All attendees who come along to my August 5 Inventory Class will receive a free programme that enables you to simulate different safety stock levels and observe the resultant inventory value. Although this is a programme, it also is based on pretty good logic and is used by many of my clients. Of course you may also buy it for $AUS495 if you don’t like the content of the upcoming class.APICS Vic May Mailout 2010

I’ll also be involved in a few of the apics Victoria courses starting July. I’ll be teaching the next module of the Purchasing Diploma which is always a lot of fun as well as great learnings, doing two days of the BSCM with Annette Sando, and 3 days of the SMR module with John Brister. I hope to see you there or why not pass this onto a friend who may need some education or coaching.

Companies who book me for an S&OP process assessment this year will also receive this simulator free as well as a sales forecasting programme. My assessments consist of 3 days interviewing key personnel, then an additional 3 days to prepare a comprehensive report outlining strengths, opportunities, and action plans.

Cost is $AUS15,840. Unbelievable value when you consider how many of your current problems may be solved and the resulting financial benefits that would be gained. Check out the articles section of this web site for examples of what other already great companies have achieved as a result of this aproach.

APICS has a new Supply Chain Management course for individuals who interact with, and support, supply chain professionals. Phil Heenan conducted the first Asia/Pacific session in Tokyo June, 2010 and highly recommends it to both Supply Chain and non Supply Chain personnel. It can be highly tailored and conducted on an in house or public basis and is held over two days with 3 activities to support the application of theory. Many practical handouts are given and I like to include safety stock simulations using software Heenan Consulting has developed to show how safety stock strategies affect customer service. As an APICS  Authorised Education Provider (AEP), and the first person appointed in Australia by APICS as a Lead Instructor for both CPIM and CSCP, we are happy to teach and coach your supply chain personnel.

For supply chain professionals in Melbourne Australia, apics (this is the logo for the Australian chapter of APICS USA presently),  Victoria has many public courses starting soon at the North Melbourne office, including:

• Diploma of Purchasing, managing purchasing and the supply chain module (1 of 4) – July 14
• Basics of Supply Chain Management – July 19
• Execution and Control of Operations – August 12
• Master Planning of Resources – July 17 (this module includes S&OP, MPS, DRP, MRP so it is at the heart of an integrated business planning system)
• Strategic Management of Resources – July 24 (this module covers key aspects of choosing, implementing and managing ERP software, and the necessary change management issues that are entailed)
• Certified Supply Chain Professional – September 17

Please be aware these courses may also be conducted within your own premises if that is more convenient or cost effective for your organisation. Many of the largest and most successful companies in the region conduct courses this way. Just contact Sandra at apicsvic@bigpond.com or visit the apics Australia web site www.apics.org.au

And, don’t miss it – Lean Vision Conference hosted by apics and AME, September 8, 9 & 10. Check out the web site at – www.leanvision.com.au. This conference has some great national and international speakers including Chris Gray author of so many S&OP resources including the pioneering MRPII The Standard System, S&OP Best Practices and MRPII The Right Choice. Chris is being sponsored by QAD. See you all there.