Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Logistics / Supply Chain Management

As I mentioned in my last blog, I was assigned to research and explain Logistics/Supply Chain Management best practices and standards. I've been in the logistics industry for more than a decade already but I was not paying too much attention as to what are the best practices and standards.


When I start to do my research in the net, I actually don't know where to start but our instructor wanted to answer the questions: What, When, Where, Why, How and How much so I google search each question. I'm finally done with it but there are still more paper works to submit. Wish me luck! 


Anyway, Logistics is a channel of Supply Chain Management..."the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of conforming to customer requirements."


So far, I was able to discuss the topic and was a little able to answer my classmates questions. The best practices are benchmarking, barcoding system, rfid, electronic product data code, electronic commerce, electronic data interchange, gps/gprs, total logistics and third party logistics (3pl).


As to standards, there are many standards that a logistics company may adapt but the most common are quality management, environment, health and safety management, 5S or 6S, and business continuity management system.  


I won't elaborate on each standard and best practices anymore cause it's now your turn to do your study on whatever subject you would like to learn on. There are lots of information in the net, you just have to filter the logical ones. ;-) till then!  

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Best Practices & Standards

I'm here again to share my learnings from my MS Organization Management. If you were able to read on my previous blogs, you probably have some insights about the subject.

We were given case studies to analyze how big companies resolved their difficulties and succeeded up to these days. Those resolutions turned out to be "best practices" being used by other companies as a model. But it doesn't stop there, technologies and systems were being perfected and developed continually to fit according to the company's current state and future needs. Managing organization in fact require a lot of logical thinking on how to improve the business process for the good of the company and its stakeholders.

After the case study, we were assigned individual topics on Best Practices and Standards. Some of my classmates already presented their assignment. Admittedly, most of the topics are new to me and the presenters really enlightened me on what the topic is all about. I regret the time that I was absent (last August 6) as I missed some of the topics. But the professor ask each of us to give a copy of our report/research to everyone for our file and future reference.

By far, the topics that I found interesting and beneficial to our Company is the Quality Management & Business Continuity Management System. I feel sorry that our company failed to finish the certification years ago on Quality Management as the process was strenuous and honestly the management was unsuccessful to accomplish the project because it is only for compliance with our customers demand and not a definitive corporate goal to attain. Well, I must see to it that the future undertakings will be handled accordingly.

My topic will be Logistics/Supply Chain Management. Whew! I'm feeling nervous on the outcome. I hope I will be able to present the way our teacher wants...relaxed, story-telling approach but cognizant of the subject matter just like when you are proposing a project to your bosses.

I will surely share the aftermath! Till then!