cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Choose Language Hide Translation Bar
Using JMP® to Analyze and Improve the Cycle Time of Direct Orders in a Global Supply Chain

 Using JMP® to Analyze and Improve the Cycle Time of Direct Orders in a Global Supply Chain

 

M. Patricia Nava, PhD, Program Manager, Global Fulfillment and Logistics, Dell

Global supply chains in which products are built in Asia for customers in other parts of the globe, such as Europe or the Americas, create challenges to fulfill orders under the "direct" channel, particularly if customers expect the products to be delivered in a very short or predictable time. In this paper, I describe how I used JMP statistical software to 1) analyze the sources of variability affecting the cycle time throughout the entire supply chain, 2) understand the process times based on product type and the influence of controllable and uncontrollable factors, and 3) uncover hidden delays via the use of JMP visual-graphical features. This graphical tool played an important role in proposing a solution to meet customer delivery time under the direct channel. Typically, a company may have different types of product lines — one that is very well established and can be delivered quickly, one that requires some level of customization and, therefore, additional process time, and one where the customer is comfortable with a longer delivery time. The underlying assumption is that we can match types of products with customer needs.