Managing cutoff-based shipment promises for order fulfilment processes in warehousing

Warehouses recently face increasing stress imposed by a volatile customer demand and increasing customer expectations in terms of ever shorter order response times. In that respect, warehouses more and more offer same-day and next-day shipment conditions. However, same-day shipment promises are challenging to fulfil, especially as the order fulfilment process operates against fixed deadlines imposed by the predefined truck departure times. As a natural mitigation strategy, warehouses set a cutoff point and offer same-day shipment only to customers that order until the cutoff point, but next-day shipment to all customers ordering thereafter. Setting an appropriate cutoff point is challenging as it affects multiple facets of the service quality, such as the order response time and the service level. In this paper, we study the design of cutoff-based shipment promises for stochastic deadline-oriented order fulfilment processes in warehouses. We present a discrete-time Markov chain model for exact steady-state performance analysis and propose two novel performance measures – - and -cutoff service level – for service level measurement in these systems. We numerically show the benefit of cutoff-based shipment promises. Even with a late cutoff point, there is a significant gain in the system performance. Furthermore, we find that warehouses should set the cutoff point such that it balances customer expectations in terms of service level and order response time. Finally, warehouses can improve their shipment promises when referring to - instead of -cutoff service level and by implementing measures reducing the utilisation and the variabilities of the order fulfilment process

A Markov Chain Algorithm for determining Crossing Times through nested Graphs

According to the by now established theory developed in order to define a Laplacian or ― equivalently ― a Brownian motion on a nested fractal, one has to solve certain renormalization problems. In this paper, we present a Markov chain algorithm solving the problem for certain classes of simple fractals $K$ provided that there exists a unique Brownian motion and hence, a unique Laplacian on $K$

Exact Computation and Approximation of Stochastic and Analytic Parameters of Generalized Sierpinski Gaskets

The interplay of fractal geometry, analysis and stochastics on the one-parameter sequence of self-similar generalized Sierpinski gaskets is studied. An improved algorithm for the exact computation of mean crossing times through the generating graphs SG(m) of generalized Sierpinski gaskets sg(m) for m up to 37 is presented and numerical approximations up to m = 100 are shown. Moreover, an alternative method for the approximation of the mean crossing times, the walk and the spectral dimensions of these fractal sets based on quasi-random so-called rotor walks is developed, confidence bounds are calculated and numerical results are shown and compared with exact values (if available) and with known asymptotic formula

Kompetenzorientiertes Lehren und Prüfen in den Ingenieurwissenschaften : Lehrkonzept der Veranstaltung Materialfluss in Logistiksystemen = Competence-oriented teaching and examination in engineering : Teaching concept of the course Material Flow in Logistics Systems

Der Beitrag stellt das Lehrkonzept einer Wahlpflichtveranstaltung der Bachelor- und Masterstudiengänge Maschinenbau, Mechatronik und Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen mit ca. 30 Studierenden pro Jahrgang vor. Das Lehrkonzept hat zum Ziel, dass Studierende Kompetenzen zur Lösung ingenieurwissenschaftlicher Probleme durch die selbstständige Bearbeitung offener Fragestellungen nach wissenschaftlichen Standards erwerben. Hierzu werden Elemente des Constructive Alignment, des Inverted Classroom und des kompetenzorientierten Prüfens kombiniert. Lehrevaluationen und studentisches Feedback bestätigen, dass die Ziele des Lehrkonzepts erreicht werden und die Studierenden berufliche Handlungskompetenz erwerben

Kompetenzorientiertes Lehren und Prüfen in den Ingenieurwissenschaften: Lehrkonzept der Veranstaltung Materialfluss in Logistiksystemen

Der Beitrag stellt das Lehrkonzept einer Wahlpflichtveranstaltung der Bachelor- und Masterstudiengänge Maschinenbau, Mechatronik und Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen mit ca. 30 Studierenden pro Jahrgang vor. Das Lehrkonzept hat zum Ziel, dass Studierende Kompetenzen zur Lösung ingenieurwissenschaftlicher Probleme durch die selbstständige Bearbeitung offener Fragestellungen nach wissenschaftlichen Standards erwerben. Hierzu werden Elemente des Constructive Alignment, des Inverted Classroom und des kompetenzorientierten Prüfens kombiniert. Lehrevaluationen und studentisches Feedback bestätigen, dass die Ziele des Lehrkonzepts erreicht werden und die Studierenden berufliche Handlungskompetenz erwerben

