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Rugged Computers King of the Mount
This case history describes how a container port project replaced aging computers on straddle carriers with ruggedized notebook computers and installed an IEEE 802.11b-standard wireless system. In a second phase the notebooks were replaced with more durable computers designed specifically for truck mounting.
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An RFID Pick-Up Line
If you've ever worked at a construction site, you know how hard it is to keep track of tools and other assets on site. One solution may lie in the marriage of pick-up truck and RFID. Users of the RFID-enabled trucks can place passive RFID tags on their tools or other objects and then put them in the vehicles' beds, which are equipped with RFID interrogator antennas. A built-in computer enables the user to match the tag with the object to which it is attached.
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For the Right Software, Ask the Right Questions
With dozens of warehousing software solutions available, how do you make the right choice? To start, ask the right questions. This article lists seven key queries that can help, including: "can you get the functionality that you need from your ERP system?" and "what is your organization's attitude towards risk?"
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WMS for Compliance Tracking: To Use or Not to Use
A recent study shows that one reason companies buy warehouse management software (WMS) is for help in dealing with increasingly tough compliance rules. WMS can provide many useful resources, including yard management tools that can monitor entries and exits to a facility and receiving tools to check inventory in the warehouse. However, other tools are better for other functions, such as training requirements and layout concerns.
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INFORMS 2008 Practice Meeting
INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences)
How do you deploy the Power of Analytics for competitive advantage? Find out at the Informs Conference, Applying Science to the Art of Business. Supply Chain Tracks include speakers from: P&G, Pepsi, Penn State, Xilinx, IBM, and UNC. See you there April 13-15th in Baltimore!
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Improve Your Business Process Instructions
Explainers
They have work samples covering a broad range of industries and applications, including: food manufacturing, automotive component manufacturing, and software operation. They also have samples for: surgical instrument maintenance, hazardous substance detection, and factory equipment maintenance. Find out more about Explainers.
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Managing Deliveries
A case history describes how a software module helps a pharmaceutical distributor track deliveries to hundreds of customers. The software, which was integrated with the user's legacy systems, provides a view of all aspects of the fulfillment process, including final confirmation and receipt authorization by the customer.
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ERP: Necessary But Not Sufficient
More than 85% of respondents to a recent survey reported that their enterprise resource planning sytems (ERP) were essential to the core of their businesses. However, these systems are not a panacea, and chief information officers report that they are still challenged by the high cost of owning these systems, and the difficulty of using them effectively.
What do other engineers think of this?
See for yourself at
CR4 — GlobalSpec's Engineering Community.
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Going Twice, Going Once...
Reverse auctions have been tried by a number of companies for materials procurement, but a major computer maker recently became the first to use that process, which it calls dynamic bidding, for buying both materials and logistics services. This article describes the software used, the benefits, and the lessons learned.
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Dealing with Rapid Change
Supply chain management can be especially challenging for the consumer electronics industry, although many of the issues are common, in one form or another, to all industries. This article describes a number of factors and strategies for dealing with common problems, including retail price pressures, highly variable customer demands, and the logistical demands of multiple distribution channels.
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Storage Solutions
Strong Hold Products
Strong Hold Products will be exhibiting at the upcoming NA2008 show at booth 3015 promoting their line of storage solutions, including storage cabinets, tool carts, shop tables, and more. All constructed of 12-gauge steel with 14-gauge adjustable shelves and a 3-point lock system. Tough enough for the heaviest storage and security demands.
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Tag Programming and Consultation
RFIDSalesOnline
RFIDSalesOnline.com is the Tag Programming and RFID Equipment Superstore. They feature over 50 RFID vendors covering the HF, UHF, and Microwave spectrum of frequencies. They provide tag program solutions for the DoD, Walmart, or BestBuy compliance mandates and also provide tags for closed-loop systems.
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A Better Job Search by Design
Dice
DiceEngineering.com offers thousands of quality engineering jobs at top technology and engineering companies. Find jobs in your area of expertise.
Search now.
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Crossing the Generation Gap
The annual conference of the Warehousing and Education Research Council adds a new feature this year. A management session will focus on how four generations — matures, baby-boomers, Xers, and millennials — can work together effectively despite differences in core values.
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Exercise the RFID Option
Researchers at Lancaster University, working with a UK health advisor, are developing a means of using radio frequency identification (RFID) to encourage today's couch potatoes to become tomorrow's exercisers. The system uses RFID tags and cell phones to track people's movements as they walk and transmits the data to a database. Users can track their miles and calories burned.
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Share Your Thoughts . . . Join a Conversation About This Month's Topic...
Do Supply Chain Links Indicate a Recession?
Does the state of your supply chain operations indicate that a recession is underway?
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