There are several factors that must exist in order to make automation viable/feasible.  Name a few of most important factors and briefly explain their importance.

Layout decisions affect a wide range of facilities, i.e. factories, supermarkets, department stores, parking lots, kitchens, ER in hospitals, and even interior of automobiles or arrangement of components inside computers.  Select any of these or other items/facilities, and explain – briefly – what the 4-5 key considerations for layout design are.

 What trades offs are involved in deciding to have a single, large, centrally located facility instead of several smaller, dispersed facilities.

Online Shopping, Inc. (OSI) owns and operates a very large warehouse in a relatively small town in Vermont. Their administrative offices are also located in the same facility.  About 20% of the town residents are employed by OSI.  OSI is considering an option to relocate the plant and the administrative offices to a similar size town in Texas.  Does OSI have a social responsibility to consider the impact of its relocation decision on the city in Vermont?  Explain your reasoning.