Tag: Research Centers

The Distributed Blockchain Conference is the first global event focusing on blockchain technology applications for both trade networks and financial services. We are fortunate to be able to host such a groundbreaking conference at Washington University in Emerson Auditorium next Tuesday, June 14^th  from 8-5 p.m. This conference will bring together the industry’s leading blockchain technology companies with major enterprises to brainstorm how the new technology will disrupt and optimize trade networks and financial service. Still on the fence? Here are four reasons you should add The Distributed Blockchain Conference to your summer schedule:

1. Delve into the impact of blockchain on financial services and trade networks

Blockchains are the most revolutionary technology development since the Internet. Money can be transferred cheaply and more efficiently on a global scale, removing the middle man from the equation when making transitions.

2. Real use cases will demonstrate how blockchain technology can provide efficiency gains and cost savings

Forty of the world’s top financial firms are already experimenting with this technology and this number is expected to continue to grow. Fluent, a financial operating network with WashU roots, will be demonstrating their products tracking supply chain and offering product and proof-of-concept demos, helping you understand how some of the largest firms can embrace this new technology.

3. Network with the innovative leaders 

CEOs from the world’s leading blockchain startups and executives from the world’s most innovative corporations will come together to reimagine international trade networks. The event is primarily sponsored by SixThirty and BTC Media, which are both large contributors to the fintech industry. There are 45 speakers at the event, including Brian Behlendorf, the Executive Director of Hyperledger Project at The Linux Foundation; David Bailey, the CEO of BTC Media; Jeff Garzic, the co-founder of Bloq, and many more.

4. This is the first blockchain conference of this magnitude to be held in a non-coastal city

St. Louis is the first Midwest city to be selected to host a conference about blockchain, and for good reason: Home to many startups, elite colleges, and nationally-recognized fintech company SixThirty, St. Louis is a vital logistics and fintech hub. This conference offers you the rare opportunity to learn more about this revolutionary technology and network with some of the largest names in this growing industry.

Learn more and register today!

Please use discount code for WU students- DISTRIBUTEDWASHU

In part two of his BCTIM Operational Excellence seminar, Dana Hullinger, Director of Supply Chain Strategy, Architectures & Analytics at Boeing Defense, Space & Security, speaks about BDS Supplier Management’s role in supply chain strategy and using financial and operational risk reduction to affect a transformation from cost center to value creator.

Hullinger also explains how creating a strategic approach to supply chain management in the defense industry is instrumental to top-line growth and bottom-line profitability.  One strategy mentioned by Hullinger was the introduction of a third supplier for the landing gear on the Boeing 777X. This increased competition for Boeing’s business, he said, encouraged innovation, investment, and excitement in the company. Such strategies, Hullinger said, allow BDS to look further down the road and orchestrate supply chain solutions instead of simply negotiating in the existing supplier climate.

For part one of Hullinger’s presentation, click here.

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The Boeing Center was pleased to host Dana Hullinger, Director of Supply Chain Strategy, Architectures & Analytics at Boeing Defense, Space & Security for the second BCTIM Operational Excellence seminar of 2016. His presentation, titled “Transforming the Supply Chain Organization: Tackling the Biggest Supply Chain Risk of Them All,” focused on the challenges of supplier management in the aerospace and defense industry. Hullinger, responsible for supply chain architecture and investment, reduces operational and financial risk by analyzing the current supplier landscape and making strategic decisions about sourcing and procurement.

As one might expect, Boeing’s supply chain is amazingly complex. With over 5,000 suppliers in 30+ countries, handling more than 120,000 purchase contracts, efficient and organized supply chain management is essential.  Naturally, such complexity introduces risk when operating in a global market.  Some of the challenges highlighted by Hullinger regarding the globalization of Boeing’s supply chain are:

• ensuring that suppliers do not use conflict minerals in their manufacturing processes
• protecting against information theft by cyber criminals
• managing obsolescence due to technological innovation

These challenges are particularly important for Boeing as it strives to reduce risk and increase visibility across its entire supply chain.  Effective risk management and communication with suppliers, Hullinger claimed, are vital to the company’s future growth. A collaborative process will enhance Boeing’s ability to manage supply chain risk and maintain its position as the preeminent company in defense and aerospace.

