If a small ($10,000,000 in annual sales) company that manufactures quality wooden furniture is considering automating its production line.

1) what factors are relevant to its decision?
2) If you were the person making the decision, what information would you need to make an INFORMED decision?

1) these would be factors:
- how much will the machine cost?
- How long will the machine work for?
- What will happen to my skilled workers?
- How much will it cost for me to train my workers to use the machine
- Will the machine produce the same quality of furniture as a skilled worker?
- What will happen to the image of my product? People are drawn to purchasing quality wood furniture made by skilled workers - will they be less likely to purchase if they know it came from an automated machine?
- Will my insurance costs go up?
- Will I need to use more resources (electricity, water..) to run the machines?
- Will I need a new warehouse to hold the machine? If not what upgrades will I need to make to my current plant? How much will it cost

2) I believe that I would NEED all of the information mentioned above. If you want to make an informed decision the key is to have as much information as possible. If you are missing a few seemingly small pieces of information, it could really change the opinions of the owner of the plan. For example, lets say it will cost the plant 15,000$ more in electricity. This might seem small in comparison to revenues, but I need to know this information to make an informed decision. Perhaps this cost means that my insurance costs will rise. If I did not have the info on increased electricity, I would have never known about the increase in insurance costs. Everything is connected, and to make an informed decision you need to have as much information as possible.