Controls Books

Questions for the executive team that merit concern: What about inventory? If a plant is schedule to build a 100 unit but 140 appear will there be enough inventory to satisify the unexpected demand? In the reverse, when demand fails should the plant continue building inventory? What are the alternatives existing on the manufacturing floor? When orders fail to appear workers and equipment are idle unless alternative work is found. When demand exceeds supply, can more supply be created through overtime or outsourcing? How are customers affected? "When actual demand is underestimated, management becomes the traffic cop, directing the company's limited output to certain customers and withholding it from others."

"Knowing that forecasts will never match actual demand, except on rare occassion, master schedulers understand that they must be flexible in shifting capacity and materials from one period to another. They must know which customer will allow a delivery split over two or more periods. "A valid master plan is one in which the material due dates equal the material need dates, and the planned capacity equals the required capacity."

Manufacturing Production Scheduling is balancing Demand (Sales Forecasts, Customer Orders, Branch Warehouses, Interplant orders, and Custom/Special Orders) with Supply (Inventory,Equipment, Labor, Facilities, Time, and Money). When a company has more demand for it product it can 1. Increase the supply of the product by getting more material and resources 2. Decrease the demand by turning away or rescheduling some of the demand. Likewise, if there is more supply of the product than demand the company has two choices: 1. Increase demand by energizing the sales force, run a promotion, or discount price. 2. Decrease the supply of the product or material/capacity needed to produce it by cutting back production, people, and equipment.

The supply side can have a shock absorber. Inventory is a shock absorber. Another type of supply shock absorber is flexibility in the manufacturing chain which allows the company to alter plant floor activity to satifisy demand flunctations with severe disruptions.

The demand side can have a shock absorber. Flexiblity can extend to sales and marketing through promotions and discounts. The customer can be swayed to cooperate with the demand and supply balance through sales and discount or sales inducements.

A company must decide which side of the demand and supply balance to focus on: "sell the products manufacturing makes" or "build the products that sales sells." Once decided the company moves to the task of balancing product supply through demand management, sales and operation planning, supply management, and master scheduling.

Capacity planning addresses the question: "Do we or will we have enough equipment, enough people, enough materials, and enough time to meet the sales and operations plans as currently written?"

Demand managment manages all demands for the product and ensures the master scheduler is aware of them. It encompasses the activities of forecasting, order entry, order promising, branch warehouse requirements, interplant orders, and service part requirements.

Supply management manages replenishment quantities created in response to anticipated or firm demands for the product. It encompasses supply planning in pre-sales and operations planning, rationing out the production plan to the manufacturing facility, coordinating finished goods inventory, manage production to satisify customer demand, establishing competitive lead times, and counseling with plant master schedules.

John F. Proud has given us the definitive text on master scheduling. He has turned what should be a dry subject into 500+ pages that are thorough, enlightening, and suprisingly readable.

Contents include the mechanics of master scheduling, managing the MPS in various manufacturing environments (make-to-stock, make-to-order, etc.), planning bills, finishing schedules, capacity planning, demand management, and system implementation. Key points are punctuated by a running fictional account of master scheduling in action -- with all the personalities and politics that bear on this essential task.

Proud presents the vast material in a logical and entertaining manner. Detailed computational examples are provided for many of the situations a master scheduler will face. Proud is not afraid to depart from standard APICS language or teachings when appropriate -- but he does clearly identify when he has done so. Perhaps most significant is his exceptional grasp of the human relations and management issues involved. He shows that master scheduling is more than just crunching numbers.

Highly recommended as preparation for the APICS Master Planning exam.

One of few 600-pages book that is easy to understand, and a "pleasure" to read. The book is well organized, and fairly comprehensive. I was a novice in manufacturing concepts and this book helped me gain significant understanding of manufacturing planning concepts. The only subject that is lacking is a brief chapter on modern supply chain planning software packages that have become essential tools these days. The book is very expensive, but IMHO it's worth every penny if you're trying to learn about the subject.

This was by far my most cherished childhood book (I read it well over 100 times). It's a story that I found invaluable while negotiating the process of growing up feeling "different". The overall series was fantastic, but this particular book really inspired me as a child.

The book "Hey Remember Fat Glenda" was a perfect example on growing up different. The book was very real and thoroughly enjoyable. The characters are very lovable, and the plot and the setting were ideal. I recomend this book to every teenager, male or female. It gives you a different outlook on the way we treat certain people that are different from us. In conclusion I would like to state that Lila Perl was truly remarkable with this creation of this book.

