The Difference Between Walmart And Procter Gamble Information Technology Essay

The Difference Between Walmart And Procter Gamble Information Technology Essay In late 1980s, Procter Gamble, the manufacturer and Wal-Mart, the distributor started to practice vendor managed inventory (VMI) partnership. Their success on increasing efficiency of supply chain immediately trumpeted other organization like Campbell Soup, Johnson Johnson, Glaxosmithkline ¼Ã…’Electrolux Italia ¼Ã…’Nestle and Tesco, and also Boeing and Alcoa, to apply VMI approach. VMI is a business model which is first implemented and common among grocery industry. Vendor or supplier usually refers to manufacturer. Instead of having the customers, often distributors, to place order to vendors,, as in traditional replenishment process, VMI created a value added service in which vendors have full responsibility on maintaining agreed level of inventories for distributors. Through VMI software, manufacturers either able to monitor and access distributors actual inventory level, or distributors will send sales and inventory data via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or internet on pre-arrange schedule, typically on daily basis. Manufacturers then make resupply decisions regarding order quantities, timing, and shipping based on mutually agreed stock levels, fill rates, and transaction costs. Yes, the researcher agreed that VMI provides significant benefits to an organization. Therefore, exploring the benefits arise from implementation of VMI, would be the next focus for this paper. The paper also objectives to examine the disadvantages involved in the application of VMI for both distributors and manufacturers. 2.0 : VENDOR MANAGED INVENTORY Advantages The advantages were introduced in terms of manufacturers, distributors, not to forget dual benefits. 2.1.1 For manufacturers Increased productivity More efficient own inventory control Increased customer relationship Improved market analysis Increased sales Cost reduction VMI Benefits for Manufacturers Figure 1: VMI Benefits for Manufacturers Source: The Researcher Cost reduction Administration cost, operating cost, transportation cost and many more are decreased because of lesser order problem like bad data, and decreasing unexpected order. Increased sales This is the quickest advantage as sales could be rise to 5-25%. This mainly due to increased sales of their customers, contributed by lesser stock out problems, together with improved product mix, as a result of better demand visibility. Market share also increased because distributors could experience lower cost, greater profitability, and improved service from manufacturers. Another factor is better collaborative planning for special sales such as promotion. Improved market analysis More frequent and direct communication allowed better insight in customer demand. This enables easier market analysis and created opportunities to provide other value added services. Increased customer relationship Manufacturers secured its customers by providing continuous supply, avoiding out of stock problems. VMI also assured long term relationship together with steady and predictable income as long as manufacturers still carrying the task of maintaining a predetermined stock for its customers, often a distributor. More efficient own inventory control With the ability to monitor and keep track its customers actual sales and inventory, manufacturers able to forecast demand, hence better plan and control its own inventory, for instance, keeping just enough stock for manufacturing and resupply for its customer. Increased communication also allows promotion to be easily incorporated into inventory plan. Increased productivity Manufacturers productivity is increased because monitoring customers stock regularly enable manufacturers to control its own inventory more efficiently, thus manufacturing operations could be schedule more productively. 2.1.2 For distributors Improved service Increased sales Cost saving Lesser stock-out Lower inventory level VMI Benefits for Manufacturers Figure 2: VMI Benefits for Distributors Source: The Researcher Lower inventory level Manufacturers have greater responsibility to ensure availability of inventories, by ordering replenishment when inventories fall below order point. Frequent review of inventories and demand information enable manufacturers to more accurately control lead time component of order point calculations, hence reducing safety stock. Lesser stock-out or shortage The theory and reasons is just the same as for reducing safety stock and inventory level, which is automatic replenishment by supplier before stock-out, and better order calculation due to increased visibility of actual demand. Having manufacturers to monitor its own items also allows better respond to unexpected demand compared to typical distributors managing bulks of items from different manufacturers. Cost saving Administration cost is reduced. Since manufacturers in charge of stock replenishment, the cost involves for managing replenishment, generating purchase order and other administration task is eliminated. Distributors will then require lesser time and effort in ordering. Cost involved in bad or wrong order is eliminated too. VMI also decreased cost of carrying stock. Increased sales VMI leads to fewer out-of-stock situations. This simply means higher sales, as lesser sales opportunities are lost, and customer loyalty is improved. Increased visibility in demand ensured the right products always available at right time and right place. Frequent communication also allow better collaborations with suppliers in planning for new product introduction, promotions, and exceptional demand, allowing distributors to enjoy full advantage of special sales opportunities. Improved service Having correct items at correct moment improved overall service level. Manufacturers practicing VMI also keen to provide better service to distributors. 2.1.3 Dual Benefits In addition to the above advantages, both manufacturers and distributors benefit from shortening of supply chain. Human data entry errors were avoided through computer to computer communication, which also improve processing speed. Next, overhead is lowered due to automated VMI. Another consequence would be stronger ties and true partnership between manufacturers and distributors. Furthermore, timing of purchase orders was stabilized on a predefined basis, for example once weekly purchase order cycle. Disadvantages The researcher also identified some disadvantages. Firstly, manufacturers might need additional effort and cost to undertake resupply activities which is previously carried out by distributors themselves. Therefore, manufacturers must guaranteed substantial amount of gross profit and sales to cover those extra expenses. Secondly, since distributors are excluded from forecasting demand, inaccurate forecast might occur. In terms of distributors, dependency on single source of supply gives disadvantages when suppliers unable to meet its commitment. Distributors also faced potential in losing confidential information since manufacturers are given access to its data. There is also possibility of job losing as replenishment tasks are transferred back to manufacturers. Implementing VMI also means distributors unable to enjoy bulk purchase discount, promotion, and forward buying. Another risk is that lacking of advanced information technology could results in outdated and incorrect information sharing. Besides cost of technology, application of VMI also involved cost of training and changing organization. Moreover, the success of VMI is hugely determined by the strength of relationship between manufacturers and distributors. For instance, lack of trust in data exchange could leads to ineffective implementation, including inventory invisibility and inventory imbalance. Since VMI increased dependency on both parties, switching cost is raised and these created difficulties in switching. Flexibility is loss through VMI because special events or promotions required beforehand communication in order to eliminate replenishment mistake. The next concern is that VMI which encouraged lower inventory contributed to loss of shelf space at distributors selling area. This decreases attention of their buyers, hence market share are loss. However, they are ways to overcome these disadvantages. Take the above example, shelf space could be filled with other items from same vendor. Furthermore, achieving mutual agreement before applying VMI would creates mutual trust, therefore strengthens relationship and partnership between manufacturers and distributors, thus better price and transaction, resulted in better service to the end customers, which will then generate significant benefits for both parties. 3.0 : CONCLUSION Procter Gamble and Wal-Mart appears to be the pioneer and master of VMI, a supply chain practice which is popularized among grocery industry since late 1980s. As oppose to traditional business model where distributors initiate purchasing order, buying decision in VMI are shifted back to vendors, often manufacturers. This is an automated process where manufacturers automatically make resupply decision, ensuring certain amount of stock is available for distributors to meet consumer demand. Manufacturers are given access to real-time sales and inventory level, where electronic data will be sent by distributors to manufacturers through EDI or internet. Under VMI partnership, both manufacturer and distributor are bound by agreement which determines information like inventory level, refill rates, cost, and shipping. The researcher agreed that VMI created numerous advantages for both manufacturers and distributors. Examples include increased sales, cost reduction, lower inventory level, lesser stock-out, improved service, improved productivity, improved market analysis, shortening of supply chain, improved processing speed, stronger partnership and many more. Nevertheless, VMI have disadvantages too. These incorporate additional effort and cost for manufacturers, inaccurate demand forecast, dependency on single source of supply, loss of confidential information, loss of job, loss of purchase discount, outdated and incorrect information sharing due to lacking of advance technology, cost of training, changing organization, increased dependency, increased switching cost, loss of flexibility, loss of shelf space, and loss of market share. As conclusion, the researcher recognized that VMI could be structured properly in order to maximize its advantages and minimize its disadvantages. To illustrate, good flow of information is key to success in VMI application. Thus, it is necessary to allow information sharing by ensuring an open communication channel. Implementing a well-structured VMI also required good understanding of VMI as well as training of staff. Other measures to avoid VMI failure includes clarify expectation, and achieve an agreement between manufacturers and distributors regarding factors such as lead time, cost, and information sharing.

The Temple of Heaven

Autqem Neter Sh. Nu Au Mu Samga History May 20, 2012 The Temple of Heaven The Temple of Heaven is located in the southern area of Beijing. Occupying an area of 273 hectares, it is three times the area of the Forbidden City. It was built in 1420 A. D. , for emperors to worship Heaven. The main buildings include the Altar or Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Circular Mound Altar. In 1998, the Temple of Heaven was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Beginning in 2005, the Temple of Heaven underwent a 47 million Yuan (6 million USD) renovation that was completed on May 1st, 2006.The Altar or Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, 38 meters tall and 30 meters in diameter, stands on a round foundation built with three tiers of marble stone. This large hall is under a three-story, cone-shaped glaze-tile roof in blue color crowned with a gilded knob. A circular wall of polished bricks known as the Echo Wall encloses the Imperial Vault of Heaven. The Circular Mount Altar, south to the Imperial Vault of Heaven, is where the emperor prayed to heaven. At the center lies a round stone called the Center of Heaven Stone that echoes when a visitor speaks loudly when standing on the stone.The Temple of Heaven is enclosed with a long wall. The northern part within the wall is semicircular symbolizing the heavens and the southern part is square symbolizing the earth. The northern part is higher than the southern part. This design shows that the heaven is high and the earth is low and the design reflected an ancient Chinese thought of ‘The heaven is round and the earth is square. The Temple is divided by two enclosed walls into inner part and outer part. The main buildings of the Temple lie at the south and north ends of the middle axis line of the inner part.The most magnificent buildings are The Circular Mound Altar (Yuanqiutan), Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu) and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qiniandian) from south to north. Also, t here are some additional buildings like Three Echo Stones and Echo Wall. Almost all of the buildings are connected by a wide bridge called Vermilion Steps Bridge (Danbiqiao) or called Sacred Way. The Circular Altar has three terraces layered with white marble. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 A. D. – 1911 A. D. ), the emperors would offer sacrifice to Heaven on the day of the Winter Solstice every year.This ceremony was to thank Heaven and hope everything would be good in the future. The picture below is of The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, a big palace with a round roof in three layers. Inside the Hall are 28 huge posts. Four posts along the inner circle represent four seasons-spring, summer, autumn and winter, 12 posts along the middle circle represent the 12 months; and 12 posts along the outer circle represent 12 Shichen (Shichen is a means of counting time in ancient China). The roof is covered with black, yellow and green colored glaze representing the heaven s, the earth and everything on earth.The Hall has a base named Altar for Grain Prayers which is made of three layers of white marble and has a height of six meters. The numbers 3 and 9, in particular, recur in the layout and design; these are important or ‘lucky' numbers in Chinese numerology. The number 9, being the highest value digit is associated with the emperor. Its square root, 3, has a natural occurrence in terms of beginning, middle and end. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was constructed relying only on carpentry, with no nails employed. This building was commissioned by Qing dynasty emperor Qian Long (reign: 1736-1795) in 1775.

