Subject Area: Optimization Problems Don’t believe the hype that all optimization software will solve all optimization problems. It is easy to think that all optimization software solutions are the same – they are not. Techniques vary. Some companies keep their techniques secret. They don’t want to share the specifics of how they deal with common […]
Optimization Software Problem Definition Template
Subject Area: Optimization Software Problem Definition Template This is our optimization software problem definition template. A problem definition should look something like this four point template: Our spare parts inventory routinely fails to deliver on our goals of minimal stock with target availability because… (insert issues of concern) This is evidenced by… (insert data) This […]
Step 3: Be Clear About Your Optimization Software Selection Goal
Subject Area: Optimization Software Selection Goals Before taking your software selection process any further you must be clear about your optimization software selection goals. Failure to frame the goals and issues from the stakeholder perspective and from that develop the problem definition will derail any attempt to gain support for the required solution. The problem […]
Step 2: Engage with End Users
Subject Area: Optimization Software Selection Team The best software in the world is of no use, if the results are over-ridden. Therefore, before getting too far into a selection process you need to identify an optimization software selection team that includes a representative of each of the stakeholder groups: maintenance, reliability, engineering, procurement, storeroom management, […]
Step 1: Understand the Underlying Software Technology
Subject Area: Understand the Underlying Software Technology What do we mean by underlying software technology? This term refers to understanding the software system’s process and its applicability to spare parts inventory. The key question is: Is the software suitable for this type of inventory? This is different understanding the theoretical principles of inventory management or […]
The Right Optimization Software is One That is Actually Applied
Subject Area: Choosing the Right Optimization Software What do we mean by saying ‘the right optimization software’? This is the software that will be used and that will produce the best results for your situation. It is true that all optimization software will produce a number, but is your goal only to get a ‘better […]
Optimization Software Must Be Trusted by the Whole Team
Subject Area: Optimization Software Must Be Trusted What if you spend a lot of time and money selecting optimization software only to find that the results are not trusted by the end users? This could be a disaster for your company. How will the end users react? Typically, they will seek to over-ride the inventory […]
Optimization Software Selection is Not Trivial
Subject Area: Optimization Software Selection What is the impact of selecting the wrong optimization software? Not so wrong that it doesn’t work, but sufficiently wrong that the software doesn’t provide the best results possible? How much would it cost your company if the results are ‘good enough’ but not as good as they should be? […]
Transforming Spare Parts Operations Requires C Level Engagement
Subject Area: Transforming Spare Parts Operations Concerned about the amount of money tied up in your spare parts inventory? Worried that your current approach to transforming spare parts operations doesn’t generate the results you want? Failure to understand the ‘rules’ around spare parts inventory leads to waste in spare parts inventory costs that are avoidable. […]
Our Thoughts on True Optimization™
Why Inventory Optimization (Mostly) Isn’t Optimization Optimization (of anything) is a problem-solving process or methodology that aims to make something as functional and effective as possible*. Common examples of optimization include: in travel, deciding the fastest route to get somewhere (optimizing the use of available time); in manufacturing, deciding the most appropriate production run times […]