Att mäta hur effektivt aktiviteter och processer utförs för att lokalisera förbättringspunkter är både svårt och komplext på en utvecklingsavdelning. Förbättringsmöjligheterna står i relation till hur väl de anställda är benägna att förmedla upplevelser av processerna, vad som kunde gjorts annorlunda för att korta ned delprocesserna inom avdelningen men likväl tvärfunktionellt. Utförandet av examensarbetet har varit förankrat på Scania Tekniskt Centrums avdelning för transmissionsutveckling. Fokus har legat på att, genom kartläggning av provprocessen och dess aktiviteter utföra en fallstudie mellan tidigare utförd dokumentation och pågående ärende för att se om liknande problematik upprepas och på så vis pekar på att inga förbättringsåtgärder implementerats sedan föregående version växellådor. Genom att analysera orsaker som ligger till grund för att provobjekt inte utnyttjas effektivt, utvärderades om ett gemensamt arbetssätt saknades och om implementering avstandardiserade arbetssätt skulle kunna medföra minskade ledtider samt säkra att informationsflöden inte faller bort. En nulägeskartläggning utfördes genom intervjuer och observationer för att under bearbetning sedan analyseras och belysa hur tillvägagångssätt ilika aktiviteter mellan grupper skiljer sig. Resultatet av fallstudien blev grunden till att ett ramverk för hur definitioner i förhållande till provobjektets värdeskapande-, icke värdeskapande men nödvändiga- och icke värdeskapande aktiviteter skapades. Detta för att möjliggöra framtida mätbarhet av provobjektens effektiva utnyttjande då definitionen tidigare inte varit klar. Definitionerna står i relation till teorin om slöseri men är anpassad till provobjekten i samråd med Scaniaanställda. Av studien kunde författarna med hjälp av hängiven personal peka påbrister i och emellan provprocessens aktiviteter. / Measuring how efficiently activities and processes are performed to identify improvement pointsis both difficult and complex for a research and development department. The possibilities of improvement are related to how well the employees are inclined to convey experiences of the processes, what could have been done differently to shorten the sub-processes within the department but also cross-functional. The execution of the thesis project has been based at Scania Technical Center’s department for transmission development. The focus has been on, by mapping the test process and its activities, carrying out a case study between previously performed documentation and an ongoing case to see if similar problems are repeated and thus pointing out that no improvement have been implemented since the previous version of gearboxes. By analyzing causes that determine test objects not being used effectively, the authors evaluated whether a common work method was lacking and whether implementing standardized working methods could lead to reduced lead times and ensure that information would not disappear in the process. A current situation survey was carried out through interviews and observations in order to analyze and clarify during the processing how approaches in equal activities between groups differ. The result of the case study formed a framework to define the relations to the test objects value added-, non-value-added but necessary- and non-value-added activities. This is to enable future measurability of the test objects effective utilization when the definition has not previously been completed. The definitions are in relation to the theory of waste but are adapted to the test objects in consultation with Scania employees. From the study, the authors could, with the help of dedicated staff, point out deficiencies in and between the test process activities.

På grund av rådande livsmedelstrender har efterfrågan på premiumvaror, som ekologiska och kolhydratfattiga livsmedel, ökat. Trenderna sätter tryck på livsmedelsföretag att erbjuda ett brett utbud av produkter. Detta får till följd att behovet av effektiva försörjningskedjor ökar samtidigt som det bundna kapitalet behöver minskas för att få ökad lönsamhet. För att identifiera var slöserier som driver upp ledtiden finns i ett produktionsflöde, kan värdeflödesanalys användas. Genom användning av värdeflödesanalys kan värdeskapande tid ställas mot icke värdeskapande tid för att upptäcka moment som inte tillför värde för kunden utan endast driver upp kostnader. Analys av dessa moment kan leda till identifiering av möjligheter för reduktion av kapitalbindning i form av minskade nivåer av produkter i arbete och lager. Kapitalbindning kan även reduceras genom ABC-klassificering av artiklar. Syftet med detta kandidatexamensarbete är att undersöka reduktion av ledtider i Lantmännen Cerealias pastafabrik med hjälp av värdeflödesanalys. Utöver detta undersöks hur kapitalbindningen kan reduceras samtidigt som ledtidsreduktionen genomförs. Slutligen ABCklassificeras produkterna. Dels för att minska kapitalbindningen, dels för att underlätta vid fluktuationer i efterfrågan hos fabriken. Slutsatsen svarar på om det är möjligt att reducera ledtiden i fabriken samtidigt som en reduktion av kapitalbindning görs. Värdeflödesanalys visade sig vara ett bra verktyg för att identifiera eventuella slöserier och förbättringsmöjligheter i produktionen. Svårigheten med analysen i detta fall låg i att finna korrekta siffror till analysen eftersom data för detta mottogs i sin helhet och ej mättes upp i fabriken. ABC-klassificeringens valda parametrar visades lämpliga då uppdelningen blev tydlig. Denna tog hänsyn till problem både rörande efterfrågefluktuationer och kapitalbindning. Slutsatsen drogs att om lagerhållningen styrs enligt denna uppdelning kan kapitalbindningen minskas samtidigt som företaget enklare kan möta fluktuationer i efterfrågan. Den reducerade ledtiden som värdeflödesanalysen resulterade i, gav effekten att medel-PIAnivån i produktionen kunde minskas. Detta skulle kunna ske genom att minska mellanlagringstiden i silos. Möjlighet saknas att på kort sikt reducera medel-PIA-nivån till den kritiska volymen av PIA, dock leder den möjliga minskningen till en reduktion av kapitalbindning. Den viktigaste slutsatsen som dras är att reduktion av ledtid ofta har en positiv inverkan även på kapitalbindningen. I detta fall visade sig lagerhållning ha stor betydelse för reduktion av både ledtid och kapitalbindning. Att reducera lagringstiden i färdigvarulagret ger större effekt på kapitalbindningen än en reduktion av mellanlagringstiden i silos då produktens värde är större i detta skede / Due to the prevailing food trends, customers demand premium goods such as organic and low carb products in addition to simpler alternatives. The trends puts pressure on food businesses to offer a wide selection of products, which leads to an increasing need for efficient supply chains as well as decreases in capitalization. Value stream mapping is a tool used to identify wastes. These wastes increases lead times in a production flow. The results gathered from the analysis can be used to compare value adding time with non-value adding time, in order to discover processes that drives up expenses without adding value for customers. Detailed analysis of these processes can identify possible reductions in capitalization, through reduced levels of work in process and stock. Capitalization can also be reduced by ABC classification of products. The purpose of this thesis is to examine how value stream mapping can help reduce lead times at Lantmännen Cerealias pasta production plant in Järna. Reduction of capitalization through reducing the amount of work in progress and stock is also studied. Furthermore, the effects of ABC classification are examined in order to ease fluctuations in demand and reduce capitalization at the plant. The conclusion answers whether or not it is possible to reduce the lead time in the production and simultaneously reduce capitalization. Value stream mapping proved to be an efficient tool to identify possible sources of waste and improvements in the production. In this case, the absence of accurate numbers made the analysis challenging and led to inaccurate results. The parameters used for the ABC classification led to a proper partition of products since it took both fluctuations in demand and problems regarding capitalization into account. This partition of products is assumed to reduce both capitalization and ease the effects of fluctuations in demand. Reducing the storage time of WIP using value stream mapping can result in reduced levels of WIP. Reducing WIP to the lowest possible level proved to be impossible in the short term. However, the possible reduction of WIP levels would result in reduced capitalization. The most important conclusion drawn from the analysis, is that a reduced lead time often has a positive impact on capitalization. Transformation of stockkeeping proved to be of great importance when reducing both lead times and capitalization. Since the value of finished goods are higher than the value of WIP, reducing storage time for inventory of finished goods proved to have a greater impact on capitalization.

Embedded systems hold immense potential, but their integration into advanced devices comes with significant costs. Malfunctions in these systems can result inequipment failures, posing serious risks and potential accidents. To ensure theirproper functionality, embedded system components undergo rigorous testing phases,which can be time-consuming, especially for components with numerous connections. Therefore, it is crucial to reduce test time while maintaining high-qualitytesting to detect and address failures early in the development cycle, resulting in improved and safer products. This report delves into various techniques and algorithms aimed at expediting testingprocesses, such as machine learning, risk analysis, test parallelization, and combinatorial testing. It examines the practicality of mathematical models and automatedapproaches in real-world companies through experimentation and implementation.In essence, the report tackles the challenges involved in testing embedded systems,explores different approaches to reduce test time, and presents a suitable model formaintaining test quality. The ultimate goal is to present and implement a methodthat effectively reduces test time while upholding an acceptable level of test quality.The obtained results provide valuable insights for future test groups and researchersseeking to optimize their testing processes and deliver safer products

Since the emergence and the subsequent evolution of lean manufacturing concepts, numerous enterprises of different scale and specialties have adopted lean tools and techniques in their facilities with varying success. In general, lean manufacturing related studies have been conducted on large manufacturing firms, such as the automotive industry. Yet, lean manufacturing tools and techniques are also suited for small enterprises. Thus, the main concern of this study is to investigate the success of set-up time reduction efforts (one of the steps needed to achieve 'one-piece flow') in secondary wood products manufacturing facilities on four woodworking machines (moulder, shaper, table saw, and band saw) based on firm size. The first objective of this research is to explore the results of the implementation of set-up time reduction efforts on selected woodworking machines in enterprises of varying size. It is assumed that company size is a major factor influencing the rate of set-up time improvements. To that end, the first hypothesis, which states that 'Small firms are less successful in reducing set-up time through set-up time reduction efforts than are large firms,' has been developed and supportive questions have been corresponding created. While statistical testing of the hypotheses created for this is not possible due to the limited number of participants, speculations about the possible outcome can be made. Thus, for hypothesis one, the data obtained does not show any sign of a relationship between a firm size and the success rate of set-up time reduction efforts. The second objective of this study is to investigate how a firm's productivity is affected by set-up time reduction efforts as related to firm size. With regards to some of the weaknesses of typical small manufacturing firms (e.g. having limited budget and resources, intuitive management strategies including lack of strategic planning), large firms, by and large, are expected to be more successful in increasing productivity through set-up time reduction. To that end, the goal is to investigate results of the set-up time reduction efforts in terms of productivity improvement in manufacturing facilities. With this in mind, the second hypothesis was proposed, which reads 'Small firms achieve lower productivity gains through set-up time reduction than do large firms.' For the second hypothesis, while no conclusive proof can be offered, no sign of a relationship between firm size and productivity gain through set-up time reduction could be found. Another objective of this study is to explore the success rate of set-up time activities on the four types of woodworking machines in industry facilities considering the training activities provided by manufacturers. The aim is to compare set-up time improvement performance of manufacturers between enterprises which trained their workers/operators and enterprises which did not train their employees. To understand the relationship between the scale of firms (and/or facilities) and training activities to improve set-ups, the third hypothesis, which reads 'Small firms are less concerned with set-up time reduction through training than are large firms,' has been developed. For the third hypothesis, while testing is not possible, it appears that there is no relationship between firm size and the level of concern for set-up time reduction through training activities. The final objective of this research is to investigate whether the secondary wood manufacturing firms studied experienced a bottleneck in their production due to the long set-up actions of machines. In order to accomplish this objective, the final hypothesis, 'In both, large and small firms, bottlenecks occur at machines with high set-up times,' has been developed. The final hypothesis cannot be accepted or rejected due to the limited number of responses obtained, set-up time was a frequently indicated explanation for the occurrence of production bottlenecks in secondary wood products manufacturing firms. / Master of Science

Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att ge en beskrivning av arbetstidsförkortningens påverkan på attraktionsfaktorerna, genom att studera högutbildade personer inom Generation Z samt arbetsgivare som har implementerat arbetstidsförkortning. Metod: Studien har avsett att undersöka arbetstidsförkortningens påverkan på attraktionsfaktorerna gentemot högutbildade personer inom Generation Z. Empirisk data har varit grunden för undersökningen som sedan har jämförts med befintlig teori, vilket innebär att en induktiv forskningsansats har antagits. Studien har tillämpat en tvärsnittsundersökning där kvalitativa intervjuer varit grunden för den empiriska datainsamlingen. Slutsats: Arbetstidsförkortning har visat sig ha en positiv effekt på attraktionsfaktorerna gentemot arbetstagare. Det kan däremot vara av vikt för företag som planerar att implementera arbetstidsförkortning i syfte att attrahera personal att se över dess påverkan på den sociala arbetsmiljön. Företag som har implementerat arbetstidsförkortning har visat sig ha ny kompetent personal mer lättillgängligt än andra företag. / Purpose: The aim of the paper is to provide a description of the impact of working time reduction on the attractiveness factors, by studying highly educated people within Generation Z and employers who have implemented work time reduction. Method: The study aimed to investigate the impact of work time reduction on the attraction factors towards highly educated people within Generation Z. Empirical data has been the basis for the study, which has then been compared with existing theory, which means that an inductive research approach has been adopted. The study has applied a cross-sectional survey where qualitative interviews have been the basis for the empirical data collection.  Conclusion: Work time reduction has been shown to have a positive effect on employee attraction factors. However, it may be important for companies planning to implement work time reduction in order to attract staff to consider its impact on the social working environment. Firms that have implemented work time reduction have been found to have skilled labour more readily available than other firms.

