Introduction

This was a consultancy project. It aimed to determine the best product mix with a view to maximize contribution and yet adhere to capacity, material and demand constraints.

Client

Garware Wall Ropes, Pune , India

Technologies Used

Proprietary Linear Programming engine developed by FDS.

Project Scope

The client had made available data on product demand, contributions, and production capacities and so on as an Excel spreadsheet. Output of the Linear Programming engine was also was provided in the form of an Excel spreadsheet.

Introduction

This solution was developed for Sugar industry. Sugar content in sugar cane crop follows a bell shaped curve over the period of the crop life depending on the variety of sugar cane. But, the farmer is paid a fixed price per tonne. This is irrespective of the sugar content from lot to lot. Therefore, the objective was to develop a harvesting schedule, for all sugar cane fields feeding a Sugar Mill, in such a way that the sugar content available to the sugar industry is maximized. The business problem calls for a statistical forecasting, which would enable forecasting of sugar content in cane for approximately 10,000 independent farms. On the basis of this forecast and given the transportation constraints a harvesting schedule is to be given. There were additional constraints such as crushing capacity, availability of labor for harvesting and interior farms cannot be harvested unless the outside farms are harvested.

Client

This solution was implemented at two sugar mills in Western Maharashtra, India.

Tools Used

Based on proprietary optimizing algorithms developed by FDS Infotech Inc.

Introduction

This was a consulting project and involved:

• Building a Mathematical model for purchasing of commodities for manufacturing of soaps. This model considered demand, forecast for soaps and price and quantity forecast for commodities. The model then helped the buyer to take a decision about buying a commodity and its probable impact on inventory. Constraints such as cash flows, availability of storage space, life of commodity etc. were also considered.
• Building an optimizing algorithm to maximize nutrient content of animal feed mix, given availability of raw materials and their costs. Certain nutritional constraints were also imposed.
• Building a job costing system for the feed mix manufacture.

Client

This assignment was carried out for the Tata Oil Mills Company Limited.

Introduction

FDS. has worked extensively with two logistics companies in India . Consulting assignments were taken up for these companies. This involved studying their existing business, recommending new strategies, organization structure and systems for them.

Client

These assignments were carried out for AFL Limited and Ghatge Patil Transport Limited. AFL represents DHL in India . It also is a major logistics, clearing and forwarding and general service agent to several Airlines in India . Its travel division is in association with Carlson Waggonlit Inc.

Project Scope

• Details of operations were extensively studied. Further a comprehensive design blueprint for a chain of warehouses, hubs, routes, call center, enquiry on web etc., was provided. Various optimization algorithms were also suggested. Detailed functional specifications were drawn up for this system. These companies do not have collaboration with any global logistics company. As a result they have to build their management systems on their own. Details of systems integration with other logistics company and cargo handling companies were also provided as a part of functional specifications. The specifications gave how accounting entries are to be passed while integrating transactions across different companies.
• FDS also provided detailed functional specifications for carrying out fourth party logistics. This is where the logistics company does not own any physical assets such as warehouses, hubs or trucks. The company would provide only the systems and business management.

Introduction

FDS carried out a consulting assignment in the areas of:

• Inventory Management (The objective of the assignment was to improve on the service levels to the end customers and cut down drastically on the inventory level), and
• ERP System implementation

Client

Sandvik ( Asia ) Limited, Pune , India

Project Scope

• This company manufactures approximately four thousand end products from six basic raw materials. The raw materials are imported and the end products are largely sold in India . The manufacturing process has four major steps in it. The assignment involved deciding on inventory levels dynamically at each of these steps. The inventory of finished goods and of raw materials was also to be decided.
• FDS. developed statistical forecasting models for estimating the demand for intermediates and raw materials. Further complete logistics were studied between Europe and India for determining time taken for transportation of raw materials to India . On the basis of this, inventory levels were decided. FDS succeeded in bringing down the inventory by 66% at the same time increasing service levels for the end customers.

This company had its own ERP developed in Europe and used all over the world in about forty countries. FDS first of all provided its services for implementation of this ERP. Detailed specifications were developed by us and provided to the European ERP provider. After this entire implementation, including training of personnel, was carried out.

Introduction

A major cement manufacturer wanted to decide on inventory levels of maintenance spares for its plants all over India . The objective of assignment was to ensure 99% plant up time with minimum maintenance and spare parts inventory.

Client

Narmada Cements Limited, India

Project Scope

This assignment involved deciding on criticality of various spare parts, deciding on lead-time for transportation and manufacturing, probability of failure of the spare part etc. The algorithm considered mean time between failures (MTBF) of various critical parts and worked out the probability of plant stoppages. The company to decide on the spare parts inventory on a monthly basis used this algorithm. Condition monitoring was done of the critical components. On the basis on this data the inventory level was decided for various spare parts.

Introduction

This was a consulting project for two major financial institutions. The objective of the project was to design and set up operational systems.

Client

SICOM, Power Finance Corporation

Project Scope