#Supply Chain Bottlenecks

[teamlogistic]

Supply chain bottlenecks are unavoidable. Yet there are some strategies with which you can manage them better. Here, we highlight some such strategies.

[greenthestral]

Navigating Global Economic Recovery Amidst Turbulent Times

Understanding the Complexities of Global Economic Recovery

The world is currently grappling with a multitude of challenges that are hindering global economic recovery. As we strive to move past the unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, new waves of infections continue to pose significant threats to economies worldwide. In addition, rising inflation rates, supply chain disruptions, policy uncertainties, and labor market challenges further compound the complexities. This article explores the interplay of these factors and delves into the measures required to overcome these hurdles and steer towards a resilient economic future.

The Ongoing Battle with COVID-19

Despite progress in vaccination efforts, COVID-19 remains a potent adversary to economic recovery. As new waves of infections emerge, countries are forced to grapple with imposing restrictions and lockdowns to curb the spread. Such measures, though essential for public health, have profound consequences for businesses and industries. Disruptions in workforce continuity, temporary closures, and reduced consumer demand impact economic growth.

The uncertainty surrounding the duration and intensity of these waves adds further strain to businesses' ability to plan and invest in the future. Moreover, as variants of the virus continue to evolve, adapting strategies to combat the virus becomes an ongoing challenge for governments and businesses alike.

Inflation: The Silent Eroder of Purchasing Power

Rising inflation rates present another obstacle to global economic recovery. The pandemic's economic fallout, coupled with supply chain disruptions, has caused an increase in the prices of goods and services. This phenomenon erodes consumers' purchasing power, as their income struggles to keep pace with the soaring costs of essential items.

Central banks and governments face the delicate task of balancing inflation control measures while simultaneously promoting economic growth. Tackling inflation requires a careful calibration of monetary policies and fiscal stimulus to prevent the economy from slipping into stagflation – a state of stagnant growth with soaring prices.

Supply Chain Disruptions: Bottlenecks in the Path to Recovery

The pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of global supply chains. As nations went into lockdowns, the movement of goods and raw materials was severely impeded, causing bottlenecks and delays. While economies have gradually reopened, the challenges persist. Shortages of critical components and delays in production have far-reaching implications for various industries, from manufacturing to retail.

Efforts are being made to diversify and localize supply chains to enhance resilience. However, transforming complex global supply networks is no small feat and requires time and substantial investments.

Policy Uncertainties: A Hurdle for Investors

Policy uncertainties amplify the challenges faced during economic recovery. Governments worldwide have implemented various measures to tackle the pandemic's impact, often requiring businesses to adapt swiftly. However, the changing policy landscape introduces uncertainty for investors, deterring them from making long-term commitments.

Clarity and consistency in government policies are crucial to instill confidence in businesses and encourage investments that fuel economic growth. Transparent communication and collaboration between policymakers and industries can foster a conducive environment for economic recovery.

Labor Market Challenges: Finding the Right Balance

The labor market also faces its own set of challenges. Many sectors, particularly those heavily reliant on physical presence, were severely affected during the pandemic. As businesses resume operations, there is a demand for skilled workers to fill positions that have remained vacant for extended periods.

Simultaneously, the shift towards remote work and technological advancements has led to a mismatch in the skills demanded and those available in the labor pool. Addressing this gap requires retraining and upskilling the workforce to ensure a seamless transition into the post-pandemic job market.

Charting the Course for Economic Resilience

Navigating the complexities of global economic recovery requires a coordinated effort from governments, businesses, and individuals. To build economic resilience, several key strategies can be adopted:

Strengthening Healthcare Systems and Vaccination

Prioritizing public health is fundamental to economic recovery. Governments must focus on bolstering healthcare infrastructure, ensuring sufficient medical supplies, and accelerating vaccination campaigns. A healthy workforce will instill confidence in employees and consumers, ultimately fostering economic growth.

Targeted Fiscal Support

Governments can offer targeted fiscal support to industries most impacted by the pandemic. Financial aid and incentives can help businesses recover and protect jobs. By tailoring support to specific sectors, governments can maximize the impact of their interventions.

Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience

Diversifying and strengthening supply chains will mitigate the risks posed by disruptions. Businesses can explore alternative sourcing options and collaborate with partners to build redundancy and flexibility into their supply networks.

Transparency and Consistency in Policies

Transparent communication from policymakers, coupled with consistent and predictable policies, will encourage businesses to plan for the future confidently. This stability fosters a conducive environment for investments and economic growth.

Investment in Skills Development

Investing in workforce skills development is crucial to bridge the labor market gap. Governments, educational institutions, and businesses can collaborate to provide training programs that equip individuals with the skills needed for evolving job opportunities.

Embracing Technology and Innovation

Technological advancements offer transformative solutions for businesses to adapt to the changing landscape. Embracing innovation can streamline operations, enhance productivity, and open new avenues for growth.

In conclusion, global economic recovery is indeed hampered by various challenges arising from new COVID-19 waves, inflation, supply chain disruptions, policy uncertainties, and labor market adjustments. However, by adopting comprehensive strategies and fostering collaborative efforts, nations can navigate these turbulent times and chart a course towards a more resilient and prosperous future. The road ahead may be challenging, but with determination and cooperation, we can overcome these hurdles and emerge stronger than ever before.

