Assessing The Impact Of New Technology On Maintenance Efficiency At ACE Manufacturing

Background of the Research Problem

Implementation of new business process technologies along with advances within manufacturing intelligence abilities is deemed to have increasing impacts on decision management, strategies along with operations within manufacturing. Important business functions performed by an organisation are communication with the clients, checking the inventory for maintaining the manufacturing process, maintaining the products quality and quantity along with good back-up support (Monkand Wagner2012). Hasibuanand Dantes (2012) also stated that all these business functions are related to each other. Taken for instance, when a client asks for the availability of the products, the sale team check whether or not the inventory is enough to fulfil client’s demand, the sales team then make communication with production planning department if there is not enough inventory. The objective of the paper is to in this research that ACE manufacturing lacks quality assurance movement, innovation, proper maintenance of the soft technology implemented and human consistency. These problems are however decided by the management people to be overcome through systems, applications and products technology. This research study is to determine the how the newly implemented technology impacts on the efficiency maintenance at ACE manufacturing.

ACE manufacturing is an agri-processing and agriculture business in KwaZulu-Natal and its main function is to maintain the feed stock for maize and sugarcane. In order to maintain sufficient feedstock, the company uses rotating equipment which needs a substantial amount of their operating budget and in the year 2014, they have also spent R 52 billion (South African Sugar Association 2015). Though the main production of the company is obtained through these rotating machines, there are no steps taken by the company to maintain the same. Moreover, due to poor maintenance of the machineries, problem like higher number of breakdownsdelayed production and delivery occurs that on the other hand leads to lost sales. Additionally, there was some non-rotational machinery that cannot be removed from the service as its disruption results in mainline failures.

ACE manufacturing faces the problem of maintaining the business functions due to which they implemented “Pragma on key” that is an intelligent asset type driven technology used in organisations. Since 2010; however, for enhancing the efficiency of the organisational process, they have incorporated systems, applications and products system for supporting the interface systems. However, there are some challenges in maintaining and utilising this new system like-reliability to human consistency, design limitations, controlling the software and operator error (Hochand Dulebohn2013). Thus, this research shed light on the aspect of those factors of the newly implemented soft technology in ACE manufacturing that enhances the efficiency maintenance within the organisation. This research also additionally highlighted the strategies that the management of the company should take to minimize potential obstacles in systems, applications and products maintenance like partial implementation, lack of management support, improper staff knowledge and training and well-defined goals.

Research Problem

This research aims to assess the factors regarding new ERP technology which is systems, applications and products system impacts the maintenance and production efficiencies in ACEmanufacturing at KwaZulu-Natal.

• To identify soft technology changes in maintenance systems in ACE manufacturing organisation
• To identify the impact of systems, applications and productssystem in production systems of ACE manufacturing
• To identify factors in systems, applications and productssystem that are influencing the maintenance efficiency in ACE manufacturing organisation
• To provide recommendations for suitable roll-out processes ACEmanufacturing new systems implemented in the manufacturing company

• What changes were made in maintenance systems due to soft technology in ACE manufacturing organisation?
• What impact does systems, applications and productssystem have in production systems due to soft technology in ACE manufacturing organisation?
• What is the impact of systems, applications and productssystem on maintenance efficiency and rotating equipment breakdowns in in ACE manufacturing organisation?
• What are the recommendations to assist in the roll-out processes at ACEman new systems in ACE manufacturing organisation?

This study not only emphasized on the positive side of the ERP implementation but also highlighted the obstacles that ACE manufacturing had faced while implementing the soft technology strategy. The advantages that the concerned company faced in safety and reliability of equipment due to moving from Pragma On Key systems, applications and products system. The research will also provide information related to the managerial problem for implementing systems, applications and products technology in ACEman. Thus, the suggestions highlighted for overcoming the obstacles in the research will also help other sugar and maize industry and enhance their business performance. Moreover, this research study is also significant in providing details for resisting the change in the organisation to the managers during the systems, applications and products maintenance strategy.  

