It was the worst of times.
Got a new textbook today! “Production and Operations Analysis,” by Steven Nahmias. Had calculus equations on the cover, just, you know: To scare you. Appendix 4-A, you ask? “Mathematical Derivations for Multiproduct Constrained EOQ Systems.”
Oh, EOQ Systems? This is going to be great!
He said. Ironically. Secretly thinking that it may well suck.
But – At least I’m not a PhD candidate who got afoul of a tenured professor at UNI.
Oh, I’m sorry: That’s the University of Northern Iowa. Read the whole dreary tale here, and then congratulate me on my wisdom in taking courseware through the internets.
Economic Order Quantity. Just took a test on that in my service operations class. It’s actually more fun then you might think it is…..brb….I have to put in the next Battlestar Galactica laserdisc.
Like, I am *SO* jealous, Lex!
*NOT*
“The basic EOQ model finds that particular quantity to order which minimizes the total variable costs of inventory”
You’re learning the math to figure that out…however, with acquisition funding parsed out by lawyers (Congress) based on political expediency, what you are learning is rarely achieved when buying anything.
CATCHA-22. Look at it this way- you’re learning something so you can score less “officer-like” on that military test you posted earlier…or something like that.
re- the History prof/PHD candidate. I took 20 minutes of lunch to read through that interchange. What pissant (is that a French word Lex?), tedious, mean-spirited and pendantic bunch of clowns…
Shudder…., do I have to send my kids to college?
B2
Badbob – Yes, your kids need to go to college… Ever heard of service academies? This kind of crap doesn’t go on there…
Cap’n, EOQ was sh*tcanned in the early 80′s (in the computer industry) because it presumes a predictable a specific future rate of consumption and carrying costs (among other factors). You want flow, not batches (batches? we don’t need no stinking batches!); actual demand, not forecasts.
And we all know that combat consumption is entirely predictable, and that DOD procurement requirements never change. Check the EOQ formula. Do you see any variable for uncertainty? (sarcasm off)
When in doubt reduce leadtime. If you have to hold inventory or excess capacity to meet demand variability,keep it at the vanilla level to leave you flexibility of supply. Once the first round goes downrange…
I can’t believe that anyone would assign a text that teaches you how to calculate inefficient inventory puddles. Wow. Is the prof the author?
Does the text include Line of Balance (LOB) that Rickover used to build the Nautilus?
This guy is paleo-cro magnon. Fron the Amazon review: “This text reflects Steve Nahmias’ extensive teaching background and experience in both business and engineering schools.” Maybe he should check out how Athens built generic hulls for outfitting by captains during the Peloponesian (sp?) War.
Spent/survived 20 (81-02) years in high tech logistics. People without tenure, who fouled up the demand/supply flow, got hammered.
Took a USC grad course in Defense procurement from a retired AF General who was a program officer on the Minuteman missle. His view was that the primary objective any DOD procurement was re-election.
I hope you’re not paying for this course out of your pocket.
Sorry for the rant. Hot button for me.
Wow. Now that’s feedback
No, I’m getting this course at no (your) expense. Tax dollars at work. I’ll be on guard. Thanks for writing!