Global chemical giant BASF operates production plants in several countries and is committed to creating additional value for its customers and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of their processes. For its logistics, the company relies on a network of hundreds of carriers. One of BASF’s objectives was to manage logistics processes and enable teams to collaborate smoothly along the transport chain. The goal was for each shipment from BASF to automatically move through a standard workflow, from the production site to the recipient. With the installation of the Siemens AX4 cloud-based logistics platform, BASF could optimize management of their logistics network, automate communications to the carriers, transfer accompanying shipment documents from AX4 to the carrier system, and get status reports from the carrier. This new digital technology set the foundation for successful collaboration between BASF and its logistics network for all transport data. Siemens AX4 allowed for the integration of partners into the BASF network, and better control of transportation-related costs through the standardization of logistics processes. If you want to discover how Siemens AX4 can increase the transparency of your entire supply chain, visit http://www.axit.de/en/digitalization to learn more.
Read More →Siemens AX4 helps drive success for Deutz
Deutz is a worldwide provider of diesel and gas engines, and a company that prides itself on spirit, passion and a commitment to quality. To achieve better performance, Deutz initiated measures to increase the quality and reliability of inbound and outbound shipments. In addition to simplifying workflows, the IT solution needed to adapt to Deutz’s SAP system and eliminate manual input along the entire process. Deutz also wanted to avoid investing in its own IT infrastructure and cut its process costs. Siemens AX4 logistics platform offered solutions including that integrated global suppliers, carriers and service providers into a single system and provided central access of logistics data for Deutz as well as its suppliers and carriers. By significantly increasing productivity, and improving reliability and on-time performance through automated workflows, the AX4 cloud-based platform allowed Deutz to maintain their “customer value, quality, and technology come first” philosophy. With this implementation, their desire to cut costs was also realized because there was no need for an additional investment to increase warehouse space. To find your digital logistics solutions and get on the road to success, visit http://www.axit.de/en/digitalization for more information.
Read More →Siemens AX4 logistics platform keeps business on track
As a provider of integrated logistics services in the railway industry, DB Cargo Logistics is responsible for managing the complete transport chain of its customers. To meet the highest customer expectations, DB Cargo Logistics wanted to implement a SCM solution that enables seamless, end-to-end monitoring of rail transports involving various rail carriers. As a leading provider of innovative sorting products, technology, and solutions, Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics (SPPAL) proved its AX4 cloud-based logistics platform to keep DB Cargo on track. Siemens AX4 logistics platform brought many layers and levels of operation together for DB Cargo Logistics, including: Mapping train, railcar and container structures Defining schedules rail freightservices Import of real-time tracking data from all logisticspartners Tracking information for their entire rail network The company-wide integration resulted in improved routes for many prominent automotive customers, and more reliable processes and smooth workflows with lower management. Additionally, AX4 is offered as a cloud solution, so there is no need for on-site installation. The Siemens AX4 platform has become a critical tool for the retention of DB Cargo Logistics customers, and a way to help DB Cargo successfully boost daily efficiency, quality, and performance. To find out how you can manage your complete supply and delivery chain with one click, visit http://www.axit.de/en/digitalization for more information.
Read More →Enabling Demand Driven planning with SAP-based solutions
CAMELOT Management Consultants‘s affiliate for innovative IT solutions, CAMELOT IT Lab, co-innovated with SAP to introduce the DDMRP for SAP IBP solution. The vast majority of supply chains today, are being managed using a wholly ineffective process through very expensive Advanced Planning and /or ERP software systems. They work effectively only when extremely reliable forecasts are available. The Demand-Driven SCM concept, therefore, uses actual demand instead of error-prone forecasts to drive replenishment. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2ImxNPk
Read More →Organizational Alignment : Aligning your Team to Increase the Predictability and Profitability of your Business
It really is lonely at the top. We help business leaders align their organization. If you are a business leader, you know that predictable results are difficult to obtain. Alignment issues in performance management, leadership behaviors, and conflicting values systems conspire against predictability and improved profitability. Organizational alignment is the leader’s ability to optimize the performance of the team, to make their business more profitable and predictable. To understand how to align your team, you need to analyze three concepts: 1. Performance: The creation of a singular goal for the business that is translated into goals for every individual in the company so that they are aligned. 2. Behavior: The communication of that plan to the right audience at the right cadence, and the follow-up against the plan with the right audience at the right cadence. 3. Beliefs: Establishment of core values and communication of these to the organization, listening for them in conversations and confronting behavior that is in violation of them.
Read More →Guide to Business Scorecard Fundamentals: Building an Effective Scorecard Process
KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are commonly used by organizations as metrics to measure and guide their progress. A business scorecard and KPIs are used to benchmark and align workers’ performance with long-term objectives and goals of the organization. The KPIs determine if your organization is moving towards the right direction, and how far you’ll have to go to improve and reach your target. Competitive Solution’s whitepaper explores the “practical aspects of transparent corporate reporting, engaging the organization through repeatable and sustainable processes, creating a culture of ownership and accountability and establishing a communication rhythm that keeps staff information and connected to the business.
Read More →High Speed Machining Needs A High Torque Retention Knob – An Ebook by JM Performance Products & Generis
High-speed machining in excess of 20,000 RPMs is often utilized when machining medical components out of exotic alloys and larger metals like titanium and stainless steel. At these rates of speed, vibration and chatter can occur as a result of factors such as the balance or concentricity of the tool holder as well as improper seating within the spindle. When this occurs, material removal rates are dramatically reduced and the expensive carbide tools utilized must be replaced more frequently. In addition, vibration and chatter can lead to poor surface finishes that require secondary bench operations and even damage the workplace. All this serves to slow down machining cycle time, the measure of the time it takes to complete each part from start to finish. For an industry in which cycle times are directly related to operational costs and, by extension the bids offered prospective customers, finding new ways to decrease machining time can lead to a significant competitive edge. Learn how utilizing the High Torque retention knobs along with dual-contact spindles can decrease cycle times. Learn more in this ebook by JM Performance Products and Generis, http://bit.ly/2DCWAzb.
Read More →Enabling the Digital Thread: Is your Organization Ready?
The digital thread refers to the communication framework that allows a connected data flow and integrated view of the asset’s data throughout its lifecycle across traditionally siloed functional perspectives. It is the digital thread that connects product design, supply chain, production, and maintenance services and allows for a truly smart factory, delivering “the right information to the right place at the right time.” Is your enterprise prepared for the smart factory evolution?
Read More →Supply Chain Visibility in Pharmaceutical Outsourcing
While pharmaceutical companies are ultimately responsible for assuring the control and review of outsourced activities and the quality of purchased materials, many struggle with supply chain visibility due to the complexity of multi-tiered supply chains, inadequate IT systems, limited experience, and resource constraints. The supply chain has gotten increasingly complicated over the past decade. The complexity arises from the entrance of vendors from many countries into the marketplace; vendors that previously played a small or limited role. Mergers and acquisitions have also complicated the supply chain, particularly around quality.
Read More →The Smart Factory Transformation Checklist
Share this on Twitter! This Smart Factory Transformation checklist is adapted from a presentation by Forcam at our 2016 American Aerospace & Defense Summit.
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