Automation a

1
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Workplaces
Meaning and efinition of Mechanisation
Meaning and efinition of Automation
7.3 stinction between Mechanisation and Automation
7.4 Evolution from techanisation to Automation
15 Merits and Demerits of Mechanisation
16 Merits and Demerits of Automation
77 Effects of Automation on People

Summary
Exercises
Question Bank
Revolution led to the
development modern industry wherein
of
scale with the help of power driven
is goods are produced
en taking place continuously. Not only machinery. Since than technological progress
physical work but mental work is also
romad by automatic machines today. Information
ischanging the way we live, communicate and work. Technology is the new phenomenonbeing
and

11 MEANING AND DEFINITION OF

MECHANISATION
nthing which reduces the human efforts is called a
uhan tubour by machines, the process is called machine _and when we substitute the
Cprocess where machines mechanisation So mechanisation is said to be
ur.
are used to perform work which was earlier being done by human
O mechanisation has taken place in our daily lives which
fe a we do not
usually notice but has
Ur lot easier.
Replacement of 'charkha ' by more
sophisticated spinning
Mixer-Grinder, using flour mill in place of mach1nes
L the
traditional 'SilBatta' by
Viinpt etc. aree fewbicycle with 'Chakki,
common motoreycle,
use of typewriter for
typing in place of handwritten
examples of mechanisation which have made impact in our dailyy
t hes been
found in
thie elhiciency ofoi many stu
studies
that the efficiency of a labourer is about 1o-5.5% whilc
a
gezaer amo machine is
20% or moore This implies that a machine can provide far
rhanisationn
s
or
Work than an average human worker can provide in the same ime period.
thus offers
1 advantages in terms of time saving, speed up work, reduced human
As
every
physical labou
our and uniform
uality of work.
SAme process
has
S p r o s and cons, mechanisation is no exception 1.e, it also suffers from
antages. These include increased cost due to requiremeniolhgecapital, requirement
King capital for proper maintenance and repairs, cost of traning the labour for
mac proper
phisticated machines and constant updation of machinery with rapid changes in

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 DEFINITION OF AUand equipment in place of hand
7.2 MEANING
AND
automatic
machnery too
the use of
Automation means
machines operated by workers.
automatic
control of
machinery and
equipmentUnd

a series
tUnder autoopet
f individ.
of individually
Traa

refers to pertormed by Betor

Automation previously
processes and activities which
were

combincd together and perlormed

by complex machine 10ols w
machin wher

are all
machines and tools
Autonatian generally means h e application o f computers and communication
phisticatcd elect
are operated automatically. b u l k

It involves the usc of sophistic or

workers.
productivity of knowledge work. The major functional. l compe
improve the oul o l i c e i m i t e

systems to carry
cquipment and
communication
word processing,
i n f o r m a t i o n storagc and
ctrieval, elcct
include
of an automated oflice
Mec
teleconfercncing.
system and computcerised
mail, decision support the i n t e r a c t i o n between technolo. It Wa
new way
of perceiving
Automation is a completely
procedures and technology. The
heP done
and functions. It requires interface
between people,
inforination and productivity in the offio
pury
the management of O mass

of automation is to improve and communicate in offices

the way people work es. 1he
automation has completely changed
AND AUTOMATION mate
DISTINCTION BETWEEN MECHANISATION
7.3 infr
but they are twa
Automation and mechanisation are
often confused with each other diva The
differences between mechanisation
and automation are given below
processes. The main nar

1. Meaning: Mechanisation means the process whereby machines and equipment are
USir
in the office, factory, shbp and other places to perfgrm_tasks_which were_periom
manually by workers, clerks, assistants, etc. On the other hand, 1automation invo The

the entire process including bringing material to and from the mechanised equipme pha
integrating several operations and ensuring that the different pieces of equipmeni
interlinked-with one another to ensure smooth operation. Many times, true automan
requires revaluating and changing current processes rather than simply mechanising the:
AS
2. Function:(Mechanisationsaves the use of human muscles, i.e. it displaces the hur:
era
efforts and labour. Whereas automation saves the use of human
judgement displac tOv
the mental labour as well.
3. Nature of Work:
Mechanisation refers to the replacement of human power
mechanical power of some form while
automation is the replacement of human thn Ca
with computers and machines. In other words, mechanisation involves
applicao*
machinery to handle physical work whereas automation involves application
regulating machinery to perform brain work.
4. Effect ar
on
Employment: Mechanisation does not affect
employment levels sigl
ticar
as it only reduces
the human efforts but
and tools. On the other
workers are still needed to handie achr
hand, automation creates jobs for cos!

