Basic HTML Version
10
BizVoice
/Indiana Chamber –
May/June 2012
Cracking the
(Supply Chain) Code
E
very industry has its share of
acronyms and specific terminology.
A comprehensive reference guide,
now in its fifth edition, breaks down the
voluminous supply chain lingo.
The
Glossary of Supply Chain
Terminology: A Dictionary on Business,
Transportation, Warehousing, Manufacturing,
Purchasing, Technology and More
! covers
6,000-plus key words used by system
integrators, industrial technology staff,
consultants, executives and others.
Terminology encompasses 24 areas
that apply to multiple industries. Topics
range from barcodes, computers,
conveyors and currency to dialing codes,
ergonomics, forklifts, legal, pallets and
standards, among others.
Curious about the meaning of
acronyms such as EDI, MSDS, EDIFACT
and RFID? The
Glossary of Supply Chain
Terminology
can spell it out for you –
literally.
The guide is published by Oklahoma-
based consulting firm Industrial Data &
Information.
D
espite an economic evolution, manufacturing
remains vital to Indiana’s future. The key is to not
only completely recover from the recession but
develop a game plan for greater success.
The 2011
Next Generation Manufacturing (NGM) Study
– a
product of Indiana’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership
(part of Purdue University’s Technical Assistance Program)
and the American Small Manufacturers Coalition – surveyed
800 U.S. manufacturers. Among other findings, the study
reports the manufacturers identifying six critical strategies:
1. Customer-focused innovation
2. A system for recruiting, developing and retaining talented
employees
3. Annual productivity and quality gains that exceed competition
4. Supply chain management and collaboration
5. Sustainability
6. Global engagement
Of those strategies, sustainability was notably mentioned
with 60% saying it was important to their future – an increase
from just 35% the year prior.
NGM lauded many manufacturers in the report for
already implementing some of the strategies, although it
qualified that with concern about an “execution gap” for
those unable to implement these practices.
Another takeaway from the report is that many
manufacturers claim they are seeking outside help to meet
needs in several key areas:
• 67% - Regulatory/compliance issues
• 64% - Operations improvements
• 64% - Workforce skills development
• 52% - Strategic planning
• 52% - Innovation/research and development
• 52% - Business development
Resource: NGM study at www.smallmanufacturers.org
The Power of Six in Manufacturing
The Old Stop and Go
T
he message is not new, but unfortunately true: Gasoline is consuming more
and more of Americans’ personal budgets.
While electric and other alternative-fueled automobiles have been slow to
hit the mainstream, manufacturers are working harder to make their vehicles more
fuel efficient. One of the latest technologies in this arena is a stop/start system that
shuts down a car’s engine at stoplights and then reignites it when the driver pushes
the gas pedal.
Already widely used in Europe, this technology is estimated to cut gas usage by
3% to 6% for city drivers. BMW is working to make the feature standard on its
newest line of cars.
The company’s web site explains
that the Auto Start Stop function is
coordinated by a central control unit
that monitors data from sensors, the
starter motor and the alternator. If
necessary for comfort or safety, the
control unit will automatically restart
the engine. Examples include: if the
vehicle begins to roll, the battery
charge falls too low or condensation
forms on the windscreen.
The system can also make the
distinction between a temporary stop
and a permanent one, and BMW
claims the engine will not restart if a
driver’s seatbelt is undone or if the
door is open. Additionally, the Auto
Start Stop function can be completely
deactivated with the simple press of a
button.
Resource: BMW at www.bmw.com