What's In It For Me? (WIIFM)

In this blog article, you will gain valuable insights into the critical factors obstructing global economic recovery. Discover how new waves of COVID-19, rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, policy uncertainties, and labor market challenges intertwine to create a complex web of obstacles. Learn about the impact these challenges have on businesses, economies, and individuals worldwide. Most importantly, find out how you can contribute to and navigate through these challenging times, ensuring a resilient economic future.

Call to Action (CTA)

Ready to equip yourself with essential knowledge about the challenges hindering global economic recovery? Click here to read the full blog article and gain a comprehensive understanding of how new waves of COVID-19, rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, policy uncertainties, and labor market challenges are shaping the economic landscape. Let's work together to build a stronger, more sustainable global economy.

Blog Excerpt

The road to global economic recovery is far from smooth. As the world attempts to overcome the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, new waves of infections continue to emerge, necessitating ongoing restrictions and lockdowns. Alongside this, rising inflation and supply chain disruptions add to the complexities, impacting the prices of goods and the smooth flow of essential resources. Policy uncertainties further exacerbate the challenges, creating an environment of hesitation for investors and businesses. To add to the mix, labor market adjustments bring their own set of obstacles. This blog delves into the intricate web of these issues and explores potential solutions for a resilient global economic recovery.

Meta Description (320 characters)

Discover the hurdles obstructing global economic recovery: COVID-19 waves, inflation, supply chain disruptions, policy uncertainties, and labor challenges. Gain insights and solutions for a stronger future.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Underground Empire: Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman's must-read account of "How America Weaponized the World Economy."

I'm coming to Minneapolis! Oct 15: Presenting The Internet Con at Moon Palace Books. Oct 16: Keynoting the 26th ACM Conference On Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing.

At the end of Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman's new book Underground Empire, they cite the work of John Lewis Gaddis, "preeminent historian of the Cold War," who dubbed that perilous period "The Long Peace":

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250840554/undergroundempire

Despite several harrowing near-misses, neither of the two hair-trigger, nuclear-tipped arsenals were ever loosed. When the Cold War ended, the world breathed a sigh of relief and set about refashioning itself, braiding together economic and social interdependencies that were supposed to make future war unthinkable. Nations that depend on one another couldn't afford to go to war, because they couldn't hurt the other without hurting themselves.

The standard account of the Cold War's "Long Peace" is that the game theorists who invented Mutually Assured Destruction set up a game where "the only way to win was not to play" (to quote the Matthew Broderick documentary War Games). The interdependency strategy of the post-Cold War, neoliberal, "flat" world was built on the same fundamentals: make war more costly than peace, victory worse than the status quo, and war would be over – if we wanted it.

But Gaddis has a different idea. Any effect Mutually Assured Destruction had on keeping fingers from pushing the buttons was downstream of a much more important factor: independence. For the most part, the US and the USSR had nonintersecting spheres of influence. Each of these spheres was self-sufficient. That meant that they didn't compete with one another for the use of the same resource or territory, and neither could put the other in check by seizing some asset they both relied on. The exceptions to this – proxy wars in Latin America and Southeast Asia – were the disastrous exceptions that proved the rule.

But the past forty years rejected this theory. From Thomas Friedman's "World Is Flat" to Fukyama's "End of History," the modern road to peace is paved with networks whose nodes can be found in every country. These networks – shipping routes, money-clearing systems, supply chains, the internet itself – weave together nearly every nation on Earth into a single web of interdependencies that make war impossible.

War, you may have noticed, has become very, very possible. Even countries with their own McDonald's franchises are willing to take up arms against one another.

That's where Farrell and Newman's book comes in. The two political scientists tell the story of how these global networks were built through accidents of history, mostly by American corporations and/or the American state. The web was built by accident, but the spider at its center was always the USA.

At various junctures since the Cold War, American presidents, spies and military leaders have noticed this web and tugged at it. A tariff here, a sanction there, then an embargo. The NSA turns the internet into a surveillance grid and a weapon of war. The SWIFT system is turned into a way to project American political goals around the world – first by blocking transactions for things the US government disfavors, then to cut off access for people who do business with people who do things that the US wants stopped.

Networks tend to centralization, to hubs. These central points are efficient, but (as we learned during the covid lockdown) brittle. One factory fails and an entire category of goods can no longer be made – anywhere. When it comes to global resiliency, these bottlenecks are are a bug; but when it comes to US foreign policy, these chokepoints are a feature.

Farrell and Newman skillfully weave a tale of individuals, powers, circumstances and forces, showing how the rise and rise of world-is-flat rah-rah globalism created a series of irresistable opportunities for "weaponized interdependence." Some players of the game wield these weapons like a scalpel; others (like Trump) use them like a club.

This is a chronicle of the dawning realization – among US power-players and their foreign adversaries, particularly in China – that the US lured its trading partners into entrusting it with financial clearing, IP enforcement, fiber landings, and other chokepoints, on the grounds that American wouldn't risk the wealth these systems generated by turning them into engines of coercion.

But then, of course, that's exactly what America did, from the War on Terror to economic sanctions on Iran, from seizing Argentinian reserves to freezing Russia's cash. Sometimes, the US did this for reasons that I sympathize with, other times, for reasons I am aghast at. But they did it, and did it, and did it.

America's adversaries (and frenemies, like the EU) have tried to build alternative "underground empires" to offset the risk of having their interdependencies weaponized (or to escape from an ongoing situation). But therein lies a conundrum: world-is-flat-ism has ended the age of indepedence. Countries really do need each other – for energy, materials, and finished goods. Independence is a long way off.

