IIE Solutions articles from November 2001

IIE Solutions archives from November 2001

A chronic condition. (EDITOR'S DESK).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Grief respects no boundaries. It conforms to no rules and follows no predictable course. It doesn't align to a foreseeable pattern or offer obvious answers. Grief is a well, a pit, a granite lump wedged in the base of your throat. There is no...

Americans lead in labor productivity. (NEWS).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... U.S. workers put in more hours on the job in 2000 than the labor forces of other industrial countries, outpacing employees in Canada, Japan, Britain, and Germany, a study by the International Labor Organization shows. Americans spend...

Ergo plan postponed. (NEWS).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist activities in New York City and Washington, the U.S. Department of Labor indicated it would postpone the announcement of a national ergonomics plan of action. The announcement, which was expected in...

Japanese firms may join Boeing project. (NEWS).(Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Three Japanese companies are considering supplying advanced engineering and design technology for Boeing Co.'s new Sonic Cruiser high-speed passenger jet project. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., and Fuji...

Newsmakers. (NEWS).
November 1, 2001... * Brian Murphy was appointed vice president of professional services for Syncronex Inc., an enterprise software company. Murphy, who obtained an industrial engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology, was previously director of...

Microchannel technology bodes well for ammonia as refrigerant. (NEWS).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Microchannel tube technology, which is widely used in the automotive industry for heat exchangers, offers an opportunity to rethink the use of ammonia as a refrigerant, say scientists at the University of Illinois. In a recent feasibility...

Faster surgical learning. (NEWS).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... An emphasis on organizational learning and teamwork increases the speed at which surgical teams learn a new procedure, according to Harvard Business School researchers. Researchers Amy C. Edmondson, Richard M. Bohmer, and Gary Pisano found...

Competitive advantage through manufacturing flexibility. (NEWS).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... There's a new and better way for firms to estimate the cash returns of a capital purchase, two Pennsylvania State University researchers say. "If a firm is analyzing the purchase of a new machine, it is easy to determine the value of added...

R&D community. (NETSOURCE).(research and development )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Professionals and professors involved in research and development will want to bookmark the Community of Science site at http://www.cos.com. This network provides a place for communication, collaboration, and promotion, as well as for finding...

Supply chain scores. (News).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... A survey of 150 operations managers, engineers, and IT executives from some of the world's largest corporations reveals that current asset management techniques aren't necessarily making use of available technology: * 84 percent of...

George sponsors health systems professorship. (NEWS).(William W. George, School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... William W. George, chairman of medical technology company Medtronic Inc., will establish a $1 million endowment to the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The new William W. George...

Internet increases productivity. (NEWS).(Ernie Goss, Creighton University)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... An award-winning study by Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss shows that U.S. productivity has increased since the dawn of the Internet. Goss explains that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics productivity data shows output...

Updated systems architecting. (BOOK OF THE MONTH).(The Art of Systems Architecting)(Review)
November 1, 2001... The second edition of The Art of Systems Architecting, by Mark W. Maier and Eberhardt Rechtin, not only restates the paradigm related in the best-selling original, it also picks up where the 1991 edition left off in terms of tools and...

RFID system cuts time to locate items. (NEWS).(Radio Frequency Identification)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... A long-range radio-frequency identification system developed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory promises to deliver faster inventory identification. The Long-Range Semi-Passive Radio Frequency...

Distribution management research in Canada. (NEWS).(Canada Research Chair in Distribution Management, Montreal's Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Montreal's Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales announced the creation of the Canada Research Chair in Distribution Management, the first of its kind in Canada Professor Gilbert Laporte will hold the position, which was created under the...

Fewer workers died on the job in 2000. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao said in August that 138 fewer workers died on the job in 2000 than in 1999, continuing the downward trend in work-related deaths, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics.

First Global Award for Supply Chain Excellence. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Siemens was awarded the first Global Award for Supply Chain Excellence presented by the Supply Chain Council at the Supply Chain World Europe Conference & Exposition in Berlin.

