In order to resolve the problems which
the mobile phone repair business is facing the first thing that needs to be
considered is to improve the current material planning system. It can be seen
that the current material planning system is inefficient to handle the
operations of the business.
The business is currently facing the problem
of increasing work in process and lead time. Along with that, the inventory
cost is also increasing because the investment has been made for slow-moving
inventory. The solution to these problems is to implement MPR (Material
Requirement Planning) system. The major benefit of this system is that it
reduces inventory and lead time. Moreover, the efficiency of the businesses
increases up to a lot of extents.
With MRP, the materials &
quantities are identified along with their delivery deadlines. Through this,
the delay in repair can be controlled. MRP system gives priority to the repairs
by keeping the due dates of the customers in mind. With MRP excessive build-up
of inventory is controlled; thus, the inventory management cost is reduced
significantly. MR system determines the number of components required for
performing the job. It means that with MRP the situation of out of stock
components will not occur.
Source: https://www.wisdomjobs.com/tutorials/mrp-system.png
Question No2: What is the likeliest main capacity constraint? May its
nature impact existing manufacturing layout?
The main drawback of the sequential
operations is that each process has to complete first, then it will move
forward. It means that a significant amount of time is wasted. The increase in
work in process and lead time is occurring due to sequential operations. If another
operation design, for instance, concurrent engineering method is implemented,
then the issue of time can be mitigated, and the major constraint that is
increasing in lead time can be managed efficiently.
Question No3: Does management use a proper hiring strategy?
The analysis of the business is
indicating the HR department is not utilizing the right HR strategy. With not
exceeding a certain dollar per hour pay might demotivate the employees, and
through this, they will not work with full commitment.
Question No4: How would you address the inherent vagueness of levels of
repair mix for incoming phones?
I will address the inherent vagueness
by using the various strategies and innovative techniques. In order to identify the level of vagueness in the repair mix of the
upcoming phone, the workers who are working in the factories should be trained.
Another solution to this problem is to recruit skilled employees and change the
management mentality to skilled. When skilled workers are going to work in the
business than not only, they can perform repair work with high efficiency, but
also chances of errors will reduce up to a lot of extents which will increase
the goodwill of the business as well.
Question No5: What would you propose (if anything) to change in shop
floor operations? Justify your answer
I will propose new models to solve the
problems that are coming in the manufacturing or any other process of the firm.
If the above discussion is summarized than it can be aid that the mobile repair
business would have to change a lot of things if it wants to mitigate its
current challenges. With MRO system and effective HR strategies, many problems
of the business can be resolved.
The latest MRP system has many
features which allow businesses to smooth their operations and reduce costs.
The business will also have to change its mind if it wants to increase its
profits because the primary object of every business is to earn a significant
amount of profit.
Summary of Mobile Phone Repair Case
The case study discusses the mobile
phone and the manufacturing of mobile phones. Actually, properly manufacturing
is not included in case; meanwhile, it is related to the repairing of mobile
phones. This firm of the repairing of mobile has been acquired by well-known
mobile phone manufacturing firms. These
two major manufacturer are engaged in the manufacturing of 7 various models of
phones. The process of repairing of mobile phones are included three levels of
mobile repairing it includes cosmetic at level one, display at level 2 and the logic
board is on level 3.
During all of these level both mobile
repairing, company face various problems that they need to cover up. These
problems are related to operational function. It can about the Hr functions and
Hr strategies that must be built for the companies. According to Hr issues; Hr strategies
are not effectively utilized by Hr departments because they are hiring the accurate
technical staff according to the needs of the firm.
The company is also facing problems
related to material planning. The solution to these problems is to implement
MPR (Material Requirement Planning) system. The major benefit of this system is
that it reduces inventory and lead time. Moreover, the efficiency of the
businesses increases up to a lot of extents. By implementing such kind of
solutions, firms can save their inventories and implements good plans.
The business is facing many problems,
and it has become necessary to implement such solutions which will improve the
current operations of the business. The effective management of the operations
is directly linked with profitability and performance of the business. It means
that effective management of the operations is highly necessary.
The proposed solution, which is the
MRP system, can resolve many major issues. Apart from implementing MRP system,
other initiatives should also be taken.
In order to identify the level of
vagueness in the repair mix of the upcoming phone, the workers who are working
in the factories should be trained. Another solution to this problem is to
recruit skilled employees and change the management mentality to skilled. When
skilled workers are going to work in the business than not only, they can
perform repair work with high efficiency, but also chances of errors will reduce
up to a lot of extents which will increase the goodwill of the business as
well.
Source:
https://www.slideteam.net/media/catalog/product/cache/960x720/s/e/sequential_flow_chart_for_business_operation_flat_powerpoint_design_Slide01.jpg
The sequential operations allow
businesses to complete the operations, but the complexities that arise from
sequential operations affect the delivery of the product/service. The main
drawback of the sequential operations is that each process has to complete
first, then it will move forward. It means that a significant amount of time is
wasted. The increase in work in process and lead time is occurring due to
sequential operations. If another operation design, for instance, concurrent
engineering method is implemented, then the issue of time can be mitigated, and
the major constraint that is increasing in lead time can be managed
efficiently.