.d.) defines market structure as the “microeconomic characteristics of different markets” and include such elements as competition level, high versus low entry barriers, and scale (Review of Market Structure, n.d.) To make the decision the decision to relocate, AutoEdge must analysis and evaluate of market structure. This report will discuss the four different types of market structures: monopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition, and pure competition. Additionally, it will outline the type of market structure AutoEdge fits into, how that market structure impacts the level of competition, elasticity of demand, price, and position in the industry.
Apple Inc.’s Financial Analysis case study will cover the nine-step assessment process to evaluate the company’s future financial health. The nine-step evaluation process will entail the following: 1) Fundamental analysis covers objectives, plan of action, market, competing technology, and governing and operational traits, 2) Fundamental analysis-revenue direction, 3) Investments to support the firm’s entities action plan, 4) Forthcoming profit and competitive accomplishment, 5) Forthcoming external financial requirements, 6) Accessibility to direct at sources of external finance, 7) Sustainability of the 3-5 year plan, 8) Strain examination beneath scenarios of calamity, and 9) Present financial plan (State University, 2013). The fundamental analysis will be explained primarily in the next section.
The PC industry is highly competitive and constantly changing as technology evolves and customer needs change. Some of the top competitors in the PC industry are IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Apple. Theses rivals are constantly jockeying for the top competitor’s position. They compete in prices, product innovation, advertising, etc.
Ever since I built my first computer early in 2012, I have had an avid interest in computing and technology. From hardware to software, I enjoy it all. I love everything about building computers, and I mean everything. From making the list of parts, to the Lego-like building process, to the final POST of the motherboard, I enjoy...
Computer integrated manufacturing is a relatively new technology arising from the application of many computer science sub disciplines to support the manufacturing enterprise. The technology of CIM emphasizes that all aspects of manufacturing should be not only computerized as much as possible but also linked together via a computer communication network into an integrated whole. In short, CIM has the potential to enable manufacturers to build cheaper, higher-quality products and thus improve their competitiveness.