MEE80003 Automation Strategy Case Study Sample
Assignment Brief
Write a Case Study Report analysing a company or business that is currently implementing or in development of implementing Industry 4.0 practices. You may pick any company; however, you are encouraged to select an Australian based one. The report should be written using the following structure.
1. Introduction
a. Introduction of the business and definition of Industry 4.0
i. With appropriate referencing
b. Brief summary of the company and their recent works
2. Industry 4.0 Elements
a. Underlying components of the company that are implementing Industry 4.0 i. Software
ii. Automation strategy
iii. Digitalisation
iv. Manufacturing execution systems
v. Virtual Manufacturing
vi. Etc...
3. Implementation Process
a. Analysis of the company's transition to Industry 4.0
i. Goals, Planning, Strategy
ii. External Cooperation or Partnerships
iii. Training and deployment
iv. Etc...
4. Analysis and Discussion
a. Strengths and Weakness for the company
b. Competitive advances made by implementing Industry 4.0
5. Summary and Conclusion
6. References
a. 7-8 academic references
Solutions
1. Introduction
a. Introduction of the business and definition of Industry 4.0
The selected the company for the study is Myer, it is a well-known department store chain in Australia, selling everything from clothing and accessories to furniture and technology. With a history dating back to 1900, Myer has established itself as a trusted retailer known for its diverse product offerings and exceptional customer service. Uni assignment help, The company has been adapting to the changing retail landscape by exploring digital transformation initiatives.
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Figure 1: Myer
(Source: Sunshineplaza, 2023)
Industry 4.0 refers to the integration of advanced technologies, such as automation, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics, into the manufacturing and industrial sectors. It represents a paradigm shift in production processes, enabling greater efficiency, customization, and connectivity.
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Figure 2: Industry 4.0
(Source: Meloeny, 2022)
b. Brief summary of the company and their recent works
Myer is a prominent Australian department store that has been around for a long time and has a wide variety of goods. The organisation has been taking steps towards digital transformation in order to keep up with the dynamic nature of the retail industry. Myer has recently put a lot of effort into using technology to improve the in-store buying experience. To help consumers better imagine things and experience them digitally, they have investigated the use of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technology. Myer plans to use these cutting-edge technologies to provide its consumers a more interesting and exciting shopping experience, helping it to remain competitive in the retail industry.
2. Industry 4.0 elements
There are several Industry 4.0 elements that Myer is implementing in its business’s operations and management, as well as some of which is looking forward to implementing-
• Internet of things- Myer uses sensors and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices to set up a localised network of linked appliances across its shops. Smart shelves with sensors to monitor stock and report on product availability in real time are one example (Spectralengines, 2018).
• Augmented reality and virtual reality- Myer looks forward to upgrade the in-store experience using augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technology. Myer may provide consumers a more engaging and interactive shopping experience by letting them virtually try on products or see how furniture might appear in their homes.
• Robotics and automation- Automated methods of stock control, order processing, and supply management might be part of the solution. In order to speed up the picking, packaging, and shipping operations, robots are being used in warehouses and distribution centres (BPI, 2022).
• Supply chain optimisation- Myer has improved its supply chain operations by using cutting-edge analytics and foresightful algorithms. This has aided in increasing the precision in forecasting, decrease stockouts, and minimise surplus inventory by analysing data from numerous sources, including as sales trends, weather patterns, and client demand.
• Data analytics and personalisation- With the use of data analytics, Myer has learned more about its customers' habits, tastes, and shopping habits. By sifting through client information, they offer individualised suggestions for products, discounts, and other offers (HSRC, 2019).
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Figure 3: Industry 4.0 Technologies
(Source: HSRC, 2019)
3. Implementation Process
a. Goals, Planning, Strategy
Myer's first step in introducing parts of Industry 4.0 would be to establish definitive targets. Some examples of these targets include better customer service, more efficient operations, more sales, and more creative thinking. The business would analyse its current procedures, infrastructure, and technology to determine which may be improved by adopting Industry 4.0.