Characterisation of modern complex powertrains is a time consuming and expensive process. Little effort has been made to improve the efficiency of testing methodologies used to obtain data for this purpose. Steady-state engine testing is still regarded as the golden standard, where approximately 90% of testing time is wasted waiting for the engine to stabilize. Rapid dynamic engine testing, as a replacement for the conventional steady-state method, has the potential to significantly reduce the time required for characterisation. However, even by using state of the art measurement equipment, dynamic engine testing introduces the problem that certain variables are not directly measurable due to the excitation of the system dynamics. Consequently, it is necessary to develop methods that allow the observation of not directly measurable quantities during transient engine testing. Engine testing for the characterisation of the engine air-path is specifically affected by this problem since the air mass flow entering the cylinder is not directly measurable by any sensor during transient operation. This dissertation presents a comprehensive methodology for engine air charge characterisation using dynamic test data. An observer is developed, which allows observation of the actual air mass flow into the engine during transient operation. The observer is integrated into a dual-ramp testing procedure, which allows the elimination of unaccounted dynamic effects by averaging over the resulting hysteresis. A simulation study on a 1-D gas dynamic engine model investigates the accuracy of the developed methodology. The simulation results show a trade-off between time saving and accuracy. Experimental test result confirm a time saving of 95% compared to conventional steady-state testing and at least 65% compared to quasi steady-state testing while maintaining the accuracy and repeatability of conventional steady-state testing.

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate how a delivery lead-time reduction impacts returnon-investment (ROI), and through the study create a decision support that quantitatively demonstrates the impact of the delivery lead-time reduction on manufacturing companies' ROI. To fulfill the purpose of the study two research questions were created: How is ROI affected by a delivery lead-time reduction? How can the impact of the delivery lead-time reduction on ROI be quantified? Method: A literature review was conducted to explain how a delivery lead-time reduction affects the ROI components. The literature review formed the theoretical framework, from which a proposition was created. With the proposition as a basis, a case study of one-case-design was carried out. The data for the first research question was collected through interviews with respondents from the focal company's market and production departments. The collected data was then pattern matched against the proposition, to develop the proposition. The answer from the first research question was then used as a basis for the quantification of the impact of the delivery lead-time reduction on ROI. During the empirical collection, there were limitations in data availability, therefore fictitious data was estimated to carry out the quantification and fulfill the second research question. Results: The study shows that there are many ways in which ROI can be affected by a delivery lead-time reduction, depending on the context, the starting point, and the approach in which the reduction is implemented. Therefore, an 8-scenario typology was created for how a delivery lead reduction can be implemented based on the six strategic lead times (SLT). Research question 1 shows, based on the data and the proposition, how delivery lead-time reduction impacts ROI in the typology’s scenario 7. Scenario 7 means a reduction in delivery lead-time, along with a reduction of the supply lead-time by reducing the external lead-time. The quantification of fictitious data, which answered the second research question, showed that it is possible to quantify the effect of the delivery lead-time reduction on ROI. Based on the approach of quantification, a decision support for investment in delivery lead-time reduction was created. Implications: The study contributes to the opportunity for practitioners to evaluate investment in delivery lead-time reduction, against other investment candidates, to strengthen the company's competitiveness. Theoretically, the study contributes with the typology for how a delivery lead-time reduction can be implemented. Also, a contribution through the proposition which shows how a delivery lead-time reduction generally affects ROI, versus the developed proposition that shows the influence based on scenario 7. Limitations: The quantification was based on fictitious data, which gave a limited result. Although it’s not the result of itself that is of interest, it is the logic of quantification, since the purpose is to develop a decision support. Also, the study is of one-case-design, whereupon the developed proposition cannot be applied on other companies without scrutiny and compared with their specific contexts. / Syfte: Studien syftade till att undersöka hur det finansiella prestandamåttet return on investment (ROI) påverkas