Back after a hiatus....
Between work, vacation, personal developments at the home front, and laziness, I have been in a hiatus for about two months. But I think it is now time to revive it and start writing again. So, watch for more regular columns in this space....
posted by Kalyan at 10:45 PM   |  Comments?

 
3D Projections?
Several companies have tried to come with a number of options to project 3D images. The applications are numerous and of course my favorite will be in the area of A/E/C. I think there is REAL value in projecting a virtual building before putting up the real one for customers (owners) to see what they are getting. This is the future of WYSIWIG in construction. Well, now there is one company that may not have quite done it yet, but is close. The company called IO2 Technology has come up with a display it calls Heliodisplay that projects images in 3D on a 2D planar surface that is in air! Yes, there are projecting in air. They claim to do so by modifying a film of air molecules. There is a demo to be staged in various cities including one in Cambridge MA on Nov 14th. I'll be sure to make it if I am free.
posted by Kalyan at 2:31 PM   |  Comments?

 
TOC vs APS
In an email discussion group (CMSIG) there was a discussion around the differences between TOC (theory of constraints) and APS (advanced planning and scheduling). Here is the summary of the discussion:

• TOC is a continuous improvement management philosophy whereas APS is the software implementation behind it
  
• TOC is a process whereas APS is a tool that can model various, but typically TOC processes
  
• APS tools are near useless or appear too constricting for businesses unless there are (TOC) processes are being implemented within the business practice as well
  
• APS systems use various algorithms to create 'optimal' solutions, but obviously the effectiveness of the solutions are a function of the effectiveness of the models i.e., TOC
  
• The limitation of APS is that they form a layer on top of ERP systems and 'expect' ERP data to be accurate to work efficiently. In other words, they are a mathematical purity that do not effectively work in real world
  
• TOC has various approaches for various industries:
  
  
  
  • Manufacturing or Production - Drum-Buffer-Rope
    
  • Logistics or Replenishment - Rapid Replenishment
    
  • Project Management - Multi-Project Model (Critical Chain is a component of this)
    
  • Product Development - Multi-Project Model (Critical Chain is a component of this)
    
  
  
• Good references are:
  
  
  
  • Goldratt's Necessary But Not Sufficient (explains APS in the context of TOC)
    
  • Goldratt's It's Not Luck (for rapid replenishment)
    
  • Synchronous Management (for rapid replenishment)
    
  • Goldratt's The Race (for DBR)
    
  • Goldratt's The Goal (for DBR)
    
  • The Manufacturer's Guide to Implementing TOC (how to implement DBR)
    
  • Goldratt's The Haystack Syndrome (how to implement DBR)
    
  
  

Interesting discussion and all good points. Even for CSCM, it is crucial that processes be changed for tools to work effectively. But there is a dearth of literature lacking in construction TOC processes and implementation guide. The lean folks are working on some of it, but there is still a big need for tools and guides.
posted by Kalyan at 2:38 PM   |  Comments?

 
The Aesthetic Imperative
Nice article that summarizes the underlying economics behind successful business. Summary?

We must abandon our prejudices regarding the sources of economic value. The production of wealth comes not simply from labor or raw materials or even intellectual brilliance. It comes from new ways to give people what they want. By matching creativity and desire, the economy will renew itself.

I agree. The construction indusry today is hurting with wastage because they do not have any tools (or processes) to better manage their system. That's what construction supply chain management all about!
posted by Kalyan at 1:07 PM   |  Comments?

 
Good source for Entrepreneurs
Another website worth reading and keeping up on, sporadically: http://www.entreworld.org/
posted by Kalyan at 1:01 PM   |  Comments?

 
References for SCM
Looking for information on supply chain management. Here is your first stop: http://www.scm-dip.com
posted by Kalyan at 5:12 PM   |  Comments?

 
Open Source Business Models
With the recent advent of linux OS and evangalising of open source software by giants like IBM, HP, and Sun, open source software is increasingly starting to look like the wave of the future that will unseat Microsoft. But is software really free? Can a company make money by writing open source software? How can the developer community sustain the quality of open source software. A few issues disscussed in Commercializing Open Source Software
posted by Kalyan at 1:34 PM   |  Comments?

 
New blog to add to list of reading
Just found a blog called ventureblog. Should make it a habit of reading it to see what VCs have to say about startups, their environment, etc.
posted by Kalyan at 10:00 PM   |  Comments?

 
Sheeps Laws of the Universe
Read this in the CMSIG discussion group. It is the story of a man named Dee Hock. His story is interesting but too long for this forum. He had made a small town bank VERY successful and was brought into corporate headquarters as a vunderkind. He says it was like throwing a sheep to the wolves, and 2 years later he was out on the street. From that experience he developed the following 3 "Sheeps Laws of the Universe."

1. Everything has intended and unintended cosequences. Intended consequences may or may not happen but the unintended consequences ALWAYS happen.
   
2. Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex, intelligent behavior. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple, stupid behavior.
   
3. Everything is its opposite, particularly competition and cooperation. Neither can rise to its highest potential unless seamlessly blended with the other. Either without the other swiftly becomes dangerous and destructive.
   

posted by Kalyan at 3:45 PM   |  Comments?

 
Excel and Project for advanced planning?
Microsoft Office productivity suite has long been well entrenched in the business world. Excel is an ubiqutuous tool used from shop floor scheduler to CEO for data manipulation and analysis. The sheer flexibility offered by the tool is both boon and bane. Here are a couple of MRP/ERP systems that have been developed on Microsoft tools:

• Production Scheduling System for < $500: http://www.production-scheduling.com/index.asp
  
• Project Planning System for ~ $100: http://www.advanced-projects.com/index.htm
  

Now, with Office 2003 and InfoPath (or XML integration) into the Office suite of products, Microsoft has a strong foundation to drive SCM systems to be developed for various verticals (including construction) on the Microsoft platform. The advantages are obvious - everybody knows them and probably has these products, there is no learning curve. Cost and Microsoft do not go together, so am not sure cost is an advantage. I am positive OpenOffice will catch up with the Microsoft innovations soon and then cost can be added to the OpenOffice quiver. If we go to folks with non-consumption, then the ease-of-use (comparable to Office suite) should help bring in the office advantages as well.
posted by Kalyan at 3:09 PM   |  Comments?