Technological Trend in Supply Chain and Logistics

Volume 3 | Issue 5
2013 udbhava
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
IN THIS ISSUE
Articles
News feed
GlaxoSmithKline sells Lucozade
and Ribena to Japenese company
1
Transition from KYC to PYC
Technological Trend in Supply Chain and Logistics
2
The benefits of mobile technology
in logistics.
Toyota's Kanban strategy still encourages lean adoption
3D modeling puts Hyundai in the
driving seats
3
Gesture Recognition - Next Interface for Phones
Magical Hands that Define the Competitive Edge
4
Integration and cost cuts improve
bulk handling process
Boeing wins hard-fought Korea
aircraft contract
Article Review
Why Depend on Others, When the Potential Lies
6
Industry buzz | RFID in Retail
There has certainly been a lot of talk recently about innovation in
the retail sector. Essentially, it comes down to enhancing the customer experience. Retailers are listening to their shoppers and considering new technologies to deliver what they are asking for,
whether it is a webcam enabled algorithm that helps them find the
right fit or a location aware smart phone app that provides salesstaff with customers’ preferences.
Conventional MBA vs
Business Graduate
Faculty Interaction
Prof. Lakshmi Iyer
5
Driving Growth through Business Intelligence
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
2
EDITOR’S DESK
TEAM UDBHAVA
Greetings reader!!!
Udbhava is the official bimonthly newsletter of Kenosys - the Lean Operations and Systems club of
Kengeri Campus. It’s objective is to keep everyone up-to-date on the
latest happening in the worlds of Lean Operations and Systems
As the journey of MBA comes to close for few and begins for
some and some reach halfway through, a tangible aura of
apprehension pervades the campus. The question in each of
our minds is the same-what awaits us out there? Though our
time here endeavours to equip us with the conceptual arsenal for the corporate blitz, nothing seems to have prepared
us for the more important hands on knowledge from those
out there.
Faculty Coordinator | Udbhava
This issue of UDBHAVA we focus on “Technology for management” and growing emphasis of technology in corporate,
how technology has evolved over the years and has given a
competitive edge for the companies. This issue brings you
insights on technology for mangers by Prof.Lakshmi Iyer in our
faculty interaction column.Udbhava also brings some good
reads in this issue with an insight into the current trends and
future of technology in the field of management.
Prof. Sirish Venkatagiri
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mr Sirish Venkatagiri, faculty coordinator for udbhava without whose
support and guidance this magazine wouldn’t have been possible.
Happy reading!
Regards,
Team Udbhava
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
3
Transition from KYC to PYC
BEST ARTICLE OF ISSUE
Divya Elizabeth John | MBA B
Man has always been engrossed in
Today’s retailers bank on prediction
knowing the future beforehand.
analytics to empower customers.
Therefore,
sun-signs,
Once a customer walks into an ap-
prophecies and foretelling always
astrology,
parel store to pick up a shirt of his
India’s major occupation lies in the
allured man’s curiosity and interest.
size, related information like match-
field of agriculture. Prediction ana-
Print and digitized means have ca-
ing trousers, ties and other accesso-
lytics would help farmers in a great
tered to the above curiosities in
ries would be listed out along with
way by helping them identify effec-
several ways. Today the age old
their location details in the store. This
tive methods of sowing the right
system of prediction has been used
would urge customers to buy prod-
type of seed at the right time which
for intelligent quick service predic-
ucts that they may not have thought
in turn would increase yields. By
tions of customer needs. This is a
of or on the contrary it could make
collecting
logical prediction based on humon-
their job easier in knowing the possi-
weather, soil, air quality, crop ma-
gous volumes of
historical
real-time
data
on
and
ble combinations and related avail-
turity, equipment labour costs and
transactional data which have ac-
abilities. This would no more require a
availability, Predictive Analytics can
cumulated over the years.
busy spouse or tired friend to hang
be used to make smarter decisions.
out with you while shopping. Instead
This is in better terms known as pre-
If the mantra is KYC (Know your
a digital friend would assist you
cision agriculture. IBM predicts 25%
customer), I think that today’s edge
through all of it. The same experi-
reduction in crop damage by pre-
should be PYC (Predict your cus-
ence could be used to customize
dictive whether modelling and pre-
tomer’s choice). Technically called
any retail store.
