Cybertech project - Case Analysis

The Cybertech Project
Abstract- Cybertech had introduced world’s most advanced meat processing technology, where the meat is
processed manually. Technology provided a complete, computer-integrated system of linked processing
stations that replaced the age-old meat processing methods.

By

Maneesh Garg- 20110025

11jgbs-mgarg@jgu.edu.in


Introduction:-

The role of technology in contemporary organizations has been on an increase, more so in
the past two decades. Automation – the process of replacing manual type of labor with
mechanical/automatic devices for improving productivity and in the case of mass-
produced volumes. The meat production industry is characterized by highly manual
processes requiring more demanding work.The process included Slaughtering, Deboning,
Slicing and Packaging. Though the productivity has increased tremendously, its safety
concerns and ‘distasteful’ working conditions made it very unglamorous, thus failing to
attract any engineers or managers to join the industry. The Cybertech Project was the first
of its kind trying to automate the entire meat-production process.This technology provided
a complete, computer-integrated system of linked processing stations that replaced the
age-old methods and work-processes of meat processing.

The Cybertech project case describes the development and exploitation of a radical new
computer-integrated technology in the largely manual meat-processing industry. The
technology has been developed by Jack Crawford.

Process of Meat production-

The process of meat production is devided into four steps :-

• It includes killing the animal, sticking, trimming of extremities such
Slaughtering as horns, tail and hooves, head removel and further trimming.
-

• It includes chilling, major bones removel and removel primary meat
Deboning- sections.

• Slicing the meat into prespecified size of pieces.
Slicing-

• Packaging of meat in special cartons.
Packaging-

By- Maneesh Garg-
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Operating Cycle of Meat Processing Industry

Raw
Material
(Livestock)

Sales
(Export & Slaughtering
Domestic)

Packaging Deboning

Slicing

Reasons forintroducing automation in the industry-

These are the reasons for introducing the automation system in meat processing industry-

 Safety and hygiene were the most important issues in this industry. There were three
diseases Brucellosis, Q-fever and leptospirosis that transmitted from animals which
had earlier plagued the whole meat industry.
 Meat industry was dependent on manual work. So it was extremely labor intensive
industry.But its safety concerns and ‘distasteful’ working conditions made it very
unglamorous, thus failing to attract any workers to join the industry.
 The use of exquisitely sharp knife and other equipment used for meat processing was
very dangerous for the slaughterer.
 Microbiological contamination also continued to be a primary concern of the industry.

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 Primary processes needed strong, physical contact between operators and the carcass.
This was dangerous and very unhygienic. Great care and skill was required of the
operator.
 There were long term effects of exerting similar forces, over and over again.
Slaughtering was a young person’s job and few people lasted longer than 10 years of
the constant wear and tear on the joints.

Challenges and Problems-

The challenges in front of Crawford include the integration of automated system in the
whole industry, convincing the meat industry that Cybertech was the best path to improve
its performance and productivity, and to reduce the cost of overall project for further
extension and installation of the project in the whole meat industry.

The problem in the case is that it is not clear how the industry can use this technology
because its scale, demands larger firms than currently existing and its operation requires
expertise that the industry does not have.

Objectives of Cybertech project-

 The main objective of Cybertech was to automate the meat industry to reduce
physical work.
 To leapfrog world competition through the application of advanced manufacturing
and information technologies to the meat industry.
 To improve the performance and productivity of meat processing industry.
 To reduce the spread of hazardous diseases like Brucellosis, Q-fever and
leptospirosis.
 To bring improvement in processes used in meat industry.
 To reduce Microbiological contamination and infection.
 To maintain quality standards and sustain the hygiene factor.

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SWOT Analysis of Cybertech Project

•Standalone project in •High Cost of
industry implementation
•High demand and ever •Less flexible
growing industry

Strength Weakness

Opportunity Threat

•First Of its kind project •Threat Of New enterents
•Can be implemented in •Failure in
whole industry implementation of
•Export opportunities project if unable to
convince people

SWOT Analysis of Meat Industry

• Growing demand of • Requirement of lot of
processed meat and its physical work
products in domestic • Poor Image of industry
region •Less Hygenic Industry
•High demand for export •Lack of skilled workforce
•Fluctuating Demand and
supply

Strength Weakness

Opportunity Threat

•Export Opportunities •Growing meat industry in
•Variations in processed neighbour country such as
meat products Neitherland

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Supply Chain Of Cybertech-

Design and
Engineering

After Sale Product
Service Introduction

Supply Chain
ofCybertech

Dedicated
Purchasing
Team and
and planning
Logistics

Factory and
Test
Production Automation
and
implimentation

Strategy

 Innovative training program for unskilled people to begin with basic literacy
skills, communication skills and courses in classification and boning.
 By using prototype laboratory system for learning critical lessons. By this method
it would be easy to understand the system before the commercial system.

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 Export activities should be focused. This will increase the demand and quality
standards.
 Cybertech technology should besold in different variations.
a) It should be sold as a package for industrialists who want the whole plant
automation, and do not care much about the cost.
b) It should also be sold in modules, for people who want the partial automation of
plant, and very much concerned about the cost of the project.
 Convincing the meat industry to adopt Cybertech – Meat industry can be
convinced
a) By showing them the results of the plants where it’s already installed
b) By giving them a solution manual to their problems like staffing, recruiting,
hygiene factor, quality control standards etc.
c) By telling them the outcomes after the installation for eg. Increased performance and
productivity, reduced cost of meat processing etc.

Recommendations-

 The project should be reengineered. This will help in three ways-
a) It will reduce the redundant or unnecessary processes.
b) Reduce the cost and time of meat production process.
c) Reduce the cost of the project as a whole.
 The project should be sold in different modules.
a) So that it can be affordable for the people who want complete automation or partial
automation.
b) People who install the partial automation will automatically be convinced when
they will see the increased performance and productivity.
 A team of experienced people should be made, who will do further market research
on the industry. And try to make the system more and more friendly and flexible.
 The project should be made more flexible, so that it could help the industry in
introducing some new product, and making product with different variations.

By- Maneesh Garg-
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Cybertech project - Case Analysis

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