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In this Issue


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Cover Story

Read the latest cover story in the new issue of APICS magazine.

  • Speak a Foreign Language

    by Anne van de Heetkamp | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    Paired-cell overlapping loops of cards, or POLCA, was created as an alternative to kanban. Kanban is not intended to operate in environments of low volume or custom products, but POLCA is designed specifically to meet these needs.
    Full story



Features

Explore the latest feature article from the new issue of APICS magazine.

  • Assets, Liabilities, and Risk

    by Scott G. Stephenson | May/June 2012 | 22 | 23
    It is no longer sufficient to view the supply chain as a set of tangible assets and related liabilities to be insured. Rather, leaders must adopt a more holistic risk management program.
    Full story



  • It’s in the Cards

    by Kathy Pelto, CPIM, CPM, and Bob Mueller | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    Paired-cell overlapping loops of cards, or POLCA, was created as an alternative to kanban. Kanban is not intended to operate in environments of low volume or custom products, but POLCA is designed specifically to meet these needs.
    Full story



  • Get Well Soon

    by The APICS Interview | May/June 2012 | 23 | 3
    Rick Seibert, vice president of business development at Sharp Corporation, discusses vulnerabilities in the prescription drug supply chain, serialization and track and trace, authentication, anti-counterfeiting, and other relevant topics for today’s prescription drug supply chain.
    Full story



Departments

APICS Report

Ask APICS

  • The Broken Chain

    by Jonathan Thatcher, CSCP | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    Frequent supply disruptions are challenging and frustrating, and they make it difficult to focus attention where it belongs. Breaking the cycle requires a proactive approach wide in scope.
    Full story



Book Review

Building Blocks

  • Common-Sense Advancement

    by Karl M. Kapp, EdD, CFPIM, CIRM | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    Organizations can easily become bloated with too many processes, sign-offs, and layers of interference. It seems that if a single mistake is made, a process is put into place to prevent it from ever occurring again.
    Full story



  • Here or There?

    by John P. Collins, CFPIM, CSCP, and Eric P. Jack, PhD, CFPIM, CSCP | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    After evaluating strategic concerns, the choice to outsource should take into consideration the responsibilities and risks associated with potential human rights violations, safety issues, and poor working conditions.
    Full story



Enterprise Insights

Executive View

  • Too Much or Not Enough?

    by Dave Turbide, CFPIM, CIRM, CSCP, CMfgE | N/A 2012 | 22 | 3
    Inventory's purpose is to decouple supply and demand and provide a buffer that protects against visibility and control shortcomings. The key is to have just enough buffer to generate an acceptable service level.
    Full story



  • Quitting Time

    by David Aquino, CPIM | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    The unemployment rate currently is 8.3 percent, which goes up to 15 percent when underemployment is considered. Yet many leaders are losing key staff people and keeping positions open for uncomfortably long times.
    Full story



From the CEO

From the Editor

  • Lessons from the Shanghai Conference

    by Abe Eshkenazi, CSCP, CPA, CAE Chief Executive Officer | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    It’s fascinating to see how Tim Cook, a supply chain and operations management professional, is looking critically at Apple’s supply chain and taking notable steps to improve it.
    Full story



  • Discovering Revolutionary Ideas

    by Jennifer Proctor | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    The authors of Get Content Get Customers write that the old standards of competitive advantage no longer apply. Now, the means to attain competitive advantage are ongoing innovation and excellent customer service.
    Full story



Industry Watch

Lessons Learned

  • Industry Watch

    by APICS staff | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    “Industry Watch” takes a look at the newest product and software releases by major players in the field of supply chain and operations management.
    Full story



  • Universal Supply Chain Truths

    by Michael Ford, CFPIM, CSCP | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    Just like Pareto analysis says, 20 percent of the customers make up 80 percent of the complaints and 80 percent of the late payments. Some people are never satisfied.
    Full story



Management Perspective

Membership Matters

  • Boosting Your Service and Innovation

    by Philip E. Quigley, CFPIM, PMP | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    Social networking presents opportunities to supply chain and operations management professionals in at least two critical areas: getting reports from field service professionals about products and sharing ideas on how to improve products and services.
    Full story



  • Demonstrated Forward Thinking

    by Elizabeth Rennie | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    Harold Guenther Schoenbeck Barillas works as logistical director at Cemaco in Guatemala. He says being an APICS member has helped him demonstrate a higher level of knowledge in his workplace.
    Full story



Relevant Research

Working Green

  • An Expanded Perspective on Product Life Cycles

    by Richard E. Crandall, PhD, CFPIM, CIRM, CSCP | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    The traditional product life cycle has four phases: start-up, growth, maturity, and decline. Company leaders are becoming increasingly aware of two additional product life cycles they must consider in designing new products: post-sale service and recovery.
    Full story



  • Full Disclosure Green

    by Antonio Galvao, CSCP | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    Consumers now have the social tools to punish brands quickly. Thus, company decision makers increasingly are awakening to the important role measurements play in operating more sustainably and profitably.
    Full story



Advertising Resources

  • Product Showcase

    by APICS partners | May/June 2012 | 22 | 3
    The Product Showcase features partners of APICS magazine.
    Full story