OLYMPUS TECHNOZONE Vol.51 2001-09
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INDEX
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On
Its Own, the System Is Just a Tool-It Comes Alive When It Is
Used
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Screen sequence
showing G-SCDB global inventory search.
(Click on image to expand it) |
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----Your current plan calls for the overall system to go
online in March 2003. What does this involve specifically?
At the very least, all the Olympus Group's
key locations will be able to access the GPO and G-SCDB, creating
a system that allows real time responses.
----Investment in the system amounted to 300 million
yen, but it is apparently forecast to yield profits of 100 million
yen per year. What is this calculation based on?
That's as maybe, but since it's just a piece
of infrastructure, it doesn't mean that we are suddenly going to
make money on it. I think it's more a question of how much we'll
make by eliminating waste and improving efficiency. I think it's
just our projection of the system's secondary impact. The key thing
is that it will boost the efficiency of the entire supply chain.
We are looking at cuts in overall supply chain costs. To this end,
each operational group will build the SCM, and it envisions using
the GPO and the G-SCDB as foundations. I believe that synergies
will start emerging once this happens.
----You appear to be thinking in terms
of pushing it up to the third phase of system development. Does this
mean the system will not simply remain within the Olympus Group?
I believe it could go as far as to involve component
materials suppliers and sales agents, though that will occur a little
further down the road.
As far as overseas shipments are concerned,
it is true that after the goods are actually transferred to the shipping
company, we don't get to see the information until the goods arrive
at the local destination and ready to be picked up. For example,
if we could obtain data from the shipping company after the goods
have been loaded, and input them into the G-SCDB, local subsidiaries
would be able to trace when the goods where loaded aboard ship or
a flight, and even when they could be expected to pass through customs
at the local port. We intend to build our system with this kind of
situation in mind.
As far as the GPO is concerned, the impact emerges
only when everyone starts using it, and I think it is significant.
I honestly wish everyone would go ahead and make full use of it.
Absolutely right! It's all meaningless if people
don't use it. It won't evolve unless people use the system and steadily
change the way they go about doing their own jobs as a result. Don't
you think everyone points their fingers at others when something
happens at work? They're probably saying "it's their fault!" (Laughs).
The company will not change in a broad sense so long as that sort
of approach continues. That's why we're looking for opportunities
to stir up demand. We intend to engage in activities to popularize
the system.
It used to be that the job of starting up in-company
systems was a task that receives little recognition. While there
is a strong element of this here, we're in a situation where IT could
trigger operational reforms and become a powerful weapon in business.
Surely we should make a more upfront appeal?
This kind of job is not glamorous, but it is
absolutely necessary.
Many companies are working to introduce systems
for SCM, but actually, many of them are not too clear on how to do
it. What Olympus is doing to tackle its intra-group infrastructure
this time is definitely worthwhile. Although it is the sort of unpretentious
effort that typifies Olympus, we will announce it in newspapers and
magazines.
hat's why we really want everyone to make use
of it. |