cision agriculture techniques. Incorporating this system would mean a
Prediction Analytics, the subject
boon to the sorry state of affairs in
deals with technical know-how of
Obama’s
customer behaviours from accumu-
could also be associated with Big
the
lated data and effectively putting
Data and Prediction Analytics. His
Though Prediction Analytics offers
to use the knowledge obtained to
campaign began the election year
cool solutions, the not so cool arena
enhance
experience.
confident as it knew the name of
of data security comes into play.
accumulated data and effectively
each of the 69,456,897 Americans
When snooping and privacy dic-
putting to use the knowledge ob-
whose votes had put him in the White
tate the dirty part of harnessing
tained to enhance customer ex-
House in the previous elections. They
effective structures from large vol-
perience.
Tapping into customer
may have cast those votes by secret
umes of unstructured data. Predic-
buys with a prior knowledge of past
ballot, but Obama’s analysts could
tive Analytics is and will continue to
trends and maximizing them would
look at the Democrats’ votes in each
dominate decisions in the future. A
enhance business. That’s exactly
precinct and identify the people
transition from customer satisfaction
what Predictive Analytics are dealt
most likely to have backed him. Be-
to customer delight has been ob-
with. Initially, supermarkets began
fore addressing any public gathering,
served. But prediction analytics if
with customers picking up their pref-
he would have access to details
fully harnessed could lead into cus-
erences without a middleman inter-
etching the needs of people in that
tomer insight and ‘customer elite’.
vention, then it went into placing
area. This is one reason why Obama
Here on the march would not be for
products which are most likely to be
could directly connect to people
KYC but PYC – “Predict your cus-
bought in nearby aisles.
thereby winning their confidence.
tomer”.
customer
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
second
winning
streak
Indian
Agricultural
sector.
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
4
Technological Trend in Supply Chain and Logistics
Mithila E | LOS
L
ogistics and transportation mar-
kets are the segments that consis-
The role played by wireless technology in
tently invest in equipment and solu-
supply chain and logistics are as follows
tions that help them operate in an
1
increasingly untethered world. Today’s logistics professionals have
come to understand and appreciate the value of a wireless world.
They equip delivery drivers with ruggedized
devices,
use
handheld
Sharper focus on efficiency and transparency with wireless technology
Companies are under constant pressure to reduce supply chain costs as part of
company-wide cost reduction strategies. Even minimal increases in fuel and labour costs can severely affect the company when these expenses are multiplied
across the entire supply chain. High tech options such as wireless proof-of-delivery
solutions can help shippers gain both efficiency and transparency.
computers to track inventory, rely
on mobile devices to monitor the
temperature of refrigerated goods.
Thus the industry is moving closer
and closer to a completely wireless,
real-time
supply
chain,
helping
companies work better, faster and
smarter.
3
2
The end user is dictating mobile consumption and driving the market
Knowing how efficient and effective it can be to work without wires, today’s shippers are putting pressure on equipment and software vendors to build more devices and solutions that operate wirelessly. That pressure has extended out to the
end-to-end supply chain, where vendors are scrambling to accommodate the
requests.
Manual comfort zone to mobile solution
4
Smart phone in supply chain
Because there is no need for hard wiring or elaborate IT
Today’s smart phones, whether they are provided by the
infrastructure, today’s wireless solutions, many of which
company or brought in by workers on a “BYOD” (bring
can be run in the cloud, help shippers of all sizes make the
your own device) basis, are playing a major role in supply
jump from manual, fax-based systems to highly auto-
chain operations these days. Consumer devices like the
mated solutions overnight.
iPhone are not made to withstand the wear and tear inflicted by the employee. Hence their vendors are begin-
5
Wireless technology creates cohesive workforce
Using of mobile devices creates tighter communication
across the supply chain and between the field workers
and strategy formulators at the corporate headquarters.
ning to introduce more robust equipment and protection
options. For example, even though a bumper can be put
around a smart phone, it cannot be saved from all of the
damage in the work environment.
Those higher levels of communication and collaboration
translate into improved customer service.