This research study comprised of five main chapters namely- introduction, literature review, research methodology, data analysis and findings and conclusion and recommendations. In the first chapter the essence of the research study and the main objective for conducting the research is highlighted. This chapter comprises of the details of the background of the study, problem statement, research aim, objectives and questions along with the significance of the research.

The second chapter which is the literature review highlights the findings of other research scholars based on the research topic. This chapter also comprised the concept of ERP system and the benefits along with the impact of systems, applications and products in maintaining the business approaches. The literature review for this research also stated the findings of the challenges faced by an organisation in implementing systems, applications and products which helps in evaluating the necessary recommendations for overcoming the raised adversity.

The third chapter illustrates the details of the information collection technique and analysis technique through which the necessary data are collected. The main components of this chapter are research philosophy, research approach and research purpose along with the justification for the chosen philosophy, approach and purpose. Furthermore, the details of the data collection technique, data analysis technique, sampling method and sample size followed by the information of research ethics and research limitation is also presented.

The fourth chapter shows the findings of the data collection which is done through questionnaire method. The data analysis section also demonstrates the research outcome that is used for addressing the research objectives of this study.

Aim of the Study

The last chapter is the conclusive chapter which also illustrates the recommendation section. In the conclusion, the data results are linked with the research objectives which precisely address changes made in maintenance systems for soft technology, factors in systems, applications and products system that influences the effective maintenance of rotating equipment breakdowns and the impact of systems, applications and products system in production systems. The later section addresses recommendations suitable for roll-out processes in the ACE Manufacturing’s new systems.

The literature review section has focussed on analysing the historical background of the company ACE Manufacturing. The concept of systems, applications and products along with central and decentralised system related with it is explained in this chapter. Moreover, the factors within the systems, applications and products system that impacts the maintain efficiency of the systems implemented within the manufacturing industry. The literature review has also carried out a comparative study on the effect of new technology maintenance efficiency in the manufacturing industry. Such analysis of the previous researches can facilitate in developing suitable objectives for the research in accomplishing the study.

SAP is the abbreviation of Systems Applications and Products which is used for data processing (Färberet al. 2012). Kale (2014) also stated that systems, applications and products is also a name for Enterprise Resource Planning system and is used for effective business management. By the year 2010, more than 140,000 business bodies have installed systems, applications and products system and their customers are present in over 120 countries (Monkand Wagner2012). The main reason for which companies nowadays implement systems, applications and products software is to enhance the data maintenance and make the data management cost lower as possible (Leon2014). The data management system in a company can be of two different types:

Laudonand Laudon (2015) depicted that a decentralized system way of data management have two characteristics- data are individually maintained by each department and no other department has the access right to access the data of other departments. In this approach, there are several disadvantages that the organisation has to face that are a department is only updated with their own data and have no knowledge updates regarding the progress of other units of the same organisation. Osterle, Fleischand Alt (2012) furthermore portrays that the decentralized data management also creates the problem of having no real time informationand thus results in loss of revenue and customer dissatisfaction.Schoknecht, Alamand Muenter (2013) stated that the main reason for the rise in customer dissatisfaction is that they do not get the required information in time and have to wait for a significant amount of time. Shauland Tauber (2013) moreover highlight that since different department maintains a separate database, data management cost also goes up. Another problem in this case is that these departments not always have synchronized data and thus, the changes of sharing two different outputs can occur. Thus, it can be said that the main problem due to decentralized data management system is greater effort in maintaining the data, more data consuming, duplication and inconsistent data, lack of timely delivery of data information and high cost for inventory, human resource and materials.

Research Objectives

Centralize data management, on the contrary, maintained at a central location and accessed by all other departments and updated by them. Monkand Wagner (2012) stated that in this state all the data are interconnected with each other which help them to reduce the data maintenance cost at different locations. All the data are accessed whenever required by a department and thus can give accurate data when asked by a customer or a client. Kerznerand Kerzner (2017) highlighted that not only the data duplicity can be eliminated but also this systems, applications and products System provides control over the different process of the business. Azevedo, Romaoand Rebelo (2012) furthermore affirms that systems, applications and products is used for communicating the real time data which allow the required department to track the progress and do the necessary actions that are required for maintaining the business functions. Taken for instance, sharing a centralized database allow the inventory department to track whether or not more raw material is required and also provide accurate information to the HR department regarding the requirement of hiring working personnel for the business.

