A Definition of the Level of Automation Considering ERP Systems and New Technologies to Confront the Spread of COVID-19 in Medical Centers

Abstract

Background: With the outbreak of COVID-19 disease to reduce the risk of disease transmission, increasing the level of automation (LoA) in manufacturing and services is the concern of many managers. Objectives: The purpose of this article is to provide a new definition of LoA, considering the increasing use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and modern technologies such as blockchain and the internet of things (IoT). Methods: First, different generations of ERP systems were studied and three components of information, system, and human were identified in it, then the components of each class were studied and the solutions used in each component were examined. In the continuation of the research, the previous definitions of LoA were reviewed and the existing research gap was identified and the definition of new automation levels was presented. In this research, the Delphi method was used. For validation, the new definition of LoA was adapted to the definition performed by Verplank and Sheridan. Results: New LoA definition by considering the latest technologies in the world for use in production and service centers. Determining the LoA of a medical center and proposing the optimal level of the desired center with the available resources. Conclusions: The new LoA definition can help improve the LoA of medical centers practically.