1.8 million-square-foot expansion. (In Brief).(Mercedes-Benz U.S. International)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Mercedes-Benz U.S. International will add a 1.8 million-square-foot expansion to its Tuscaloosa, Ala., facility. When completed by the end of 2003, the $600 million expansion - housing a body shop, paint shop, and general assembly line - will...

Hundreds of NASA-created software programs on the Web. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... The National Technology Transfer Center and Open Channel Software have entered into an agreement that will put hundreds of NASA-created software programs on the Web for general use. The software applications cover a wide range of disciplines,...

Outstanding contribution toward the welfare of mankind and the nation. (In Brief).(National Science Board )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... The National Science Board invites nominations for its 22nd Vannevar Bush Award. The award is presented annually to an individual, who, through public service activities in science and technology, has made an outstanding contribution toward the...

Donated a license for its FabTime cycle time management software. (In Brief).(University of Arkansas. Razorback Electronics Manufacturing Laboratory)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... FabTime donated a license for its FabTime cycle time management software to the University of Arkansas's Razorback Electronics Manufacturing Lab within the department of industrial engineering. The software will support research in wafer fab...

Microsoft expert turns entrepreneur. (UNCOMMONIE).(Nivine Zakhari, MSPros Inc.)(Brief Article)(Interview)
November 1, 2001... Nivine Zakhari Founder and managing director MSPros LIC Houston Being an expert isn't easy, and coming up with innovative ways to use one's expertise can be even harder. But not for Nivine Zakhari. An expert on Microsoft's...

Railroad partnership guarantees on-time delivery. (NEWS).(Union Pacific Railroad, Norfolk Southern Railway Co.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... In an effort to give the trucking industry a run for its money, two railroads have partnered to launch an intermodal container service between Los Angeles and Atlanta that offers an option of guaranteed on-time delivery. Union Pacific...

Hospital spending drives health care cost increase. (NEWS).(Center for Studying Health System Change )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... A report by the Center for Studying Health System Change shows hospital spending accounted for the largest share of increased health care costs in 2000. Overall health care costs increased 7.2 percent in 2000--the largest jump in a...

Fellowship opportunities for minorities. (NEWS).(research grants, Ford Foundation)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Approximately 60 predoctoral, 40 dissertation, and 30 postdoctoral fellowships for minorities are sponsored by the Ford Foundation. Administered by the National Research Council, U.S. citizens or nationals who are American Indian, Mexican...

Engineering faculty salaries continue to rise. (NEWS).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 1, 2001... Engineering educators have continued to enjoy salary growth, according to results of a biennial compensation survey conducted by the Engineering Workforce Commission. "Salaries of Engineers in Education 2000" shows that professor-level...

Are 'top' engineering schools really best? (NWES).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... The college rankings for which U.S. News and World Reports is famous puts the Georgia institute of Technology at the top of the list. In its September "Best Colleges" report, the magazine ranks Georgia Tech as having the best undergraduate...

Calendar. (1).(conferences)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... December 9-12. Winter Simulation Conference, Arlington, Va. (914) 945-3434; wsc2002@us.ibm.com; http://www.wintersim.org. WSC is an educational and networking event that highlights developments in analysis and modeling methodology and that...

Who's on first. (PERFORMANCE IMPORVEMENT).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Each time I fill out a production team schedule for the coming week, I am reminded of the times I performed a similar activity for the youth soccer teams I coached. When I was serving in that capacity, I had to make a choice between playing a...

Incident, accident, illness. (ERGONOMICS).(importance of ergonomics)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 1, 2001... I recently observed an exchange between a bookkeeper and a general manager with regard to an "informal" OSHA survey: GM: "Sign this." Bookkeeper: "OK." He signs it. "What was it?" GM: "Just OSHA wanting an informal summary of...

No leaps, no bounds. (SIMULATION).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Simulation is a growing market, but it's growing slowly these days. At least, that's my contention, There are several possible reasons: * Competition. When I asked one simulation company representative who his biggest competitor was, he...