It is highlighted in the overview of the research study that ACEman implemented systems, applications and products in place of Pragma On key. Annamalaiand Ramayah (2013) stated that Pragma On Key is an asset management system through which is known for speed and accuracy of the business data. Myerson (2012) stated that one of the most advantageous aspects of the PragmaOn key is that it allows the business personnel to locate the data and then take effective decisions for the betterment of the business. Pragma On Key also provides the data with GPS (global Positioning System) location so that the point of origin can be tracked. This data management software is also performing well but in order to obtain more benefits, companies are switching to systems, applications and products for the following advantageous reasons:

Systems, applications and products is used for automating the facility repair process and request maintaining approaches that are it allows the company to record the required labour and inventory and then take effective business decisions (Motiwallaand Thompson2012). Phamand Teich (2013) also stated that systems, applications and products also allows the business to identify the documents or correcting the failures and upgrade the required materials for the business. Another reason for implementing the systems, applications and products over the Pragma On Key is that it is based on open technology and is compatible for many operating systems. The recent version of systems, applications and products that is systems, applications and products R/3 is also customizable according to the business requirement. Negahban, Baecherand Skibniewski (2012) also explained in details that with the implementation of the systems, applications and products, an organisation can also support several functional areas including customer relationship management, supplier relationship management, Human Capital Management and product lifecycle management along with web-based technology and mobile application. However, the main advantage that systems, applications and products provides is that it reduces risks and costs and increases the visibilityof the business achievementand manages high business complexity (Bi, Da Xuand Wang2014).

Research Questions

Record Maintenance

Systems, applications and products is used for managing business data in a centralized way and also allows all the other departments to access the data for attaining knowledge regarding their business. This approach will allow the business people to gain knowledge regarding the necessary steps that enhance the business performance (Handayani, Hidayantoand Budi2013). The accurate record of the business units also allows the business decision makers to reduce the cost of the required business requirements.

The database shares accurate and real time data which also allow the company to track whether the organisation will face any crisis (Babaei, Gholamiand Altafi2015). This will allow the management to mark necessary areas where the risk management can be applied. In case of ACEman, the management can get the accurate details of rotating equipment breakdowns. In such cases, the department can communicate with the finance department for the budget allocation of the machinery maintenance so that relevant action can be taken within no time.

As all the data are centralized, it is easier for the management to access the progress report andprepare a report for the required raw materials for the inventory (Zaglagoet al. 2013). It is also said that in such process, no extra resource can be allocated to the financial department, sales department and the product planning department share the same database. In the case of ACEman, the report for the maintenance track for machinery assessment is recorded. Thus, managers know when to conduct next machinery inspection for reducing the equipment breakdowns.

Komundaand Osarenkhoe (2012) stated that systems, applications and products allows the company to access the accurate details every time and this is because when a customer or clients want any information regarding the current progress, the company is able to answer their query. This will raise their satisfaction level and they can also get the continuous progress report whenever they ask for the same from the organisation.

It is important for a company to implement a new and updated system not only for gaining effective competitive advantage but also allow the organisation to generate the sense of satisfaction among the employees (Makanawalaet al. 2013). Utilization of the updated system allows the management people to make their employee aware of the recent technology that drives the accurate data outcome for performing the business operations. This will help the organisation to retain their employee for a longer time and enhance their productivity as they also intend to retain in the organisation.

Significance of the Study

Since accurate data can be taken from the database; the organisation can prepare report when the machinery needs to be inspected or change (Ghaitiand Laghrissi2013). So, the implementation of the systems, applications and products reduces the cost of maintenance and change of machinery in the required time also not hampers the productivity and its quality.

The implementation of a new system faces many problems and one of the major problems is getting personal support. Saha, Syamsunderand Chakraborty (2016) stated the main reason that is not all the employees and even the management people are aware of the new technology and this results in poor performance of the employee even if the machinery is of newer technology in the organisation.

