Michigan State University MBA: Examine Broad's Difference

IBM On-Demand Supply Chain Lab

The new IBM On-Demand Supply Chain Lab employs the latest technology, software and statistical tools to help students study, simulate and test the key relationships in an end-to-end supply chain, focusing on the dynamic flow of information and the resulting interdependencies among elements in the chain.

Equipped for Success
The Supply Chain Lab includes hardware and software that replicates IBM's supply-chain platform. It features an advanced planning and scheduling package, collaboration software to work with supply chain partners, Web business software and a supply chain simulation tool.

Preparing for the Unexpected
As part of the hands-on, global approach, all simulations also contain a few surprises, for example, a glitch in the transportation system or a rapid increase in demand for the product.

“We try to be very hands-on in the supply chain area, in terms of giving students the capability to step in and manage people and develop strategies in supply chain management for companies. For example, the planning and scheduling software is used for everything from scheduling raw material, planning production processes, allocating products to distribution centers, and from distribution centers to customers. We give them a forecast and ask them to develop plans over time… and we may throw in a few diversions into the process.”
DAVID CLOSS,
PROFESSOR, THE JOHN H. McCONNELL CHAIR IN BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION