Faced with ever-increasing complexity on a daily basis, the decision-makers of today are struggling to find the appropriate models, methods and tools to face the issues arising in complex systems across all levels of global operations. Having, in the past, resorted to outdated approaches which limit problem-solving to linear world views, we must now capitalize on complexities in order to succeed and progress in our society. This book provides a guide to harnessing the wealth inherent to complex systems. It organizes the transition to complex decision-making in all business spheres while providing many examples in various application domains. The authors offer fresh developments for understanding and mastering the global “uberization” of the economy, the post-modern management of computer-assisted production and the rise of cognitive robotics science applications.

This book presents recent work in the physics and economics of management through the developmental theory and practice of management science/operations research (MS/OR) that goes beyond the author’s earlier book on the same subject. (Volume 125 in Springer’s MS/OR series) This current work makes a useful contribution to the next-generation discrete system of science and management for a better society. The scope of the book is focused on the science and management of the 3M&I–Time system in the discrete world, where that system is a complex class consisting of humans, material/machine, money and time. The system is treated by a stochastic/intelligence (medium) approach. The science of this system is the interdisciplinary science of physics, management, economics and related fields and is based on synthesis and intelligence in the new discrete world. Here, this domain is referred to as a discrete and complex science (of physics and economics) in industry and society. Another domain, which is referred to as higher management science and operations in this book, stems from the change in traditional management to higher management driven by the power of information and communications technology (ICT) in the cloud computing/global age. This domain exists to meet the needs of logic for real-time/systematic decisions and management in a changeable, speeded-up, and risk environment.

Print: in the right hands, in the right place, at the right time. That's effective distribution a critical step in the print supply chain. A customer's bottom line can be radically impacted by distribution decisions. Thus in our industry we cannot risk handling print distribution as an afterthought, but rather treat it as a value-added service. Dr. Cummings' book is the culmination of several years' investigation into print media distribution, drawn from primary research studies, case-studies, and in-depth expert interviews. It is the first publication to comprehensively analyze each player's role in the distribution of printed product, offering workflow solutions that can provide significant advantages to print producers' business models. Distribution is often the single largest cost factor in a printed piece, so understanding this element is as important as understanding labor costs, equipment financing, and information technology. Print Media Distribution is an essential resource for savvy print and transportation service providers, as well as educators who will train the next wave of the workforce in the best practices of print product delivery.

This work presents a comprehensive model of supply chain management. Experienced executives from 20 companies clearly define supply chain management, identifying those factors that contribute to its effective implementation. They provide practical guidelines on how companies can manage supply chains, addressing the role of all the traditional business functions in supply chain management and suggest how the adoption of a supply chain management approach can affect business strategy and corporate performance.

This book explains how UHF tags and readers communicate wirelessly. It gives an understanding of what limits the read range of a tag, how to increase it (and why that might result in breaking the law), and the practical things that need to be addressed when designing and implementing RFID technology. Avoiding heavy math but giving breadth of coverage with the right amount of detail, it is an ideal introduction to radio communications for engineers who need insight into how tags and readers work. New to this edition: • Examples of near-metal antenna techniques • Discussion of the wakeup challenge for battery-assisted tags, with a BAT architecture example • Latest development of protocols: EPC Gen 1.2.0 • Update 18000-6 discussion with battery-assisted tags, sensor tags, Manchester tags and wakeup provisions - Named a 2012 Notable Computer Book for Computer Systems Organization by Computing Reviews - The only book to give an understanding of radio communications, the underlying technology for radio frequency identification (RFID) - Praised for its readability and clarity, it balances breadth and depth of coverage - New edition includes latest developments in chip technology, antennas and protocols

High-Tech and High-Touch Logistics Solutions for Supply Chain Challenges In today's fast-paced and customer-oriented business environment, superior supply chain performance is a prerequisite to getting and staying competitive. Supply Chain Strategy is based on world-class logistics practices in place in successful supply chain organizations, the latest academic breakthroughs in logistics system design, and the logic of logistics. It presents the proven pillars of success in logistics and supply chain management. Part of McGraw-Hill's Logistics Management Library, Supply Chain Strategy is organized according to author Dr. Ed Frazelle's breakthrough logistics master planning methodology. The methodology leads to metrics, process designs, system designs, and organizational strategies for total supply chain management, total logistics management, customer response, inventory planning and management, supply, transportation, and warehousing. Concise yet complete, Dr. Frazelle's book shows how to develop a comprehensive logistics and supply chain strategy, one that will both complement and support a company's strategic objectives and long-term success. Logisticsthe flow of material, information, and money between consumers and suppliershas become a key boardroom topic. It is the subject of cover features in business publications from Wall Street Journal to BusinessWeek. Annual global logistics expenditures exceed $3.5 trillion, nearly 20 percent of the world's GDP, making logistics perhaps the last frontier for major corporations to significantly increase shareholder and customer value. And at the heart of every effort to improve organizational logistics performance? Supply chain efficiency. Supply Chain Strategy is today's most comprehensive resource for up-to-the-minute thinking and practices on developing supply chain strategies that support a company's overall objectives. Covering world-class practices and systems, taken from the files of Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart, General Electric, and other companies, it covers essential supply chain subjects including: Logistics data miningfor identifying the root cause of material and information flow problems, pinpointing opportunities for process improvements, and providing an objective basis for project-team decision making Inventory planning and managementpresenting metrics, processes, and systems for forecasting, demand planning, and inventory control, yielding lower inventory levels and improved customer service Logistics information systems and Web-based logisticshelping to substitute information for inventory and work content Transportation and distributionfor connecting sourcing locations with customers at the lowest cost by, among other things, leveraging private and third-party transportation systems Logistics organization developmentincluding the seven disciplines that link enterprises across the supply chain, as well as logistics activities within those enterprises Supply Chain Strategy explains and demonstrates how decision makers can use today's technology to enhance key logistics systems at every point in the supply chain, from the time an idea or product is conceived through its delivery to the final user. It describes the major steps in developing an effective, workable logistics management programone that will reduce operating expenses, minimize capital investment, and improve overall customer service and satisfaction.

Effective development and management of a supply chain network is an invaluable source of sustainable advantage in today’s turbulent global marketplace, where demand is difficult to predict and supply chains need to be more flexible as a result. This updated 4th edition of the bestselling Logistics and Supply Chain Management is a clear-headed guide to all the key topics in an integrated approach to supply chains, including: • The link between logistics and customer value. • Logistics and the bottom line measuring costs and performance. • Creating a responsive supply chain. • Managing the global pipeline. • Managing supply chain relationships. • Managing risk in the supply chain. • Matching supply and demand. • Creating a sustainable supply chain. • Product design in the supply chain.