As intensas evoluções do mercado forçam as empresas a adequarem seus negócios abordando novos meios estratégicos para se manterem competitivas diante de seus concorrentes. O objetivo do trabalho é analisar novos arranjos produtivos encontrados no segmento automobilístico que se destacam por necessitar de uma forma cada vez melhor de relacionamento com seus clientes através de uma modelagem do sistema para disponibilizar a visibilidade do estoque nos diversos estágios como: antes da produção, durante a produção, durante o transito, quando estocados nos pátios e até possibilitando a colocação de pedido para itens que não estão disponíveis nos estágios anteriores citados. O trabalho também aborda um estudo de previsão de demanda que utiliza modelos matemáticos sobre a média da quantidade de vendas apuradas em determinado período de tempo e um comparativo com o método dos mínimos quadrados. A consequência do engajamento dos pedidos nas etapas anteriores da real disponibilidade física dos produtos para comercialização e entrega, propõe otimizar os níveis de estoque em quantidades mais baixas do que o modelo atual. Os cenários são simulados e visam contribuir como ferramenta para demonstrar a viabilidade de um novo modelo de política de comercialização dos produtos. / The intense Market developments force companies adapt their business by addressing new strategic means to remain competitive in the face of its competitors. The objective is to analyze new production arrangements found in the automotive sector that need to stand out by an ever better relationship with its customers through a modeling system to provide inventory visibility in different stages such as: before production, during production, during transit, when stored in the courtyards and even allowing for the placement of order for items that are not available in earlier stages cited. The paper also discusses a study of demand forecasting which uses mathematical models to average volumes calculated requests in a given time period and a comparison with the least squares method. The result of the engagement of requests in previous stages of actual physical availability of products for sale and delivery, proposes optimize inventory levels in amounts lower than the current model. The scenarios are simulated and aim to contribute as a tool to demonstrate the feasibility of a new model of political marketing.

La empresa en estudio dedicada a la distribución de productos de limpieza ha presentado elevados costos operativos provenientes de una gestión desorganizada en los procesos de compras e inventarios. Este es un problema que acontece a muchas empresas del sector retail ya que, no poseen herramientas o controles que le permitan evaluar su desarrollo en tales procesos. Para resolver este problema, se propone una gestión de compras y abastecimiento basado en herramientas que implican el desarrollo de pronosticación de demanda con el fin de poder evaluar la tendencia y fluctuación de la demanda, para que la empresa esté preparada ante cualquier cambio. Por otra parte, una clasificación ABC de productos para poder tener en cuenta aquellos productos que tienen una mayor rotación. Además, el desarrollo de lotes económicos, stocks de seguridad y puntos de reposición para el seguimiento de los inventarios existentes en el almacén. Por último, un control adecuado de la gestión mediante procedimientos, políticas y formatos que permitirán una estandarización y un flujo correcto de dichos procesos. Todo ello, con el fin de poder contribuir a la reducción de los costos operativos y aumentar la utilidad de la de la empresa. / The Company under study dedicated to the distribution of cleaning products has presented high operating costs resulting from a disorganized management in the processes of purchases and supply. This is a problem that happens to many companies in the retail sector because, it does not have tools or controls that allow it to evaluate its development in such processes. To solve this problem, a management of purchases and inventories is proposed based on tools that involve the development of demand forecasting in order to be able to evaluate the trend and fluctuation of the demand, so that the company is prepared for any change. On the other hand, an ABC classification of products to be able to consider those products that have a higher turnover. In addition, the development of economic lots, safety stocks and replenishment points to track inventories in the warehouse. Finally, an adequate control of the management by means of procedures, policies and formats that will allow a standardization and a correct flow of said processes. All this, to contribute to the reduction of operating costs and increase the utility of the company. / Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional

This diploma thesis is focused on the valuation of IT products in a selected company. The thesis is divided into four parts. The first part is theoretical, the second part describes the company's business and evaluates its valuation in the company. The third part contains proposals for solutions and the last part contains the conditions of implementation and benefits. Based on the performed analysis, the most suitable option will be chosen, which will be the best for the company.

This master’s thesis deals with order management improvement, based on the theoretical basis and analysis of current status. It deals with practical proposal for the procedural changes in the company to improve the existing safety stock planning and validation of a changes to the metrics of the company.

