OPERATIONS 4.0

Abstract

Operations in industrial sectors have changed from manual to mechanized to computerized to connected. Designers give a design brief alongside resource constraints to artificial intelligence systems (AI) to begin proceedings. Clay models have given way to rapid prototyping techniques like three dimensional printing. Demand forecasts are becoming accurate and short term. Quality control has emerged from inspection to Japanese quality tools to machine vision and AI. Processing has evolved from assembly lines to kanban control to flexible manufacturing systems. Handling of materials is now being done intelligently using automated guided vehicles, automated storage retrieval systems and robots. E commerce and M commerce have challenged the concept of facility location. Workforce needs no force anymore; instead they have cobots work with. Planning replenishment and forecasts in supply chains have become transparent. Inventory management has become quicker with radio frequency identification tags and drones. Production planning and scheduling have embraced polca card based quick response system, de bottlenecking software like optimized production technology and advance planning and scheduling systems. Maintenance too have become intelligent and preventive with application of AI. This chapter focuses on the recent trends in major decision areas of operations management, in the context of Industry 4.0.