6
Smaller companies choose wireless technology
Mobile technology allows companies to become more
successful because of information sharing, portability, and connectivity that it offers. Smaller firms take a bigger interest in
developing wireless supply chains. One of the biggest obstacles for larger organizations, when implementing wireless solutions is that they have already invested significant dollars in wired systems. Thus when there is no large investment in current
technology, it is easier to move forward with mobile initiatives.
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
5
Faculty Interaction | Prof. Lakshmi Iyer
Rajiv Pillai | LOS
A brief introduction about yourself?
Hailing from the small town Tuticorin in the southern tip of India, I was brought up
in a traditional conservative South Indian culture. I was interested in academics
right from my childhood, and went ahead and graduated in Physics achieving
University first rank. Obtained MBA from University of Madras and currently pursuing PhD in the field of e-governance. Had also a stint as an entrepreneur in catering post my return from the Middle East.
I had the opportunity to travel across four continents North America, Europe,
Africa and Asia. This travel has given me tremendous knowledge about the
different cultures, traditions – living style, food habits of the One and Only Human Race.
How important to be technically sound a management graduate should be?
It is significant for a management graduate to be conceptually very strong in his/her own area. The graduate should be able to visualize what can go wrong while planning rather than looking at the obvious.
Keeping oneself updated on the latest trends is as essential as knowledge sharing among his/her peers.
Future holds good for managers who are going to be innovative, thinking out of the box and disruptive in
their thought process and executing the same.
How should companies leverage IT to gain a competitive advantage?
Instead of looking at IT as a cost to the company, solutions should be interwoven with the processes for
attaining the goals of the organisation. With the way technology is progressing, IT will not only be an enabler of efficiency in operations, but a solution provider for all management related issues. Organisations
which do not adapt to these changes would be left behind in the race.
Making use of data which is omnipresent in the current scenario with data originating from 360 degrees, IT
solutions would play a major role in organisations to gain competitive advantage by enabling quick and
well informed decision making processes.
How can companies smoothen change management?
Communication plays a major role in an effective change management process by preparing and equipping
the employees for senior management changes, policy changes more significantly technology changes. Gap
identification of necessary skills, need based training do play a significant role in smooth transition.
There should be dual approach to change management – both bottom up and top down. This is important
because if the top management does not change they cannot expect changes to happen from the ground
level.
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
6
Faculty Interaction | Prof. Lakshmi Iyer
Rajiv Pillai | LOS
What according to you will be the future of IT/ERP?
Data being the game changer, social platforms would become the new
source of business intelligence. There would be a shift in IT spending on infrastructure in corporations towards cost-effective, highly secured cloud
based solutions.
There would be a boom in mobile applications and traditional softwares
would move towards web, creating a need for developers of mobile-apps
and web- apps.
What qualities you think student should develop as a part of becoming future
manager?
Becoming an effective successful manager in future, I think that is what you mean! A nose to the ground
and ears open for information, excellent soft skills like communication skills followed by interpersonal skills,
team work, leadership qualities, time management and conflict management are crucial.
If the above qualities are not being developed then for all practical purposes a future manager can be
termed as a future clerk!
How to compromise between the job a student is getting and the job he/she
dreamt of?
There is always a saying that “Do what you love to do and do not get into something which your heart is not
into” – Refer the movie ‘Three Idiots’.
This is an example of a person getting into an ideal job. But is it possible? Can you be choosers in the present scenario of slow down? I am afraid not. I recommend put your foot in before the door closes - that is
grab whatever comes your way which is close to your heart. As money (even if it is a small amount) rolls in it
gives lot of confidence. And in the process your self-esteem goes up.
Example if a student wants to get into client servicing of an advertising company, instead gets an offer in
sales in an event management company, he should take up the offer as both the jobs are of sales. A lot of
learning can happen in the initial stages. One should then gain experience and look at alternatives for a
person’s own personal dream job.
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
7
Gesture Recognition - Next Interface for Phones
Bessni K | MBA A
The 3dim Tech, the winner of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s 2013 MIT
$100k business plan competition has created software that marks the next interface
for cell phone device - “gestural interaction”.
