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This dissertation reports the investigation and combination of optimization methodologies and the result of implementing them within a production environment. A literature survey was conducted on the optimization methodologies Lean Manufacturing and theory of constraints (TOC). A number of production optimization methodologies were studied and considered for application to the case study organisation. Due to the small size and relative simplicity of the operation, these methodologies had to be simplified and combined into a more relevant form. A refractory manufacturer was used as a case study for the investigation into the optimization of the dry batch plant. Lean Manufacturing and TOC are optimization methodologies that could be employed to optimize the dry batch plant. Tools from these methodologies were used to investigate problems identified within the production process that were causing the batching plant to perform non-optimally. A time and motion study was conducted and a process flow chart was created to understand the production process. Wasteful activities were identified using a value stream map and a flow process chart was used to visualise the movement within the production process. A 5-Why analysis was conducted to determine the root causes. An optimization plan was created to eliminate the wasteful activities and the operational measures, that is throughput, inventory and operating expense, were used as to determine what the effect the optimization plan would have on the wasteful activities (Lean Manufacturing) found within the batching plant and the organisation. The results of the combined effect of the optimization plan are discussed focusing on the improvements in the operational measures and the increase in profit from sales. Future research is suggested to improve the benchmarking of the optimization plan and any future improvements that the organisation might implement. / MSc (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This dissertation reports the investigation and combination of optimization methodologies and the result of implementing them within a production environment. A literature survey was conducted on the optimization methodologies Lean Manufacturing and theory of constraints (TOC). A number of production optimization methodologies were studied and considered for application to the case study organisation. Due to the small size and relative simplicity of the operation, these methodologies had to be simplified and combined into a more relevant form. A refractory manufacturer was used as a case study for the investigation into the optimization of the dry batch plant. Lean Manufacturing and TOC are optimization methodologies that could be employed to optimize the dry batch plant. Tools from these methodologies were used to investigate problems identified within the production process that were causing the batching plant to perform non-optimally. A time and motion study was conducted and a process flow chart was created to understand the production process. Wasteful activities were identified using a value stream map and a flow process chart was used to visualise the movement within the production process. A 5-Why analysis was conducted to determine the root causes. An optimization plan was created to eliminate the wasteful activities and the operational measures, that is throughput, inventory and operating expense, were used as to determine what the effect the optimization plan would have on the wasteful activities (Lean Manufacturing) found within the batching plant and the organisation. The results of the combined effect of the optimization plan are discussed focusing on the improvements in the operational measures and the increase in profit from sales. Future research is suggested to improve the benchmarking of the optimization plan and any future improvements that the organisation might implement. / MSc (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The processes and procedures covered the main core of the professional operations in the manufacturing plant. The enterprise should focus on the efficient running of the main processes and risks associated with these procedures. My thesis deals with the risk analysis of selected manufacturing processes particular company from qualitative and quantitative point of view. First, the results are presented from qualitative risk analysis, especially in scope of failures of the machines or in the sequences of production. Second part focus on the problems of optimization sequence batches that the total time required for pre-setting of machines between doses should be minimal. The thesis also takes random waiting period into the consideration and applies wait-and-see approach of stochaistic programming applied in task traveling salesman. Calculations are processed by the GAMS. The results from the GAMS are refered in MS Excel, they are further discussed and interpreted by using descriptive statistics.

本研究選擇工業電腦產業的領導廠商研華科技公司為個案研究對象，想藉由研究該公司的技術支援服務流程，來瞭解其中可能出現的問題，並進一步提出改善的建議。 在整個研究架構方面，採用Davenport and Short（1990）的企業流程再造的五階段，乃因為此架構既具有完整的流程再造觀念，也稍具執行細節的考量，因此決定以該兩位學者所提的企業流程再造五階段作為本研究架構。 根據本研究，發現其現行的技術支援服務流程有以下的問題： 1. 業務工程師花費過多時間於技術支援服務上，使得他們缺乏時間開發與創造新的商機。 2. 客戶找業務請求技術支援並不會留下記錄。 3. 業務工程師與應用工程師有遺忘客戶需求的可能。 4. 業務無法隨時掌握顧客需求被滿足的狀況。 5. 應用工程師被動等待客戶跟催。 因此本研究提出以下建議： 1. 使用「即時支援軟體」來讓客戶可以輕鬆解決自己的問題，並留下服務需求記錄。 2. 加強公司知識庫的完整性、豐富性及更新速度。 3. 使用新的技術支援服務流程以提升服務效率及反應速度。 4. 建立每日客戶需求未被滿足的清單之電腦自動回報機制。 5. 提供客戶即時查詢其需求處理狀況。 另外在進行技術支援服務流程再造的時候，需要特別注意的是，要有一個流程負責人來統管整個新流程的運作狀況，董事長與總經理應該給予最高的授權支持，而該負責人應請各相關部門派出經理級以上的人參與流程再造，藉此整合各方意見並凝聚共識，如此才可能增加推行的助力，並將可行性納入考量，不然有可能變成難以執行計畫。 除此之外，還要有搭配相對應的誘因機制，讓相關的人員可以配合與適應此一新的技術支援服務流程，因為人們面對改變總是偏向抗拒的，因此一個新流程的推行需要相對應的誘因制度設計，才能讓大家有動力去從事變革。 關鍵字：工業電腦、技術支援、企業流程再造、流程圖、服務管理