Ch2
1. Answer the following questions about the case at the start of the chapter.
a. Based on the spreadsheet data, how would you characterize Steel Works’ products? What about Steel Works’ customers? Given your answer and the information in the case what does this suggest?
b. What does the coefficient of variation tell us? Can you determine the coefficient of variation for the DuraBend™ and DuraFlex™ product lines?
c. How much inventory has Steel Works been holding? How much should they have been holding?
d. Although no data is given for the Custom Products division, are there any obvious opportunities that are suggested by the information in the case?
參考本章一開始的案例並回答下列問題。
a. 依據電子試算表的數據，如何定義Steel Works的產品特性？Steel Works的顧客為何？根據你的回答以及案例的資訊，這代表什麼意義？
b. 變異係數告訴我們什麼？你能決定DuraBendTM與DuraFlexTM兩條產品線的變異係數嗎？
c. Steel Works持有多少存貨？它們應該持有多少存貨？
d. 雖然沒有訂製產品部門裡的相關資料，在此案例中所提供的資訊，是否仍讓我們發現了一些顯而易見的機會？
Refer to PowerPoint slides on Steel Works case
----------------------------------------------------
2. How can firms cope with huge variability in customer demand?
公司如何處理顧客需求的龐大變異性？
Companies can cope with uncertainty by
1. keeping safety stock,
2. shortening production and order lead times,
3. using risk pooling strategies,
4. delaying product differentiation in the supply chain as much as possible, i.e., aggregating demand for parties upstream of the supply chain, and
5. by installing systems to achieve information sharing between suppliers and buyers, thus enabling collaborative demand forecasting.
---------------------------------------------------
3. What is the relationship between service and inventory levels?
服務與存貨水準之間的關係為何？
In general, higher inventory levels make it easier to maintain higher service levels. However, modern inventory management techniques may make it possible to increase service levels without increasing inventory levels as much as in the past.
------------------------------------------------
4. What is the impact of lead time, and lead time variability, on
a. Based on the spreadsheet data, how would you characterize Steel Works’ products? What about Steel Works’ customers? Given your answer and the information in the case what does this suggest?
b. What does the coefficient of variation tell us? Can you determine the coefficient of variation for the DuraBend™ and DuraFlex™ product lines?
c. How much inventory has Steel Works been holding? How much should they have been holding?
d. Although no data is given for the Custom Products division, are there any obvious opportunities that are suggested by the information in the case?
參考本章一開始的案例並回答下列問題。
a. 依據電子試算表的數據，如何定義Steel Works的產品特性？Steel Works的顧客為何？根據你的回答以及案例的資訊，這代表什麼意義？
b. 變異係數告訴我們什麼？你能決定DuraBendTM與DuraFlexTM兩條產品線的變異係數嗎？
c. Steel Works持有多少存貨？它們應該持有多少存貨？
d. 雖然沒有訂製產品部門裡的相關資料，在此案例中所提供的資訊，是否仍讓我們發現了一些顯而易見的機會？
Refer to PowerPoint slides on Steel Works case
----------------------------------------------------
2. How can firms cope with huge variability in customer demand?
公司如何處理顧客需求的龐大變異性？
Companies can cope with uncertainty by
1. keeping safety stock,
2. shortening production and order lead times,
3. using risk pooling strategies,
4. delaying product differentiation in the supply chain as much as possible, i.e., aggregating demand for parties upstream of the supply chain, and
5. by installing systems to achieve information sharing between suppliers and buyers, thus enabling collaborative demand forecasting.
---------------------------------------------------
3. What is the relationship between service and inventory levels?
服務與存貨水準之間的關係為何？
In general, higher inventory levels make it easier to maintain higher service levels. However, modern inventory management techniques may make it possible to increase service levels without increasing inventory levels as much as in the past.
------------------------------------------------
4. What is the impact of lead time, and lead time variability, on