tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943061409344261913.post1931145294045299458..comments2016-05-01T23:46:42.255-04:00Comments on IS 251 @ Loyola University in Maryland: Amazon Hints at New Shipping BusinessUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943061409344261913.post-18159813864195697462016-02-13T13:22:07.593-05:002016-02-13T13:22:07.593-05:00Amazon’s robotics program is an example of the tec...Amazon’s robotics program is an example of the technology based world that has evolved over time. The use of robots in factories and workplaces has created a major change that has caused more efficiency, but also a lot of unemployment. Since robots are starting to be able to take over many different positions in a company, many branches of companies, including Amazon, seem to be losing positions needed to be filled by real people, resulting in mass amounts of firing and unemployment. I think one of the greatest things about Amazon, especially if you are a prime member, is their ability to ship products so fast. Amazon makes it convenient to have an extremely large variety of goods shipped to your doorstep in the matter of 1-2 days or sometimes a little longer. Their shipping fees are also very reasonably priced. I think the use of robotics in warehouses to make shipping faster and more cost friendly for customers is a great idea because consumers today demand instant gratification. If Amazon is not able to deliver something fast enough and cheap enough, chances are the customer will be able to find a similar or exact product at a competitive price that can be shipped at a faster rate. The only concern I have for the use of robotics is the cost it will take to convert their entire business to robotics in factories. I think it will be extremely costly to install these robots and maintain them and because it is said to create more friendly shipping costs, I wonder if this change will be enough to cover the fees of converting to robotics. Although I know Amazon will not have to pay for the salaries of workers they will be replacing and the robots can work at a faster pace, I wonder if the faster change in deliveries will result in an increase in sales that will be beneficial if you have robots that can locate, pack, and ship products faster. If Amazon is investing so much in robots, I think it will be in their best interest to try to bring in more sales to get the most out of the robots while trying to cover the costs of converting to robotics. Another problem I could see Amazon facing is the chance of these robots not functioning properly when first installed. Also I think the maintenance on these robots could become a problem for Amazon, leading to “workers” unable to package and ship these goods for a period of time. Although Amazon might have some problems ahead of them while switching to robotics and drones, I think Amazon is smart for taking a lead with advanced technology and will definitely benefit in the long run from this change.<br />Dominique Ehlingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18374735417069995561noreply@blogger.com