Smartphone’s has exploded in their
MIT–Ahmed Kirmani, Andrea Co-
Also, the prototype requires only a
use and capabilities over the past
laco and Nan-Wei Gong. It builds
few milliwatts of additional power
two years. From entertainment, to
upon
from the phone, which is about
work or even to family duties, we
that brings gesture control and
breakthrough
technology
one-seventh of the total amount
now rely on these devices in almost
normally used by a Smartphone
every aspect of our lives. However
cameraThe brain behind the ges-
there is still room to enhance our
ture recognition based technology
experience with them. Touch was
for smart phones; Andrea is native
the last great user-interface ad-
of South Goa’s Velim. She is a
vancement and gesture recogni-
graduate in electrical and elec-
tion for mobile phones will be the
tronics engineering from BITS, Pilani
next. The gesture recognition is a
and a master’s degree in media
technique used in computer sci-
technology from MIT.
ence to interpret human gestures
using
mathematical
algorithms.
Gestures normally originate from
hands or face. Gesture recognition
is perceived today as the natural
evolution of intuitive user interfaces.
Since the creation of touch screens,
gestures have reigned in an entirely
new aspect as to how we interact
with our devices. Gestures allow
users to perform specific tasks in an
extremely efficient and more dynamic manner.
The innovation
presented as ‘3dim’ solution in the
competition
was
developed
three senior PhD students of
by
and 3D sensing to the next generation of post-PC era devices at a
existing solutions.
It attains high-quality 3D
sensing by using the patented signal processing methods invented at
REFERENCE
Drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is
to sell its drinks brands Lucozade
and Ribena to a Japanese company for £1.35 billion. The British mul-
allow the users to interact with their
tinational has announced it has
devices through thin air. This latest
reached agreement to sell its nutri-
progress in technology will pretty
tional drinks brands Lucozade and
much
Ribena to Suntory Beverage & Food
make
the
touch
screen
based technology obsolete. .
http://www.dnaindia.com/scitech/1838112/report-goa-mit-studentandrea-colaco-invents-gesture-recognition-smartphone-technology.
http://technoworld--pinky.blogspot.in/2013/05/gesture-recognition-
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
GlaxoSmithKline sells Lucozade and
Ribena to Japenese company
MIT by them. This invention would
http://youthconnectmag.com/2013/05/22/andrea-colaco-the-brainbehind-touch-free-technology/
smartphone.html
NEWS FEED
fraction of the cost and power of
Ltd (SBF), the Japanese consumer
goods company, for £1.35 billion in
cash. The net proceeds of the transaction after tax, fees and costs are
estimated to be approximately £1.3
billion. The proceeds will be used to
reduce debt and for general corporate purposes.
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
8
Coventional MBA vs Business Graduate Degree
Pratyusha B | LOS
EDITORIAL ARTICLE
Young
professionals
recent
An MBA is a one-size-fits-all product,
college graduates who wish to ad-
instilling just enough functional knowl-
vance their careers often look upon
edge (in statistics, accounting, fi-
a Master of Business Administra-
nance, etc.), while equipping and
tion (MBA) degree as a means for
molding students with business skills
achieving their professional goals
that may be utilized in a whole host of
While there are exceptions, MBA
future situations and settings.
Real
If you have an entrepreneurial
programs are generally two-year
world scenario based case studies
spirit, an MBA course can help you
commitments that may instill train-
can involve finding the optimal debt-
reach your goals. The leadership
ing and knowledge in specific fields
to-equity mix for a publicly-traded
skills and management training
i.e.
fi-
company, solving logistical schedul-
gained can be turned into some-
nance, etc. along with manage-
ing problems for a transportation
thing
ment skills that require soft and in-
company, or coming up with a differ-
bringing a new business to life. If
tangible skill sets such as teamwork,
entiated and innovative marketing
you have the creativity, people
leadership, negotiation.
campaign for a brand new product
skills and drive to start a business, a
information
and
technology,
profitable
which
includes
good graduate program will train
in certain aspects.
As Tony Schwartz, chief executive of The Energy Project says," Higher purpose is
not a common characteristic of the corporate world, I fully understand that a
primary obligation of any business is to earn a profit, and that without one, nothing else is possible. But what if they believed that articulating and embracing a
nobler purpose would help them to attract, inspire and retain better employees,
and ultimately make their companies more profitable?"