To create new interdependency networks, it's not enough for countries to agree that they don't trust America as neutral maintainer of their strategic chokepoints. They also have to agree to trust one of their own to operate those chokepoints. Lots of countries have come to mistrust US dollar-clearing and the SWIFT system – but few are willing to allow, say, China to run an alternative system that carries out settlements in Renminbi. The EU might be able to suck in some "friendly" countries for a Euro-clearing system, but would China trust them? How about Iran?

Farrell and Newman make a good case that US's position at the center of the web is a historical accident, and possibly a one-off, contingent on the ascendant post-Cold War ideology that said that markets and the interdependencies they create would neutralize the threat of handing a rival nation that much power.

Which leaves us in a world of interdependency in conflict. If Gaddis is right and the Long Peace was the result of independence, then this bodes very ill. The only thing worse than a world where no one can depend on anyone is a world where we must depend on entities that are hostile to us, and vice-versa. That way lies a widening gyre of conflict that felt eerily palpable as world events unfolded while I read this excellent, incisive book.

Political science, done right, has the power to reframe your whole understanding of events around you. Farrell and Newman set out a compelling thesis, defend it well, and tell a fascinating tale. And when they finish, they leave you with a way to make sense of things that seem senseless and terrible. This may not make those things less terrible, but at least they're comprehensible.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/10/weaponized-interdependence/#the-other-swifties

My next novel is The Lost Cause, a hopeful novel of the climate emergency. Amazon won't sell the audiobook, so I made my own and I'm pre-selling it on Kickstarter!

[centrally-unplanned]

I am beginning the "Understanding Victoria 3" journey - I love Paradox and love Victoria 2, but I didn't vibe with 3 on release. but I didn't try too hard - after all its a Paradox game on release, they always kind of suck lol, you gotta wait for a few patches.

So I began a Japan file (weeb alert) and am taking it one step at a time. I think I have the economic fundamentals a bit down now with the "construction sector" gameplay loop - build up some construction buildings, look at sell/buy mismatches, drag peasants into the market economy, and then plan for multi-step supply chain moments and key production line switches building everything needed at once. I still get what is worth vs not worth, but that will come with time.

I do like the core system here - the "peasant" stock is a clever workaround of a Vicky 2 problem. Tons of workers start out "outside" the market economy doing subsistence farming, which is ahistorical (1836 rural economies in almost all countries were heavily commercialized) but in Vicky 2 a lot of what you did to boost things like RGO production was just "wait" - wait for techs, wait for population to grow, because everyone started fully employed. Now you can plan your economy way more effectively as there is a deep labor pool to play with.

On the down sides the UI is extremely messy. No screen really gives you "the economy", in the way you want it. Where is labor, where is infrastructure bottlenecks, what goods do my factories need to go to next production level tech, etc. Its all scattered to the winds like an artificial difficulty increase, like if I put it all in one place it would make what decision to make too obvious. But I can still tell, so its annoying as opposed to challenging.

Additionally it seems like I do *not* have to educate new people for jobs. I can just draft peasants right into universities as staff and such. This seems like a big error to me? But maybe I don't get it yet.

I haven't really touched diplo yet so no thoughts. Politics I don't really understand yet. I get the "fundamentals", you form coalition governments and based on their ideology they support different laws. But how I, as the player, actually interact with it in a positive way I haven't grokked yet. I want to both initiate change, and also be hit with challenges that I have to grapple with, and I am not sure of how to do either yet. Will be my next focus.

(The game does seem very event-bare, but ofc when it came to Vicky II I was always playing mods. One step at a time)

[azspot]

Where did these economic termites come from? We decided four and a half decades ago that monopolies were good. After 1998, the Antitrust Division stopped bringing monopolization cases, and in 2005, the Supreme Court unanimously endorsed monopolization as foundational to the health of American economy. After twenty years of not bringing cases, business executives realized the best way to run a business was to create a tollbooth in some mostly unnoticed part of society. So now, each supply chain is made up of a bunch of different bottlenecks, too small to notice.

Economic Termites Are Everywhere

[lunarsilkscreen]

Value of Money

"When demand on [currency] goes up, its value goes down." - shameless self quote

I've written at length about the axiom I'm claiming to have invented. Now; I wanna go into the chain of events that lead to this axiom.

Many will decry Bernie Sander's and the Democrats, and socialists, and liberal media for using [minimum wage increase] as a key position. This is because arguably; the price of the things that those living on minimum wage might buy will increase in value.

Like food stuffs; which doesn't increase in purchase rates when consumers have more money to spend. It increases in price when it costs more to produce. However; a lot of food {nearly half in America} goes to waste (it goes bad before use). Which suggests; that farmers overproduce expecting that most of their produce goes to waste.

This ensures that ingredients are really available when you or I go to purchase them. Prices on unprocessed raw ingredients and bulk foodstuffs remain fairly stagnant. Because most prices that Farmers have to pay are to their corporate overlords, like Monsanto, or their local credit Union. (And to a lesser extent property taxes on land zoned for agriculture)

What we are seeing now isn't a price hike on the low end raw ingredients; but on processed foods, sodas, alcohol, fish, meat and dairy.

Why is this?

Well; we must first ask: why are those working minimum wage jobs asking for wage increases at all?

