One of the ways to reduce cost, increase productivity, and gain competitive
advantage in a manufacturing system is through proper planning and
operation. Scheduling is considered to be one of the most significant issues in planning and operations. The first paper, “Optimization of Total Changeover Time in a Medium-Scale Industry”, by Naveen Kumar and Sanjay Kajal, discusses the optimization of scheduling by reducing changeover time in a plywood industry. The paper uses Genetic Algorithm (GA) to select optimal sequence as well as reduction in total processing time. It also compares existing sequence with modified sequence obtained through GA.
The next paper, “Selection of Best Hospital for Surgery Using AHP”, by Hima Gupta, describes how the best hospital for surgery can be chosen using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The paper considers four criteria—cost, surgeon’s experience, infrastructure, and quality—to choose the best hospital from a set of three hospitals (Fortis, Max, and Apollo). In AHP, pair-wise comparisons are done for the aforementioned four criteria. The paper provides interesting findings.
The last paper is a case study, “Toyota Motor Company: Losing Its Quality Edge?”, by Syeda Maseeha Qumer and Debapratim Purakayastha. The case discusses issues related to product quality of Toyota Motor Company. Toyota is known for its innovations and quality initiatives around the world. But a series of recalls in the US, China, and Europe had started a debate about Toyota’s quality program. Some experts are claiming that it is because of the pressure of globalization; and on the other hand, some experts are hopeful that these issues will be resolved soon. The case beautifully outlines arguments from both sides.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs): The Changing Face of Banking in India
Bank Management
Information and communication technology has changed the way in which banks provide services to its customers. These days the customers are able to perform their routine banking transactions without even entering the bank premises. ATM is one such development in recent years, which provides remote banking services all over the world, including India. This paper analyzes the development of this self-service banking in India based on the secondary data.
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is playing a very important role in the progress and advancement in almost all walks of life. The deregulated environment has provided an opportunity to restructure the means and methods of delivery of services in many areas, including the banking sector. The ICT has been a focused issue in the past two decades in Indian banking. In fact, ICTs are enabling the banks to change the way in which they are functioning. Improved customer service has become very important for the very survival and growth of banking sector in the reforms era. The technological advancements, deregulations, and intense competition due to the entry of private sector and foreign banks have altered the face of banking from one of mere intermediation to one of provider of quick, efficient and customer-friendly services. With the introduction and adoption of ICT in the banking sector, the customers are fast moving away from the traditional branch banking system to the convenient and comfort of virtual banking. The most important virtual banking services are phone banking, mobile banking, Internet banking and ATM banking. These electronic channels have enhanced the delivery of banking services accurately and efficiently to the customers. The ATMs are an important part of a bank’s alternative channel to reach the customers, to showcase products and services and to create brand awareness. This is reflected in the increase in the number of ATMs all over the world. ATM is one of the most widely used remote banking services all over the world, including India. This paper analyzes the growth of ATMs of different bank groups in India.
International Scenario
If ATMs are largely available over geographically dispersed areas, the benefit from using an ATM will increase as customers will be able to access their bank accounts from any geographic location. This would imply that the value of an ATM network increases with the number of available ATM locations, and the value of a bank network to a customer will be determined in part by the final network size of the banking system. The statistical information on the growth of branches and ATM network in select countries.
Indian Scenario
The financial services industry in India has witnessed a phenomenal growth, diversification and specialization since the initiation of financial sector reforms in 1991. Greater customer orientation is the only way to retain customer loyalty and withstand competition in the liberalized world. In a market-driven strategy of development, customer preference is of paramount importance in any economy. Gone are the days when customers used to come to the doorsteps of banks. Now the banks are required to chase the customers; only those banks which are customercentric and extremely focused on the needs of their clients can succeed in their business today.