She's fat. She's loud-mouthed. She's pushy. She's opinionated. She's prejudiced. She has a 'creative' way with the truth. She is madly in love with your 16-year-old brother. All the other kids in seventh-grade hate her and she hates them. Her mother has a petition going to try to force your family out of the neighborhood.... And she's your best friend. There's no one like Fat Glenda. She's really not all that bad once you get to know her, though you got wonder did she or did she not put the chicken feet in Mary Lou's watercress sandwich? This book is full of character and characters. It's a delightful story... starting with Sara's trip from California to New York with her hippie parents and all thier stuff... in a garbage truck.

This book was given to me by my mother in law, after she used it to help my father in law lose 40 lbs...This book shows full size pictures that really help you to see the portion sizes of food, in order to help you get in control of your eating. The food is great, and delicious with all the old favorites, just basically cutting down on portion size. A very good visual reference.

This book is a must-have. First, it is clear, simple to use and the recipes are very tasty. Second, the calories in the meals and stacks categories remain the same and therefore, making the appropriate menu is easy. (i.e. large breakfast, large lunch , small dinner and two medium snacks equal X amount of calories) Third, the book offered food substitutes that add variety and flavor to the meals. This book is scientifically solid but it is written in plain language. It is a very small investment for the time it saves and the results one's get.

This book has wonderful, full color, life size photos so that a person can see exactly how much food they should be putting on their plates. It is also written in plain language with no fancy terms. The meals are easy to make - no gourmet book this. No fancy ingredients. It is also full of good health facts as well as good food facts. I love it.

A well-written, highly practical guide to achieving organizational effectiveness at the work team level. The authors present a methodology that brings out the views and issues of core customers, employees, and owners. Part I provides a framework for measurement. Part II address five key areas that matter: trust, leadership, teamwork, performance, and profit. The book provides numerous examples, figures, and exercises.

This is a highly valuable work that gives sound guidance, and provides a clear, actionable approach for achieving results. Very highly recommended.

I reviewed this book before it was published and loved it - the second time around it got even better! The case studies and humor make what could be a very dry subject, compelling, interesting, fun, and actually useable by mere mortals! I read it cover to cover - hard to put down. I can't remember when that ever happened with a management book!

The best part for me is the practicality and simplicity of measuring what matters - getting down to BASICS - not all that 6 Sigma, Balanced Scorecard, TQM, Reengieering STUFF with complicated methods and jargon! This IS simple, "keeping the main thing, the main thing" as Covey says. McDaniel and Napier DISTILL so much common sense into ONE place .

It's SIMPLE, it's wise, and it works! I will be recommending this book to my clients - no matter whether they are in education, health, gov't, other non-profits, or in business - This book is a must anywhere humans are doing important work.

R.B. Hewertson, President, Highland Consulting Group, Inc. "Changing the World, One Leader at a Time"

In following the story of a fictional bookstore, this book really shows you how to practically apply organizational vision at the level where work is actual performed, at the level of the functional work team. By driving down to that level, this book's first looks at the relationship between that team and its stakeholders (customers - both internal and external - employees, and owners). It establishes the balance of value exchange, determines what matters in each interaction, and then uses metrics to help the functional work team do what is most important better. The great thing about this book is that it isn't rocket science; it takes complex ideas about value exchange and uses a practical example and common sense to show how anyone can apply these principles simply by measuring what matters.

I have already read several books on statistics and QC, but only few of them are so comprehensive as this one. It is helpful for both undergraduates and graduates students, who want to better understand the topics here presented. The book also comes with a data CD for exercices, thus making understanding easier for people.

Seldom can it be said that statistical methods are well explained. This Reference is a great melding of both method and application. I found that many of the concepts are structured in a way that allows for more practical use than theory explaination. Kudos to the authors.

The next millenium offers new opportunities for the application of statistics in industry. These opportunites come from better understanding of management needs and availability of wide spread computer power. The foreword by Bob Glavin, Chairman of Motorola Inc., provides the business motivation for the implementation of industrial statistics. The text presents modern graphical techniques, bootstrapping approaches and advanced SPC and DOE techniques. An unusual feature of the book is the availability of add-on software that allows the reader to practice hands-on learning with simulators and specially designed software for data analysis, acceptance sampling, SPC, design of experiments, and reliability. A useful book for students and practicioners alike.

The best parts of this book are (a) a very clear description of a number of control methods which can be used in practice; (b) very useful survey of macroeconomic models which can be used in practice. The application on India is very useful for deleopmnent planners and researchers. There are many books on useless methods which in practice can not work, but this book is a very exception. Every methods explained here are original and work in practice.

The best parts of this book are (a) a very clear description of a number of control methods which can be used in practice; (b) very useful survey of macroeconomic models which can be used in practice. The application on India is very useful for deleopmnent planners and researchers. There are many books on useless methods which in practice can not work, but this book is a very exception. Every methods explained here are original and work in practice.

The book consists of the following chapters: 1. India's Economic Scene and the Behaviours of the Monetary-Financial Instruments; 2. Methods of Optimal Control; 3. Recent Advances in Macroeconomic Policy Analysis ands the Analytical Structure of the Control Model 4. Estimation and Analysis of the Model 5. Analysis of the Result of the Control System.

If you are a women seeking forgiveness from the Lord and from yourself because of an abortion, you have to read this book!! It really makes you understand what Jesus did on the cross for us!! It shows you that the Lord has a perfect plan for all of us; we just need to follow His narrow path and live our lives for Him! Thank you so much Noreen, for sharing your story; it really opened my eyes and helped me sort out some of the feelings I was experiencing!! God Bless!

This story opened my eyes to the devistating effects on the emotional turmoil a woman goes through after having an abortion. I always wondered if a women has any remorse and or feeling of a child they aborted. This answered some of my questions. I highly recommend this book.

This is the autobiographical account of a woman's painful journey through the darkness of depression and the grief of rejecting her unborn child. It is only when she 'throws away her crutches' that she allows herself to find a deeper relationship with God. It is a tender and moving story told with a lightness of voice and a lack of self-pity that makes it a surprisingly easy book to read. It is a book that will appeal to so many people who are searching for meaning in their lives. It has particular resonance for anyone who has suffered an abortion, and for anyone who has suffered from depression. Finally, it is a tale of hope, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace. I recommend this book unreservedly.

Great book. Highly recommend. Everyone should use this method. So easy and life giving to your marriage.

With NFP, there are NO dangerous side effects like the pill has ex: blood clots, stroke, heart attack, and even death.It can be used to either achieve or avoid a pregnancy. The success rate is HIGHER than that of any contraception method plus ANYONE can use it even if they have serious health problems. I speak from experience that NFP does work because my husband & I have been using it throughout our marriage.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for another alternative that is safe and healthy.

I really enjoyed reading this book! I know personally what a great asset NFP is to a marriage. It was wonderful reading the many personal testimonies of people who have found what my husband and I have found in this gold mine. A priest in one of the testimonies called it - Marriage Insurance. It's free, it requires little effort and people using it almost never get divorced. I bought 3 copies - one for myself, one
for my cousin who just got married and one for the parish couple who helps out with Pre-cana. I highly recomend this book to everyone!

Anthony Zaknich wrote a book that provides the reader with a very broad knowledge about neural networks especially for signal processing. Fundamental facts are extracted and presented in a form that is very easy to read, such as listings, keywords, main formulas, diagrams and results from experiments. Zaknich avoided going into too much theoretical details which might only confuse beginners. But also for advanced and professionals his book is a good source of well-structured basic knowledge. This is the difference compared to other books about neural networks since the reader finds the essence that is crucial to understanding the basics. A huge selection of literature references enables the reader to quickly continue deeper studies about interesting topics. Furthermore, Zacknich' provides examples and results from experiments and simulations which he has done by himself for the most parts. He compares different neural network types and configurations for various real-world examples. These comparisons and results were a very valuable help for me in order to understand the differences and characteristics among the vast number of various network types.
Finally, Zaknich's book helps me very much in my job for that it is very important to have application results and "benchmark-like" comparisons. His explanations are often with reference to his own developed Modified Probabilistic Neural Network (MPNN) and Advanced MPNN that animated me to carry out some tests based on his MPNN. Another idea in his book is the Integrated Sensory Intelligent System (ISIS) that he introduces. I would highly appreciate if Zaknich releases new books especially on the field of signal processing and his idea of the ISIS.
Zaknich knows how to guide the reader through the different topics and not to bore him by long theoretical sequences and formulas. There is already a wide range of available literature that explains topics, such as classifications, control systems, robots etc. in more detail. Interesting quotations from different sources of literature attached to each chapter makes the book even more than merely a scientific book.