The healthy financier. (Profiles in IE).(Corinne Lyle)(Statistical Data Included)
November 1, 2001... A prevailing impression among many Americans is that despite the smog in Los Angeles, California living is healthy living. Laid back. No pressure. Sure, they have great money-making institutions -- Hollywood's movie machine and San Francisco's...

Make a powerful presentation. (The well-rounded IE).
November 1, 2001... Regardless of your profession, whether you're an engineer, a management consultant, or a CEO, you give presentations. You may speak to a small group of coworkers at a staff meeting. You may address team members during a strategy meeting. Or you...

Working through the pain: After the Sept. 11 attacks, industrial engineers pitched in to help where they could, but some found that they, too, had been hurt. (BUSINESS).
November 1, 2001... In the weeks following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America, Americans are struggling to return to a life with some semblance of comforting normalcy We do this even though the dread realization has dawned that in post-attack America,...

The power of taguchi: You've heard of design of experiments and taguchi methods.; Now understand when it's appropriate to use each method. (QUALITY).
November 1, 2001... Most engineers have heard of design of experiments and Taguchi Methods, but how many of us can say we understand the difference between them? Or that we can correctly decide when to use each technique? Let's examine the relative strengths and...

Improving critical care: Simulation is used to improve a hospital's emergency department. (SIMULATION).(Statistical Data Included)
November 1, 2001... Like virtually all industries today, health care is facing difficult times. Shortages of qualified staff are leading to overworked departments, longer hours, and a stressful work environment. On top of this, administrators are focusing on...

Getting to know your colleagues. (ASK IIE).(Institute of Industrial Engineers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Q: How can I find professional information about fellow IIE members? A: An online membership directory will soon be available to all members through the IIE Web site. The directory will include each member's name, position, organization,...

Tri-Cities chapter leverages lean. (Focus on IIE).
November 1, 2001... Leveraging a Lean Environment: The Synchronous Flow Solution was the theme for IIE's Tri-Cities, Tennessee/Virginia chapter conference last May in Kingsport, Tenn. Consultant and author Ed Hill directed the one-day event. His specialty...

Mr. Robinson's Web neighborhood. (Focus on IIE).(John Robinson)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... What do you do if you know a lot about creating Web sites, your hobbies include video gaming, and you studied English in college? Become a Web editor. John Robinson, IIE's new Web editor, is a man with those very attributes. Robinson's...

SHS targets performance improvement. (Focus on IIE).(Society for Health Systems conference report)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Organizers of the Society for Health Systems Conference are setting goals in a big way. The conference, which was held Sept. 9-12 in Orlando, Fla., focused on strategies and solutions in health care performance management. And the SHS planning...

Student symposium successful. (Focus on IIE).(Institute of Industrial Engineers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Members of the IIE UNITE C (Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana) chapter organized a three-day event in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Attended by 200 industrial engineering students, the international symposium focused on technological tools and...

A lean new world. (Focus on IIE).(management conference hosted by Institute of Industrial Engineers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... The theme of IIE's first Lean Management Solutions Conference, held Sept. 10-11 in St. Louis, was Transforming the Enterprise. Couched between pre- and post-conference workshops, the conference promoted the brave new world of lean concepts for...

Solving practical problems with theoretical math. (PROFILE OF A WINNER).(J. Cole Smith)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Albert Einstein formulated the world's most famous equation. J. Cole Smith, an assistant professor in the department of systems and industrial engineering at the University of Arizona, does not fancy himself another Einstein, but he has...

Excel planning and scheduling add-on. (Marketplace).(User Solutions Inc.'s Resource Manager)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Resource Manager for MS Office is an Excel spreadsheet add-on developed by User Solutions. It serves as a low-cost planning, scheduling, and tracking program, and it is designed to serve the needs of any size firm. Users can manage critical...

Flexible pick-to-light. (Marketplace).(Eskay Corp. product)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Eskay's Digital Pick pick-to-light system offers a flexible solution to fast turnaround of split-case and individual item shipment. Lights can be snapped anywhere on the racks, enabling fast updates as product mixes change. The system can...

