Managing the Flow

Should you implement a Pull based Supply Chain?

aditya.pikle@aquamcg.com — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:30:00 GMT

Pull based supply chain systems based on principles of JIT or Lean have been talked about since the eighties. These systems have been implemented in several industries with a fair degree of success. However, not all implementations give the desired benefits of flexibility, improved service levels and reduced waste.

What goes into finding the most optimal warehouse distribution network

aditya.pikle@aquamcg.com — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT

The Distribution Network Optimization Problem can be solved in two phases – first with freight optimization and then followed up with inventory optimization

How much is change management a part of supply chain advisory services?

aditya.pikle@aquamcg.com — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT

How much is change management a part of supply chain advisory services? Is it really one part of the entire offering or actually the crux of the project? Overall my conclusion is that supply chain consultants need to be effective change managers. At senior levels they need to have more effective change management skills than supply chain skills.

Outsourcing Logistics Execution

aditya.pikle@aquamcg.com — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT

Can logistics cost really come down by completely outsourcing the function to a service provider? Some thoughts.

Modeling inventory stocking norms in the Pharmaceutical Industry

aditya.pikle@aquamcg.com — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT

The stock levels for established products can be brought very much under control with standard techniques of inventory management. A model for deciding inventory norms at a product level should consider two broad types of factors - additive and limiting factors.

Improving Forecast Accuracy

aditya.pikle@aquamcg.com — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT

How to improve forecast accuracy?

Sales, Marketing and Demand planners have a role of reviewing and validating the forecast made in the previous forecasting cycle. Those in a supervisory role need to quickly review the work of their subordinates. While experience does play a role, here are some bas

Some views on Demand Planning's role in forecasting

aditya.pikle@aquamcg.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Should demand planning play a role in generating the forecast?

The role of “Demand Planning” has evolved over time and emerged as a distinct function separate from the more traditional “Supply Planning” or just “Planning” function with specific responsibilities.

Symbology in bar code implementation

aditya.pikle@aquamcg.com — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:30:00 GMT

To what extent does code type and symbology play a role in bar code implementation?

What exactly is a bar code? Codes have been in use for materials and goods for a long while now. Bar code is a representation of such codes in a unique white and black format.

An important aspect here is the standardization of the codes themselves by global organizations in an attempt to make them in a universal common language and also to assign unique identification codes to articles across the world. To this end, different types of codes (also called symbologies) have emerged such EAN, UPC, etc designed by a range of organizations in different arenas at different points of time for different purposes.

There are roughly 15 such code types or symbologies. In its most basic form a scanner is designed to read the bar code and output the corresponding material code which it represents. From a technical point of view, the scanner software has algorithms for all commonly used symbologies and so it does not really matter what code and symbology is used for implementation.

However, code selection becomes important from an industry perspective. Some industries have traditionally used certain code standards or find it convenient to use a certain code type because of the nature of the product. It then becomes important to check the type of codes used downstream of the supply chain – the suppliers and the reasons for the selection to have more widespread usage of the bar codes and easier acceptance of them across the supply chain