How do technology and automation transform manufacturing and service operations?

"The technology involved in designing, constructing, and operating computer-controlled machines that can perform tasks independently. 10.7 Transforming the Factory Floor with Technology 7. What roles do technology and automation play in manufacturing and service-industry operations management? Many firms are improving their operational efficiency by using technology to automate parts of production. Computer-aided design and manufacturing systems, for example, help design new products, control the flow of resources needed for production, and even operate much of the production process. By using robotics, human time and effort can be minimized. Factories are being automated by blending computers, robots, and machinery into flexible manufacturing systems that require less labor to operate. Service firms are automating operations too, using technology to cut labor costs and control quality. 10.8 Trends in Production and Operations Management 8. What key trends are affecting the way companies manage production and operations? Data show the U.S. economy steaming steadily ahead, but dramatic advances in technology, predicted worker shortages, and global competition create challenges for the future. How will companies balance their"