This research studied manufacturing technology use, changes in its use since 1993, benefits of technology use, computer integration between internal and external units of a factory, training budgets, training effectiveness, causes and duration of delays in technology use, and the profile of operators in U.S. factories. Inventory turns improved to 9.7 from 8.0 between 1994 and 1997. Overall, manufacturing performance was very healthy. The implications are that manufacturing plants are investing more on computer integration. Manufacturing cell use has also grown substantially since 1993.
Exporters use more technologies than non-exporters.
On the average, manufacturers spend five percent of payroll for operator training. The lack of trained operators delays skilled use of technology by about 4.9 months. A Neural Model of Factory Using the data collected above, a neural model of the factory was developed by Dr. Nair, University of Missouri under a subcontract. Several neural models were successfully completed. A sample of the results are described below where inventory turns are used as the measure of factory performance.