Manager's Guide to Operations Management

Operations Technology: Paving the Way Operations Should Work

Bob works as operations manager for a small toy factory. The employees take little plastic beads, melt them, mold them, and then bolt them together to make action figures. The figures are then painted, packaged, and shipped. He is consistently updating inventories, checking when new materials will be delivered, and making sure he has enough action figures on hand to fulfill orders from distributors and retailers. Bob gets tired of the umpteen hours he is spending every week just managing inventories and shipping orders.

But what are his choices? Fortunately, Bob can benefit from the ...