A method to assess the application of additive manufacturing to inventory replenishment : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Supply Chain Management at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Companies have historically struggled to deal with their stock, especially the long inventory tail. As most of the inventory management techniques that deal with slow-moving stock have proved to be rather inefficient, this research investigates the use of additive manufacturing to 3D print items on demand and therefore mitigate the inventory carrying and associated costs. This research has been applied to a Hydraulic Equipment Business in New Zealand, which was tested through an inequation that models the traditional manufacturing and 3D printing costs, yielding the ‘tipping point’ for the use of the 3D printing technology. Even though the results obtained herein were negative for this particular case regarding the use of additive manufacturing, this research has developed a methodology to assess the trade-off between traditional manufacturing and 3D printing and also provides insights into the characteristics of the inventory of the businesses that are most likely to benefit from the use of the technology

Analysis of the gamification applications to improve the energy savings in residential buildings

This paper proposes a set of metrics to evaluate and compare applications in a new but quickly developing field – energy management software (EMS) in residential buildings. The goal of the paper is to highlight tendencies and to detect drawbacks of pre sent applications to develop a new one taking into account the results of previous analysis. It shows a shortlist of applications examined. Provides the conclusion drawing to the metrics and proposes mai n issues to be considered in the development of a new application.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Analysis of applications to improve the energy savings in residential buildings based on Systemic Quality Model

Creating a definition of the features and the architecture of a new Energy Management Software (EMS) is complex because different professionals will be involved in creating that definition and in using the tool. To simplify this definition and aid in the eventual selection of an existing EMS to fit a specific need, a set of metrics that considers the primary issues and drawbacks of the EMS is decisive. This study proposes a set of metrics to evaluate and compare EMS applications. Using these metrics will allow professionals to highlight the tendencies and detect the drawbacks of current EMS applications and to eventually develop new EMS applications based on the results of the analysis. This study presents a list of the applications to be examined and describes the primary issues to be considered in the development of a new application. This study follows the Systemic Quality Model (SQMO), which has been used as a starting point to develop new EMS, but can also be used to select an existing EMS that fits the goals of a company. Using this type of analysis, we were able to detect the primary features desired in an EMS software. These features are numerically scaled, allowing professionals to select the most appropriate EMS that fits for their purposes. This allows the development of EMS utilizing an iterative and user-centric approach. We can apply this methodology to guide the development of future EMS and to define the priorities that are desired in this type of software.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Análisis de variables para el Departamento del Meta - Colombia Respecto de Algunos de sus Municipios

The present study corresponds to the analysis of a joint exercise between the Gobernación del Meta, COSMOS Corporation and the Autonomous University Corporation of Nariño, in which 1800 families were surveyed corresponding to 11 municipalities of the department and that focused on those whose lands were inferior to 3 ha, to ensure that a subsequent family agriculture program would be supported. The analysis corresponding to the application of the survey showed that some of the municipalities of the department have major economic deficiencies and that according to the commercial route of the same its economic characteristics are similar geometrically. Equally thanks to this exercise of analytical could find the municipality of greater economic prosperity.Keywords: food safety, state, economic prosperity.

Context-aware mobile app for the multidimensional assessment of the elderly,

Rural areas in Europe are presenting a decreasing population density and an increasing age index. These elders usually present multiple diseases that require complex tools to identify the exact cares that they need. Currently, different frameworks can evaluate their functional status and identify the required cares to maintain their Quality of Life, together with the associated cost to the health system. Nevertheless, these frameworks are usually questionnaires that have to be performed by already overloaded professionals. In this paper, we make use of mobile technologies to build a system capable of monitoring the activities of the elderly and analysing these data to assess their functional status. The experiments carried out show us that it correctly evaluates these patients and reduces the effort required by health professionals

El significado de la vejez y su relación con la salud en ancianas y ancianos integrados a un programa de envejecimiento activo

Revista electrónicaEl presente trabajo busca analizar las percepciones que tiene un grupo de ancianas y ancianos de la comunidad de San Cristóbal Ecatepec, Estado de México, acerca de su vejez y su relación con la salud. El modelo teórico de la Gerontología Social y del Capital Social de Bourdieu, permiten adentrarnos en el análisis de estas percepciones. La metodología cualitativa, a través de entrevistas a profundidad, fueron las vías para recuperar la información. Las ancianas y ancianos forman parte del programa de “Envejecimiento Activo” diseñado en el Centro Universitario Ecatepec, de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, y la presente investigación es uno de los productos de dicho programa. Los resultados nos muestran que las personas reconocen los cambios físicos que han presentado con el paso de los años, los cuales implican la disminución de sus capacidades físicas; sin embargo, también presentan estrategias que les permiten enfrentar dichos cambios, de tal manera que buscan seguir estando activos en su vida diaria a partir de una actividad ajustada, lo que representa una acción de resistencia ante los estereotipos que la modernidad le ha impuesto al anciano: como una persona en declive y decadencia.Sin financiamient