GE Healthcare and IBM Webcast presented by IndustryWeek

IBM (led by Sara Lewis, one of the co-authors of the book) presented with GE Healthcare at an IndustryWeek Webcast.  Click here to go to a link that allow you to view a replay of the event.   This event gives you a good overview of how network design is applied in practice.

The following is from the IndustryWeek registration page:

Conference Information

Managing a global supply chain is a constant balancing act. Making sure you’re getting the best results means calculating thousands of trade-offs. You need to consider every cost and constraint associated with transportation, production, storage, and global trade, while keeping service levels as high as possible. And when you consider how unpredictable high-growth markets can be, the levels of complexity increase exponentially.

Attend this IndustryWeek webinar featuring experts from IBM and GE Healthcare to learn best practices for simplifying the complex. Find out how your company can calculate the best possible supply chain network design to meet rapidly expanding business needs.

You will learn:

  • Why leading companies are integrating ongoing network optimization into every major supply chain planning activity — and how you can benefit from their insights
  • How major companies such as GE Healthcare are managing their global supply chain structures in order to reduce costs, improve customer service, and prevent disruptions
  • How solutions can help your company simplify the complex though all-in-one packaged network design and planning

Speakers

Ryan Hahn, Global Network Optimization Manager, GE Healthcare

Sara Lewis, WW Technical Lead, IBM

 

Mars and Wrigley Discussed Network Design at CSCMP

In the 2009 annual CSCMP conference, Mars and Wrigley spoke with IBM about network design.

The talk was covered by a post from IBM’s blog site and one from Bob Ferrari’s Supply Chain Matters.

The talk did a nice job of highlighting the value of network design.  They spoke about $10M in savings just from the initial models.

Of the points mentioned by Supply Chain Matters, the following helps highlights points from the book:

“When modeling scenarios were completed, combined management was in a better position to make more informed  decisions regarding warehouse synergies, potential common systems, or customer shipment consolidation.  Additional insights were also gained regarding potential impacts of an increased cost of energy, or reduction of overall carbon footprint.”

This is an important part of network design:  running multiple scenarios to help the management team make a better decision.   Since decisions are still made with uncertainty (what will happen to the price of oil?  to demand?) and strategic considerations (what is important the Mars and Wrigley brands), the modeling can better help quantify alternatives.