Supporting shop floor workers with a multimedia task-oriented information system

This paper reports the work carried out as part of an industrial research project sponsored by a major telecommunication industry based in the UK. The main aim of the research was to investigate the extent to which a multimedia- based information system, developed for shop floor workers, has contributed to the increased efficiency and productivity Of manufacturing operations. To achieve this, the work has focused on the design and execution of the evaluation of the system. Due to the fact that the direct impact of the implementation of the information system developed was difficult to demonstrate, it was decided to adopt the system usage as a surrogate of the system's Success and the User acceptance of the system was evaluated using both the Technology Acceptance Model and the Task-Technology Fit model. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Simulation modeling of tool delivery system in a machining line

This paper describes an industrial project aiming to enhance the existing simulation modeling suites used at a car engine factory in the UK. The company continues to enhance its simulation modeling capabilities towards so called the `total plant modeling' which not only covers the production facilities but also key ancillary facilities. Tool delivery is one such ancillary process. The existing modeling practices at the company are limited to modeling tool changes and assume that tools meet their expected life and the replacement is always available. In reality, the tools are not always reaching the expected life, the facilities in the tool crib are a limiting resource and the tool inventory has to be minimized. The tool delivery system developed in this project has specific features that model how the tool crib operates, how tools are supplied to the machining lines and various operating strategie

Applying performance measures to support decision-making in supply chain operations: a case of beverage industry

Performance measurement systems (PMS) have commonly been applied to evaluate and reward performances at managerial levels, especially in the context of supply chain management. However, evidence suggests that the effective use of PMS can also positively influence the behaviour and improve performance at an operational level. The motivation is to accomplish organisational goals, namely to increase supply chain flexibility by responding to evermore-varying customer demands in a timely manner. The purpose of the study described in this paper was to develop a conceptual framework that adopts performance measures for ex-ante decision-making at an operational level within the supply chain. To guide the research, five questions were asked and subsequently key gaps have been identified. In an attempt to fill the gaps, a case study at a major global brand beverage company has been carried out, and as a result, a conceptual framework of the PMS has been developed. Overall, the research offers a foundation of the applicability and impact of PMS in the supply chain and provides a framework that attends to some of the potential uses of PMS that so far have not been practically applied. The outcomes from the testing indicate that the initial gaps identified in the literature have been addressed and that the framework is judicious with scope for practical applicability. The framework is deemed worthy of further testing in different operational contexts of the supply chain

Applying performance measures to support informed decision making at an operational level

Performance Measurement Systems (PMS) have commonly been applied to evaluate and reward performances at managerial levels, especially in the context of supply chain management. However, evidence suggests that the effective use of PMS can also positively influence the behaviour and improve performance at an operational level. The purpose of the study described in this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that adopts performance measures for ex-ante decision-making at an operational level within the supply chain. A case study at Coca-Cola Enterprises has been carried out and as a result, a conceptual framework of the PMS has been developed

Productisation business model in non-OEM aero-engine MRO service providers

The combination of product and service to provide customer’s satisfaction has been known since 1990s in the aerospace industry, particularly within MRO (Maintenance-Repair-Overhaul) service providers. Initially, the OEMs offered servitisation solutions by bundling the product with services. However, to remain competitive, the non-OEM MRO service providers also initiated bundling its service with products as offerings. This productisation business model is a reverse approach of a servitisation business model. This paper identifies and proposes five types of the productisation business model and each of these types will be shown with a descriptive analysis and illustrations to highlight the understanding of the evolution towards providing offers by bundling services with products. Through this study, non-OEM aero-engine MRO service providers will be able to assess the most suitable business model, based on the MRO service provider’s strengths and challenges

Understanding the implications of service contracting in product-service businesses

Service contracting has been adopted in several industries especially for high value assets with long life time. Such a contract typically specifies asset usage information, availability or capability of the contracted assets required by customers, and the scope of services the manufacturers are obliged to support the assets. Consequently, such a contract imposes major risks to the manufacturers. This paper aims to explore approaches that be used to assist manufacturers to model service contracts in order to understand the risk and reward prior to committing a contract with customer. The work described in the paper involves the development of a simulation model from a case of the ship building industry. The use of the model in aiding contracting decisions is demonstrated through three experiments conducted at the case company. The outcomes have demonstrated the potential of the approaches in practice and contributed to the Product-Service Systems modelling paradigm