The bottom line is that an MBA will
teach you a lot about business in
response to the challenges of today's fast paced and increasingly
complex global business environment, might actually be a hefty
investment but could open doors
Many MBA programs offer an edu-
managers are supposed to do but
cation in
management
when they go out, they think it’s all
along with a more specialized cur-
about maximizing shareholder value”.
general
of opportunities that were closed
before
riculum. Because this type of education is relevant to all industries
and sectors, it will be valuable regardless of the career that is chosen after graduation.
Academics
and others are becoming increasingly vocal about how deeply entrenched the idea of Shareholder
primacy is in management educa-
REFERENCE
tion. As Craig Smith, professor of
ethics
and social responsibility
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/e392f12c-adac-11e2-82b8-
at Insead, says. “Students come in
00144feabdc0.html#axzz2htisKIsh
with a more rounded view of what
http://businessmajors.about.com/od/programcomparison/a/mbaDegree.html
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
9
Magical Hands that Define the Competitive Edge
Vrinda K | MBA B
In today’s world, technology has
The largest number of inventions is
overpowered humans in every field.
being made all around the world.
The success of any manufacturing
Some of the recent innovations
industry depends largely on the
made in 2012-‘13 are as follows:
extent of automation and updating
of
technology.
Currently,
robots
Farms- Recently, in Japan, ro-
perform numerous jobs in every field
bots that harvest strawberry every 8
and the amount of work delegated
seconds were developed that re-
to them
The term
duces the workload by two-third. It
robot comes from the Czech word
calculates the degree of ripeness
robota, which means "forced la-
from the colour of the strawberry,
bour." An industrial robotic arm is
which it observes with two digital
made up of seven metal segments,
cameras.
is increasing.
joined by six joints, each of which is
Automobile- Robots made by
rotated by step motors controlled
the Danish Comany, Universal Ro-
by a computer . It resembles the
bots are being used at BMW’s South
human arm with a shoulder, an
Carolina plant and at the Volks-
elbow and a wrist, and the shoulder
wagen plant in Salzgitter Germany
is mounted to a stationary base.
to assist workers perform the final
door assembly. Its integrated safety
mode allows the machine to directly collaborate with workers without protective guards.
Service- The Japanese government has allocated ¥2.39 billion in
the 2013 budget for the development of robots to help the elderly
handle daily tasks.
Entertainment- Artworks were
created by a Viennese artist, Alex
Kiessling simultaneously in
three
cities- Vienna, London and Berlin
uses robotic arms that were used in
manufacturing.
Medicine- The Da Vinci Surgical
System is a robotic surgical system
made by the American company
Intuitive Surgical to facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach, and is controlled
by a surgeon from a console. By
January 2013, more than 2,000
units had been sold worldwide. By
substituting robots for humans for
recurring tasks, the industries can
cut down the work load by a large
percentage. This will enhance the
productivity of the employees and
help them focus on research and
innovation that requires cognitive
skills of humans. Thus, the robotic
arms are powerful hands that define the competitive edge in the
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA | 10
Industry Buzz | RFID in Retail
Aswathy Ravindran | LOS
There has certainly been a lot of talk recently about innovation in the retail sector. Essentially, it comes down to enhancing the customer experience. Retailers
are listening to their shoppers and considering new technologies to deliver what
they are asking for, whether it is a webcam enabled algorithm that helps them
find the right fit or a location aware smart phone app that provides sales-staff
with customers’ preferences.
The term “Auto ID” referred to
Wal-Mart has grown in to the world’s largest retailer by seeking every op-
a broad range of existing and fu-
portunity to streamline its supply chain and cut costs in order to live up to its
ture technologies able to track
promise of everyday low pricing. Getting there entails more than smart mer-
goods, people and information.
chandising. However Wal-Mart also is the leader in pioneering technologies to
The group’s early work, to which
achieve operational efficiencies that ultimately bring savings to its customers.
