Kantine Vending Machine LLC Inventory Optimization

Kantine Vending LLC is a local vending machine company in Conyers, GA. In their current state they have 4 machines and are looking to expand in the future. They hold over 70 different products in stock. The idea of the project began when Kantine received customer complaints of purchasing expired products from one of the machines. Our team then sought to improve the company’s inventory system to minimize expired product, reduce waste, improve product flow, and lower stocking times. To achieve these goals, we looked to use methods and ideologies such as lean warehousing, 5s, First in First out (FIFO), inventory target points, EOQ, and inventory management software. To start we divided the work into three main categories: Inventory management software, warehouse organization, and inventory optimization. The first step was the inventory managements system and barcode scanner. We then developed a simple inventory database using Microsoft Access and a barcode scanner. This allows Kantine to scan products in and out and gives an exact overview of current total inventory. For the warehouse we expanded storage capacity and organized the warehouse with products arranged in the order in which they are stocked in the machines. We also utilized 5s principles by ensuring every item had a labeled location on the shelf as well as integrated barcodes on the shelves themselves to ease the use of the inventory software. The chips were given a simple Fifo loading system with new product being placed in the back pushing older products forward to be stocked. We then built upon this by calculating our inventory target levels. Our team gathered over a months’ worth of data for the demand of each product by utilizing the sales report from the all the machines. By using the demand of each product, we could calculate our inventory minimums and maximums as well as our reorder point. We also utilized the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) formula to determine how much of each product to purchase when inventory levels reached our reorder point. With these calculations we can ensure products are in stock to meet our demand as well as reduce waste. With the improvements to the warehouse and the introduction of an inventory database the process of stocking the machines and monitoring inventory levels was simplified. The results of our efforts can be seen in the improvement to the time spent reordering products and restocking inventory. The combination of the introduction of an inventory database, and the inventory calculations combined with a decrease in purchase order frequency has resulted in a 35% monthly reduction in time required to place purchase orders from the supplier. Similarly, the reorganization of the warehouse through 5S and FIFO has resulted in a 20% decrease in time required to stock inventory. Through the use of inventory target points and EOQ we can hope to see a reduction in product waste and perhaps even a decrease in cost in the long term. We can also expect to see a reduction in product outage. Overall, Kantine Vending LLC’s inventory management system is now more robust, efficient, and reliable than eve

How Vending Machines can Conquer Access to Better Quality Convenience Food

As the food system has evolved it has been forced to include convenience. Changing life styles and big food companies have dictated a switch in expectations from our food. They have made it so that time and energy can be saved when it comes to producing, cooking or eating food. Technology has evolved beside convenience food, to sell or manufacture it and make it more convenient. One of these invention is vending machines. Automated food vending began with the Automat, which served fresh and healthy dishes but has come to dispense food that is mostly considered unhealthy. Vending machines are tools that can changed to increase the amount of healthy food rather than unhealthy food. This project’s research is based around how vending machines can make healthy food more accessible by making it more convenient and abundant

Implementation Strategies for Modeling and Simulation in Military Organizations

Some IT project managers working for U.S. military organizations are struggling to implement modern modeling and simulation (M&S) technology. Implementation strategies are needed to help IT practitioners deliver meaningful simulations and models that ultimately help senior leaders make logical and science-based decisions. Grounded in the extended technology acceptance model, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies some IT project managers supporting U.S. military organizations use to implement modern M&S technology. The participants included 10 civil servants who successfully implemented modeling and simulation technology for military organizations located in the United States eastern region. Data was collected from one-on-one semistructured interviews (n = 10) and internal and external organizational documents (n = 12) provided by the participants. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged: understand the true M&S requirements, incorporate subject matter experts throughout implementation, and anticipate and overcome persistent challenges. One recommendation is for practitioners to develop tasks and milestones to address these challenges at the beginning of implementation and add them to the project schedule. The implications for positive social change include the potential for successful implementation of models and military organizations\u27 simulations to safeguard human lives