Case Studies: Manufacturing
Information Risk Analysis at Jefford’s
Hans Brechbühl, Chris Dunning
Length: 8 pages
Publication date: 2008
Case#: 6-0029
Jefford's faces several information security threats and must decide which risks to mitigate and at what cost. Headquartered in the U.S., Jefford's, a fictitious Fortune 500 company, is growing rapidly with much of the expansion coming in emerging markets. They face numerous risk management decisions, including how to mitigate problems with stolen/lost laptops, malware, fraudulent website transactions and protection of personally identifiable employee data. This case can serve as a good basis for a discussion on information security and risk management approaches. In Part B, the case provides detailed data on which to do a cost/benefit analysis, and with the help of the teaching note, creates a robust Monte Carlo simulation using Excel and Crystal Ball or similar software.
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Topics: Information Technology
Industry: Manufacturing
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Aligning the Supply Chain
Laura R. Kopczak, M. Eric Johnson
Length: 17 pages
Publication date: 2006
Case#: 6-0024
Align Technology, makers of the highly successful orthodontic treatment Invisalign, was in the midst of a transition from a start-up venture to an established firm. With customer orders stepping up, Align outlined a multi-million dollar IT investment for a new execution system that would address the growing complexity of managing its multi-country operations. This case study examines the challenges of manufacturing a mass customization product and the business case behind Align's investment in a new enterprise information system to automate its supply chain.
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Topics: Manufacturing, Services, Supply Chain
Industry: Medical Devices
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PERI
Hans Brechbühl, (with Yiorgos Bakamitsos)
Length: 10 pages (plus appendices)
Publication date: 2003
Case#: 6-0019
he international market leader in an increasingly important product and service segment of the construction industry, PERI faced key decisions on updating and automating key processes. This case offers the opportunity for in-depth discussion on where a bricks-and-mortar company should place its IT bets for the future.
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Topics: Manufacturing, Marketing, Services, Supply Chain
Industry:
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Stora Enso North America
Jesse Johnson, Chris Trimble
Length: 23 pages
Publication date: 2001
Case#: 2-0001
Robert Leach, VP of information technology for SENA had a vision of building an IT infrastructure that connected all of the participants in the paper supply chain and launching new service businesses enabled by the new infrastructure. Through a detailed description of the first two years of this effort, this case highlights many internal and external barriers. A good case to illustrate the specific operational reasons why some expectations formed in the dot.com bubble were unrealistic.
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Topics: Manufacturing, Supply Chain
Industry: Paper
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Mattel, Inc: Vendor Operations in Asia
M. Eric Johnson, Tom Clock
Length: 22 pages
Publication date: 2000
Case#: 1-0013
After the announcement of the merger between Mattel, Inc. and its second largest rival, Tyco Toys, SVP Ron Montalto was embroiled in a debate over the sourcing strategy for the existing Hot Wheels product line and newly added Matchbox cars. Montalto had to decide whether Mattel should go forward with a new China plant, build a plant in Malaysia or Indonesia, expand one of the existing facilities, or outsource the surplus die-cast volume.
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Topics: Manufacturing, Marketing, Supply Chain
Industry: Toys/Video Games
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