vid en leveransledtidreduktion och genom studien skapa ett beslutsstöd som kvantitativt påvisar leveransledtidsreduktionens påverkan på tillverkandeföretags ROI. För att uppnå studiens syfte upprättades två forskningsfrågor: Hur påverkas ROI av en leveransledtidsreduktion? Hur kan leveransledtidsreduktionens påverkan på ROI kvantifieras? Metod: En litteraturgenomgång genomfördes för att förklara hur ROI komponenter påverkas av en leveransledtidsreduktion. Litteraturen sammanställdes sedan i en teoretisk referensram, utifrån vilken en proposition skapades. Med propositionen som grund utfördes en fallstudie av enfallsdesign. Empiri till den första forskningsfrågan samlades in genom intervjuer med respondenter från marknads- och produktionsavdelningen på fallföretaget. Empirin mönsterpassades mot den framtagna propositionen, som genom mönsterpassningen utvecklades. Svaret från första forskningsfrågan användes sedan som grund för kvantifieringen av leveransledtidsreduktionens påverkan på ROI. Under empiriinsamlingen visade det sig finnas begränsningar i tillgängliga data, varpå fiktiva data uppskattades för att kunna genomföra kvantifieringen och besvara andra forskningsfrågan. Resultat: Studien visade att det finns många olika sätt som ROI kan påverkas vid en leveransledtidsreduktion beroende på kontexten, utgångsläget och tillvägagångssättet som reduktionen genomförs i. Därför skapades en typologi med 8 scenarios för hur en leveransledtidsreduktion kan genomföras utifrån de sex strategiska ledtiderna (SLT). Forskningsfråga 1 visar utifrån empirin och propositionen påverkan på ROI vid scenario 7 i typologin. Scenario 7 innebär en reduktion av leveransledtiden och försörjningsledtiden genom att reducera den externa ledtiden. Kvantifieringen med fiktiva data påvisade att det är möjligt att kvantifiera leveransledtidsreduktionens påverkan på ROI. Utifrån tillvägagångssättet av kvantifieringen skapades ett beslutsstöd för investering i leveransledtidsreduktion. Implikationer: Studien bidrar till praktikers möjlighet att utvärdera en investering i leveransledtidsreduktion mot andra investeringskandidater för att stärka företags konkurrenskraft. Teoretiskt bidrar studien med typologin över hur en leveransledtidsreduktion kan genomföras. Även genom propositionen som visar hur en leveransledtidsreduktion påverkar ROI generellt, kontra den utvecklade propositionen som visar påverkan utifrån scenario 7. Begränsningar: Kvantifieringen baserades på fiktiva data vilket gav ett begränsat resultat. Det var istället logiken i kvantifieringen som var intressant, eftersom syftet var att utveckla ett beslutsstöd. Studien är en enfallsstudie, varpå den utvecklade propositionen inte kan appliceras för andra företag utan granskning och jämförelse med deras specifika kontexter.

This Master's thesis deals with the optimilization of the production process of the firm ADC Czech Republic s.r.o. The first part the tesiis focused on the research study of the issue, which is used in the practical part. The second one is devoted to brief introduction of the company ADD Czech Republic and the introduction of the product, that is engineered on the production line. The next chapter is divided into three parts. The first chapter creates an analysis of actual condition. The second deals with the implementation of the proposial. Finally, the third part is focused on other possible proposals, which have not been properly worked out

Högre krav ställs på effektivitet och optimering av flödet hos distribuerande företag för att kunna möta det ökade antalet varor som hanteras. För att möta detta krav krävs ledtidsreducering i form av att minska icke värdeskapande tid samt att fokusera på arbetsmiljö för medarbetarna, i form av ergonomi. Ett stort fokus ligger även på att tillfredsställa kund i form av att leverera rätt kvalitet i rätt tid. Syftet med arbetet är att få en förståelse för effektiviseringsmöjligheter inom lagerhantering på ett distribuerande företag och utveckla ett arbetssätt som minskar ledtiden och förbättrar arbetsmiljön med fokus på ergonomi. Målet med studien är att ta fram ett effektivare arbetssätt i form av minskad ledtid och bättre arbetsmiljö, där fokus är ergonomi. Frågeställningar som tagits fram för att uppnå syftet berör hur ett distribuerande företag kan hantera lager på ett effektivare sätt i form av minskad ledtid samt hur lagerhanteringen kan förbättras med avseende på arbetsmiljön och dess ergonomiska aspekter. En värdeflödesanalys har tagits fram baserat på observationer och mätningar. I värdeflödesanalysen framgick det att processerna för inregistrering av paket och plock av paket hade förbättringsmöjligheter. Tester har utförts för att undersöka om olika förbättringsförslag medfört minskad ledtid och förbättrad arbetsmiljö i form av ergonomi. Resultatet visar att ett nytt arbetssätt tillsammans med en ny layout minskar ledtiden samtidigt som arbetsmiljön förbättras då personalen rör sig mindre. Slutsatsen är att ett effektivare och mer ergonomiskt arbetssätt gynnar företaget, medarbetare och kunder. / Higher demands are placed on efficiency and optimization of the flow of distribution centers due to the higher amount of products they are handling. To meet this requirement, lead time reduction