unskilled and semi-skilled workers. It skilled workers at u

affects many industries at the same
5.
Stage in evolution: Mechanisation is the first tin chnolo"

But automation is the stage in the evolution ol

next stage to
example, Battery driven rickshaws mechanisation in the evolution of 2ology
tec
rickshaw was the evolution
or
E-rickshaws in place of human
from traditional method ducne"

of self-driven to mechanisation and

cars is the next
stage leading to
6.
Example: Use of typewriter in place of manualcomplete automation. anisaton

On
the other hand, use of robots to control scripts is an example or
example of automation. machinery and equipment factory
LUTIOw FA
EROM MECHANISATION TO AUTOMATION
i 3 S t a g e

Imdustrial Revolution, most people resided in sall, ural

evolved around farming. Life tor the average
duiy S i e n c e revolv
communitics
malnourishment and diseases were comnmon person
and nmalnourishme
and
Pcopie
was diffhcut.
e 17Cagre.
lothing. furniture and tools. Most produccd the
Own tood.
manufacturng was done in ho1Cs
isine
Using hand tools or
hand tools
simple machines. The produce this
l
shops, was 1n case,
thus.

sation Stage

Revolution daw
awned upon that mach1nes took
ie
Industrial

previously
ovcr what was
rialisation marked a sh1tt towards factories, special purpose machines and
The textile industry was transfomed by industrialisation

elopment in the iron

industry as well. Both iron and steel became essential
huge
s
o make everything trom appliances, tools and machines. to ships, build1ngs and

l s2ctor was also revolutionised. Cows and bulls were replaced by tractors and
t ater sprinklers and motors replaced hand pumps for imigation. Farmers started
manures to improve the amount of vield.
ilizers and
advancements in transportation séctor, communication sector. banking sector.
much more. Industrial revolution affected every aspect of human
tical sector and

omation Stage
mechanisation makes use of both machine
and labour whereas automation
sused earlier,
machine to do the job. The world is now moving
human involvement leaving the
s human effort.
started to rely o n machines m o r e than
is the automation stage and has
automation to the ordering process. Many giant
e food retail industry has started to apply need for
and payment systems. reducing the
ants have introduced touch screen ordering
for them
used to place an order and pay
T employees. Mobile applications are now being
the device.
retail as the payment and checkout
S20Pping could be considered a form of automated
*gh online transaction processing system.
an automated
cash to their
employed by banks to accept and dispense
C e r machines are being
automated machines. thereby
reducing
Os. These accepted using
days even
n cheques a r e

deployment.
FUuristic Stage work will be taken over
more and more

eements in technology everyday, the human

civilization.
mashim remain in the hands of
machines
: example. autor
and nly the supervision will
su be the future of agriculture
where
seen to
and haresters are The tractors and
tractors to work.
ded time of the day
deploved at anv will
ldrvesters can be satellite technologies
GPS and
.STS
rs
Will farmer to drive
them.
to harvest
and

sed to identify long

no require a to grow, when
ger what plants
e most fertile area the
of land. railways and
Driverless cars.
machines.
nough the eid. everything will be
done using

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 ta takr ver tic js

e all epee lrd

y obots ct
olues n
lac toe d
alancs,

of utom.alion
CHANISATION

RES AND DE MI RIIS OF ME ail drsalvatifapes

advntaes

ores
also have sene

Aehansation, hke etei

M hasatro
ollow heneit
provdes the
of o l h e work
he
nehanisaton

hies
are tiseil
i an

I ahor and me savmg

Operating osfs
: a greater speed
.on
labo1 sAVN
(levices is the a
le wn pertoined thouph
a y he
rehcel anel preahec fonss
wape bill
Work hone by erk
Theror, h
NiI more
mher ol crtore knowinal
romi1
beings may
uman
such c l e t t e a l erreoTs anel tm
2. ccurae nncchanisatiom pueyenle
THoncer, the with
mmurn e
nhnow ngh.
accuaCY

Wok s possilble,
but also reter
not onl specdy
Iseen that wlh short pero n thi
All the work can be perlormcd
. igh Eliciene the cflicicncy of operations
nercase
achincs are utised to
roulines and proccodures
of Work: The of oflice work
4. Standardisation The standardisation leat
laciliies.
standardised with the help of mechanisation
coordination of work.
unilomity and better
to managemen
be supplied quickly
Mort information
can

chances of traud are minimel

Control:
5. Effective
control. Thus, the
also exercises eflective
Inanagement
the help of machine generally mer
is

The work performed with

6. Quality of Work: of machines ens
hand. Therefore, the using
and than the work completed by
legible
the quality of work.

