Mse 600
Mse 600
Mse 600
DEFINITION OF TECHNOLOGY
In our everyday lives, most of us use a number of words that we assume have a universal, agreed-upon, and accepted meaning for all people in all contexts. Often, the more frequently the word is used, the more we take for granted that our usage is the only possible usage of the term. One such popular word freely bandied about and very much in-vogue jargon now-a-days is technology.
DEFINITION OF TECHNOLOGY
The word technology comprises two parts technikos & ology The historical derivation of the term technology comes from the Greek word technikos, meaning of art, skillful, practical The portion of the word ology indicates knowledge of or a systematic treatment of.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
DEFINITION OF TECHNOLOGY
Thus, the literal verbatim derivation of the term technology is literally knowledge of the skilful and practical However, this definition is too general in nature and we have to transcend this narrow view of technology since every technology starts from a human purpose, from the intention to satisfy some human need or behaviour.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
DEFINITION OF TECHNOLOGY
Indeed, technology is the manipulation of nature for human purpose . This definition retains the notions of both knowledge and practicality (human purposes) but adds the new concept of manipulation of nature.
DEFINITION OF TECHNOLOGY
This implies that all practical or technical skills ultimately derive from alterations or manipulation of nature. Technology depends on a base in the natural world (Science) but extends the natural world through the phenomenon of manipulation (Engineering).
DEFINITION OF TECHNOLOGY
Technology on the other hand, is the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science the sum of the ways in which social groups provide themselves with the material objects of their civilization.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
DEFINITION OF TECHNOLOGY
Engineering technology is concerned with the manufacturing devices hardware for education like, audio-video aids, television, computer, etc. (Eric Ashby, 1967)
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
By our very definition, technology manipulates nature for human purposes. Technology manipulates nature. Man is a part of nature. By manipulating nature, man manipulates himself.
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
The very reason of technology is human purpose. What is the fundamental purpose of human life? Is it to increase standard of living? Is it to improve quality of life? Or is it to have greater satisfaction in life?
MSE 600 Technology and Development
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
We can distill all these various aspects into a single holistic concept:
VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE Thus, the cardinal aim of technology is to enhance the value of human life. TECHNOLOGY and the VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE Let us define the value of human life as the balance or ratio between satisfaction or happiness and pain or suffering.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE = HAPPINESS/SUFFERING In the context of this definition, the ultimate purpose of technology is to enhance the value of human life, with a long-term perspective, by maximization of happiness and satisfaction and a concomitant reduction or minimization of pain and suffering (physical, mental and emotional).
MSE 600 Technology and Development
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
As a generalization, people want a better life. A better life may usually mean things like:
freedom from want, access to and possession of at least some of the non-essentials, comforts or luxuries, MSE 600 Technology and Development good health,
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
the absence of emotional stress, satisfying human relations (resulting from gratifying work experience and meaningful interpersonal relationships), intellectual stimulation, and personally rewarding leisure activities.
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
HUMAN NEEDS and VALUES Human needs and values change through time as technology advances. Man tends to accept the fruits of new technology more readily (satisfaction, pleasure, happiness, comfort) whereas he is reluctant to accept changes in his personal life.
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
Thus, social and cultural changes always lag behind technology causing a mismatch and disconnect which consequently leads to unhappiness, dissatisfaction, pain and suffering (emotional) and concomitant lowering of the value of human life. A crude but practical way of classifying human values is to divide needs into those that are essentially physiological and those that are psychological.
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
Most new technologies cater to the physiological aspect by performing Dangerous, Dirty, or Difficult jobs (the 3 Ds) thereby enhancing the value of human life.
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
As regards the psychological aspect, an example pertaining to Information Technology (IT) may be in order. Information Technology (IT) caters to two unique categories of psychological needs of humans: Cognitive Needs which refer to the human need for information so as to be ready to act or make decisions that may be required, and
MSE 600 Technology and Development
ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
Affective Needs which refer to the emotional requirements of human, such as their need to do challenging work, to know their work has value, to feel personally secure, and to be in control. Undue emphasis on cognitive needs and consequent neglect of affective needs may cause emotional pain that counterbalances the gains from technology and this may be detrimental to the value of human life as a whole.
