Supply Chain Optimization through Segmentation and Analytics by Gerhard J Plenert

Supply Chain Optimization through Segmentation and Analytics by Gerhard J Plenert

We live in a world where we try to solve similar problems in structurally the same way. But they simply are not optimally solved all the same. Supply Chain Optimization through Segmentation and Analytics addresses the issue of optimizing the planning and scheduling process and asks the question; "Is there a ‘one size fits all’ solution for planning and scheduling?"

The answer is a resounding "No!" We migrated through EOQ, MRP, JIT, and TOC, each time hoping to find that one size fits all. Each of these systems looked at the facility as if it had one focused problem, either optimizing work schedules, materials movement, or machine utilization. But what if you have two, or possibly even all three of these problems? Then what system do you use? Or what if your critical resource is not labor, materials, or machinery? Then which planning and scheduling solution do you utilize?

This book introduces the concept of segmentation as the planning and scheduling tool that facilitates the optimization of the supply chain. If you have one type of problem in a part of your supply chain, you use the solution that appropriately focuses on that problem. If you have a different problem in a different part of your supply chain, then you use a different and appropriate tool for that part of the supply chain, and so forth. Or, if your product is in different stages of its life cycle, it probably requires a different set of tools for each stage of that life cycle.

In addition, the book discusses how to integrate planning and scheduling tools using a segmentation approach that results in a world-class supply chain environment. It clearly details the power of segmentation and offers a systematic plan for implementation in the supply chain. To facilitate this, the author covers the components of an integrated segmentation policy, including the analytics elements and the measures that define segmentation success. He helps you build a strategy and methodology for introducing segmentation principles that allow you to break free from "one size fits all" thinking.

Dr. Gerhard Plenert has 25+ years of professional experience in IT quality and productivity consulting and in working on manufacturing planning and scheduling methods. He has 13 years of academic experience and has over 150 published articles and nine books:

EManager: Value Chain Management in an eCommerce World--2001
Finite Capacity Scheduling (an APICS / Oliver White Series Book)--2000
International Management and Production: Survival Techniques for Corporate America
International Operations Management (an MBA textbook)--2004
Making Innovation Happen: Concept Management through Integration
Operations Management (A United Nations Training Manual for Developing Country factories)--2005
The Plant Operations Deskbook (an APICS series book)
Reinventing Lean; Introducing Lean Management into the Supply Chain--2007
World Class Manager

Dr. Plenert has extensive industry experience, including:

Private sector

• Kraft Foods, Smart and Final, Davis Lay, Ritz-Carlton, Hewlett-Packard, Seagate, Motorola, PPI, Clark Equipment, NCR Corporation, and AT&T
• Consulting companies--Infosys, Mainstream, AMS, IBM, SCI, SAS
• Corporate guru on supply chain management for AMS and Infosys

Government sector

• California--DCSS, DHS
• Federal--DSS, US Air Force, Air Guard
• International--United Nations
• Texas--OAG
• New York--City of New York warehousing system

Dr. Plenert has extensive academic experience:

• Ph.D. in mineral economics at the Colorado School of Mines, which is their operations and business management degree (under Gene Woolsey)
• Eleven years as a full-time faculty member (BYU and CSUC)
• Currently teaching SCM at the University of San Diego
• Teaching operations, manufacturing, and supply chain management as far away as Malaysia and England

Dr. Plenert has:

• Worked in senior management
• Generated up to triple the office productivity with the same staffing
• Worked as an industry consultant implementing SCM, ERP, and eBusiness systems and designing a next-generation enterprise model
• Literally written the book on leading-edge supply chain management concepts like Finite Capacity Scheduling (FCS), Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS), and World Class Management
• Taken a 14+% defect rate down to 2%
• Brought setup times from 20 minutes to as low as 6 minutes
• Reduced facility-wide inventories by 40%

Dr. Plenert's ideas and publications have been endorsed by people like Steven Covey and companies like Motorola, AT&T, Black & Decker, and FedEx.