This has to do with the total cost of living. Electric and water prices remain a concern for your average person; and since the entire world is digital now; electricity usage rates are at an all time high.

Then the fact that the housing market is at an all time high, and prices to rent, along with discerning landlords; means that the bottleneck is at these prices (housing) overall, and to a lesser extent; prices of food that pay money to individuals who work in the supply chain after it leaves the farm.

Brand new video games after all are still 15-60$. So it's not entertainment's fault. Tesla might've increased the cost of their newest car; but that's more likely because Tesla's sales overall have dropped.

The value of money drops when demand on it increases.

What causes higher demand on currency? One could say that it's greedy people being greedy. Asking for more money because they can and that's it. They want the latest iPhone and Tesla Truck! Every year! (As opposed to when you need to buy one and can afford new)

It's not that. It's Debt. When the bank comes knocking, then the Lendees (the ones who borrowed money) need to pay it back; and before you go off on college students who are still working minimum wage because jobs can't afford to hire them; remember--This is affecting corporations like Tesla, Apple, Google, and Disney

All of who have cut back spending, and are still having trouble meeting their obligations.

(But record profits!)

Profits include money made over money spent, but not necessarily money borrowed. Because money borrowed is an operating cost. With a monthly payment to repay the loan; record profits could be made, and the company still needs to worry about paying back that loan.

Which means they (the corporations) expect sales to continue decreasing.

The National Debt (the amount of money currently in circulation, including bonds and other obligations) is *not* the same as the cumulative debt in the nation (the total amount of debt held by individuals and company's and any-entity-else the banks have lent to) which is a far more important indicator.

The National Debt goes down as tax money is collected and returned to the federal government. But the cumulative debt only goes down as people make a profit, and pay theirs back. This includes workers at minimum wage (who need to afford homes and a vehicle to get to work on time, or a bus pass if they live near a bus station that also goes to their place of work.)

Web search about the ease (or difficulty) to get a loan right now returns results like this article from CNN that talks about the decrease of loans being given out. Loan rejections are up for people with low indicator of default (failure to make payments.)

The banks aren't giving money as freely because they also have met their limits. And so we have this [inflation] issue. Debts can't be paid, so people raise prices in order to pay their debts on time; rising prices mean less sales, less sales mean more defaults, and the cycle continues.

Which again suggests outright; demand on currency is high. Demand on goods? Very low. Luxury Goods? Even lower.

Will increasing minimum wage help? Will forgiving debts? Will we be able to escape this black hole? Find out on the next episode of; "Somehow the entire world is in debt to itself, and it can't pay itself back."

[exeton]

Data Centers in High Demand: The AI Industry’s Unending Quest for More Capacity

The demand for data centers to support the booming AI industry is at an all-time high. Companies are scrambling to build the necessary infrastructure, but they’re running into significant hurdles. From parts shortages to power constraints, the AI industry’s rapid growth is stretching resources thin and driving innovation in data center construction.

The Parts Shortage Crisis

Data center executives report that the lead time to obtain custom cooling systems has quintupled compared to a few years ago. Additionally, backup generators, which used to be delivered in a month, now take up to two years. This delay is a major bottleneck in the expansion of data centers.

The Hunt for Suitable Real Estate

Finding affordable real estate with adequate power and connectivity is a growing challenge. Builders are scouring the globe and employing creative solutions. For instance, new data centers are planned next to a volcano in El Salvador to harness geothermal energy and inside shipping containers in West Texas and Africa for portability and access to remote power sources.

Case Study: Hydra Host’s Struggle

Earlier this year, data-center operator Hydra Host faced a significant hurdle. They needed 15 megawatts of power for a planned facility with 10,000 AI chips. The search for the right location took them from Phoenix to Houston, Kansas City, New York, and North Carolina. Each potential site had its drawbacks — some had power but lacked adequate cooling systems, while others had cooling but no transformers for additional power. New cooling systems would take six to eight months to arrive, while transformers would take up to a year.

Surge in Demand for Computational Power

The demand for computational power has skyrocketed since late 2022, following the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The surge has overwhelmed existing data centers, particularly those equipped with the latest AI chips, like Nvidia’s GPUs. The need for vast numbers of these chips to create complex AI systems has put enormous strain on data center infrastructure.

Rapid Expansion and Rising Costs

The amount of data center space in the U.S. grew by 26% last year, with a record number of facilities under construction. However, this rapid expansion is not enough to keep up with demand. Prices for available space are rising, and vacancy rates are negligible.

Building Data Centers: A Lengthy Process

Jon Lin, the general manager of data-center services at Equinix, explains that constructing a large data facility typically takes one and a half to two years. The planning and supply-chain management involved make it challenging to quickly scale up capacity in response to sudden demand spikes.

Major Investments by Tech Giants

Supply Chain and Labor Challenges

The rush to build data centers has extended the time required to acquire essential components. Transceivers and cables now take months longer to arrive, and there’s a shortage of construction workers skilled in building these specialized facilities. AI chips, particularly Nvidia GPUs, are also in short supply, with lead times extending to several months at the height of demand.

Innovative Solutions to Power Needs

Portable Data Centers and Geothermal Energy

Startups like Armada are building data centers inside shipping containers, which can be deployed near cheap power sources like gas wells in remote Texas or Africa. In El Salvador, AI data centers may soon be powered by geothermal energy from volcanoes, thanks to the country’s efforts to create a more business-friendly environment.

