Robot Case Exercise - EST 305 Applications for
Information System
FAE Technologies is deciding whether it should begin production of a new toy robot. It has manufactured children's toys before but nothing as advanced as its latest robot so historical data is at a minimum.
The company believes that they can secure the materials for manufacture for between $65-85 per unit and labor costs would be between $15-25 per unit. Management's expectations are that materials will cost $70 per unit and labor $25 per unit and that 800 units will be sold monthly.
Should FAE decide to manufacture the robots in-house, maintenance of the factory machine would cost $15,000 per month. However, management has found that another alternative is for the company to outsource the labor for a flat rate of $35 per unit. The company expects to sell between 750-1000 units per month initially at a price of $149.
Provide recommendations for FAE technologies that will maximize profit. Also include base, worst, and best case scenario and provide a scenario summary. Be sure to also consider the outsourcing alternative and make a recommendation on which alternative has the most profit potential. Lastly, include a breakeven amount of units sold for the worst-case without outsourcing.