Managing Technology
Increasingly, technology is among an organizations most important resources. As such, it needs to be properly managed in order to meet the organizations objectives in an efficient way. Suggested steps to benefit from the use of technology. 1. conduct detailed needs assessment studies to identify the required environment, regulations, procedures, and tasks MSE 600 Technology and Development
Managing Technology
2. prepare a business plan with a cost estimate and a benefits/risk analysis 3. secure the financing necessary to acquire and maintain the chosen technology 4. obtain adequate staff with technical expertise 5. secure transportation, warehousing and distribution of equipment, if applicable 6. ensure adequate testing procedures before any technology is adopted 7. implement proper security procedures
Managing Technology
8. create a training plan for staff and user training 9. establish proper maintenance and backup procedures are in place 10. give users access to a help desk 11. provide a sufficient supply of peripherals and consumables materials, if applicable 12. prepare adequate replacement plans and procedures for equipment that can become obsolete
Managing Technology
The importance of managing even common technology is sometimes lost in the rush to adopt new technology and yet this could be essential to a successful implementation process. There may be additional complications when managing technology for electoral administration. The level of external scrutiny of specific technologies may be high and approval by the legislature as well as other stakeholders in the electoral process may be needed.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
Managing Technology
The electoral environment is also relatively unusual in that technology might be obtained for a specific electoral event. In that case, the technology may have to perform once only on a specified day, when any system failure would spell disaster. Testing, verification and backup plans have to be thorough and reliable to make sure that the electoral event takes place without a hitch. The importance of elections and the need for accuracy, security and transparency, management of technology dictatesTechnology and Development MSE 600 high standards.
Managing Technology
The following topics cover the main issues related to managing technology in the electoral environment. Planning and Development Strategies Quality Assurance Management Structure Computer Systems Administration Staffing, Training and Support Managing Obsolescence Evaluation and Audit
MSE 600 Technology and Development
Forms of Technology
Earliest form Stone tools and fire were most likely the earliest forms of technology, as when they were first invented it would have revolutionized their way of life (e.g. able to cook and eat meat safely, not just berries e.t.c.) The first form of computing or robotics was a computer made by Charles and Development MSE 600 Technology Babbage in the 1930's.
Forms of Technology
Process Technology
Go into any operation and one of the first things you will notice is the process technology it employs. In some operations the process technology makes itself very evident because it is large, noisy and sometimes dirty. For example, in a steel works, the whole operation is dominated by steel processing technology. But even in a fast food restaurant the technology is there (and often you can see it behind the counter). And just because it is not as big or as impressive as the steel processing technology MSE 600 Technology and Development does not mean to say that it is not as important.
Forms of Technology
Process Technology
For example, McDonalds have been known to spend millions of dollars on the technology which helps to prepare their food. Saving one or two square metres of space in the kitchen area may mean sitting an extra four or five people in the restaurant area. If each of these spends $6 every 15 minutes for 356 days a year in every single McDonalds outlet, just think of the extra revenue. In fact, for most operations, process technology is becoming even more important.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
Forms of Technology
Process Technology
Information processing technologies especially are opening up new possibilities for operations managers. Internet-based technologies have created some totally new businesses and destroyed others. But while it is important for operations managers to understand technology, they do not have to be technological experts. In fact it is sometimes a disadvantage to become too deeply embroiled in the details of the technology. What is important though is that operations managers can ask enough sensible questions to understand the implications of any particular technology on their operations processes. MSE 600 Technology and Development
Forms of Technology
Life-cycle effects on product/service and process technology
If product/service and process technologies can sensibly be separated in an operation, they will not always receive equal attention. Sometimes developing product technology will be seen as more important than developing process technology and sometimes vice versa. One factor which influences this is the stage of the product or service in its life cycle, that is the maturity of the product. The figure below illustrates how the relative rates of Technology and Development MSE 600 product/service and process technology
Relative rates of product/service and process technology innovation vary as a product matures.
Forms of Technology
Life-cycle effects on product/service and process technology
For example, examine how the relative emphasis on product and process technology of personal computers (PCs) has changed since their introduction in the late 1970s. For the first few years after their introduction the product technologies of PCs were their main feature. The fact that a product which was capable of being so conveniently transported could also be so powerful was a major innovation in product technology. These early PCs were 600 Technology and Development often MSE assembled using the most basic production
Forms of Technology
Life-cycle effects on product/service and process technology
Apple Computer, for example, built its first machines in a garage. That did not matter to customers who were concerned more with what their products could do. As the rate of change in product technology slowed, a little more thought was put into how PCs were to be produced. Increasing volumes made continued use of the garage approach both infeasible and uneconomic. PC manufacturers realized that further market success would depend on and Development MSE 600 Technology investing in automated production technology.