Another method to maintain high level of employee satisfaction is to provide training to the employees especially during the change management system. Thus, it is necessary for the organisation to conduct training sessions and offer knowledge reading the implementation and utilization of the new system. The company can also hire eternal experts or a mentor from a consultancy group that can provide them practical classes on performing with the new system.

In order to make the system effective by the passage of time, it is necessary for the organisation to look for the updates available for the system that is implemented in the organisation. This approach will allow the management personnel of the company to maintain the effectiveness of the system which can be furthermore used for evaluating the details of the ongoing system of the company and the present status of the machines. The report also shares accurate and real time data regarding the unit production from the machines and all other details maintaining the compatibility of all the existing and new operating system.

The literature review facilitated in gathering suitable research objectives based on which the suitable research methodology is selected for this study completion. Research methodology enables to acquire appropriate data and information from various reliable and valid resources. The identified research issue includes impact of new technology on maintenance efficiency at ACE manufacturing. In quest of gathering data and information regarding the effectiveness of advanced technology on manufacturing growth the researcher has used appropriate methodological tools for completing the entire study successfully (Novikov and Novikov 2013). The most prominent tools that have been used in this study are as follows:  

Research design has been interpreted differently by different authors. Some authors consider it as the differentiation between qualitative and quantitative research methodology but some consider it as the method of choosing data analysis and data collection instruments. However, it can be defined as the plan of action for collecting data and analysing the collected data effectively. The two different kinds of research designs are conclusive research design and exploratory research design (Meyers, Gamst and Guarino 2016). In exploratory research, specific parts of the research area are explored but it does not aim to derive conclusion from the exploration. This facilitates in changing the direction of the study based on the findings but the fundamental aspect of the study is kept intact. Conclusive research design is used to reach specific conclusion which will play in making decisions. Conclusive research can be divided into causal research design and descriptive research design(Kratochwill 2015). The descriptive research design is used to explain the characteristics of a phenomenon or particular functions.  The cause and effect relationship between variables are defined by the causal research design. This current study has used the descriptive research design to explain the phenomenon of introducing new technology and its influence on the maintenance efficiency.

Structure of the Research

Research philosophy is the method of gathering in-depth knowledge based on the collected data by using inward philosophical approach of the researcher (Converse, 2012). Research philosophy is segregated into three major ways that include positivism research philosophy, realism and interpretivist philosophy. Positivism philosophy enables the researchers in gathering appropriate information based on keen and acute observation. Numerous eminent positivists believe that observation is repeatable but the phenomenon is isolated.

In order to accumulate sufficient information an individual has to make in-depth observation on the identified research issue (Coleman, 2013). Interpretivist is the method of evaluating data from different perspectives after identifying the pros and cons of research issue. After gathering information, the researcher gets the scope of interpreting collected data (Håkansson, 2013). Realism is the combination of two methods such as interpretivist and realism. After making detailed observation on the research problem the collected information is interpreted. However, this specific study has focused to select positivism research philosophy.

In this current study, positivism has been chosen as the given philosophy as it perceives the world as independent and real, which means that the organisations are considered as discrete entities. It has also been used in both social and natural sciences which means that unity is advocated by this method. Moreover, this method gives primacy to statistical modelling and number which can be used to derive conclusions that are generalisable and quantifiable. This has also facilitated in conducting objective study and knowledge has been developed by means of proving theories and hypothesis.

Target population consist of the specific group of people that serve as the ideal source of information conducting the specific area of research. This population will consist of personnel that are best suited to provide the optimum results in primary data analysis. The employees of ACE Manufacturing are the target population but the target population cannot fully derive the sample population exactly needed for the study (Robinson 2014). Therefore, defining the sampling frame for the study is also very important where Sampling frame consist of the population that are more likely to provide suitable answers within the target population. The employees working in the supply chain department of ACE Manufacturing has been considered as the sampling frame in the study.

Sampling technique is the process of collecting data by involving specific group of people amidst large number of population (Terrell 2012). Sampling technique is categorized in two major types including probability sampling technique and non-probability sampling technique. Probability sampling method selects the respondents randomly. On the other hand, non-probability sampling technique is very much selective while choosing the participants. In this study, probability sampling technique was chosenfor involving those selective participants who are directly involved with the research issue (Bryman and Bell 2015).  The sample population in the study was huge so sampling has been used to reduce the sample population so that the cost of the study can be reduced. In this current study, simple random sampling has been used to randomly select 126 respondents from the employees working in the supply chain department of ACE Manufacturing. Randomization provides the equal opportunity to all the respondents to be chosen in the study.

Sample Size

Literature Review

In this study, the researcher has used 126 sampling size among which only 100 has become respondents. By using probabilistic sampling technique, the researcher has used those employees who have in-depth knowledge on technological skills and competency. Otherwise, the respondents could not be successful in participating on the survey method.  Those participants were able to give their necessary feedback regarding the impact of systems, applications and products system in production systems. The factors in systems, applications and products system influencing the maintenance efficiency and rotating equipment breakdowns has also been discussed with the selected sampling size.

Data collection process is the way of acquiring necessary information from different resources which maintains its validity and reliability (Smith, 2015). Data collection is constituted with two primary categories that include primary data collection technique and secondary data collection technique. Primary data collection technique enables the researcher in gathering immediate response of the participants. Interview and Survey are the most prominent ways of conducting primary data collection technique (Wahyuni, 2012). On the other hand, secondary source of data collection depends on various websites, online channels, magazines and journal articles books and so on.  In secondary source of data collection technique feedback is delayed. In this very specific study, the researcher has selected primary data collection technique. The primary data will be collected by conducted a survey which will consist of developing a close ended questionnaire. The close ended questionnaire has facilitated in obtaining significant answers that is relevant and specific to this particular research. The questionnaire consists of demographic questions and questions on both the variables where Likert scale has been used. This measurement has been used in order to represent individual attitudes of the research respondents on the study topic by gathering quantitative data.

As stated, survey or interview method enables the researcher in gathering response from the participants immediately. By conducting quantitative questionnaires for 100 employees of ACE manufacturing, the researcher has collected possible responses about the impact of new technology on maintenance efficiency at ACE manufacturing. After conducting the entire survey method, the researcher has gathered immediate response from the participants. As a result, the entire process of research conduction has not been delayed due to long data collection method.  

Before administering the questionnaire to participants in the study, the researcher must test it on a small sample. By conducting pilot study on quantitative questionnaires for 100 employees of ACE manufacturing, the researcher has collected possible responses about the impact of new technology on maintenance efficiency at ACE manufacturing. The analysis of the pilot survey will reveal flaws in some questions suggest possible improvements and supply a range of possible answers to open-ended questions (Fleischman et al. 2016). Additionally, the pilot survey enables minimisationof the error in data collection and identifies the possible answers to the question. The pilot study will be tested on small sizes to identify the reliability of the questionnaire. This makes the questionnaire much more effective and facilitates in collecting reliable and validated data in the study.

Concept of Systems, Applications and Products

Data analysis enables to understating the ultimate findings of the identified research issue (Zikmund et al. 2013). In order to evaluate the findings, the researcher has to focus on various statistical tools with the help of which data would be analysed. In this very specific study the researcher has analysed data by using excel sheet for maintaining data accuracy (Etikan, Musa and Alkassim 2016). At the same time, an attractive graphical representation has also been provided. As a result, the viewers can read out the results and findings at a glance without going the entire study.  The statistical tool used to conduct the study is MS Excel where the collected data has been used to form graphs and tables of response frequencies. The study has also conducted regression analysis to analyse the degree of association between the variables.

Reliability is the capability of the instruments in the research to reproduce the results using different data sets.  This measure the precision of the research instruments and in the currents study, test retest reliability has been used to examine whether same results are obtained using different sets of data (Csikszentmihalyi and Larson 2014). However, validity holds more importance than reliability as even if the data is reliable, if it is not valid then the research will fail. Therefore, evaluating the validity of the study is quite crucial and in this study construct validity has been used to check the validity of the research methods to check whether the prescribed methods are followed or not. The study contains data that has high validity and reliability.

While choosing research philosophy used has focused on only positivism research philosophy. Positivism philosophy is based on keen observation. Therefore, the researcher could have used post-positivism research philosophy which is based on observation along with proper evidence. The entire time schedule of the research could have been extended to collect more data and information for conducting the study successfully. Another limitation that is observed in this research is that it just focussed on one region that affected the accurate results of the study. The entire research is highly dependent on primary data collection method. As a result, there is immense possibility of providing biased response on behalf of the participants. In addition, the research paper has a lack of valid evidence for proving the response of participants. However, there are still numerous scopes of improving the research paper by overcoming identified challenges. It has helped in enhancing knowledge and competency level of the researcher as well.

Bias is the deviation from the truth which may lead to development of false conclusion in the study. Bias can be identified in data collection, analysis and interpretation which mean that it can be either unintentional or intentional. In order to eliminate the bias in data collection, the study has conducted simple random sampling and randomization has eliminated the bias (Roulston and Shelton 2015). In case of data analysis, the collected data is analysed using validated methods to avoid bias and the data interpretation is supported by facts and figures which prove the study is free of bias of any kind.  

In order to conduct the entire research successfully every individual has to follow ethics and values throughout the entire study (Smith, 2015). This specific research paper is not exceptional to that. While gathering necessary data and information from the concerned respondents the researcher has to strictly follow data protection act. Data protection act ensures that the researcher should not disclose data in front of others without taking permission of the third party (Tracy, 2012). However, while conducting this study the researcher failed to maintain this act so strictly. In addition, the researcher at the time of gathering data has given equal priority and response to both male and female employees.

Gender equality act is strictly maintained in this very specific study.  Moreover, while communicating with the participants the researcher should not follow any racial or ethnic discrimination (Collis and Hussey, 2013). However, in this study, the researcher by following anti-discrimination act properly has given priority to the people of different cultural backgrounds and attitudes. As a result, participants belonging to various psychological backgrounds and attitudes have taken part in the survey method. Moreover, the researcher with the help of multi-lingual flexibility has equally interacted with the people. Participants who have communication barriers could get the liberty of using non-verbal communication as well.

Research methodology used in the previous chapter facilitated in attaining appropriate data and information from various reliable and valid resources. The identified research issue that will be analysed through use of suitable research methodology includes impact of new technology on maintenance efficiency at ACE manufacturing. This chapter unveils the results of the field study. The data collected through the questionnaire was presented, interpreted and discussed. The data collected was collated and analysed using Microsoft Excel spread sheets. Frequency tables, pie charts and bar graphs were used to present the data visually.

Questionnaires were completed by 100 participants, which amounted to a response rate of 80%. A response rate above 50% is most adequate, according to Terrell (2012), as this will result in the best chance of making generalizations of the findings to the target population.

Sections below contain a presentation, interpretation and discussion of the research findings. The discussion is in line with the research questions and comparison with the literature review findings.

Conclusion and Recommendation

This chapter documents the conclusions of the findings of the study. The findings of the literature review and the results of the research are summarized. The findings are discussed in line with the research questions. Key recommendations on the study are generated.

The study has provided detailed overview about the impact of implementing new technology for enhancing business management efficiency of ACE manufacturing. After evaluating the research issue the study has identified that technological incompetency is becoming the cause of damage within organisation. The service providers are unable to maintain organisational data chronologically. In this kind of situation, the business experts have decided to implement systems, applications and products system for maintaining database of organisation. systems, applications and products system influences the effective maintenance of rotating equipment breakdowns. However, in quest of meeting the primary objective of the research that is impact of systems, applications and products system in production systems, the study has made in-depth critical literature review by involving some of the most eminent scholars belonging to contemporary ages.

In order to collect appropriate data and information the study has focused to use several appropriate methodological tools. By conducting quantitative questionnaires for 100 employees of ACE manufacturing, the researcher has collected possible responses. However, the research findings and analysis is also conducted in this study based on the response of hundred participants. As per the result of research findings it can be concluded that systems, applications and products technology has major positive impact in maintaining organisational database as well as profitability. This specific software enables the organisation in reducing labour cost. As a result, the business experts can get immense possibility of increasing their profit level. It is however undeniable that ACE manufacturing has faced immense challenges in operating systems, applications and products technology effectively. The study has provided some of the major recommendations on how to overcome those challenges.

Findings from the Study Linked with Literature

After evaluating the research issue the study has identified that technological incompetency is becoming the cause of damage within organisation. The service providers are unable to maintain organisational data chronologically. In this kind of situation, the business experts have decided to implement systems, applications and products system for maintaining database of organisation. The research question whether or not the systems, applications and products technology is the optimal solution for the ACE manufacturing, the research result shows that 48 research respondents stated that they think it is the optimal solution.

Findings from the Literature Review

The literature review chapter explained that in this study indicated that the system effective by the passage of time, it is necessary for the organisation to look for the updates available for the system that is implemented in the organisation. Moreover, the implementation of a new system faces many problems and one of the major problems is getting personal support. The main reason that is not all the employees and even the management people are aware of the new technology and this results in poor performance of the employee even if the machinery is of newer technology in the organisation. The literature review also carried out a comparative review on the impact of systems, applications and products system within the production system results in increased consumer protection and job satisfaction and decreased equipment breakdown. 

Findings from the Primary Research

The response from the primary research is associated with the number of years served by the respondents at ACEman. It is also gathered that whether or not the research respondents are satisfied with their work and it is found that most of the research respondents stated that there are strongly agree with the fact which is furthermore agreed by most of the respondents. Moreover, it can be stated that more workers are satisfied with the current working procedure in the ACE manufacturing. So, it can be considered that the removal of Pragma On Key to systems, applications and products is beneficial and employees are more satisfied with the technological advanced organisational environment. In addition, from the primary research analysis it can be stated that though there are more advancement implemented in the organisation, employees working in the organisation search for different job in other organisations.

Present the findings as per the research questions

Question 1: What changes were made in maintenance systems due to soft technology in ACE manufacturing organisation?

This specific research question is linked with literature review of question number 2.2 where there is major critical discussion on how soft technology changes in maintenance systems. In this specific part the author has categorically evaluated on how Old- Pragma on Key is possessed with significant constraints for maintaining entire organisational database. At the same time, some of the major advantages of systems applications and Products (systems, applications and products) technology are also elaborated in this part.

Question 2: What impact does SYSTEMS, APPLICATIONS AND PRODUCTS system have in production systems due to soft technology in ACE manufacturing organisation?

This specific research question is linked with literature review of question number 2.4 where there is critical evaluation about the impact of systems, applications and products system in production systems. while discussing the impact the study has identified several positive impact of using systems, applications and products technology. the study has evaluated that systems, applications and products system enables the business managers in maintaining both productivity and quality of work. The business managers after having updated data and information can make suitable business strategy accordingly. the systems, applications and products also allows the business managers to communicate the real time data with other stakeholders and the take decisions through which better outcome can be suggested. it is found from the research that implementation of systems, applications and products will raise their satisfaction kevel and they can also get the continuous progress report whenever they ask for the same from the organisation and utilization of the updated system allows the management people to make their employee aware of the recent technology that drive the accurate data outcome for performing the business operations. Moreover, the implementation of the systems, applications and products reduces the cost of maintenance and change of machinery in the required time also not hampers the productivity and its quality.

Question 3: What is the impact of systems, applications and products system on maintenance efficiency and rotating equipment breakdowns in ACE manufacturing organisation?

This specific research question is linked with literature review of question number 2.3 where the author has given in-depth analysis about the factors in systems, applications and products system influencing the maintenance efficiency. in this specific part the author has stated that systems, applications and products allows the business experts in gaining knowledge regarding the necessary ways of enhancing the business performance as well as ability. Another aspect that is found to influence the maintenance is effective training due to which all the employee of the company can be made aware of the technology. The training also helps the employee to identify any gap and suggest reliable solution for overcoming the challenges. It is also found that systems, applications and products is used for managing business data in a centralized way and also allows all the other departments to access the data for attaining knowledge regarding their business. The accurate record of the business units also allows the business decision makers to reduce the cost of the required business requirements and the database shares accurate and real time data which also allow the company to track whether the organisation will face any crisis. The department can communicate with the finance department for the budget allocation of the machinery maintenance so that relevant action can be taken within no time and it is easier for the management for access the progress report and prepare a report for the required raw materials for the inventory. It is also found that the report formed from the data can also be considered for the maintenance track for machinery assessment is recorded. Thus, managers know when to conduct next machinery inspection for reducing the equipment breakdowns.

Question 4: What are the recommendations to assist in the roll-out processes at ACEman new systems in ACE manufacturing organisation?

This specific research question is going to meet its goal in the last part of research paper where the necessary recommendations for suitable roll-out processes ACEman are provided. The recommendations are as follows:

Benefits:

For holding and managing inventory in Ace Manufacturing, it is necessary to keep track of the types of items, stock available and the value of the stock. With the help of inventory management system, it is possible to carry out the functions of an efficient warehouse by assuring that appropriate stock level is maintained by the organisation. This system would assist the upper level managers and the top level management of Ace Manufacturing in storing inventory based on the market demand.

If Ace Manufacturing plans to expand its production line, it is crucial to manage projects efficiently on time and within the budgeted amount. With the help of project management software, a work breakdown structure could be developed for organising a big project into a series of tasks that require completion.

Finally, Ace Manufacturing needs to gauge the performance of its products by setting an appropriate benchmark. This would help the management of the organisation in identifying the unfavourable variances and actions could be undertaken accordingly.

While implementing automation technology the business experts have to bear numerous additional responsibilities. The IT experts have to test every areas of implemented technology in order to examine its efficacy. Otherwise, employees can face challenges while delivering services. In order to avoid this kind of circumstances the business experts are recommended to test every areas of automation technology with the help of which sudden barriers can be overcome.  

Supervise Change Management

Implementation of changing technology from Old- Pragma on Key to Systems Applications and Products is a matter of big challenge for ACE manufacturing. Therefore, the business leaders are recommended to supervise the facts whether implemented change management is effective enough for the organisation or new technology is becoming a major issue for the employees. If new implemented technology is effective enough for running business operation successfully the business leaders do not have to take additional responsibilities. If the new implemented technology creates barriers in running entire business operation successfully the business leaders have to identify the areas where the employees are facing difficulties.

For inventory management system, Ace Manufacturing could use software for directing the staffs on the areas of storing items. Moreover, barcodes are needed for scanning the stocked items of the organisation. In order to ensure effective project management, the main resources needed include material and time that are to be inputted into the software. For performance measurement, key performance indicators are needed for tracking sales and expense figures to identify the variances.

In order to ensure that the inventory management system is in place, adequate training needs to be provided to the employees for managing access to business data, their team and mobile-friendly technologies. In case of project management, Ace Manufacturing needs to provide appropriate training to its staffs regarding the use of budgets so that they could formulate timelines needed for completing the job. Finally, the organisation needs to provide training to the managers about the dashboards.

Ace Manufacturing uses First-In-First-Out (FIFO) method for releasing its stock level, which is in compliance with the government policy framed by the South African accounting board. According to the organisational policy, the use of project management software would assist in avoiding unnecessary delays because of material unavailability by developing a material list to be purchased or held at the project initiation. The organisational policy of performance measurement states that the sales managers could identify the number of leads in the pipeline of sales in contrast to the close ratio.

Conclusion

From analyzing the current research, it has been gathered that there are certain limitations to the current study that includes not carrying out statistical data analysis for testing the developed research hypotheses. Considering such limitation, the future scope of the research will be to conduct correlation and regression analysis for recognising the factors in systems, applications and products System that are influencing the maintenance efficiency and rotating equipment breakdownsin ACE Manufacturing. The future research will also elaborate through carrying out both primary and secondary research that team bonding will help people to assess the job roles and complete the same collaboratively. The organisation impalements a new system for better result and the collaboration of the team will help all the members to perform the work with greater accuracy.

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