We thank Mr. Hullinger for sharing his expert knowledge with the supply chain and logistics community. Also, we congratulate Boeing on 100 years of innovation and excellence, and look forward to the next 100.

By Evan Dalton

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In part two of the 2016 Rosenblatt Lecture series, Jan Van Mieghem, the Harold L. Stuart Professor of Managerial Economics and Professor of Operations Management, Managerial Economics & Decision Sciences at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business, explains how the prioritization of individual preferences (i.e., the way in which tasks are performed by healthcare professionals) can reduce throughput, or the number of patients serviced.  This lack of emphasis on collaboration and multitasking can result in decreased efficiency and, therefore, increased costs in the healthcare process.   Read full article  •  Watch part I

The Rosenblatt Lecture series was established in 2003 to honor the memory of Meir J. Rosenblatt, who taught from 1987 to 2001 at Olin Business School as the Myron Northrop Distinguished Professor of Operations and Manufacturing Management. A leader among faculty, Rosenblatt often won the Teacher of the Year award at Olin and authored the book “Five Times and Still Kicking: A Life with Cancer,” having battled cancer multiple times throughout his life.

The Production and Operations Management Society (POMS), a leading professional society in the field of production and operations management, has selected Dr. Panos Kouvelis to receive the POMS Fellow Award of 2016.  Kouvelis, Emerson Distinguished Professor of Operations and Manufacturing Management and Director of the Boeing Center for Technology, Information and Manufacturing at Washington University’s Olin Business School, was given the news by the chair of the selection committee earlier this week.  Considered to be one of the most prestigious awards in the operations management community, the POMS Fellow Award is given as a recognition of lifetime achievement to individuals who have made exceptional intellectual contributions through research and teaching.

Kouvelis

“Although loyal service to the Society, in administrative, elected, or editorial assignments, is not by itself a sufficient qualification for this award, it can strengthen the case of a member who has also become a thought-leader in our field. To be eligible a candidate must have demonstrated commitment to furthering the objectives of POMS (as evidenced by such indicators as membership in the Society, and active participation in POMS Colleges and meetings).”   ~  POMS website

Kouvelis will be welcomed into this highly-esteemed group at the official ceremony, which will be held at the POMS annual conference in Orlando, Florida on May 8.  The Olin community is very thankful for Kouvelis’ contributions to research and teaching, and congratulates him on this wonderful accomplishment!

The Boeing Center’s annual Meir J. Rosenblatt Memorial Lecture is an opportunity for prominent academics and practitioners of supply chain and operations management to discuss emerging trends and enjoy a presentation from one of the field’s preeminent thinkers.  The distinguished guest speaker for the 12^th installment was Jan Van Mieghem, the Harold L. Stuart Professor of Managerial Economics and Professor of Operations Management, Managerial Economics & Decision Sciences at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business.

Van Mieghem spoke on the topic of collaboration (simultaneous versus procedural) and multitasking in healthcare networks. Emphasis was placed on designing the processes the right way to take full advantage of collaborative practices while minimizing their potential productivity losses. He particularly outlined the productivity challenges and efficiency costs of recently advocated collaborative practices in patient care.

After developing a theoretical analysis of the maximal throughput of the process under simultaneous collaboration, Van Mieghem and his fellow researchers performed an empirical study at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. In this study they observed the actions of hospitalists, or general practitioners, as well as the digital records of several patients.  They found that a single patient’s record was touched by as many as 385 healthcare professionals, thus revealing why patient care can be such an expensive process. Inappropriate use of collaboration protocols can make such “touch intensive” processes even more inefficient and costly for all of us.

For more, check out the video highlights and photo gallery.

By Evan Dalton

The Rosenblatt Lecture series was established in 2003 to honor the memory of Meir J. Rosenblatt, who taught from 1987 to 2001 at Olin Business School as the Myron Northrop Distinguished Professor of Operations and Manufacturing Management. A leader among faculty, Rosenblatt often won the Teacher of the Year award at Olin and authored the book “Five Times and Still Kicking: A Life with Cancer,” having battled cancer multiple times throughout his life.

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