Conclusion: Meeting the Unending Demand

The AI industry’s insatiable demand for data centers shows no signs of slowing down. While the challenges are significant — ranging from parts shortages to power constraints — companies are responding with creativity and innovation. As the industry continues to grow, the quest to build the necessary infrastructure will likely become even more intense and resourceful.

FAQs

1. Why is there such a high demand for data centers in the AI industry?

The rapid growth of AI technologies, which require significant computational power, has driven the demand for data centers.

2. What are the main challenges in building new data centers?

The primary challenges include shortages of critical components, suitable real estate, and sufficient power supply.

3. How long does it take to build a new data center?

It typically takes one and a half to two years to construct a large data facility due to the extensive planning and supply-chain management required.

4. What innovative solutions are companies using to meet power needs for data centers?

Companies are exploring options like modular nuclear reactors, geothermal energy, and portable data centers inside shipping containers.

5. How are tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google responding to the demand for data centers?

They are investing billions of dollars in new data centers to expand their capacity and meet the growing demand for AI computational power.

Muhammad Hussnain Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Youtube

[shantitechnology]

ERP in Manufacturing: What You Need to Know for Business Growth

In today's dynamic business landscape, manufacturing companies face numerous challenges, from volatile market demands to complex supply chain management.  To thrive in this competitive environment, organizations are increasingly turning to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.  In this blog post, we will explore the significance of ERP systems for manufacturing companies, their role in software development companies, and the key factors that contribute to business growth.

Understanding ERP Systems for Manufacturing Companies

The Core of ERP:  Integration and Automation

ERP systems are comprehensive software solutions designed to integrate and streamline various business processes within an organization.  For manufacturing companies, ERP serves as a centralized platform that connects different departments such as production, inventory, procurement, finance, and human resources.  The integration of these processes results in improved communication, data accuracy, and operational efficiency.

Key Features of ERP in Manufacturing

1.            Production Planning and Scheduling:

ERP systems enable manufacturing companies to optimize production processes by providing real-time insights into resource availability, production capacity, and demand forecasting.  This ensures that production schedules are aligned with market demands, reducing the risk of overproduction or stockouts.

2.            Inventory Management:

Efficient inventory management is crucial for manufacturing companies.  ERP software helps organizations maintain optimal inventory levels, minimize carrying costs, and prevent stockouts.  It also facilitates better demand planning and order fulfillment.

3.            Quality Control:

ERP systems play a vital role in maintaining product quality by tracking and managing every stage of the manufacturing process.  This includes monitoring raw materials, production processes, and finished goods to ensure they meet industry standards and customer expectations.

4.            Supply Chain Visibility:

With ERP, manufacturing companies gain better visibility into their supply chain.  This visibility helps in identifying potential bottlenecks, reducing lead times, and enhancing collaboration with suppliers.  A transparent supply chain is essential for meeting customer demands and maintaining a competitive edge.

5.            Financial Management:

ERP systems provide robust financial modules that help manufacturing companies manage budgets, track costs, and generate accurate financial reports.  This financial transparency enables informed decision-making and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

ERP for Software Development Companies:  A Unique Perspective

While traditionally associated with manufacturing, ERP systems have found their way into software development companies as well.  The principles of integration, automation, and streamlined processes are just as applicable in the software industry.

Project Management and Collaboration

In software development, ERP systems assist in project management by centralizing tasks, timelines, and resource allocation.  This ensures that development teams work cohesively, deadlines are met, and resources are utilized efficiently.  Collaboration is enhanced through shared data and communication channels, leading to improved project outcomes.

Resource Allocation and Time Tracking

ERP software allows software development companies to optimize resource allocation and track time spent on different projects.  This data-driven approach enhances project planning, improves resource efficiency, and provides insights for future capacity planning.

Scalability and Flexibility

Software companies often face rapidly changing project scopes and client requirements.  ERP systems provide the scalability and flexibility needed to adapt to these changes seamlessly.  Whether it's adding new features, accommodating changes in project timelines, or expanding the scope, ERP systems empower software development companies to stay agile.

Key Considerations for Implementing ERP in Manufacturing

1.            Customization and Flexibility:

Manufacturing companies should look for ERP solutions that offer customization options to align with specific industry needs.  Flexibility is crucial, considering the diverse manufacturing processes and business models.

2.            User Training and Change Management:

Successful ERP implementation requires thorough training of users and effective change management strategies.  Employees need to understand the benefits of ERP and be comfortable with the new system to ensure smooth adoption.

3.            Data Security and Compliance:

Given the sensitive nature of manufacturing data, security is a top priority.  ERP systems must comply with industry regulations and provide robust security features to safeguard intellectual property, customer information, and business-critical data.

4.            Integration with Existing Systems:

Seamless integration with existing software and systems is essential for a smooth transition to ERP.  Compatibility with other tools and technologies ensures that there is no disruption in day-to-day operations during the implementation phase.

5.            Scalability for Future Growth:

An ERP system should be scalable to accommodate the growing needs of a manufacturing company.  It should support expansion into new markets, additional product lines, and increased production volumes without compromising performance.

Conclusion:  Driving Business Growth with ERP

In conclusion, ERP systems have become indispensable tools for manufacturing companies seeking sustainable growth in a competitive market.  By integrating and automating core business processes, ERP not only enhances operational efficiency but also provides valuable insights for strategic decision-making.

For software development companies, the adaptability of ERP systems offers a unique advantage in managing the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the industry.  The principles that make ERP effective in manufacturing—integration, automation, and streamlined processes—are equally applicable and beneficial in the software development landscape.

As businesses continue to evolve, embracing ERP is not just a technological choice; it's a strategic one.  Those who invest in robust ERP solutions position themselves for improved competitiveness, increased profitability, and sustainable growth in the long run.

[pornosophical]

The pharma companies didn't just stop making ADHD medication, it's a whole big kerfuffle (Operation Bottleneck) with the DEA/FDA trying to head off another oxycontin situation and absolutely shitting the bed by refusing to recognize that opiates and stimulants are very different

There’s been a national shortage of ADHD medication for more than a year and a half. According to the government and industry experts, there are multiple overlapping causes: manufacturing problems, labor issues, supply-chain failures, and a huge rise in demand during the pandemic. But Ascent claims there’s another factor exacerbating the shortage, one that’s completely sui generis: the fact that it’s been shut down by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The agency has accused Ascent of shabby recordkeeping that might have allowed millions of pills to go unaccounted for. Ascent makes painkillers in addition to stimulants, and, amid the ongoing opioid epidemic, the DEA has been under pressure to show it is aggressively policing the industry. (The agency did not respond to requests for comment.) Ascent has said that its paperwork is in order and has sued the Department of Justice to get its assembly lines working again.

[addressadvisors]

Why do all electric vehicle companies occupy Warehouse and Industrial space in Hosur?

With the electric buzz that has taken the nation by storm, the Government is planning to develop EV parks in the same line as SEZ and pharma parks across the country. The EV park aims to house majority original equipment manufacturers, battery manufacturers, and charging infrastructure developers at one place. With the vision to develop an entire ecosystem at one same place, the Government plans to offer plug-and-play business models to EV industries who will set up their units in these parks. One such park is located in north western districts of Tamil Nadu, just across the Karnataka border from Bengaluru, which houses a number of new-age EV companies, such as, Ather Energy, Ola Electronics, Simple Energy, among others.

The Rise of Hosur Several factors have helped the Hosur belt boom with several big-ticket projects and investments in the region. The cluster witnessed two substantially high profile investments in the last couple of years, with Tata electronics setting up a ₹5,000-crore mobile components plant at Udhanapalli, and Ola, a ₹2,500-crore electric vehicle (EV) plant at nearby Pochampally. These massive investments triggered the new EV boom in Hosur, with EV companies preferring Hosur for putting up their manufacturing units given a competent ancillary supplier network, proximity to Bengaluru where corporate offices of these companies are located, plus amicable and skilled labour force in two-wheeler, automotive, and electronics segment.

Well-oiled Supply-chain Network The region is equipped with a strong supply-chain ecosystem, making it easier for the companies to locally source components necessary for manufacturing and assembly. This, in turn, would help us in improving cost and time efficiency for the businesses. Moreover, companies are prompting tier-2 suppliers to move their base to Hosur area, to make smaller components in the close vicinity to further add to the efficiency.

Financial SOP and Easier Admittance EV companies in the Hosur area are upheld by EV policy contrived by Tamil Nadu Government. The policy is drafted to support EV companies with repayment of SGST for electric vehicle producing, capital appropriation for battery fabricating, business motivation as far as repayment of EPF for a time of one year, exclusion from instalment of Electricity Tax till 2025 and 100 percent stamp obligation exception.

Proximity to Bengaluru As most of the corporate offices are located in Bengaluru, the first preference of companies is to put up a plant within a comfortable driving distance from head office. As most of the senior employees and mid-level management sit at the head office, most of the companies want employees to be able to move between the office and the plant in an hour or so maximum. For instance, Ather Energy corporate office is located in Koramangala, which is 60 minutes away from the Ather Energy plant in Hosur. Moreover, the connection via Electronics city flyover helps cut through the traffic, which was initially the pain point of employees moving between Koramangala and Whitefield, where Ather Energy plant was located.

Availability of Land and Scalability Scope Given the area related bottleneck in Bengaluru, it is essential for EV companies or any other manufacturing units to look into areas nearby that can accommodate projected production capacity and growth plans. Given, land investments are not made again and again, it is always advisable for the companies to take up the area based on the most optimistic business projections. With the same thought, Ather Energy Hosur plant is spread across 300,000 Sq. Ft. with capacity to produce 1,10,000 scooters annually. Ather Energy envisions that the plant will serve as Ather Energy’s national manufacturing hub, catering to demand from across the country. Moreover, the plant is nearly 10 times the capacity of the Whitefield, Bengaluru, plant.

Hosur Historic Precedence Within the close proximity to Bengaluru, Hosur area has historically been a dominant space for two wheeler, automotive, and electronics business segments. Given that EV is primarily an amalgamation of these three segments, it is therefore a natural choice for EV companies to develop manufacturing units in the Hosur area. Moreover, with established and consistent access to power, land, and labour relevant to the industry, Hosur is the first choice of investment. Furthermore, a lot of fossil-fuelled automotive industries are also expanding into the EV segment. This has prompted an easy transition for existing automotive companies in the area. Also, as Tamil Nadu has over 800 engineering colleges, the state offers an intellectual and skilled labour pool ensuring steady stream for the workforce.

