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Logistics
Modelling
When Pivotal was founded by Ralph
Seeley in 1992, it specialised in logistics modelling.
At its most demanding, this involves:
- understanding and prioritising issues, eliminating the
"second-order"
- agreeing the scope and objectives of a model to address
the issues
- building, calibrating and validating a suitable model
(usually computer-based)
- applying it predictively
- presentation, documentation and training
By building a model, it is often possible to learn which
the principal controls levers are, in what direction they
work and how sensitive they are. Although generally more expensive,
a model can be much more cost-effective because it is able
to provide recommendations in the context of greater understanding.
To keep costs down and timescales short it is important to
model core problems only, and to use existing tools where
possible.
Pivotal has undertaken logistics modelling projects in forecasting,
production and inventory control, maintenance and overhaul,
as well as many conventional consultancy assignments and software
development assignments.
It is the ability to address comparatively complex problems
whilst retaining a grasp of the commercial essentials which
distinguishes the company. And if a computer-assisted approach
is required -- either for diagnosis, or to implement a subsequent
solution -- then the relevant skills are available, whether
it means, specifying,
adapting or developing software.
Consultancy projects
may be undertaken either on or off-site (or both). Deliverables
include any combination of: oral presentations, written reports,
computer models, system specifications, or bespoke software.
Clients have been in industry (manufacturing & service),
in commerce and in government.
Pivotal is able to draw on experience of the oil, defence,
computing, manufacturing and consultancy industries and can
deploy skills which include statistics, management sciences,
information technology, software development, logistics and
market research.
"Directing effort to greatest effect"
Meaning:
- learning which variables best advance the objective.
In order to:
- focus effort where it is most effective
- minimise unnecessary side-effects
- limit change to the essential and readily justifiable.
- measure performance by identifying cause and effect
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