Wal-Mart contributed, focused on
One such technology is the radio frequency identification or RFID which trans-
developing an RFID-based elec-
fers data stored on tags on a product or other product facilitating identification
tronic product code, or EPC. The
and tracking. Wal-mart started its implementation when Wal-Mart CIO Linda
electronic code would allow busi-
Dillman announced that the world’s largest retailer would require its top 100
nesses to track shipments and in-
suppliers to tag pallets and cases of goods with radio-frequency identification
ventory automatically through a
(RFID) tags. At the time of Wal-Mart’s announcement, the use of radio waves to
system of tags and sensors. It was a
transmit information was ubiquitous and its development as a business process
potential
tool was still in its relative infancy. In 1999, researchers at Massachusetts Institute
manual scanning of bar codes; a
of Technology joined with industry giants like Procter and Gamble and Gillette
technology that itself revolution-
to establish an Auto-ID Center at the university.
ized retail two decades earlier.
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
replacement
for
the
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
11
Industry Buzz | Walmart
frequently by store associates as part of normal operaRFID in retail begins with the placement of microchips
tions. Store management uses these frequent cycle
in product containers, cartons and packaging, combined
counts to update or repair the perpetual inventory
with the use of special sensors in warehouses or on store
database that drives replenishment and other crucial
shelves that alert a central inventory management system
business decisions. They also have fixed readers at the
as to shipment arrivals, product purchases and the need
backroom stock transition door to keep track of re-
to restock inventory, communicating via wireless means.
plenishment . Activity or reader-equipped shelves to
RFID readers have the potential to wirelessly track the
keep track of inventory in temporary storage. RFID can
movement of each and every item of inventory. Check-
ensure that these items are accessible to the sales staff
out stations will be equipped with receivers that automati-
as well. Any technology which can cut costs and im-
cally calculate purchases of an entire cart of merchan-
prove efficiency is acceptable and in such a way, Wal
dise at a time, rather than each individual item. These
-Mart’s RFID implementation has helped them to offer
systems can lead to great reductions in shoplifting and
everyday low prices to the customers. RFID enables
the elimination of costly manual inventory counts..
Wal-Mart to improve the efficiency of its global supply
Wal-Mart uses high performance handheld RFID
chain management through greater supply chain visi-
readers for frequent cycle counts of departments or cate-
bility and more accurate order decisions. Problems
gories. Cycle counting with an RFID handheld reader is 25
associated with RFID however include the monetary
times faster than barcode reading, so it can be done
costs and the ethical costs that are brought up about
technology. Suppliers may be reluctant to spend huge
amounts on necessary software’s and consumer advocacy groups worry that RFID data could potentially be
put to unethical uses. The novelty and frailty of technologies like RFID depends on its effectiveness of implementation. A technology’s benefits are felt the more its
use is standardized across the marketplace. Once the
issues regarding RFID are sorted out, many more companies will be able to implement RFID as an effective
means to improve supply chain efficiency.
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
12
Driving Growth through Business Intelligence
M V Akash | MBA D
"BI is about providing the right data at the right time to the right people so that they can
take the right decisions"
In
today’s
constantly
changing,
BI helps simplify information and
highly competitive business environ-
make sense of large sets of data.
ment, manufacturers need data -
The foundation for BI is the collec-
information that allows them to
tion of data that a firm encounters.
optimize performance, quickly re-
This data comes from sales transac-
spond to changing business needs
tions, the supply and distribution
and manage complex global sup-
channels,
ply chains. Manufacturing a quality
stakeholders such as customers. All
product isn’t enough anymore, not
of this valuable data must be con-
with the pressures of global compe-
solidated or stored before it can be
tition, volatile supplier pricing and
analyzed
uncertain material availability.
often utilize a data warehouse for
and
into
interactions
information.
with
Firms
this storage. The art of BI is the abilBut data alone isn’t enough anymore either. To be truly effective,
data has to be actionable. It must
be presented in context so that
ity to take this data from a data
warehouse, turn it into information,
and create analytic tools to form
business strategies.
