Please respond to these individuals providing useful feedback. Make sure posts are at least 200 words or more for each.

DQ1: From the end of Chapter 12S, answer Discussion Question 3: SAP is the world leader in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems software, and has developed tailored ERP systems for different industries. Go to SAP Industry Solutions and examine the solutions for (1) a service industry and (2) a manufacturing industry of your choice. How are they similar?  How are they different?  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

After reviewing the website sap.com it was easy to see why SAP is the world leader in enterprise resource planning. ERP is an integrated computer based business processing and reporting system that combines the data from many business related issues such as accounting, finance, and sales (Bozarth& Handfield, 2012). The SAP ERP systems are tailored fit to help the firms maximize their business on an individual basis. I examined the solutions of the service industry style Resource Management and of a manufacturing industry style Automotive. The reports were absolutely impressive in terms of the data that was provided and compiled to provide insight on the capabilities. Industry specific software has allowed SAP to take the information for different services and products and make them better with real time feedback to company owners helping them to make better decisions.

The things that were similar were the reported game changing abilities, benefits, customer use, and why to choose SAP. The differences are ample because each business is going to have different data. For example, in both reports game changing ability is listed first, however what changes the game is specific to each industry and business. The resource management industry can expect SAP to help professional services companies optimize the use of their internal and external resources by streamlining and automating processes for defining and fulfilling resource demands. The automotive industry can expect SAP to empower automotive companies to accelerate product innovation, improve quality, reduce manufacturing costs, and sell and service vehicles more profitably. One other similarity that I thought was beneficial for companies was that SAP helped to identify key customers for each industry. 

DQ2: From the end of Chapter 13, answer Discussion Question 4: The chapter notes that kanban is not a planning tool but a control mechanism. What does this mean? How does the Marsica MRP-kanban example in Example 13.4 in Chapter 13 of the textbook illustrate the point?

Our textbook describes a Kanban system is a "production control approach that uses containers, cards, or visual cues to control the production and movement of goods through the supply chain" (Bozath and Hanfield, 2012 p.411). The text then notes that this system is not designed to a tool to plan production, but that it acts as a method to control waste within the lean production process. "Kanban systems use simple signaling mechanisms, such as a card or even an empty space or container, to indicate when specific items should be produced or moved" (Bozarth& Handfield, 2012, p.411). It is interesting to note that this method is so simple, that most Kanban systems require no computerization. This method adheres to the lean philosophy because it is only the downstream demand of a firm that "starts the conveyor belts" to pull the materials through the production process; which therefore eliminates waste by producing only what is needed.

The Marsica MRP-Kanban example in Example 13.4 of our textbook shows how the Kanban (controlling capabilities) and MRP (planning capabilities) systems can be used in conjunction with other to increase production efficiencies. The "MPR can be used to anticipate changes in planned order quantities" and the Kanban systems would then only que the production teams to produce the items to fill those order quantities (Bozarth& Handfield, 2012, p.416-417). It is easy to see how using both of these systems together would immediately eliminate waste and add money to the company's bottom line while doing so.