Final answer:
For intermittent production, a process layout is best since it offers flexibility for manufacturing different products. Lower total production costs suggest a move towards greater automation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The intermittent type of production, which is a method of manufacturing several different products using the same production line, is best suited for a process layout.
This layout is flexible and can handle a variety of products and services, which is ideal for an intermittent or job-shop production system where custom orders or different products are being made.
Unlike a product layout which is structured around a specific sequence of production for a particular product, or a fixed position layout which is suitable for large, bulky projects that don't move through a set production line, a process layout groups similar processes together, which offers the flexibility needed to manufacture different products as demand requires.
For businesses considering which production technology to choose, it is often advisable to select one with the lowest total cost. Adopting technology that reduces machine hours and costs can warrant a shift towards automation, increasing the use of machines over labor to capitalize on cost savings and efficiency gains.