For example, BI analysis can be
used to formulate facts in order to
make a business decision or decision process. There are some good
examples
of
companies
which
have successfully used analytics to
improve their business. HP used
analytics to manage millions of
product configurations. In fact, HP
won
the
2009
Franz
Edelman
Award for Achievement in Operations Research and the Management Sciences - one of the most
coveted
achievements
among
analytics practitioners in their de-
busy manufacturing managers can
quickly spot patterns, share knowl-
The major goals that BI can accom-
velopment of two applications –
edge and formulate and act on
plish are developing new products
Complexity ROI Calculator and a
plans to drive growth and effi-
or services, gaining market share
Revenue Coverage Optimization
ciency. That’s the power of business
and retaining customers, designing
(RCO) application. These applica-
intelligence.
systems and politics for internal excellence,
Business intelligence (BI) is the process of gathering, storing, and analyzing data to help users make informed decisions and to formulate
sound strategies. In short,
Improving
efficiencies
NEWS FEED
and quality, developing talent and
a high performing culture and examining trends, assumptions and
new business models.
The benefits of mobile technology in
logistics
Conducted by workflow performance company Intermec, also reveals a significant proportion of
companies may be missing out on
these substantial savings.
Of the 375 global transport and
logistics managers, one in three (39
percent) companies have not initiated re-engineering efforts in the
past year, of which nearly three
quarters (72 percent) have not
evaluated their existing process for
at least 24 months.
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
13
Why Depend on Others, When the Potential Lies
KShama Upadhyay | MBA A
If Flipkart can capture the Indian
and data analytics for e-commerce
market in the presence of Amazon
portals.
and e-Bay, definitely we can think
founded in 2011 by a group of IIM
of some better alternative for Wal-
and IIT alumni, manages procure-
mart. The major issue which is faced
ment and warehousing, packaging
in setting up such an enterprise, i.e.
and last mile deliveries to a number
As according to a report by World
Paucity of funds, has its own way to
of online retailers. New Delhi-based
Bank
be dealt with; as proven by Flipkart.
Unicommerce, which was founded
save 1.6 per cent of India’s gross
A new set of investors, including
by three
domestic product, we can think
Morgan Stanley, Sofina and Vulcan
Capital and Dragoneer Investment
Group, boarded Flipkart helping the
domestic e-commerce leader to
clinch the largest ever funding for
the internet business in India. Flipkart
closed $360 million fund raise, as
against $ 200 million it had announced in July this year.
Such
as
"Delhivery",
IIT Delhi alumni in 2012, has created
its own software Uniware, a webbased solution, to manage complete order accomplishment lifecycle and inventory. There is a clear
demand for such services, and such
ventures can step in and build cross
-platform technologies filling the
gap that's been created. This is the
Indian economy to some extent.
And the success of Flipkart clearly
shows that we have enough potential and ideas, the only thing
required is the execution. So now
it’s high time to take a call and
think ahead.
commerce in India. The change to
funding
been
a marketplace model by ecom-
Toyota's Kanban strategy still encourages lean adoption
tough. It has been difficult to raise
merce portals has mostly come
Lean optimisation is the key to a
money through external investors.
about after the government clari-
more comfortable business, accord-
This is a good message for the e-
fied last year that it would not al-
ing to Essentia, the only natural
commerce
a
low foreign direct investment in any
memory foam mattress manufactur-
great success in online retail is cre-
consumer facing retail businesses
ers in the world. The company’s new
ating a wave of opportunity for
transacted over the internet. Fur-
young ventures offering services
ther, risk capital investors were also
ranging from warehousing and in-
disallowed from investing directly in
ventory management to logistics
e-commerce companies.
Such
of
which may result in the growth of
as compared to the past year,
ecosystem.
evolution
e-commerce
next
has
of
promoting
This is a positive sign for the industry
environment
wave
over
electronic payments can
e-
NEWS FEED
philosophy
is
entirely
centered
around lean principles through its
adoption of the ‘Just in Time’ strategy which looks to reduce stagnant
inventory and associated costs with
the goal of maximizing its return on
investment . Toyota’s original Kanban system is another being replicated by Essentia through the control it aims to have from a logistics
point of view, aligning inventory
levels with end consumption, using
the rate of demand to control the
REFERENCE
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-09/
news/42864496_1_warehousing-marketplace-model-dataanalytics
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Ecommerce-in-India
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
rate of production of its globally
renowned
memory
foam
mat-
tresses.
