Ops and Supply Chain Management

Amazon’s Anti-Counterfeiting Exchange

Amazon launched a program called Anti-Counterfeiting Exchange (ACX) to keep counterfeiters off its e-commerce platforms and fake goods from entering its warehouses.

Retailers and others who are interested in stopping counterfeiting can share and receive information about counterfeiters on a database maintained by an independent third party. ACX’s collaborative data sharing helps to fight counterfeit crime in the online marketplace.

Video Spotlight:

What is Amazon Transparency and How to Use it as a Seller (Jan 8, 2021, AMZ […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2023-05-14T06:07:01+00:00May 14, 2023|Tags: counterfeit products, data mining, supply chain security, supply chain transparency|

BMW’s Digital Twin Factory

The world’s first digital twin of BMW’s electric vehicle (EV) factory in Hungary is made possible with Nvidia’s simulation technology.

BMW can use the digital replica of its physical factory to detect and correct any problems before actual production, in order to plan and optimize its EV design. Eventually, BMW will be able to simplify workflow by integrating the physical and virtual world with artificial intelligence.

Video Spotlight:

BMW Group Celebrates Opening the World’s First Virtual Factory […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2023-04-02T06:36:23+00:00April 2, 2023|Tags: artificial intelligence, automated processes, automation, innovation, manufacturing processes, optimization, product design, technology|

Major League Baseball Drives Faster Cycle Times

Cycle time is an essential part of operations management.

Using an industrial analogy like repetitive automobile manufacturing, cycle time can be defined in two contexts: the time it takes to perform one task, such as installation of the hood, or the cumulative time it takes to perform all tasks as a product makes its way to completion, such as a completed automobile.

Companies often seek to improve cycle time to increase output (inventory), support more sales, reduce costs, and capture more market […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2023-03-30T19:34:21+00:00March 30, 2023|Tags: cycle time, lean, takt time, technology, training|

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Venture Takes Flight

United Airlines and five corporate partners have started a $100 million venture capital fund to invest in firms and technology to develop sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Using feedstocks such as cooking oil and agricultural waste as resources to produce aviation fuel, the venture will cut greenhouse gas emissions dramatically if its supply and cost challenges are addressed.

United is getting customers involved in this SAF initiative by inviting customers to donate to the fund. According to a February 21, 2023 press […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2023-02-26T08:58:02+00:00February 27, 2023|Tags: global warming, greenhouse gas emissions, service design, social and environmental responsibility, sustainability|