Problem:
A grocery chain is considering the installation of a set of four self-checkout lanes. The new self-checkout lane setup will replace two old cashier lanes that were staffed by a cashier and bagger on each lane. They work 8-hour shifts. For the new self-checkout system, one cashier staffs all four self-checkouts (answering questions, checkng for unscanned items, taking coupons, etc.) Checkout in the new lanes takes 2 minutes (customers bag their own orders), while checkout in the old lanes took only 45 seconds. In addtion, the electricity costs for both setups are $.05 per checkout, while bagging (material) costs are $.10 per checkout with the old system and $.15 for the new system. The new lanes also require $100 in capital costs per shift. Assume that the lanes are always in use for 8 hours per day (one shift) and that a worker makes $10/hour.
a) How many checkouts did the old system provide in a shift
b) How many checkouts does the new system provide
c) Evaluate the system. (Compare the multifactor productivity of the systems and assess the new system in a short narratvie)