Forms of Technology
Materials processing technologies A small number of materials processing technologies are described in the chapter. These are, Computer numerically controlled machine tools (CNC). Robotics Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)
MSE 600 Technology and Development
Forms of Technology
From this list it might seem as though all materials processing technologies are manufacturing technologies. However this is not the case. For example, Table 8.1 includes the integrated mail processing machines used by national mail collection and delivery systems as a material processing technology. It does not physically change the material, but it does sort it by its destination. Similarly, the conveyor belt sushi bar at Yo, Sushi processes material in so much as it moves the various dishes around customers who can then choose which item they want. Even trucks or cargo ships could be considered materials processing technologies. Again, they may not physically change MSE 600 Technology the material but they do change its location. and Development
Forms of Technology
Comparisons of advanced manufacturing technologies The progression from conventional machine tools to FMS involves a gradual replacement of manual operations with automated operations. The figure above characterizes the relationship between the degree of possible automation and some of the technologies. Note how the steps at the core of the process, involving the shaping or cutting activities are the first to be automated, after which the more peripheral activities at either end of the whole process are gradually MSE 600 Technology and Development included within the capabilities of the
Forms of Technology
Information processing technologies A number of information processing technologies are described in the chapter. The most significant ones are often at the interface of conventional information technology (IT) and telecommunications. Undoubtedly we are in a period of rapid change in this particular kind of technology. So an understanding of some of the basics of IT and telecommunications technologies is vital for operations managers. Certainly the impact on operations capabilities has already been very significant.
Forms of Technology
Information processing technologies
The relative costs of different technologies in retail banking, is worth thinking about. One should not infer that all banking will be internet-based banking in the future. Certainly there are significant advantages both from banks and customers point of view of using the internet to manage transactions. However, there will always be customers and always certain types of transaction which the other technologies may be better at. There is also some evidence that some retail banks in Europe or US closed old fashioned bank branches too quickly, failed to persuade all their customers to use telephone and internet communication, and lost market share as a result. Remember that because a new technology makes something feasible it does not necessarily make it desirable.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
Forms of Technology
An office in the sky
As the technologies of data processing and telecommunications are merging, so too are the services which they support coming together. The individual television screens, now common in aircraft, provide the entertainment which keeps passengers happy on long international flights. Now British Airways has gone one step further in bringing together entertainment technology with information provision and processing. Using a hand-held control device, passengers can access dozens of TV entertainment channels, an up-to-the-minute news service, computer games and a menu of informationMSE 600 Technology and Development processing options.
Forms of Technology
An office in the sky For example, a customer who wants to book a hotel room, reserve a hire car, order flower deliveries or buy duty-free goods, can do so via the screen and control device. Payment for the services or goods ordered is made by swiping a credit card through a slot built into the seats armrest. Confirmation of the transactions are shown on the screen. The system can also transmit a passengers own data. A notebook computer can be plugged into the system and a faxed hard copy of the information sent back to MSE 600 Technology and Development the office.
Forms of Technology
Behind the new service is a communications system which includes the Inmarsat satellite and BAs central booking database in London. The database directs credit card details to the card company and, on authorization, transmits the customers orders and reservations to the respective companies. The airline views such technology as important in its efforts to provide a superior service. The concept is based on providing customers with a total media centre from their seats. We have the opportunity to provide customers with a whole range of products and services where they will be able to choose what they want to do rather than be fed with MSE 600 Technology and Development entertainment.
Forms of Technology
Customer processing technologies
Unlike materials and information processing technology, there is no universally accepted categorization for customer processing technologies. (This is why the typology used in the third edition is slightly different to the one we used in the second edition things have moved on). Nevertheless customer processing technologies are becoming increasingly important. They do however present unique challenges for the operations manager. The main one is that many customer processing technologies require the customer to operate the technology. Customers unfortunately are not always MSE 600 skilled in doing this. Thus the nature of Technology and Development the customer
Forms of Technology
Customer processing technologies For example, a European retail bank was concerned that its customers were getting frustrated when using its automatic telling machines (ATMs). The ATMs took the customer through a whole series of decisions, offering services, asking whether a receipt was necessary and so on. This process enabled customers to partake of a wide range of services but was lengthy. Customers who only wanted to get money quickly still had to work through a series of questions.
Forms of Technology
Customer processing technologies After testing customers reactions, they decided to simplify the ATM questions in order to speed up the process. While this may have satisfied some customers, it also upset others. The ones who were upset at the reduction in service complained more vocally than those who were (presumably) pleased that the transaction was faster. What the bank had forgotten was that, even if most of its customers did want a faster service, they had come to expect the longer but richer level of service which the old system MSE 600 Technology and Development offered. Customers had become trained.
Forms of Technology
Product Technology There are different views about the definition of product technology, as is understandable since for many years process engineering studied the processes to produce products. Cussler and Moggridge (2001) pointed out that there are four steps in chemical product design: needs, ideas, selection and manufacture. The reality is of course more complex. The needs reflect the increasing importance of the market. The ideas show the importance of creativity and MSE 600 Technology and Development imagination.
