Classwork 12 11
Application Exercises
1. Explain how flexible capacity can be created in each of the following situations: (a) a local library, (b) an office-cleaning service, (c) a technical support helpdesk.
Local library:
It has some flexible capacity regarding the entire building, but there are some options that it can be changed in order to make it more flexible.
The building or the enable place capacity cannot be changed.
HR capacity can be reduced or substituted in rush hours with online self-lending machines. It would save payroll cost for the library and time for the customers.
Office-cleaning service: (number of workers, equipment, technology,)
In this case we should focus on those times when the demand is higher than the capacity. If there is too much work and we have limited numbers of workers than we should hire part time, cross-train workers in rush periods. Moreover we should ask the employee to time their day-offs after these periods. Also a possible solution could be to develop the skills of the workers (cleaning speed etc.) and also a technical development would be also recommended to buy new equipment with which they can work faster but at the same level of preciosity.
Support helpdesk: (number of lines or helpdesk)
The main capacity what can be influenced is the number of helpdesks. It is really important for people to wait not too much time. The number of helpdesk can be increased in order to reduce waiting times in lines. Also a technological development would be necessary if there are so simple questions, which can be answered by an automatic machine then it would be useful to introduce some self-servicing machines. This option would save HR costs for the company and also waiting times for the customers.
2. Identify some specific examples of companies in your community (or region) that significantly change their product and/or marketing mix variables in order to encourage patronage during periods of low demand. (5 points)
Restaurant happy hours:
1. Explain how flexible capacity can be created in each of the following situations: (a) a local library, (b) an office-cleaning service, (c) a technical support helpdesk.
Local library:
It has some flexible capacity regarding the entire building, but there are some options that it can be changed in order to make it more flexible.
The building or the enable place capacity cannot be changed.
HR capacity can be reduced or substituted in rush hours with online self-lending machines. It would save payroll cost for the library and time for the customers.
Office-cleaning service: (number of workers, equipment, technology,)
In this case we should focus on those times when the demand is higher than the capacity. If there is too much work and we have limited numbers of workers than we should hire part time, cross-train workers in rush periods. Moreover we should ask the employee to time their day-offs after these periods. Also a possible solution could be to develop the skills of the workers (cleaning speed etc.) and also a technical development would be also recommended to buy new equipment with which they can work faster but at the same level of preciosity.
Support helpdesk: (number of lines or helpdesk)
The main capacity what can be influenced is the number of helpdesks. It is really important for people to wait not too much time. The number of helpdesk can be increased in order to reduce waiting times in lines. Also a technological development would be necessary if there are so simple questions, which can be answered by an automatic machine then it would be useful to introduce some self-servicing machines. This option would save HR costs for the company and also waiting times for the customers.
2. Identify some specific examples of companies in your community (or region) that significantly change their product and/or marketing mix variables in order to encourage patronage during periods of low demand. (5 points)
Restaurant happy hours: