Reduction of testing time for FR-190G satellite phone units at the Global Access Group of Smart Communications, Inc. in Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Date

4-2010

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Marc Immanuel G. Isip

Committee Member

Arvin Joseph M. Elauria, Mikel Angelo B. Yap

Abstract

SMART Communications, Inc. is a provider of numerous telecommunications services. Its main office is located at Ayala Avenue, Makati City. One of the services of the company is SMART Link. a satellite phone service handled by AMART's Global Access Group. Its primary products are two satellite phone models, the FR-190G fixed-type terminal and the R-190 mobile type terminal . Among the two, the FR-190G is the more popular choice among subscribers. Before being approved for sales release, each satellite phone unit is tested for functionality this is to avoid early repairs and return costs for the company, since the units are covered by a subscription-long warranty The FR-190G, being the more popular product, also composes the larger bulk of the testing activities, amounting to an average of 94.72% of the total volume of units tested. However, functionally testing for the FR-190G is constantly exceeding the allotted 8 hours by an average of 7 hours per week, incurring a weekly overtime cost of Php1,367.19. This problem regarding the testing time for FR-190G units is the focus of the study. After the initial observation and familiarization with the processes of the workplace, gathering of data relevant to the problem was conducted computer records, interviews, and a stopwatch time were employed. The data collected was documented to make way for data analysis. A root cause analysis was conducted to reveal possible causes of the problem. The identified causes were classified into Controllable, Noise, and Experimental causes. Of the identified cause, only those classified under Controllable and Experimental were discussed. to complete the analysis, a factor rating method using percent time reduction, benefit-cost, and effectiveness as criteria was used. Seven controllable causes were identified: uncomfortable working conditions, varying work area disorganized workstation, redundant re-aligning of antenna, unavailability of hand tools, worker not properly oriented, and unclear supervisor instructions. To address these causes, an improved work area inclusive of hand tools and fixed antenna setup were recommended. A training program for workers was also proposed.Three Experimental causes were identified: insufficient number of workers and work stations (X1), too many units are tested (X2), and workers do not have a standard procedure to follow(X#). For X1, an alternative solution was derived which is to increase the number of workers to two and increase the number of workstations to two. For X2, the alternative solution generated was to apply simple random sampling. The average of 30 will be reduced to a sample of 19 units, to reduce the testing time. For X3, an alternative solution was derived -revise the current testing process by removing unnecessary activities. The proposed process will make use of one antenna and one phone set for all units to be tested, meaning that only the main box is to be tested. After employing the factor rating method that made use of percent time reduction, benefit-cost ratio, and effectiveness as criteria, it was determined that the alternative solution derived fro X3 was the best course of action. With the implementation of this alternative, the current testing time can be reduced by 76 %, resulting to a Php79,687.20 direct labor cost savings per year.

Language

English

LC Subject

Industry analysis, Production management--Case studies

Location

UPLB College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2010 E66 C86

Document Type

Thesis

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