Service Facility Layout
The fundamental difference between a service facility and a manufacturing facility is that service facilities exist to bring together the customer and the organization's services. Features like easy entrance to these facilities from freeways and busy thoroughfares, well organized parking lots, well marked entries and exits, powered doors, escalators and lobbies for customers provided by these service facilities are mainly because of their differences from the manufacturing facilities. Refer Exhibit 6.2 for considerations in a good retailing layout.
Two extremely different types of layouts of service facilities exist, based on the degrees of customer contact. At one extreme is that layout which is totally designed around the customer receiving service functions, and the other is that layout which is designed around technology, processing of physical materials, and production efficiency. Banks are the best examples of layouts designed around customers. Such service facility layouts give importance to customer convenience, but treat the employee work areas for information processing and financial record keeping etc. as secondary.
Exhibit
Considerations in Good Retailing Layout
One of the most critical aspects of any retail outlet is the layout. Proper layout and positioning of shelves can go a long way in making shopping comfortable for customers and can improve sales.
Cash counter
The decision regarding the positioning of the cash counter has an impact on the overall design and security of the store. In self service retail outlets, the cash counter is placed at the front of the store.
Merchandising and display
The racks in a retail layout should be designed such that most goods are located at a convenient height. Generally, customers fail to notice products placed in the higher and lower racks unless they are specifically looking for them. Impulse purchase is high for products placed close to the cash counter and packaging counter because customers have to stop and wait at these places. So items which are bought on impulse should be placed in such areas.
Color
There are no set rules for color. The choice of color depends largely on the type of retailer or business. The proper use of colors helps retailers enhance their image and design.
Signage
Signage is based on the design of the store. Clearly written and positioned signage can help customers locate required items easily. Images and graphics can also be used.
Floor Covering
When deciding on type of flooring, both practicality and durability should be taken into consideration.
Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of retail store design, but its importance is often overlooked.
Window Design and Exterior
Properly designed windows and display areas visible from outside can attract customers. Items placed in store windows can persuade customers to enter the store
|
On the other hand the best examples for service facility layouts that focus more on technology or physical materials processing and production efficiency are hospitals. The hospital layout considers application of medical technologies such as surgery, radiology, laboratory tests, patient rest and recovery, patient feeding and the effective employment of doctors and nurses healing skills as the primary factors as opposed to factors like receiving patients, setting accounts and discharging patients.
Some other service facilities strike a balance between these extremes. The best example of such a service facility is a restaurant where attention is directed both at customer receiving and servicing as well as on processing and preparation of food.
Email based Operations Management assignment help - homework help at Expertsmind
Are you searching Operations Management expert for help with Service Facility Layout questions? Service Facility Layout topic is not easier to learn without external help? We at www.expertsmind.com offer finest service of Operations Management assignment help and Operations Management homework help. Live tutors are available for 24x7 hours helping students in their Service Facility Layout related problems. We provide step by step Service Facility Layout question's answers with 100% plagiarism free content. We prepare quality content and notes for Service Facility Layout topic under Operations Management theory and study material. These are avail for subscribed users and they can get advantages anytime.
Why Expertsmind for assignment help
- Higher degree holder and experienced experts network
- Punctuality and responsibility of work
- Quality solution with 100% plagiarism free answers
- Time on Delivery
- Privacy of information and details
- Excellence in solving Operations Management questions in excels and word format.
- Best tutoring assistance 24x7 hours