SCM Tutorials

Apr 22, 2015

EMC runs a lean operation: Playing hockey with doughnut holes

I had the opportunity to visit EMC’s manufacturing facility in Apex, NC this afternoon.  Brent Taylor, who I met the week before at Procurement Leader’s, took me on a tour… 

Feb 26, 2015

Omni-Channel Supply Chains Are Changing Everything You Ever Learned in School…

A senior executive from a large global manufacturer came to speak in my MBA class this week, and discussed the major shifts in global business that was occurring due to… 

Nov 11, 2014

Retail Analytics Systems Still Need a Human Touch

As more data becomes available in the grocery and retail environment, organizations are re-thinking their supply chain processes to drive increased automation, improved performance, and increased inventory turns.  They are… 

May 5, 2014

Winning Student Posters Focus on Visibility, Total Cost of Ownership, and Procurement Processes

We had another great set of student projects during our Spring SCRC student poster session.  Students presented a total of 26 projects, including both practicum projects from our undergraduates, our… 

Feb 12, 2014

Local Food Systems Insights from the Front Lines: It's About the People!

Sebastian Naskarkis learned more about the ins and outs of produce quality inspections than he ever dreamed.  Sebastian is a first year MBA student and NC Growing Together Research Fellow… 

Nov 6, 2013

UPS Executive Shares Insights on Total Cost of Ownership in the Electronics Supply Chain

Ken Torok came to my class on Monday evening, and provided a delightful discussion on total cost of ownership.  The class was focused on building and developing cost models, both… 

Aug 28, 2013

Vendor Managed Inventory? Think twice and consider the risks!

Historically, businesses have used one of two extremes for inventory management: push-based or pull-based. Push-based inventory management uses demand forecast to manage inventory and replenish from the supply base.  Pull-based inventory… 

Jul 18, 2013

Join BVL International at the North American chapter kickoff on August 12, 2013

Logistics complexity – in the form of fragmented channels, increased product variations, and consumer demand for customized solutions – has been increasing, according to a global study published recently by… 

May 23, 2013

Why margin management is the 'talk of the town' in fast moving consumer product supply chains…

Recent discussions with consumer goods companies reveals that margin management is becoming an imperative that goes far beyond just taking out cost of goods sold, or using full truck loads… 

Mar 14, 2013

The World of Global Procurement Q&A with John Zapko, VP of Global Procurement, Lenovo

Questions and Answers on Global Procurement with John Zapko, VP of Global Procurement, Lenovo Questions and Answers on Global Procurement with John Zapko, VP of Global Procurement, Lenovo from scrc…