Automotive pallet. (Marketplace).(Cookson Plastic Molding Corp.'s Structo-Cell automotive pallet)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Developed in collaboration with one of the Big Three U.S. automakers, Cookson Plastic's Structo-Cell automotive pallet provides a way to minimize inventories with just-in-time parts delivery. The smaller-footprint plastic pallet measures 32 x...

Low-cost production reporting. (Marketplace).(ProductionACE software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... ProductionACE software improves machine-based manufacturing productivity with real-time production reporting. The system eliminates data collection, automates production scheduling and job progress tracking, provides baseline measurements for...

Bar-coding software. (MARKETPLACE).(TAL Technologies Inc.'s B-Coder 32 Pro)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Generate bar code graphic images for use in Word documents and labels, Access, PageMaker, Quark, Corel Draw, or any other Windows application that supports graphics. The new release of B-Coder 32 Pro bar-code generating software from TAL...

Upgraded enterprise solution. (MARKETPLACE).(Impact Encore 5.1)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Version 5.1 of Impact Encore enterprise software from Syspro offers e-business capabilities and added support for multisite facilities. A new module addresses engineering change control, allowing users to manage changes and associated data...

Over-conveyor workstations. (MARKETPLACE).(Dehnco)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... A line of over-conveyor workstations from Dehnco turns wasted space into functional work areas. The workstations are designed for use in applications where floor space is tight and the need for workspace is great. Work areas can be designed...

Multi-currency maintenance management. (MARKETPLACE).(Eagle Technology's ProTeus II)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Eagle Technology's ProTeus II maintenance management software allows users to carry out transactions in various currencies, so maintenance departments can buy parts from a foreign vendor in that vendor's currency and maintain a purchasing...

Raw material cradle. (MARKETPLACE).(W.A. Schmidt HF Stacking Cradle System)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... W.A. Schmidt's HF Stacking Cradle System can be used for storage and retrieval of long-goods raw materials. The interlocking cradles can be used individually for heavy components or in pairs for heavy bar or structural stock. They can be...

Poisson probably accounts for sharks. (Punchline).(shark attacks explained by Poisson process)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... A Penn State expert of probabilistic simulation thinks the large number of shark attacks along the U.S. East Coast this summer might be explained through probability theory "It really does seem that there is indeed something odd going on...

Office rituals inspire confidence. (Punchline).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 1, 2001... If you feel more confident when you sit in the same chair at meetings or are elated when you manage to commandeer your favorite mug from the office kitchen, you're not alone. Results released by Office Angels, a United Kingdom recruitment...

Intro.(introduction to training courses)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... * In these pages, you'll find the training you need to be ready for a changing future. The Institute of Industrial Engineers has assembled learning opportunities for every professional who cares about productivity - from new industrial...

Six sigma green belt training.
November 1, 2001... January 16 - 18, 2002 Atlanta (Norcross), GA Instructor: Larry Aft, P.E. Learn how to lead improvement efforts with Six Sigma methods for bolstering productivity and quality. As a Six Sigma Green Belt, you will be equipped to...

Six sigma black belt training.
November 1, 2001... January 28 - February 1, 2002, March 4 - 8, 2002, and April 15 - 19, 2002 Atlanta (Norcross), GA Instructor: Larry Aft, P.E. Six Sigma Black Belt training provides the in-depth understanding you need to become a leader in your company's Six...

Activity based costing for strategy and operations improvement.
November 1, 2001... February 6 -- 7, 2002 Atlanta (Norcross), GA Instructor: Gary Cokins Increased competition in the marketplace directs the focus to product and customer profitability and process costs. This in-depth seminar provides the foundation you need...

Managing the lean factory: The people quotient. (NEW SEMINAR!).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... February 11 - 13, 2002 Atlanta (Norcross), GA Instructors: Quarterman Lee, P.E. and Michel E. Hess, MA, CMP How do people fit into lean manufacturing? This seminar has the answer. The technical aspects of lean are becoming well...

