SIMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF A CROSSDOCKING OPERATION IN A JUST-IN-TIME ENVIRONMENT

In an ideal Just-in-Time (JIT) production environment, parts should be delivered to the workstationsat the exact time they are needed and in the exact quantity required. In reality, formost components/subassemblies this is neither practical nor economical. In this study, thematerial flow of the crossdocking operation at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant inGeorgetown, KY (TMMK) is simulated and analyzed.At the Georgetown plant between 80 and 120 trucks are unloaded every day, with approximately1300 different parts being handled in the crossdocking area. The crossdocking areaconsists of 12 lanes, each lane corresponding to one section of the assembly line. Whereassome pallets contain parts designated for only one lane, other parts are delivered in such smallquantities that they arrive as mixed pallets. These pallets have to be sorted/crossdocked intothe proper lanes before they can be delivered to the workstations at the assembly line. Thisprocedure is both time consuming and costly.In this study, the present layout of the crossdocking area at Toyota and a layout proposed byToyota are compared via simulation with three newly designed layouts. The simulation modelswill test the influence of two different volumes of incoming quantities, the actual volumeas it is now and one of 50% reduced volume. The models will also examine the effects ofcrossdocking on the performance of the system, simulating three different percentage levelsof pallets that have to be crossdocked.The objectives of the initial study are twofold. First, simulations of the current system,based on data provided by Toyota, will give insight into the dynamic behavior and the materialflow of the existing arrangement. These simulations will simultaneously serve to validateour modeling techniques. The second objective is to reduce the travel distances in the crossdockingarea; this will reduce the workload of the team members and decrease the lead timefrom unloading of the truck to delivery to the assembly line. In the second phase of theproject, the design will be further optimized. Starting with the best layouts from the simulationresults, the lanes will be rearranged using a genetic algorithm to allow the lanes withthe most crossdocking traffic to be closest together.The different crossdocking quantities and percentages of crossdocking pallets in the simulationsallow a generalization of the study and the development of guidelines for layouts ofother types of crossdocking operations. The simulation and optimization can be used as abasis for further studies of material flow in JIT and/or crossdocking environments

Teaching Advanced SQL Skills: Text Bulk Loading

Studies show that advanced database skills are important for students to be prepared for today\u27s highly competitive job market. A common task for database administrators is to insert large amounts of data into a database. This paper illustrates how an up-to-date advanced database topic, namely bulk insert, can be incorporated into a database class. It gives detailed examples on how to import different file types and discusses associated issues

CRUD On The Web Pedagogical Modules For Web-Based Data Access

The growing popularity of Internet-enabled commerce has produced increased demand for Information Technology (IT) professionals who are skilled in the development and management of data-driven, Web-based business applications. Many academic programs in information systems offer courses on relational database design and management, as well as courses on Web development using technologies such as PHP or Microsofts ASP.NET. However, such courses typically contain independent content, which tends to leave students with a fragmented understanding of how these technologies (i.e. the Web and relational databases) interact. In this paper, we present integrated instructional modules for teaching best practices in connecting advanced Web applications with a relational database backend. The objective of these modules is to provide students with a seamless context for developing both a relational database and a Web interface supporting database transactions

An Integrated Approach To Teaching Web Development

The growing use of the Internet has led to a steep increase in the demand for web developers who possess web design, database, and programming skills.  The demand for these skills is reflected in the new IS2007 model curriculum, which suggests that web developers obtain in-depth knowledge of databases and web programming. While these topics are commonly covered in Information Systems (IS) curricula, they are traditionally taught independently in separate courses, leaving students with a fragmented view of how to integrate the various components of a data-driven web application.  Research on learning has shown that activation of existing knowledge is an important step in the learning process. This study shows how a common business case can be used to support the activation of existing knowledge in different classes related to web development. The detailed examples show how to use the same business case to teach database, web design, and programming skills

SPIE: A Framework For Advanced Database Topics

In the ever expanding universe of database skills and knowledge we propose a framework that can be used to classify advanced database topics. We use the framework to present five advanced database modules that can be successfully incorporated in an advanced database course. These modules were built to illustrate advanced topics and were tested and refined in advanced database courses over several semesters. The skills demonstrated in the modules go beyond what is typically taught in an the introductory level database course but are important in today’s highly demanding business environment

Teaching Tools For Data Analysis

Companies rely on business intelligence and business analytics to support organizational decision making.  Application software packages enable data analysis to help companies pursue a competitive advantage.  Learning to use these tools is not trivial, however, and business schools have added assignments and classes to help their students develop rigorous analytical skills.  This paper describes hands-on, data analysis exercises to support strategic decision making used in an Applied Business Research class that is required for MBA students.  The assignment involves analyzing large volumes of data using the tools of Excel, SQL, and SPSS.  We describe the assignment, data, and exercises that the students perform.  They learn the benefit of analyzing a dataset using different tools and methods, and which tools are most appropriate for what type of analysis. &nbsp

EDSOA: An Event-Driven Service-Oriented Architecture Model For Enterprise Applications

Enterprise Applications are difficult to implement and maintain because they require a monolith of code to incorporate required business processes. Service-oriented architecture is one solution, but challenges of dependency and software complexity remain. We propose Event-Driven Service-Oriented Architecture, which combines the benefits of component-based software development, event-driven architecture, and SOA

IS Staffing During a Recession: Comparing Student and IS Recruiter Perceptions

The current economic situation in the United States has associated ramifications for IS employment. This study identifies IS recruiters’ perceptions vis-à-vis IT budget cuts and layoffs at their organizations. Additionally, it identifies IS student perceptions vis-à-vis employment opportunities and academic preparation. Similar surveys were completed by 232 IS recruiters and 182 IS students. Consistent with prior research, findings indicate that IS budgets are expected to decrease less than overall organizational budgets. Although IS students were optimistic about internship and employment opportunities; IS recruiters expressed more caution, suggesting no changes or decreases in employment opportunities. IS recruiters and students provided suggestions for curricular redesign due to the recession. The results of this study are discussed in terms of advising students and improving IS programs

Probiotics for Standard Triple Helicobacter pylori Eradication A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

The primary objective in the study is determination of efficacy of probiotic preparation as a supportive therapy in eradication of Helicobacter pylori . The study was multicenter, prospective, randomized, placebo con- trolled, and double-blind. The subjects first filled out a specially designed questionnaire to assess the severity of the 10 symptoms, which can be related to eradication therapy to be monitored during the trial. Each subject then received 28 capsules of probiotic preparation or matching placebo capsules, which they were supposed to take over the following 14 days, twice a day, at least 2 hours prior to or after the antibiotic therapy administration. A total of 804 patients were enrolled in the trial, of which 650 (80.85%) were included in the analysis. The results show a significantly larger share of cured subjects in the probiotic arm versus the placebo arm (87.38% vs 72.55%; P < 0.001). Additionally, presence and inten- sity of epigastric pain, bloating, flatulence, taste disturbance, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, rash, and diarrhea were monitored over the study period. At 15 days postinclusion, probiotic treatment was found superior to placebo in 7 of 10 mentioned symptoms. Average intensity for symptoms potentially related to antibiotic therapy was significantly higher in the placebo group, 0.76 vs 0.55 ( P < 0.001). Adding probiotics to the standard triple therapy for H pylori eradication significantly contributes to treatment efficacy and distinctly decreases the adverse effects of therapy and the symptoms of the underlying disease