Automation

• Automation refers to the technique of operating or controlling a process by elctronic devices, reducing human intervention to the minimum

– Manufacturing, banking, wholesale & retail distribution, communications etc.

Advantages

• Increased output and enhanced productivity• Improved and uniform quality• Reduced cost• Fewer accidents• Better production control• Lost prerogatives gained• Dangerous and unpleasnt tasks

Disadvantages

• Heavy capital investment• Displacement of labour• Benefit of employee suggestion lost• Tighter specification may be needed• costs of supply failure increases• Slack season would be disastrous• Dehumanisation• Problems of developing countries