is required to reduce non-value-adding time and focus on the work environment for a better ergonomics. Another important thing is to satisfy the customer in order to deliver the right quality on the right time. The purpose of the work is to gain an understanding of efficiency opportunities in warehouse management at a distributing company and to develop a working method that reduces lead time and improves the work environment with a focus on ergonomics. The aim of the study is to develop a more efficient way of working to reduce lead time and develop a better work environment, where the focus is on ergonomics. Issues that were developed to achieve the purpose of this case study concern how a distribution company can handle inventory in a more efficient way in the form of reduced lead time and how inventory management can be improved regarding work environment and ergonomic aspects. A value flow analysis was created based on observations and measurements. The value flow analysis showed that two different processes had opportunities for improvement. Tests have been performed to investigate if different improvements could reduce lead time and improve the work environment. The results showed that a new way of working together with a new layout reduced lead time. The conclusion shows that a more efficient and ergonomic way of working benefits the company, the employees, and the customer.

Ericsson has recently experienced difficulties to meet the customer demand, which has led to lost market shares. This is mainly due to the long and unpredictable lead times within their supply chains. Therefore, Ericsson seeks to increase their ability to meet the customer demand by reducing the customer order lead time. A shorter lead time would imply a greater responsiveness and improved service level towards the customers. A directive from the company was to base the study on the supply chain for the customer Algeria Telecom Mobile. The purpose of the study is to give recommendations for improvements that reduce the total lead time in a supply chain perspective in order to improve the customer service level.  To be able to fulfill the purpose, four objectives were distinguished and supported with existing frameworks for analyzing supply chains. The first step was to create a current state map, which was achieved by conducting 24 interviews with people working within the supply chain. The second step was to identify potentials for lead time reduction. This was done by categorizing the supply chain parts and the problems that were gathered during the current state mapping into meaningful groups, and thereafter prioritize the categories with the greatest potential. The third step was to generate alternative solutions by conducting a second literature review based on the potentials that was identified during the prior step. The general solutions were later modified in order to fit the current supply chain. It resulted in eight Ericsson specific solutions. The fourth step was to evaluate these solutions in combination, which led to a recommended combination of solutions that provided the greatest lead time reduction. Also the requirements for implementing these solutions were presented in this step.  The recommendation for Ericsson is to rearrange their current supply chain for the studied customer and use two different supply chains; the Regional supply chain and the Alternative supply chain. The two arrangements will both be based on the implementation of a supply hub, which implies a movement of the customer order decoupling point closer to the customer. The Regional supply chain will cover the main flow and be used when the customer orders products from a product portfolio that has been agreed within the region. The Alternative supply chain will act as a complement and cover the flow of products outside the regional product portfolio.   The estimated customer order lead time for the Regional supply chain is 17 days, which is a reduction of 80 % in the normal case for the studied supply chain. The lead time for the Alternative supply chain is more difficult to estimate precisely, but it will be reduced in comparison with the current situation. Moreover, the service level towards the customer will be increased for both the Regional and the Alternative supply chain. To summarize the recommendations that are forwarded to Ericsson, they are listed below:  <li data-listid="34" data-aria-posinset="15" data-aria-level="1">Implement a regional supply hub  <li data-listid="34" data-aria-posinset="15" data-aria-level="1">Agree on a regional product portfolio  <li data-listid="34" data-aria-posinset="15" data-aria-level="1">Implement time slots for inbound flows  <li data-listid="34" data-aria-posinset="15" data-aria-level="1">Use BPO as a payment method instead of Letter of Credit  <li data-listid="34" data-aria-posinset="15" data-aria-level="1">Use a CIP, DAP or DAT Incoterm  <li data-listid="34" data-aria-posinset="15" data-aria-level="1">Implement a product configurator and let the customer place orders on commercial descriptions or a solution id.  <li data-listid="34" data-aria-posinset="15" data-aria-level="1">Integrate processes and activities throughout the supply chain and establish a greater information exchange.