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
14
News Feed
Roshna George | LOS
3D modeling puts Hyundai in the driving seats
3D models of Hyundai Motor Europe’s car seats will be
provided by two, different Artec scanners to help visualise
and modify as necessary throughout the manufacturing
process. The Artec L scanner is used to create a 3D model
of a car seat, usually scanning the model from different
angles to capture the geometry. The smaller, intricate
details of a seat are scanned with the Artec MHT scanner
before the data is combined to make a complete, highly
precise 3D model of the car seat.
The outcome of the process maintains high levels of reliability through the support of precise measurements of the
scanned object for following evaluation. The seat model is
measured and compared with a prototype in order to
meet quality requirements such as comfort and ergonomics and then its shape or contour is adjusted up to the
required standard.
Integration and cost cuts improve bulk handling process
National Bulk Equipment, Inc. (NBE) has introduced its
automated, bulk material handling and packaging system built on the NBE integrated construction and controls
infrastructure.
The complete process sequence, including pallet/base
supply, slipsheet pick-and-placement, bulk material infeed, packaged contents isolated densification, NTEPcertified weighing, and finished-package accumulation
conveyance operates on paired, process-specific structural framework chassis with all automation and control
functions centralised to a single, menu-driven HMI to enable standardised and system-wide data reporting.
Boeing wins hard-fought Korea aircraft contract
The Republic of Korea appears set to launch the F15SE Silent Eagle; confirming Boeing as winner of the FX III contest for 60 combat aircraft. The Yonhap news
agency reported that the Eurofighter Typhoon and the
Lockheed Martin F-35A have been eliminated. Boeing,
along with challengers Eurofighter and Lockheed Martin,
say that they have so far received no official notification
on the outcome of the F-X III contest, with Yonhap saying
that “a final decision on whether to accept or reject the
sole (remaining) candidate” would be made in September.
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
UDBHAVA |
15
udbhava
TEAM
FACULTY COORDINATOR
SIRISH VENKATAGIRI
INDUSTRY BUZZ
ASWATHY
FACULTY INTERACTION
PRATYUSHA B
RAJIV
ARTICLE REVIEW
SINDHU
CREATIVE & DESIGN
ALWIN THOMAS
ART & CROSSWORD
DANIEL
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
NEWS FEED
ROSHNA
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
Udbhava
UDBHAVA |
16
Udbhava is the official newsletter of Kenosys - the Lean
Operations and Systems club of Kengeri Campus.
KENOSYS—The Lean Operation & Systems Club,
Kengeri Campus
CHRIST UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT
KENGERI CAMPUS
BANGALORE
E-MAIL:
BLOG:
WEBSITE:
It’s objective is to keep everyone up-to-date on the
latest happening in the worlds of
Lean Operations and Systems
udbhava@mba.christuniversity.in
www.leanopsys.wordpress.com
www.christuniversity.in
(For private circulation only)
The word KENOSYS is derived from the Greek word Kenosis which means self-emptying of
one’s own will and becoming entirely receptive to God’s divine will, to eulogise the
benefit of the group than to self and to contribute to common good than to individual
goal. In our context it means to spread knowledge among our fellow LOS students. The
word was slightly modified from Kenosis to Kenosys so that it goes with Kengeri Operations
System.
The Kenosys club is an initiative by the students of LOS (Lean Operations & Systems) of
Christ University Institute of Management, Kengeri. Kenosys stands for KENgeri Operations
and SYStems. Kenosys represents the Lean Operations and Systems (LOS) club of MBA students at Kengeri campus of Christ University. The club is the brain child of 2010-12 batch
of MBA-LOS student.
Kenosys is a LOS student’s initiative which organises LOS related student activities so that
value addition happens to LOS students in addition to course curriculum. This is also a
platform for LOS students to showcase their talents in organising events. The regular activities under Kenosys are Udbhava news letter, corporate interface, Workshops, panel
discussions etc. Under Kenosys platform, students are encouraged and supported for
their innovative and creative value addition exercises in the arena of Lean Operations
and Systems.
LEAN OPERATION & SYSTEMS
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5