After doing this research, Myer would develop a comprehensive plan and strategy that lays out the Industry 4.0 components that need to be implemented and the measures that must be taken to attain the intended results. Timelines, resource commitments, and key performance metrics might all be part of such a strategy (Cote, 2020).
Infrastructure needs, data security, and organisational change management are only some of the major risks and obstacles that must be taken into account by the plan. Myer would devise plans to overcome these obstacles and lessen the likelihood of catastrophic failure during the shift to Industry 4.0 methods.
b. External Cooperation or Partnerships
Myer may engage in external cooperation or partnerships to facilitate the implementation of Industry 4.0 elements. Technology vendors, consultancies, and other groups with relevant skills might all be potential partners in such ventures. Myer can speed up the implementation process and get access to specialised resources by teaming up with other businesses.
When it comes to deploying and integrating smart devices and sensors in-store, Myer might work with IoT solution providers. To automate their distribution centres or warehouses, they might collaborate with robotics firms. Collaboration with data analytics companies may help mine consumer insights and enhance business processes (Abdelmajied, 2022).
In order to keep abreast of developments in the IT sector, Myer may also form strategic partnerships with universities and think tanks. Myer can better match their implementation approach with the most recent advances in Industry 4.0 thanks to the access to cutting-edge research made possible by these agreements.
In the end, external collaboration and partnerships may aid Myer's Industry 4.0 projects by providing necessary experience, technology, and resources to facilitate a smooth and efficient rollout (Abdelmajied, 2022).
c. Training and Deployment
Myer plans to empower its personnel with the knowledge and abilities essential to adopt Industry 4.0 practises as part of its rollout strategy. New technologies, such Internet of Things gadgets, data analytics software, and robotics systems, will be covered in this session.
Myer would provide in-depth training sessions for workers to get them used to and comfortable with the new technology. Instruction in data interpretation, automated system operation, and the use of augmented reality technologies in customer service would all fall under this category. (Ibm, 2023)
Myer may choose to roll out the new system gradually, beginning with test runs in a small number of shops or operational departments. This would provide them the chance to get people's impressions of the new technology, spot any problems, and fix them before implementing them company-wide.
Myer would guide workers through the deployment process, answering them questions and helping them feel at ease with the new Industry 4.0 procedures.
Myer can guarantee a smooth transition to Industry 4.0 by investing in extensive training and deployment tactics that encourage employees to adopt and make the most of the latest technology (Ibm, 2023).
4. Analysis and Discussion
a. Strengths and Weakness for the company
Below are mentioned the strengths and weakness of the company-
Strength
• Established Brand- Myer is an iconic Australian department store with deep roots in the community and a solid reputation among consumers. Having a well-known and respected brand gives you an edge in the market and inspires confidence in your clientele.
• Product Variety- Fashion, Beauty, Home Goods, and Electronics are just few of the areas where Myer excels. This spreads out your consumer base and lessens your dependency on any one kind of goods.
• Customer Service- Myer is well-known for its dedication to providing excellent service to its customers. A great shopping experience and client loyalty result from a well-trained team, personalised help, and a dedication to customer pleasure.
• Physical Store Network- Myer is able to give an omnichannel experience to consumers no matter where they are located because to its huge network of physical shops throughout Australia.
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Figure 4: Strengths
(Source: Author, 2023)
Weakness
• Online Competition- Myer is up against stiff competition from both domestic and foreign internet stores. The growth of e-commerce has posed problems for businesses, particularly in the areas of cost-competition, customer-convenience, and responsiveness to changing tastes.
• Cost Structure- Myer has challenges in terms of cost structure due to the high expenditures connected with maintaining a store's physical location.
• Digital Transformation- Investment, experienced personnel, and adaptability in the face of change are essential for making the most of the opportunities presented by Industry 4.0 technology, digital strategies, and data analytics.