Jazz Concert Reflection Essay

Jazz is a musical style that began in African American communities in the southern United States around the beginning of the twentieth century. It was a new style of music that brought together music traditions from West Africa and Europe. Some of its West African musical influences give jazz its unique sound. Jazz has many different elements, which are improvisations, swinging, using blue notes, and combining different rhythms. I attended The Bill and Helen Murray Jazz Residency Program featured Ellery Eskelin on the Saxophone with Susan Acorn on the pedal steel guitar and Michael Formanek on the acoustic bass and The Towson University Jazz Faculty Ensemble Featuring Dave Balloy on the trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet, Jim Mc falls on the trombone and baritone, Tim Murphy on the piano, Jeff Reed on the bass and last but not least, Frank Russo on the drums and cymbals. At each concert about four songs were performed. The musical elements in both performances that classify the music I heard as jazz were the swing rhythms and improvisations. The Jazz Residency Program was based on improvisations. Each player at this concert; had the ability to instantaneously compose, revise and perform their parts amazingly. As Ellery played the Sax, Susan and Michael played their instrument spontaneously creating fresh melodies. At the Jazz Faculty ensemble, the musicians played songs that were previously written. Their musical styles were mostly bebop and swing with lots of call and respond. Jim Mc falls would play his trombone and all group members would follow after him. The song â€Å"Moodly† sounded like bebop, because there were a lot of bass drum bombs and tonal clashes. â€Å"Marsch der freien Sound Fur Funf Instrumente† was also a bebop song that was played with extended harmonies and tonal clashes. Some of the non-traditional jazz elements that I heard were played at both of the Jazz Concerts. Susan Acorn played the pedal steel  guitar, which I found to be a non-traditional element. The sound was completely different from what I had ever heard before. At the Jazz Faculty Ensemble, Dave Ballou played the Piccolo Trumpet for the last piece â€Å"Conversion†. The high-pitched sound made the song slur and blend with soft melodies. Listening to each concert, gave me two totally different experiences. The Jazz Residency concert was all improvisations, so it didn’t remind me of any of the music I had heard before. The Jazz Faculty ensemble was a reminder of music styles like Art Tatum, John Coltrane, and Duke Ellington. When they played Hamster in a bucket it’s reminded me of â€Å"In a Mellotone† by Duke Ellinton. Then Dave Ballou played the trumpet in the song â€Å"Cry Baby† like Miles Davis played the trumpet in the song â€Å"So What†. In conclusion, the quality of both performances was outstanding. Each performance was completely different and that’s what I loved. The jazz residency program was completely improvised, leaving me opened and surprised at every note each player chose to play. The Jazz Faculty Ensemble’s songs had a distinctive vibe. They made the sounds of their music come together and I felt the rhythm. I would defiantly pay to see each performance again. I left the concerts smiling, because I felt as if I knew exactly what they were trying to accomplish with their music. The two ensembles I attended featured some of the most talented musicians I ever heard performing at Towson University.

Mental Illness As A Social Problem - 982 Words

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Indications incorporate pull back from family and/or companions, weight reduction, do zing issues, regular crying, escaping vulnerable, fancies, and pipedreams. This malady is normally analyzed amid youth; guardians may see grades dropping, poor mental self-portrait, pained social relations, and self-destructive acts. This ailment might be lethal if the individual gets to be self-destructive. The test of emotional instability in the public arena might be seen as a social issue. Emotional instability is a wellspring of genuineShow MoreRelatedMental Illness Is A Social Problem1501 Words   |  7 PagesMental illness is a health condition that affects an individual’s moods and thinking in a way that changes how that person relates to other people in society. The functioning of the affected person is also altered and usually results in the person failing to perform some of the daily activities that the person has previously engaged in. 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