AMSs as information systems involved in production, by inventory tracking, record keeping, production scheduling and actual production

• Manufacturing → The process of producing a product that meets a specific purpose
• Automation → The application of automatic control to industrial processes
  • Uses machines to perform tasks once done by humans
  • AMSs allow better capability and performance compared to human labour
• AMSs utilise manufacturing equipment with computerised controls which perform several processes

An AMS performs the following functions

Inventory Tracking → AMS records + monitors inventory levels to ensure sufficient supply & keep track of where products/parts are located in the warehouse

• Inventory → where Production materials stored + finished products stored & ready for shipment
• Done using RFID and Barcodes (See collecting in AMSs)
• If inventory is not monitored, factory may run out of products & delay production
  • Also helps managers determine how quickly products are selling; if sufficient resources to continually manufacture

Record Keeping → The AMS keeps records of employees, production + financial accounts

• Includes info such as
  • What work was done (shelving)
  • Who did the work (employee ID, employee name)
  • How well it was done (efficiency, time taken, etc)
  • payroll + timetable (who gets paid how much and when they work)

Scheduling Production → AMS schedules production to match customer orders, worker shifts, maintenance periods

• Schedules tasks to be done by automated machines in accordance with below:
  • Customer Orders → fewer orders = less production (prevent products taking up space in warehouse)
  • Worker Shifts → when there are more workers, production is increased (and vice versa)
  • Ensures manufacturing doesn’t fall behind schedule, causing delays (Part A requires part B, and B is behind, A will therefore also be behind to prevent backlogs)

Actual Production → Physical production of products

• Includes:
  • Moving materials
  • Creating/cutting/welding parts
  • Putting parts together
  • Quality testing
• Done by the Processes

The direct users of these systems as

Direct Users → anyone who interacts with or controls an AMS

DIRECT USERS VS USERS