Expert Systems Analysis Essay Example

example, computers play an increasing role in monitoring quality and creating daily production schedules.

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) in inventory control can use bar codes to mechanically move inventory items in response to computer controls. Electronic Data Interchanges (EDI) can automatically link a firm’s ordering system to a supplier’s computer for ordering supplies. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) can mechanically route batches of items between work centers. The field of Artificial Intelligence/Expert Systems (AI/ES) is advancing rapidly and can assist in making complex decisions in areas such as scheduling and routing. Computers can perform information integration by configuring separate channels of information graphically using the configural or object display. They can also draw inferences from raw data, either by interpolating or predicting data with lower levels of intelligence, or by using more advanced algorithms and heuristics in the diagnosis process. Human performance data supports the idea that higher levels of automation, which enhance situation awareness, are generally beneficial as long as the automation is reliable. By conducting careful task analysis, users can be guided to the most relevant information using highlighting and attentional cueing, while still having access to less relevant information if needed.

Both integration and inference have the potential to greatly reduce the demands on human working memory. In the context of operations management, automation systems serve as excellent examples of how these functions can be utilized. These systems are designed to integrate information for controllers and make inferences about future events, such as prediction. These capabilities not only enhance decision making but also reduce the overall workload for humans.