Маркетинговое обоснование проекта по выведению на рынок инновационного облачного сервиса MedKid

На современном этапе развития российской экономики основными векторами развития являются импортозамещение, ресурсоэффективность и развитие инновационных технологий. Эти тренды находят свое применение не только в реальном секторе экономики, но и в сфере услуг, в том числе для бюджетных организаций. Необходимость модернизации бизнес-процессов социальной инфраструктуры обусловливает актуальность тематики данной статьи. В ней представлены результаты маркетингового обоснования проекта по выведению на рынок инновационного информационного продукта медицинского назначения MedKid, предназначенного к использованию медицинским персоналом дошкольных детских учреждений города Томска. Статья включает в себя результаты комплексного маркетингового исследования, выполненного с помощью разнообразного аналитического инструментария: были использованы PEST-анализ, анализ условий конкуренции в отрасли по методике Майкла Портера, сегментирование рынка, конкурентный анализ и анализ конкурентоспособности продукта, а также опрос потенциальных потребителей. The relevance of discussed issue lies in the fact that Russian economy should be transformed to innovative wayfor its the accelerated development. In order to achieve this aim it is necessary to develop the National innovationsystem of Russia. The main aim of the study is to examine the experience of forming the National innovationsystem in different countries, to assess the possibility of its application in Russia and to make recommendationson the Russian National innovation system development. The methods used in the study: review of the Nationalinnovation system models of leading countries and analysis of statistical data to judge the impact of innovativeactivity on economic growth. The results. Examination of features of the National innovation system incountries with the largest economies in the world (USA, China), and small economies, but with a high standardof living (Sweden) showed that the National innovation system in various countries differ in the degree of participationof the state and its system of innovative activity support. No one model cannot be fully replicated in Russia,that is why the developed Russian National innovation system does not work and heavy innovative activityis not observed

Development and characterization of a metastable Al-Mn-Ce alloy produced by laser powder bed fusion

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) can help to overcome two challenges occurring by casting of metastable Al alloys: (1) the high amount of casting defects and (2) the limited part size while maintaining rapid solidification of the whole cross-section. In this study, an Al92Mn6Ce2 alloy was processed crack-free without baseplate heating by LPBF. The high cooling rate during fabrication has a significant impact on the microstructure, which was characterized by SEM, TEM and XRD. The processing through LPBF causes a high amount and a strong refinement of the intermetallic Al20Mn2Ce precipitates. This leads, compared to suction-cast specimens, to a higher hardness (180 HV 5) and a higher tolerable compressive stress (>1200 MPa) associated with a pronounced plasticity without failure up to a strain of 40%. The extraordinary mechanical properties of additively manufactured Al92Mn6Ce2 can extend the possibilities of producing novel LPBF lightweight structures for potential applications under harsh conditions

Fibroblast Response to Nanocolumnar TiO2 Structures Grown by Oblique Angle Sputter Deposition

Cells are established to sense and respond to the properties, including nano- and microscale morphology, of the substrate they adhere to, which opens up the possibility to tailor bioactivity. With this background, the potential of tilted TiO2 nanostructures grown by oblique angle sputtering to affect fibroblasts with particular focus on inducing anisotropy in cell behavior is explored. By depositing TiO2 at different oblique angles relative to the substrate normal, morphologies, columnar tilt angle, roughness, and distances between neighbored nanocolumns can be adjusted. To assess bioactivity of the resulting structures, L929-mouse fibroblasts are seeded in vitro on TiO2 nanostructured substrates. Angle-dependent movement and velocity distributions of the cells on differently tilted columns and a smooth reference sample are studied. Cell proliferation rates and cell areas are additional factors which provide information about viability and the well-being of cells. It could be shown that the local topography of the surface has an influence on the directed movement of the cells. © 2021 The Authors. Advanced Materials Interfaces published by Wiley-VCH Gmb