Training: Network Modelling
The CAST Training Course Overview section will now offer the following courses:
• CAST Introduction (3 days)
• CAST Intermediate (2 days)
• CAST-CO2 (1 day)
• CAST Advanced (customised)
• CAST Inventory Modelling (1 day)
• CAST Management Appreciation Seminar & Supply Chain Modelling workshop (1 day)
The starting point for all users is the introductory three-day training course.
CAST Introduction (3 days)
Course objectives
The course seeks to take the delegate through all the key areas of CAST functionality so that the individual feels confident to build their own supply chain models. The course builds up a network model from first principles using a step-by-step approach.
By the end of the course students will be able to develop a model of a supply chain using CAST, and to test alternative strategies against that model.
The introductory course includes a multiple-choice test at the end of the three days whereby delegates reaching the ‘pass mark’ will achieve level one accreditation as part of the CAST accreditation programme.
Who should attend?
The course has been designed for planners and managers who are about to use CAST and who have experience of planning and analysing distribution networks.
Pre-requisites
The course has been designed for people with experience of network planning - preferably from an appropriate supply chain background - with computing and data manipulation skills (basic PC - Windows - and spreadsheet skills).
Duration
The course lasts three days with approximately 7 hours of classroom time each day.
Teaching style
The course content includes practical work involving hands-on exercises. Extensive use is made of examples from Barloworld Optimus consultants’ many years of using CAST on projects.
Follow-up activities
To maximise the benefits from attending the course it is helpful if students can return to work on a live project.
N.B. Unfortunately it is not possible to give the generic introductory training course using client specific data. This would extend the duration of the course and not necessarily cover all functional and theoretical areas. Mentoring options do, however, exist where a Barloworld Optimus consultant works with a client during key phases of a project to facilitate skills transfer on the job.
CAST Intermediate (2 days)
The course is designed for users who have mastered the basics of CAST and wish to ensure that they are getting the maximum possible benefit from the use of CAST. Delegates who have undertaken the introductory course may attend this course. The courses have been scheduled such that new users can attend the introductory course and intermediate courses in successive weeks. This enables new users to fast-track their training in CAST. Alternatively, users who have completed some project work but require a refresher using hands-on based project work may wish to participate.
The intermediate course centres around a fictitious manufacturing company. The company faces issues around warehouse locations, product sourcing, own vehicle fleet substitution and delivery size profile.
The course includes:
• Using the Mixed Integer Programming Optimiser to optimise a network
• Developing warehouse cost functions
• How to get the best from carrier-based rate tables
• Using the cost to market functionality
• How to compare ‘own vehicle costs’ with carrier rates
This course is very hands-on with one user to a PC in a small group of up to six delegates.
Over the years it has also become evident that some users require training around aspects of data manipulation & cost analysis when preparing data for, or analysing results from, the modelling process.
Subsequently, this course also incorporates data manipulation & statistical techniques, helping our users to get the most out of Access and Excel within the context of a CAST project. This will assist users to overcome problems they may have with some of the basic principles of data handling, manipulation and cost interpretation.
As well as advanced CAST functionality, the course includes elements on data requirements, data analysis techniques and introduces the concept of data synthesis in support of a CAST project. From a practical point of view, delegates use databases & spreadsheet in a series of hands-on exercises to practice the techniques at first hand. Some experience using such tools is required, as this training course does not take the place of conventional training courses for these products.
CAST-CO2 (1 day)
The course focuses on the CAST-CO2 product, taking delegates through a series of exercises designed to illustrate all of the CAST functionality relating to the calculation of the carbon emissions of a supply chain.
- Exercises focus on a global manufacturing company who is seeking to evaluate their carbon emissions
- Reviews the changes that are possible to the analysis through the different settings available within CAST-CO2
- Considers different design configurations and transportation options before making operational changes
CAST Advanced (customised)
For those users who have attained a significant amount of project experience and have attended both the data manipulation and intermediate courses there may still be a need for advanced training with an experienced consultant from Barloworld Optimus.
The format for such training is tailored specifically to the needs of the individual customer. Typically one or two users from a company take a dedicated advanced course designed to their own agenda. Barloworld Optimus prepares the required training material and then works with students in an informal workshop session. Such training is charged on a daily rate including the course preparation time.
In order to meet clients’ specific requirements, advanced training is necessarily less prescriptive than the other training options offered by Barloworld Optimus. Ultimately it offers the chance to benefit from the considerable experience of Barloworld Optimus gained through the use of CAST across many industry sectors around the world.
If project specific on-the-job training is required then mentoring days can be considered.
CAST Inventory Modelling (1 day)
This session is an introduction to probabilistic inventory modelling and how it supports CAST network modelling.
It starts with an overview of inventory modelling theory in the context of network optimization. This is then followed by a detailed review of the existing inventory modelling approaches that exist in CAST including:
Summary Level Depot Inventory Cost functions
Detailed Level Depot Inventory Cost functions
Stock Strategy Model
The 2nd part of the session focuses on probabilistic inventory modelling at the SKU level. It will encompass finished good product flows, from factory via different echelons of depot to the customer. An example model will show how demand variability, transportation lead time and service level (stock availability) will be considered as drivers of inventory. The key output of the model is optimised inventory policies for all SKUs at all facilities. It can also be used to assess the impact of network changes on resulting inventories, with results being iteratively fed back to CAST for fine tuning of the network.
The course is aimed at users who have been on the Introduction to CAST training course and wish to increase or refresh their understanding of inventory modelling within the context of network optimization.
CAST Management Appreciation Seminar & Supply Chain Modelling workshop (1 day)
There are 2 components to this training day aimed at 2 different audiences.
Management Appreciation Seminar
The first part of the day is a seminar used to introduce global supply chain network modelling to managers who are not directly involved in the discipline. This helps to build awareness and understanding of the supply chain optimization / reengineering process. By highlighting the key applications & benefits of using CAST, it also generates executive and cross functional ‘buy-in’ to strategic network modelling across the organization.
In manufacturing & retail companies the session often involves project stakeholders from either: Production, Procurement, Finance, Marketing, Customer Service as well as the Supply Chain function. Alternatively, the session is often used to help show the benefits of supply chain optimization realized in one part of the business to a different division or business unit.
In a 3rd Party Logistics company the course is tailored towards the business development / sales team who have a responsibility to understand CAST capabilities in order to properly sell the capabilities of their solution design team to their client base in order to realise process improvements and cost savings.
The content can be customised to the client’s requirements, but usually includes an introduction to supply chain modelling in general, as well as an overview of CAST and an insight into relevant industry case studies.
Supply Chain Modelling Workshop
The Management Appreciation Seminar is normally followed by a Supply Chain Modelling Workshop which is aimed specifically at CAST users. It is used to critically review the organization’s current level of CAST usage in terms of specific functionality & application. This GAP analysis permits a Barloworld Optimus consultant to identify areas where the client can improve their CAST modelling methodologies & application of specific functionality in order to either speed up or improve the breadth & depth of the existing modelling process and subsequently it’s ability to bring benefits and value to the organization