Amicable Labour and Supportive Workforce In the area, it is widely noted that the kind of labour unrest Bengaluru witnesses is not seen in the Tamil Nadu north western districts, which are barely an hour away from each other. The most plausible reason for this could be the existential automotive businesses in the Hosur area, unlike Bengaluru, where labourers are experiencing the automotive industry for the first time. In Hosur, both industry and labour have matured, and the companies have learnt that exploitative practices are rather counter-productive. Therefore, most of the EV companies find this a huge draw in making investment decisions in the Hosur area.

Hosur Meteoric rise and the way ahead Given the reasons above along with a network of highways facilitating logistics of movement and the welcoming policies set by the Tamil Nadu Government for automotive companies, Hosur belt is emerging as an industrial bowl for the electric vehicle manufacturers. Tata, Delta, Ola Mobility, Ather Energy, and Simple Energy are some of the big names in the electronics and electric vehicle (EV) sectors that have made Hosur and the surrounding districts their home in the past few years.

Along with growing awareness and spiralling petrol prices, the demand for EV is set to increase significantly in the coming years. As per the data, In January 2022, overall high-speed EV two-wheeler registrations rose to 27,563 units as compared to 24,725 units in December 2021. To match the rising demand, manufacturers have to up their capacity, for example Ather Energy recently commissioned its second facility in Hosur to increase its capacity from 1,20,000 units to 4,00,000 units. Ola Electric has set out to build the world’s largest EV facility with an initial annual capacity of two million units. Furthermore, TVS has also decided to invest over 1,100 crores in the area for the new EV plant. If the cards are played right, this belt could further emerge as a global player given the fast adoption of EVs, especially in the two-wheeler segment.

[plethoraworldatlas]

Since 2022, generative AI, which can produce text, images, or other data, has undergone rapid growth, including OpenAI's ChatGPT. Training these AI tools requires feeding the models a large amount of data, a process that is energy intensive. Hugging Face, an AI-developing company based in New York, reported that its multilingual text-generating AI tool consumed about 433 megawatt-hours (MWH) during training, enough to power 40 average American homes for a year.

And AI's energy footprint does not end with training. De Vries's analysis shows that when the tool is put to work -- generating data based on prompts -- every time the tool generates a text or image, it also uses a significant amount of computing power and thus energy. For example, ChatGPT could cost 564 MWh of electricity a day to run.

...

This extreme scenario is unlikely to happen in the short term because of the high costs associated with additional AI servers and bottlenecks in the AI server supply chain, de Vries says. But the production of AI servers is projected to grow rapidly in the near future. By 2027, worldwide AI-related electricity consumption could increase by 85 to 134 TWh annually based on the projection of AI server production.

The amount is comparable to the annual electricity consumption of countries such as the Netherlands, Argentina, and Sweden. Moreover, improvements in AI efficiency could also enable developers to repurpose some computer processing chips for AI use, which could further increase AI-related electricity consumption

[kirnakumar155]

SAP Basis

SAP Basis: The Backbone of Your SAP Landscape

SAP applications form the core of many modern enterprises. Financial data, customer interactions, supply chain logistics, and many other critical business operations rely on SAP’s robust solutions. But what powers these solutions? That’s where SAP Basis comes in.

What is SAP Basis?

In simple terms, SAP Basis is the technological foundation upon which SAP applications are built and run. It’s like the operating system specifically for your SAP world. Basis provides a set of middleware components and administration tools that ensure your SAP applications function smoothly and reliably.

Key Responsibilities of an SAP Basis Administrator

SAP Basis administrators are the unsung heroes of the SAP world, responsible for a wide range of tasks:

Installation and Configuration: Basis admins handle the initial installation and setup of SAP systems, ensuring they’re configured correctly for your business needs.

System Administration: They perform ongoing tasks like monitoring system health, applying patches and upgrades, and managing system resources.

Database Management: This includes database installation, configuration, backup and restore processes, and overall database health.

Performance Tuning: Basis admins identify bottlenecks, optimize settings, and ensure applications run at their peak.

User Management: Creating and managing user accounts, assigning roles and authorizations for secure access control.

Troubleshooting: When problems arise, these experts step up to diagnose and resolve issues promptly, minimizing downtime for the business.

Transport Management: They oversee the movement of code changes and configuration updates between different SAP environments (e.g., development, testing, production).

Components of SAP Basis

Some core components that make up SAP Basis include:

SAP NetWeaver: The core technology platform that provides the foundation for different SAP products.

ABAP Workbench: The development environment for creating custom ABAP code (SAP’s primary programming language).

SAP GUI: The graphical user interface used to interact with SAP systems.

Transport Management System: Tools for managing and tracking changes across SAP environments.

Solution Manager: A centralized platform for system monitoring, diagnostics, and support tools.

Why is SAP Basis Important?

Reliability and Stability: A well-managed SAP Basis system means your critical business applications will run smoothly, minimizing disruptions and downtime.

Performance: Basis expertise ensures that your SAP applications are optimized to deliver their best, promoting efficient business operations.

Security: Basis includes a suite of tools to manage user access, protect sensitive data, and ensure compliance with security standards.

Agility: A flexible Basis layer gives your business the ability to adapt to changing needs by scaling SAP deployments or introducing new components.

Becoming an SAP Basis Administrator

A career in SAP Basis is both challenging and rewarding. If you have a knack for technical troubleshooting, problem-solving, and enjoy working with complex systems, here’s how to get started:

Get a Technical Foundation: A background in computer science, database administration, or system administration is a strong starting point.