Demerits of Mechanisation
presented below
of drawbacks. They
are
suffers trom a number
The mechanisation
is high. If number ot mache
Investment: The initial cost of a machine
1. Heavy investment by the manigeme

need of making heavy

purchased is greater, there is a

it the
s

machine
This wastage is greater,
An idle machine is a waste.
2. Waste : retrenehme
machines will lead to

3. Retrenchment Problem: Adoption of certain

will face such problem.
some employees. Tf so, the management
within a short period
4. Obsolescence: Some machines may become obsolete
with the help pone of
Most of the machines are operated
5. No Power No Work pouer fu
of power cut or
a work dur1ng the period
is no possibility of doing
mechanisaton ol
will be lazy after the
6. Affects Work : The employees
Urgent Con
buk
work is allected during the period of

work. The performance of urgent and

machincs. Orga
reco
AUTOMATION
RTS AND DEMERITS OF and
to
potential ha/ards. ln onker and
benctits and
AulomatiOn provides a mixture of potential selected and ntegt of
the benclits and avoid the hazards,
technology shoud be carctully

the people.

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 of Automation

offer the following advantages.

omation can o f f e r

ligher
Auctivity: Automation can help to increase elliciency in oflice
Productivity:

operations
snsnuters, e-mail, Internet and other automatic devices,
7ilold.
process and
data at a Very high speed. In fact automation sceks to be the
nunicate data
only solution
low productivity in oftices
problem of
Quality of WaWork: Automatic machines produce more neat and work
Bettet legible errors tlhan
1ation helps to improve accuracy ot work by minimising clerical anu
lerks. Automa

omissions.

he .
arating Costs: Automatie machines save time and labour in performing office
Low Operati.

e fiunctions. There fore, automat helps to reduce costs of operations.

. Job Satisfacti Automation reduces the monotony and boredom involved in routine
an netitive clerical work. Therefore, the quality of work life is improved and office
and repet
satisfied.
staff feel
more

5.
ctive Contro: With the help of automation, office routines and proccdures can be
EffectiveC

the ctandardised to ensure uniformity of operations. More effective control can be exercised
over office activities.

Demerits of Automation

Automation suffers from the following disadvantages.

The 1. Heavy Investment: Considerable amount of capital is required to install computers,
communication technology, etc. A small office cannot afford such investment.
sed
2. Maintenance Cost: Costs of operating and maintaining sophisticated computers, ete.
neat
are quite high. Specially trained staff is required to handle automatic equipment. There
ures
is risk of equipment becoming obsolete due to rapid advancements in technology.
3. Opposition by Unions: Trade unions often resist automation due to fear of
unemployment. Automation is likely to wipe away 4 out of every 10 jobs by
2021 at

the lowest level.

ines 7.7 EFFECTS OF AUTOMATION ON PEOPLE

ent. nere has been a controversy regarding the effects of automation on workers. Some experts
ICve that automation eventually helps to improve the efficiency of workers. They argue that
tly.
pleasant and work environment more comfortable by reducing
t of dumation makes jobs more
physical labour and monotonous clerical work on the part of workers.
as well as displease
Te other hand, other experts contend that automation may adisplace amount of work. For
educes the number of workers required to perform given
ev
exampl
ac Computer can do the work of five to ten clerks. When office work is computerised.
here
and
becomes machine-paced
individual initiative and iudgement is eliminated. Work
wOTKer becomes
an adjunct to the machine.
fiice the orld.

n of
This, however,1S not true. Jobs are being increasingly
computerised all over

speed
Computo to greater
convenience, neatness,

and efficiencyOner
devices of automation have led itself does not
dehuanise

work. Automation and introduction

of machines by
of leadership and
Organisaticn management of an organisation applies
a participative style

s a
ises c willnot displease
labour. Rapid computerisation
dignity of individual, the
and automat
automation
automation. if carried out
mise
enough proof of the fact that
O ofhce operations is but also increase happiness
with efficiency
managed properly,
of workers. Will not only contribute to higher

101