OPESS
Web-Based Training in Operations Management, ERP and SCM Systems
Researchers:
R. Cruz, J. Nienhaus, P. Freund, M. Stammbach, Team of Research and Teaching Assistants
Partners:
Academic:
Institute of Information Systems, University of Bern
Laboratory for Production Management an Processes and Institute of Management and Logistics, EPF Lausanne
Centre for Process Design, Aarau
Industrial:
Alstom, Baden
Financed by:
ETH Zurich, ETH-Rat, Virtual Campus Switzerland
Website
Motivation:
OPESS aims to achieve an integrated approach to Web-based training in the field of Operations Management. Special consideration is given to technical and managerial concepts and to related software solutions that have gained great significance worldwide as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems. New developments in the direction of E-business are also included. In addition, the project contributes to a coordination of the syllabuses used in German- and French-speaking universities in Switzerland.
Objectives:
The main goals of the project are: to illustrate more clearly complex technical systems on the Web through the use of advanced multimedia techniques; to obtain knowledge regarding the application of quantitative methods on the Web and controlling the related interaction processes; to integrate software tools, especially to optimize and simulate logistical problems in Web-based learning platforms; to visualize and animate the use of planning and scheduling procedures available in academic prototypes and, in part, already available in packaged software solutions; to use Web-based learning platforms as access or analysis tools for sophisticated software solutions; to integrate the vast amount of information available on the Web about ERP and SCM systems in Web-based learning platforms by providing direct access to relevant sites and checking students’ understanding of the referenced knowledge
The following activities have already been completed:
The following modules have been completed in accordance with the pedagogical concept: «Mass Customization», «Customer Relationship Management», «Procurement», «Inventory Management», «Distribution Planning and Distribution Systems», «Evaluation and Implementation of Business Software», «Scheduling», «Logistics and Operations Management and Enterprise Performance», «Business Relationships in a Supply Chain», «Logistics Analysis and Fundamental Logistics Concepts», «The MRP/ERP Concept», «Just-in-Time Concept», «Concepts for Product Families and One-Of-A-Kind Production», and «Concepts for the Process Industry».
The following technologies were chosen: WebCT as environment, XML format for content, Java and Macromedia Flash for interactive elements.
The development of the Doc2XML converter is completed. This powerful new software uses MS Word as an authoring tool and is able to convert from one source content more than three online versions in XML and built in LMML (Learning Material Markup Language) standard including interactivity.
Print and PDF versions are still possible, as is familiar from normal use of MS Word. This tool will allow the production of new modules even after the project end, without requiring further projects and within normal lecture preparations.
A bundle of movies showing the entire Supply Chain of the different production steps of a turbine, as an example, have been produced together with ALSTOM. Selection and implementation of the films are nearly complete. The modules were used to the full extent in the summer term of 2006.