Engineer in transition to management.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... February l8 - 20, 2002 Atlanta (Norcross), GA Instructor: Ronald G. Read, MSME, P.E. Learn how to be a leader in a work environment! Your professional development and future growth is related to your management and leadership...

2002 Educational offerings at a glance.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... IIE Conference Calendar Your commitment to continuing education ensures you reap the rewards of a successful career as an industrial engineering professional. IIE brings together elite industry leaders to share their lessons learned and...

P.E. Exam review for Industrial engineers.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... February 21 - 24, 2002 Atlanta (Norcross), GA Instructor: William J. Kennedy, Ph.D., P.E. Improve your odds of passing the most important test of your career with this popular review course. This four-day seminar concentrates...

Improving performance with Industrial engineering principles.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... February 27 - March 1, 2002 Atlanta [Norcross] GA Instructor: Robert Moo Young If your job requires improving quality, performance, and design -- all functions of an industrial engineer -- this seminar will help you build a...

Geometric dimensioning to reduce design, manufacturing and quality costs. (NEW SEMINAR!).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... April 8 - 9, 2002 Atlanta [Norcross], GA Instructor:John P. Tanner, P.E. Communicate better with engineers and manufacturing professionals worldwide by adding to your skills. This seminar provides attendees with a working...

Implementing continuous flow: A step-by-step guide to creating and sustaining a lean manufacturing system. (NEW SEMINAR!).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... April 23 - 25, 2002 Atlanta (Norcross), GA Instructor:Roger C. Ellis Attack the real, floor-level barriers to implementing lean manufacturing in this new three-day course. The workshop moves the focus on implementing lean...

On-site training. (Lifelong Learning).
November 1, 2001... IIE is the leader in providing top quality continuing education for industrial engineering professionals and anyone responsible for improving quality and productivity. Extremely cost-effective and convenient, IIE's On-Site Training Program will...

Mindbuilder. (Lifelong Learning).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Live, instructor-led seminars over the Internet Mindbuilder is an e-learning campus developed by IIE. Its goal is to deliver quality continuing education with live, instructor-led seminars over the Internet. Leveraging the power of the...

Hotel/venue. (General Information).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... All seminars will be conducted at IIE headquarters. Institute of Industrial Engineers 25 Technology Park Norcross, GA 30092 800-494-0460 or 770-449-0460 Accommodations are provided by the AmeriSuites Hotel, located...

Seminar schedule and dress. (General Information).(Institute of Industrial Engineers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Lunch and refreshment breaks will be provided -- an excellent opportunity for you to exchange ideas and brainstorm solutions with others. Attire is business casual. 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. Registration (day one only] 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m....

Transportation. (General Information).(Institute of Industrial Engineers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... From Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport to the AmeriSuites Hotel, contact AAA Atlanta Express at 1-800-354-7874. The shuttle fare is $25.00 each way. Cab fare is approximately $60 one way. From the airport property, you can also take the...

Cancellation Policy. (General Information).(Institute of Industrial Engineers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... A full refund is available if IIE is notified in writing 30 days prior to the seminar start date. A registration canceled after this date is subject to a $100 processing fee. Registrants who fail to cancel 10 days prior to the seminar start...

CEUs. (General Information).(Continuing Education Units)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... IIE will award Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to participants who attend the educational seminar and complete a program evaluation, IIE is a certified provider of continuing education programs by the International Association for Continuing...

Team Discounts. (General Information).(Institute of Industrial Engineers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... To encourage team participation, IIE offers a discount of $50 off each registration for two to four people, and $100 off each registration of five or more. Registrations must be received at the same time, and team members must be from the same...

Tax deduction. (General Information).(educational expenses )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Treasury regulation 1.162.5 permits an income tax deduction for educational expenses (registration fees and cost of travel, meals and lodging) undertaken to (1) maintain or improve skills required in one's employment or other trade or business,...