Reflections on Bakery Scan +

Have you ever seen this in operation at a store? It is a system that allows you to process payment by placing a tray of so-called 'freshly baked bread' in a designated area.
It is a product that won the 'Good Design Award,' and when you look at the 'detailed explanation' that served as the basis for the award, as well as the manufacturer's 'development story,' you can see that it incorporates some very impressive thinking, which really stimulates the creative mind🌟
⇒ The first half of this article is an introduction to the technology, followed by reflections on its 'requirements,' 'utility,' 'byproducts,' and so on. As a summary,the purpose is not to 'introduce the technology', so if you are not interested in the product itself, please jump to the second half🙏

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It seems that 'manual labor,' which is dwindling due to the evolution of AI, is closing in on us even in familiar places. ⇒ 'Thinking' is becoming increasingly important. Let's train ourselves using the subject matter on this page(*^^)v

Now, once again...
Due to technological progress, this is an item that can bring about a major transformation in a part of the operations at a bakery🍞.

This time, I would like to think about what lies beyond that, including the secondary effects brought about by the simplification, automation, and speeding up of register operations, as well as the resolution of problems that were originally a source of concern.
Rather than just evaluating it as 'fast!' or 'accurate!',please try to gain insight one or two levels deeper☝

What points can be cited as the main requirements for this?

◆ Speed up = (eliminates waiting at the register) directly linked to increased sales

◆ The product identification result (type of bread) is also displayed on the customer's monitor, providing peace of mind by confirming that there are 'no mistakes'

While I think all kinds of requirements are intertwined, it is generally said that 'the more variety of bread, the more it sells!' and 'bread sells better when it is not (individually) wrapped (when displayed)!'
If anything,
◆ It allows for a wide variety of products (as long as you have the manufacturing capacity) without being dependent on the register staff's ability to identify products or memorize prices

◆ One of the merits (reasons) for individual packaging instead of placing them naked on the display tray is that 'you can attach barcodes or price tag stickers.' The 'unavoidable' motive in that case is eliminated, and they can be placed as loose items
※ It takes time to individually package them, and you cannot do it until they have cooled for a while after baking

Some of the above are also mentioned on the manufacturer's website📖
Product URL:
http://www.bakeryscan.com/
http://www.g-mark.org/award/describe/42788

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　Even for a skilled professional, there will be some differences in baking color and shape. It seems that a "branching" workflow has been incorporated where, if the recognition system is "unsure due to a lack of sufficient 'confidence'," the operator can "decide by visual inspection." The "answer" provided in such cases is accumulated in the database, a specification designed to increase accuracy over time.

　In that case, how about this from a "reverse perspective"?🤔

◆Especially in the early stages, high accuracy in "automatic identification" could be said to mean that "bread is being made according to specifications," so could it also be useful for 【improving manufacturing skills】
aimed at that goal?

Just because the register is automated does not mean that product knowledge is unnecessary.
◆Since the name of the bread is displayed on the photo of the bread on the monitor, new staff can learn more efficiently and in a shorter period of time.

And, the "hidden byproducts brought about by business rationalization" that I personally value on a daily basis.
◆More room in operations = more stable and fulfilling customer service, leading to improved service

+++ Can you think of any other factors? Everyone, please give it some thought🙋

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And from a slightly different angle.

《Expanding thinking to general theory》

　A common mistake is that when faced with such new tools and technology, business operators believe in the myth and rush into it with a "form-first" approach, thinking, "It should be effective for us too. Let's just introduce (acquire) it first and think later." is the point.

　That is not what pursuing business rationality is about.
　First, analyze the current situation and identify problems under the assumption that they are "phenomena unique to your own organization," and instead of just imitating, think about and create countermeasures that are suitable for that situation and are not just a rehash of others' ideas. Only at that stage does it lead to the introduction of a matching item☝

　Spinning your wheels due to this "mismatch in evaluation points" is a typical example. It is always better to think about the "horizontal deployment" of success stories, but generally, it is best to keep in mind that "things don't always go as planned."

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《Summary》

　In the first half of this article, the topic was let's have an attitude of looking for [benefits that are not easily apparent on the surface]! The ability to find secondary factors is effective. This was a presentation of a subject with that focus in mind✍

Next, I expanded on the warning that while it is fine to be eager about the introduction of novel technologies—something often seen in various workplaces and general business operations—if you miss the essence, you will just be spinning your wheels.☝

And, as expected... a concern.

Are they 'dormant'?
Are they in a state where they 'exist but are not fully operational,' such as being used only when someone feels like it or only under certain conditions?

Generally, things that operate within factories or backyards are invisible to outsiders and can only be seen by employees, but in the case of equipment that is out in the open,it may look like a state-of-the-art system has been introduced, but the reality is...which might be more common than you think, so please try observing and discovering for yourself(p_-)
As a result, you might feel a sense of grandmotherly concern, thinking, 'Is this really okay?😞' It creates an atmosphere where, despite the level of hype, the actual situation on the ground is...

The fact that such scenarios are often 'kept hidden' is my point of concern and the main point of this article.😂

#DesignThinking #Essence #Rationalization #BusinessImprovement #Design #RecentLearning #TryLiking #DailyNote #Life #Bread #Efficiency #Ingenuity #Rationalization #Bakery #BakeryScan #ProductIdentification