• Supplier Relationships- Myer can only succeed if it has good ties with its suppliers and can negotiate advantageous terms and agreements with them.
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Figure 5: Weakness
(Source: Author, 2023)
b. Competitive advances made by implementing Industry 4.0
Implementing Industry 4.0 practices can provide several competitive advances for companies like Myer-
• Improved Operational Efficiency- Automation, data analytics, and the Internet of Things are all examples of Industry 4.0 technologies that may improve operational efficiency by replacing or supplementing human labour.
• Enhanced Customer Experience- Improved customer happiness, loyalty, and competitive difference may be achieved via the use of personalization, augmented reality, and real-time data analysis to provide individualised product suggestions, interactive shopping experiences, and expedited support (Masood and Sonntag, 2020).
• Agile Decision-Making- The availability of real-time data, predictive analytics, and machine learning made possible by Industry 4.0 allows businesses to move fast in response to shifting market conditions and emerging possibilities.
• Supply Chain Optimisation- Optimisation of the supply chain may decrease lead times, improve inventory accuracy, and increase responsiveness to client needs via the use of cutting-edge technology like radio frequency identification (RFID), blockchain, and predictive analytics (Bag et al., 2021).
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Figure 6: Competitive advances made by implementing Industry 4.0
(Source: Phukan, 2020)
5. Summary and Conclusion
Myer is a well-known Australian department retailer that has been looking at how Industry 4.0 practises may improve its business and the shopping experience for its customers. Without knowing the specifics of their plans, we may speculate that IoT integration, data analytics, automation, and immersive technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality will play a role. Myer is to use Industry 4.0 technology to boost productivity, customise relationships with customers, streamline operations, and differentiate itself in the dynamic retail market.
6. References
Abdelmajied, Y. (2022). Industry 4.0 and Its Implications: Concept, Opportunities, and Future Directions. intechopen. [online] doi:https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.102520.
Bag, S., Gupta, S. and Kumar, S., 2021. Industry 4.0 adoption and 10R advance manufacturing capabilities for sustainable development. International journal of production economics, 231, p.107844.
BPI. (2022). Industry 4.0 technologies - BPI - The destination for everything process related. [online] Available at: https://www.businessprocessincubator.com/content/industry-4-0-technologies/ [Accessed 22 May 2023].
Cote, C. (2020). How to Set Strategic Planning Goals. [online] Business Insights. Available at: https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/strategic-planning-goals#:~:text=Strategic%20planning%20is%20the%20ongoing,by%20data%20and%20sound%20reasoning. [Accessed 22 May 2023].
HSRC. (2019). Industry 4.0 Technologies | Industry 40 Research. [online] Available at: https://industry40marketresearch.com/blog/industry_4-0_technologies/ [Accessed 22 May 2023].
Ibm. (2023). What is Industry 4.0 and how does it work? | IBM. [online] Available at: https://www.ibm.com/topics/industry-4-0 [Accessed 22 May 2023].
Masood, T. and Sonntag, P., 2020. Industry 4.0: Adoption challenges and benefits for SMEs. Computers in Industry, 121, p.103261.
Meloeny, S. (2022). Calsoft Systems. [online] Calsoft Systems | ERP, Network, IT Services. Available at: https://www.calsoft.com/what-is-industry-4-0/ [Accessed 22 May 2023].
Phukan, P.K. (2020). Implementation strategy and opportunities with Industry 4.0. [online] Hydrocarbonprocessing. Available at: https://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/magazine/2020/february-2020/special-focus-digital-transformation/implementation-strategy-and-opportunities-with-industry-40 [Accessed 22 May 2023].
Spectralengines. (2018). Industry 4.0 and how smart sensors make the difference. [online] Available at: https://www.spectralengines.com/articles/industry-4-0-and-how-smart-sensors-make-the-difference [Accessed 22 May 2023].
Sunshineplaza. (2023). Myer. [online] Available at: https://www.sunshineplaza.com/store-directory/myer/ [Accessed 22 May 2023].
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