Lead-time management bottlenecks

Simulation requires the determination of certain functions. Therefore, interaction parameters or collision identification have to be defined. Complex simulations require very high computing performance, which may lead to bottlenecks within real-time management. 

Resilient supply chains may not be the lowest-cost supply chains but they are more capable of coping with the uncertain business environment. Resilient supply chains have a number of characteristics, of which the most important is a business-wide recognition of where the supply chain is at its most vulnerable. Managing the critical nodes and links of a supply chain, to be discussed further in Chapter 10, becomes a key priority. Sometimes these critical paths may be where there is dependence on a single supplier, or a supplier with long replenishment lead times, or a bottleneck in a process. 

Clearly the complexity of most supply networks is such that in reality event management needs to be restricted to the critical paths in that network. Critical paths might be typified by such features as long lead times to react to unplanned events, reliance on single-source suppliers, bottlenecks, etc. 

Returnable containers are made of sturdy plashes and contain item-specific dunnage that separates and presents parts to assemblers one by one. The top shelf is slanted in the opposite direchon and used to return emphes. The main reason is that the containers used on the line side present parts to the assemblers, and the lean philosophy is that they must be designed for the assemblers convenience. In prachce, most plant managers view transporters and assemblers as equivalent, when in fact they are not. First, there are ten times more assemblers than transporters. Second, the assemblers are linked together in a chain of balanced operahons leading to shipment of a product. Each assembler is a bottleneck, so that each second added to an assembler job means one second added to the jobs of all the assemblers on the same line. 

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