Glossary

Business functions related to evaluating and buying the goods and services the firm requires. See also Procurement.

An element that does not change its weight or mass when it is turned into the finished product.

A strategy based upon producing and shipping goods based on forecasted demand instead of actual market demand. Increases inventory to meet expected demand.

When a firm makes inventory decisions at the central distribution center and ships to its individual warehouses accordingly.

An internet communication method which involves the exchange of information request to be initiated by the publisher or central server, rather than the client.

The process of removing materials from the receiving area (e.g., dock), transporting them to a storage area, and then to a specific location within the storage area.

See Quality Function Deployment (QFD).

See Quick Response (QR).

A quick response (QR) code is a barcode easily read by a digital device and which stores information. Used to track information about and location of products.

A product or service that meets or exceeds defined standards. Also, the perceived value of a product or service to meet needs.

A group of company employees who regularly meet to discuss quality and production related issues and determine how to resolve them.

A process - set of procedures and actions - through which a business seeks to ensure that its products and services meet or exceed defined standards.

Focuses on carefully listening to the customer and then effectively responding to those needs and expectations. Measures quality relative to customer satisfaction.

A restraint placed on the movement of materials, inbound or outbound, to protect the public against a health hazard. Also, items set aside for required testing.

A strategy between retailers and manufactures to improve product availabilty without increasing inventories by sharing point-of-sale scan data.

The transmission of data from a device attached to an object to an RFID receiver. RFID holds more data than barcodes and allows changes to the stored data.

In warehousing, the wireless communications and associated collection devices that use radio frequency (RF) to transmit data to the host system.

In sales, the time for a new hire to become fully productive. Also, how quickly a business can grow or expand its operations.

The allocation, when goods are in short supply, of product among customers or internally of components for making manufactured goods.

Commodities, unfinished substances or unrefined natural resources, used in the primary production or manufacturing of goods. Ex: steel, oil, grain, lumber, etc.

Transmitting data as an event occurs, as opposed to storing data for input later (as in batch processing).

The tracking of vessels and knowing where they currently are located. Usually done electronically, with the assistance of connected devices, and special software.

Software tools that track and trace assets, their location and status, throughout the supply chain – both their current live locations and projected ETAs.

All functions related to the physical receipt of material, including the inspection of the shipment for damage, item count, system entries, and transfer to storage.

Storage facility location where the goods transported by the carrier are unloaded and the actual physical receipt by the consignee occurs.