Forms of Technology
Product Technology The selection represents the essential structuring of the development process. The manufacture is related to classical process design, but with an important difference: minimizing production costs is not an important drive, but flexibility and time to bring the product to the market are decisive.
Forms of Technology
Product Technology
Cussler and Wei (2003) restated this, remarking that both in research and teaching major changes will take place. In our view product technology comprises more than chemical product design. A possible definition is product technology is the science and art of developing and producing performance products to meet the demands and requirements of society and achieves this by adding value to materials by improving existing and designing new products. When this definition is accepted, it becomes understandable that product technology is not limited to the development of new chemical products, but that food, bio-medical, specialist mechanical products and even certain and Development MSE 600 Technology software belong to product technology.
Forms of Technology
Product Technology Market, imagination and structured innovation are the key elements in the steps required to develop new products. The difference between product technology and process technology is that the latter focuses on a limited part of the total production chain, but this difference is more than a nuance, a small diversity of the present state of knowledge. It is an essential difference when you look at the total chain.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
Forms of Technology
Product Technology Product engineering thus includes supply and demand and the associated logistics. Primarily looking at the process production steps is not sufficient any more. This approach does not reduce the importance of process technology, but underlines it. Consumer wishes, quality demands and legislation lead to more complex products that are more difficult to produce and require innovative process steps.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
Forms of Technology
Product technology can be subdivided according to the science that plays the major role in the product design. A useful classification is: chemical/biochemical; food; pharmaceutical; physicalmechanical (also called discrete or fine mechanical); biomedical; software.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
Forms of Technology
Market orientation
Product design and development is strongly market oriented and the relation to the market is usually much more direct and intensive than with specification or bulk products. In the latter the offtake is of course the capacity-determining factor, but only with respect to the volume of production. The specification of the product, for example gasoline is not or only to a small extent influenced by the buyer. Performance products usually have a much shorter lifetime than specification products. The latter are sometimes the feedstock for derived products. The intensive relation between product design and the MSE consumer is quite apparent from the 600 Technology and Development examples given
Forms of Technology
Food products The product technology principles of interdisciplinary and looking at the overall production chain and not only at the process, have been applied in food science for some time. Many food-oriented universities possess product-oriented departments, such as meat sciences, dairy sciences and cereal sciences. Food products should always be evaluated by various disciplines.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
Forms of Technology
Food products A food product should not only have the right nutritional value and the right structure, but it should also be safe from a microbial point of view. As a result of this, food product technology has always recognized the role of other disciplines. Food products comprise bulk products such as milk and yoghurt. Here the characteristics of bulk production can be recognized, like improving the business economics by investment and operating cost reduction by larger scale production, MSE 600 Technology and Development standardization and a shift to cheaper
Forms of Technology
Food products For a dairy product such as milk there is a strong supply drive from the farmers, as milk deteriorates rapidly. On the other hand, when comparing food products in the supermarket of 10 years ago and nowadays, the difference is impressive. The number and variety of products have increased considerably, while the life cycle of many new products is short. The consumer market directly influences food products.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
Forms of Technology
Food products It is extremely important for the success of the product that the requirements of consumers are met. Yet what does the customer want? The food consumers make their decisions based on a mix of rational and emotional considerations that they themselves only partly realize. Thus for food products the insight into the market is of extreme importance. Therefore, research into the requirements of the consumer is of pivotal importance in food MSE 600 Technology and Development product technology.
References
Albrecht, R., "Next Generation Software Techniques", in: SPIE Proceedings "Instrumentation in Astronomy VI", Vol. 627, pg. 225, Tucson, 1986. Barbour, Ian G. Ethics in an Age of Technology. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 1993. Burke, James . Connections. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co., 1985. Burke, James . The Day the Universe Changed. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co., 1985.
MSE 600 Technology and Development
References
Covault, C., "Rogers Commission Report on Shuttle 51-L Loss" Aviation Week and Space Technology 09-06-86, pg 16. Livingston, J.A., "One Cosmic Instant", Dell Publ. NY, 1974, pg 63. Pfund, B., "High-G Maneuvers", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 02-Sep-85, pg. 98. Popper, K.R., Lorenz, K., "Die Zukunft ist offen", (F. Kreuzer, Ed.), Serie Piper Munchen 1985 Simons, G.L., "Expert Systems and Micros", NCC Publications, England, 1985. MSE 600 Technology and Development Walgate, R., "In Vitro Fertilization", Nature Vol.232, 10-