Technology has influenced life in almost every way imaginable. Including the manufacturing industry. Businesses globally focus more, and more on bringing in the latest technology to help revolutionize productivity rates, improve the quality of products, or increase the triple bottom line.
The problem is with everything great in life – there are also disadvantages.
For as many positive influences that technology has on the average manufacturing company – there are also a host of disadvantages. Through this article, we list some of the most prominent advantages and disadvantages of technology manufacturing.
The Advantages Of Technology In The Workplace
Incredible Reduction In The Overall Production Time
Back in the day, businesses had to employ hundreds of workers to meet deadlines, and get batches of products out in time. Nowadays, thanks to machines automating the process, production time has drastically been increased between product batches.
A Drastic Increase In Quality And Reduction In Human Error
Humans are far from perfect. In fact, we are bound to mess up now and then. That is why more and more businesses are turning to technology. After all, there is nothing worse than selling a product that does not work as advertised.
The use of robotics helps eliminate this problem, as they are programmed to provide accurate, repetitive tasks flawlessly, without fault. Making them perfect for the manufacturing industry.
A Large Drop In The Cost Of Operation
Although blue-collar jobs tend to be rather low, the mass number of workers required to meet deadlines in a manufacturing facility is rather high. Through implementing technology into the workplace, you can drastically improve your productivity while drastically reducing your cost of operation.
Even better?
There is no need to pay the extra levies for danger protection. No more additional costs for employees who injure themselves while on site, which inevitably saves businesses a small fortune.
The Dark Side Of Technology – Disadvantages In The Manufacturing Industry
Limited Creativity
Being involved in business, you may have heard the saying, “your employees are the most valuable assets your business will ever have.”
At the end of the day, this saying could not be accurate. Some of the biggest game-changers for businesses are ideas that employees come up with while brainstorming to counteract a particular problem. These solutions tend to be ingenious and help revolutionize operations.
The problem with machinery in the workplace is that you no longer have that creative side. The technology is only designed to do as it is told, even if there are problems.
Can Be A Crazy Initial Investment
Businesses may start salivating at the thought of the savings that they can get through cutting down on their staff. But, when they find out the cost of investment – more often than not, jaws start dropping.
Depending on the type of machinery, and the degree of automation that it provides to the company, it can cost anywhere between a few hundred thousand right down to a few millions of dollars. Which can be quite a big investment to swallow.
Contribute To Global Warming – No Company Should Be Doing This
With global warming being one of the biggest problems that we face on planet Earth, more stress is being placed on manufacturing companies to reduce the bottom line.
Something that the latest technology in machinery does not help with.
Depending on the type of machinery and motor used to operate the technology, it could have a severe impact on the environment. This is mainly due to the fuel source, which is mainly either gases or chemicals – both of which are bad for the environment.
Increase In Unemployment
Believe it or not, years ago technology was under heavy criticism. Not because people didn’t see the advantages it could have on our daily lives. But because back then – they were scared!
Why would our great-grandfathers, and grandmothers be terrified of technology? Because it threatened the life, and well-being of the average American. The fear was that technology would eventually become so advanced that they completely replace the need for human labor.
Sound familiar?
That’s right. With each advancement and leap in technology, it is simultaneously one step back for the man. With rising tension of unemployment, it is easy to see how this could pose a problem for businesses planning to retire the majority of its workforce.
One Mistake From Your Lead Engineer Could Cost The Business A Fortune
With technology looking after your production line, you need to stop and think about who will be making sure everything is working as it should.
That is how the manufacturing industry underwent evolution from a blue-collar job into a white-collar job in need of trained, and qualified professionals.
The problem is if your lead-engineer makes a simple mistake while programming the technology, it could lead to an entire batch of products with design flaws – which can cost millions, if not more.