The aim of this master’s thesis is to propose the steps leading to the improvement of the financial situation of a mid-sized manufacturing company. In order to achieve this aim, the financial analysis is performed. It defines the company’s weaknesses and it serves as a background for a suggestion for corrective actions leading to the improvement. Based on the measurability of the corrective actions, the comparison of the current and predicted situation is made in the final conclusion. It is realized with the Index IN05 bankruptcy model. The corrective actions proposed aim in particular at the operational and production management. They focus mainly on the weaknesses defined by the financial analysis – reduction of inventories and increase of marginal profit in order to strengthen liquidity, reduce debt ratio and improve financial health score in general.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of M.Bibl in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, 1995. / The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a collection security problem in South African libraries, with specific reference to Natal, to determine the extent of the problem, to find out why these problems exist, and to see if the countermeasures applied by the Natal libraries were effective-Data collection was done by means of a literature study, three empirical surveys, and a sample stocktaking exercise at the four libraries included in this project, to determine their loss rate. The results show that theft/loss and mutilation of library materials are problems of considerable magnitude, locally and internationally. (In 1991 it was estimated that in the United Kingdom library materials to the value of ± £100 million were lost) - The stocktake completed at three of the four Natal libraries included in this study <The University of Natal, Durban's was incomplete) revealed that the combined, average loss rate was 15.5*/. (with a monetary value of Rl,6^8,710.00) which was above the accepted norm of E5.-105i. The Durban Municipal Library had the lowest rate ) followed by the University of Durban-Westvil le (11%), and the University of Zululand (23K). The two university libraries, where it was possible to complete the sample stocktake (i.e. the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Zululand>, used the 3M electronic security system and the Durban Municipal Library the Checkpoint system. The main reasons for theft varied from, not having enough funds, and being selfish, to the book was not available in the bookshop and the user thought s/he would not get caught. The reasons for mutilation varied from, the user was not aware of the cost of replacing mutilated material, being selfish and to prevent others from getting the same information. It was also found that the photocopy services needed to be upgraded to prevent frustrated users from stealing or mutilating library materials, of the 343 respondents who participated in the survey conducted at the four libraries included in this study were inconvenienced by mutilation. The reasons for theft and mutilation by users in the Natal libraries coincided with those of the international world as found in the literature survey. Security or countermeasures are not effective and must be improved, i.e. the librarians must change their attitude towards library crimes, facilitate user access, implement a regular stocktaking programme, educate the library users, and publicise acts of theft and mutilation.

Recent emphasis has been placed on merging regional forest inventory data with satellite-based information both to improve the efficiency of estimates of population totals, and to produce regional maps of forest variables. There are numerous ways in which forest class and structure variables may be modeled as functions of remotely sensed variables, yet surprisingly little work has been directed at surveying modem statistical techniques to determine which tools are best suited to the tasks given multiple objectives and logistical constraints. Here, a series of analyses to compare nonlinear and nonparametric modeling techniques for mapping a variety of forest variables, and for stratification of field plots, was conducted using data in the Interior Western United States. The analyses compared four statistical modeling techniques for predicting two discrete and four continuous forest inventory variables. The modeling techniques include generalized additive models (GAMs), classification and regression trees (CARTs), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), and artificial neural networks (ANNs). Alternative stratification schemes were also compared for estimating population totals. The analyses were conducted within six ecologically different regions using a variety of satellite-based predictor variables. The work resulted in the development of an objective modeling box that automatically models spatial response variables as functions of any assortment of predictor variables through the four nonlinear or nonparametric modeling techniques. In comparing the different modeling techniques, all proved themselves workable in an automated environment, though ANNs were more problematic. When their potential mapping ability was explored through a simple simulation, tremendous advantages were seen in use of MARS and ANN for prediction over GAMs, CART, and a simple linear model. However, much smaller differences were seen when using real data. In some instances, a simple linear approach worked virtually as well as the more complex models, while small gains were seen using more complex models in other instances. In real data runs, MARS performed (marginally) best most often for binary variables, while GAMs performed (marginally) best most often for continuous variables. After considering a subjective "ease of use" measure, computing time and other predictive performance measures, it was determined that MARS had many advantages over other modeling techniques. In addition, stratification tests illustrated cost-effective means to improve precision of estimates of forest population totals. Finally, the general effect of map accuracy on the relative precision of estimates of population totals obtained under simple random sampling compared to that obtained under stratified random sampling was established and graphically illustrated as a tool for management decisions.

