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- Contact a local manufacturing firm. Interview the plant manager, inventory manager, or cost accountant to be able to:
- Describe in detail the manufacturing processes of the company.
- Consult Figure 14.3 and draw an overview flowchart of the manufacturing process.
- Ascertain whether the company uses ERP or other manufacturing technologies to support their manufacturing processes. Describe the systems in place.
- Consult Figure 14.2 and draw an overview flowchart to show the links between the technologies the company uses.
- Determine whether the company has connected via the Internet, EDI, or other means with trading partners to support a supply chain management. Describe supply chain management techniques that are in place.
- Add these supply chain management connections to your overview flowcharts.
- Choose two technologies that are linked in Figure 14.2. Would it be possible for each one of them to function properly without the other? Describe the impact on the company’s manufacturing process if only one of them were automated.
- Make a copy of Figure 14.3. On it, show how an Internet-enabled supply chain would connect to the process.
- Refer to the overview flowchart in Figure 14.3. Study the portion of the figure and accompanying narrative that deals with the materials requirements planning process only.
- Prepare a systems flowchart for the materials requirements planning process only.
- Prepare a level 0 data flow diagram for the materials requirements planning process only.
- Refer to the overview flowchart in Figure 14.3. Study the portion of the figure and accompanying narrative that deal with the capacity requirements planning process only.
- Prepare a systems flowchart for the capacity requirements planning process only.
- Prepare a level 0 data flow diagram for the capacity requirements planning process only.
- Refer to the overview flowchart in Figure 14.3. Study the portion of the figure and accompanying narrative that deal with the shop floor control process only.
- Prepare a systems flowchart for the shop floor control process only.
- Prepare a level 0 data flow diagram for the shop floor control process only.
- Refer to the overview flowchart in Figure 14.3 and the data flow diagram in Figure 14.8. Study the portions of the figures and the accompanying narrative that deal with the cost accounting system only. Prepare a detailed systems flowchart for the cost accounting system only.
- Study Figure
14.8, the level 0 data flow diagram of the cost accounting system. Note that the raw materials and finished goods inventory processes are outsidethe context of the system shown
(i.e., the DFD covers work-in-process inventory only).
- Draw a context diagram for the system as it currently exists.
- Assume that both the raw materials and finished goods inventories are within the system context. Prepare a context diagram for the revised system, and redraw Figure 14.8 to reflect the revised system. Ignore the ordering of raw materials from vendors; start the raw materials process with the receipt of goods. Also ignore the issue of finished goods. Keep the assumption that the company uses standard costing for all inventories.
- Savings R Us is a retailer with large stores in almost every county in the United States. The firm’s goal is have all items fully stocked at all times. In order to reach their goal of no
stockouts, the company has an arrangement with its suppliers that it is the supplier’s responsibility to ensure that products are ordered and delivered before a shelf becomes empty. To do so,
each supplier has installed software that monitors inventory levels at each Savings R Us store and automatically ships products to the store in time to fill near-empty shelves.
- Draw a context diagram for this process. Are the suppliers internal or external entities on your diagram? Why?
- Describe a set of controls that should be enacted for this process so that errors are prevented and fraud is discouraged. Are all the controls technology controls? Which controls are the responsibility of Savings R Us, and which are the responsibility of the suppliers?
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- Visit the Web site of two enterprise systems vendors. Investigate the product’s ability to support each of the IPP components in Figure 14.1. Produce a chart comparing the two products’ IPP offerings.
- How well would each product support each of the following businesses?
- A personal computer manufacturer that buys premade components and assembles them to meet customer specifications after a customer order is received
- A producer of canned soup
- An aircraft manufacturer
- An apparel manufacturer
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