Case Study: Managing the "Cool Chain"

Managing the "Cool Chain" introduces students to the concept of a cold supply chain, in which products are maintained in a temperature-controlled environment from one end to the other. Students will read about different types of cold chains and how to identify vulnerabilities in the chain. Students will also answer several challenging questions and come up with a solution to the company's problem. This case study complements Tacoma Community College's Logistics curriculum. Selected curriculum is available through ATE Central

Case Study: Monitoring the "Cool Chain"

Monitoring the "Cool Chain" introduces students to the concept of a cold supply chain, in which products are maintained in a temperature-controlled environment from one end to the other. Students will learn the details of a typical cold chain, temperature and equipment requirements, and more. Students will also examine a container temperature profile and answer several questions. This case study complements Tacoma Community College's Logistics curriculum. Selected curriculum is available through ATE Central

Case Study: The Aerotropolis

This case study introduces students to a new infrastructure called the aerotropolis, and the impact it will have on logistics and supply chains. The aerotroplis is an airport-centric commercial trend which transforms "city airports" into "airport cities." Students will read background information on the developing concept of the aerotropolis and examine a sample schematic for such an airport. Students will then answer several discussion questions. This case study complements Tacoma Community College's Logistics curriculum. Selected curriculum is available through ATE Central

Knowledge management across multi-tier enterprises: the promise of intelligent software in the auto industry

The automotive industry is at a critical juncture in its evolution. Vehicle manufacturers are merging horizontally into large portfolio-oriented companies focused on assembly and marketing while reducing their in-house development and manufacturing depth in favor of a multi-tier supplier base. This realignment has increased organizational flexibility and global technology access, but concerns have been raised about the industry's ability to manage complex product programs across multi-tier interfaces -- and about knowledge leaks to competitors. In this paper we argue that these virtually integrated enterprises are not well served by hierarchical planning tools and dedicated communications networks. Instead, distributed intelligence in an open-architecture and secure enterprise network provides the connectivity needed for successful product development and delivery. Emerging software tools such as intelligent agents or applets, common in Internet applications such as assisted personal computing, are well-suited for coordinating complex product management processes in multi-tier enterprises. As these new information technologies advance, competitive success will depend on the intertwined evolution of these embedded software tools and the new business processes that they are creating.

Panel IV: Defending the Infrastructure

A panel discussion on critical infrastructure protection. The discussion concentrates on strategies and policies that would protect American infrastructure from terrorist attacks. Appearing: David H. Schanzer (Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security), chair ; Robert Mahoney (Port Authority of New York and New Jersey), Rafi Ron (New Age Security Solutions), David Howe (Civitas Group), and Dr. Noel P. Greis (UNC), speakers