In designing inventories of wildland vegetation, two of the many basic methodological choices are: 1) whether data are collected, reduced, and stored in discrete classes or as continuous variables, and 2) whether data are gathered as general purpose variables to bear upon many questions, or as specific purpose variables optimized for only one type of prediction. The effects of these two choices on accuracy of vegetation inventories to predict plant community production were examined by comparing regression models built upon differing sets of independent variables "inventoried" from a common data base. Contrary to expectations, discrete variables of classified community types were better predictors of plant community production than the same vegetation data reduced as continuous variables by three ordination techniques. Substitution of specific purpose soil and vegetation variables thought to be especially relevant to production did not improve correlations from those of analogous general purpose variables. These results do not show the anticipated accuracy loss of general purpose inventory variables, but such findings cannot yet be generalized to other situations. Implications for the design of practical, extensive survey methods for wildland vegetation are briefly discussed.

<p>Freshwater wetlands are capable of processing large amounts of excess nutrients from agricultural fields. These systems also have the potential to produce substantial amounts of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4), both potent greenhouse gasses. Agricultural land use alters delivery of nutrients and carbon to downstream wetlands. These changes can impact denitrification and methanogenesis, leading to increased or decreased rates of greenhouse gas production. While there have been studies on effects of carbon and nutrients on greenhouse gasses separately, few studies in the region have identified how the combination of nutrients and carbon come together to modulate greenhouse gasses. Identifying the variation of carbon and nutrient processing in wetlands systems with different hydrology and agricultural impacts could potentially change what we know about carbon and nutrient cycling and how they impact greenhouse gasses emitted from wetlands. This study showed that 1) watershed land cover and wetland size correlated to water chemistry including concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfate, and dissolved organic carbon concentration and composition and that 2) wetlands with higher levels of labile carbon, lower concentrations of nitrogen and sulfate are linked to higher rates of methane in wetland water while higher levels of nitrate were linked to increased wetland nitrous oxide. </p>

Objective: There is little evidence of how fruit and vegetable (FV) household food availability changes over a one-month period among low-income households. The objective of this study was to analyze how FV variety and sustainability changes over a 4-week period. Design: Inventories were conducted in low-income family households (n=49) once a week over a 4-week period. Trained researchers gathered the weights of all FV, including legumes, within the home. Previously determined mean container weights were subtracted to obtain the estimated weight of the FV. All weights were then converted to edible cups of FV, taking into account the weight that is removed when stems, peels, skins, and canning liquid are removed. Analysis: Variety was measured by analyzing the number of kinds of FV within the USDA subgroups (100% fruit juice, citrus fruits, other fruits, dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, dry beans and peas, starchy vegetables, and other vegetables) found in the home. In addition, sustainability was analyzed by the number of days into the future at which households can meet 100% of the FV recommendations. Data were combined for all households, according to the time points with the most amount of FV (HFV), the second-most amount of FV, the third-most amount of FV, and the least amount of FV (LFV) available in the household. Results: Vegetables, specifically canned vegetables, comprised the majority of all measurements taken throughout all inventories. When combined, the kinds of total FV decreased significantly from 25±1.1 kinds on HFV to 21.2±1.1 kinds on LFV (p<.0001). Days into the future at 100% of the fruit recommendation fell significantly from 11.4±0.1 days on HFV to 7.1±0.1 days on LFV (p<.0001). Total vegetables decreased significantly from 25.3±0.1 days on HFV to 19.1±0.1 days on LFV (p<.0001). Even at the peak of FV availability, dark green vegetables remained the lowest subgroup at 2.17±0.1 days and decreased to 1.6±0.1 days at LFV (p=0.01). Conclusions and Implications: Low-income households have greater variety of FV during the times when they have the most food resources compared to when they have the least food resources. The days into the future that the household FV supply could be maintained at 100% of the USDA's subgroup recommendation varies widely between subgroups, from about two days up to more than one month. Further research is needed to determine how to maintain subgroup variety and constancy of a FV supply throughout the month for low-income FV.