Claas Richter
Silicann Technologies (Japan/Germany)

Zaknich's book provided me with the necessary theory and detail to enable me to develop a neural network application as part of my phd. I thoroughly recommend this text for anyone wishing to develop and use neural networks, particularly for engineering applications. I found that while most books focussed on either the theory of neural networks or selected applications, Zaknich's text provided a comprehensive coverage of both theory and application providing a sound basis for understanding and applying neural networks. Topics ranged from the applicability of neural networks through to data collection, data conditioning and the final implementation.

***** Stanley McGibney, Consultant Mechanical Engineer

I found this book to be significantly different in its treatment of neural networks for signal processing and pattern recognition. It deals very ably not only with essential theory but also with basic practical issues, often missing from other books on the subject, that significantly enhance understanding and application. Zaknich has included a nice guide and design approach to successful application of neural networks, which is supplemented by frequent tips and a variety of worked application examples.

The book is much more than a good introduction to neural networks. It also includes a class of neural networks that Zaknich has developed and worked on over a decade that he refers to as common bandwidth spherical basis function neural networks. This is based on a generalization called the Modified Probabilistic Neural Network (MPNN) that encompasses Donald Specht's Probabilistic and General Regression Neural Networks. He has continued to develop the MPNN in a number of very practical directions that allows it to used for a wide range of engineering problems. He seems to favour applications related to underwater acoustic signal processing but the methods and approaches that he offers are suited to many other non-linear problems found in engineering and other disciplines.

The book includes a very interesting discussion on intelligent signal processing. Zaknich talks about what he calls hyperspace signal processing in the context of the MPNN and other classical filtering structures that gives an interesting view of some of the basic issues involved. He suggests at least one possible generic approach to non-linear signal processing based on Vapnik's Support Vector Machine that has a structural similarity to the MPNN.

This book is a gem that shines in its clarity beyond many other books on neural networks that I have struggled with in an attempt to understand the subject well enough to apply it.

This was a personal account of what it was like for a girl and her family to be on the wrong end of the stick when Chairman Mao instigated the cultural revolution in China. The universal cult of this old bag of wind is revealed and implemented by the simpletons. This is a personal account that takes place within a historical happening. It is of subjective perceptions, emotions, and experiences. It is a biographical account that covers many, many different areas of political, sexual, familial, and professional life. Her intimate friendships were described as well as the "gang" of folks she gravitated towards while she was shunned by her community. How her grandparents were treated right in front of her was disgusting. What is such a paradox about the Communist cultural brainwashing was that the "heroes" of the cultural revolution, became the vermin and enemy in the snap of a finger. Almost always, the victims were innocent. Niu-Niu grew and succeeded and wrote a book about it. The cultural revolution seems to parallel the Salem Witch trials. Hopefully, the Chinese will have the objectivity to think for themselves and realise what a disaster it was. Give it a spin.

This is a truly frightening tale of perhaps the darkest days in human history. Compared to the evils of Chinese Communism, the crimes of Western Colonialists seem to pale in comparison. The Nanjing Massacre is nothing when compared to a Red Guard raid of a "counter-revolutionary" enclave. Chinese do not like to admit it, but more Chinese were killed by Chinese than by British, Japanese, or Russians. This book shows in great detail just how evil the Chinese Communists are, and also shows a lot of the dark side of Chinese culture. Chinese tortures are very real, and these evil acts are still being carried out today. Let this book be a reminder: do not trust what Beijing says about world peace. They are evil.

This is a powerful book. It should be read by anyone who thinks that socialism offers a chance to better humanity. I found the book engaging, uplifting, sad and horrible all at the same time. This was especially true because the book is not fiction. The arm chair socialist of the US and Europe would do well to look at the terrible cost their politics have extracted from the poor all over the world. This book is a good place to start. China has not recovered from these events and the memory of them should not be allowed to die. The cultural revolution was a natural outgrowth of socalist ideas as articulated by Marx and every nation with a communist government has had similar episodes. Mao killed millions. Millions more than Hittler, Millions more than the Crusades. He was the greatest murderer of all time. This book tells the story of one person who escaped, if only just barely.