Gain SAP Expertise: Take SAP Basis training courses and explore online resources and tutorials.

Certifications: Consider getting SAP-certified in Basis administration to validate your skills.

Hands-on Experience: Look for internship or entry-level positions that allow you to work on real SAP systems.

The Future of SAP Basis

As SAP continues to evolve into a cloud-centric platform, Basis will adapt too. Knowledge of cloud technologies, containerization, and automation will become increasingly valuable for Basis administrators.

You can find more information about SAP BASIS in this SAP BASIS Link

Conclusion:

Unogeeks is the №1 IT Training Institute for SAP BASIS Training. Anyone Disagree? Please drop in a comment

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[beardedmrbean]

Frustrated by endless wait times for out of stock uniforms, police in the southern German state of Bavaria have taken an unusual step to draw attention to their plight.

In a video released on YouTube and Instagram by the state chapter of the German Police Union (DPolG), two officers seated in a police cruiser ask one another, "How long have you been waiting?" replying four and six months respectively, before exiting their BMW to reveal that they are pantless.

Jürgen Köhnlein, chairman of the Bavarian DPolG then addresses the problem head on, saying that what seems like a bad April Fool's joke is anything but, and nothing to laugh about, equating a chronic shortage of uniforms with lack of respect for officers.

"Bavaria's police are 'stripping bare' and could literally be left standing without trousers," says Köhlein, who highlights the fact that wait times for as many as 21 different uniform items — such as caps, jackets and pants — can take months if they are available at all.

The union is calling on the state Interior Ministry to rectify the problem immediately even if that means additional costs, noting that, "Since 2020, we have hardly been talking about shortcomings in the quality of uniforms, but rather a shortage in the availability of uniforms."

Interior Ministry acknowledges problem, says fix is coming

An Interior Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday acknowledged the problem, pointing to supply chain disruptions. "The supply bottlenecks for uniform parts are a major annoyance for us."

State officials say they will now take over delivery logistics themselves after procurement had been outsourced. Supply bottlenecks, said the Interior Ministry, had affected specialty trousers such as multi-purpose summer pants in particular.

Interior Ministry representatives pointed to the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine as further factors negatively impacting supply and delivery and claimed that a new logistics center would be operational in Bavaria by 2030, making the force less dependent on outside procurers.   

Despite the problem, the Ministry said State Police are in no way being kept from carrying out their duties, adding that other uniform elements could be used when specific pieces were unavailable.

Union Chairman Jürgen Köhnlein was less nonchalant, saying, "Right now it remains unclear whether the situation will improve or continue to deteriorate," asking, "What impression must new recruits get when they are forced to complete their training in 'civilian clothing' rather than being provided with a uniform."

[warsofasoiaf]

Isn’t having rivers a huge advantage that the riverlanders should’ve used? Like bridges. Do you think there were fights on bridges with the riberlanders usuingbtheir knowledge to their advantage?

Yes. The Riverlands do have natural defenses, the problem is that they don't co-locate on their borders the way they do with the swamps of the Neck or the narrow pass at the Golden Tooth.

Rivers are difficult for armies. They take time to cross, especially with the supply chain, so they reduce an army's speed to a crawl and cause them to bunch up. Bridges (when they exist) have a weight limit and so can collapse under pressure. Enemies attacked after crossing a bridge don't have time to reform their defensive lines which can cause panic, and they can't retreat over a bridge easily.

However, in the medieval era, many crossings don't have bridges, or they can wash out during storms or thaws (roads themselves can wash out as well). In the medieval era, areas where rivers are low enough to cross the river without a bridge and where the footing is solid enough to permit such crossings are called fords, and have been the location for very famous battles throughout history. They make an incredibly useful defensive multiplier and can make even a mighty army vulnerable.

We know that the Riverlands know this too. Edmure Tully uses river fords to dramatic effect in the Battle of the Fords. Edmure fortifies the crossing, using the terrain bottleneck to reduce enemy frontage thus eliminating Westerlander numerical superiority (Tywin was at 20k vs. Edmure's 11k), using field artillery to increase fighting power by placing scorpions, and uses caltrops and sharpened stakes to further hamper and constrain the Westerlander ability to march. The results are dramatic too, despite being outnumbered, Edmure successfully repulses Tywin and secures a Riverlander tactical victory.

Thanks for the question, Anon.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[lunarsilkscreen]

How do you view a House?

There are many that view a house or a home as simply that; a house. But there are many who instead view it as an investment that should appreciate in value. Both over time AND include the costs of repairs and maintenance. Despite that not being a wise investment strategy in any market.

By investment; I mean an investment of pure monetary value. Quality of life being a separate idea.

Those who view it as an investment wish to protect that investment. More houses mean the investment decreases in value. More neighbors means that investment decreases in value. Re-zoning means that investment decreases in value. Technological advancement that requires more wires to your house means that investment decreases in value. And on and on...

They don't care about the ramifications of any of that; because their value is tied up in their investment. They have one single thing they are invested in and it is *that* property. Instead of diversifying an investment portfolio, they intend to make that their business or singular method of keeping and retaining wealth.

By keeping and retaining wealth; I mean their job. They make the appreciation of their investment their job. That's what they do in lieu of a paycheck. And in a lot of new business owners minds; they Believe the property is worth both the value they can sell it for AND the amount they can make on it directly by renting it; ignoring the obvious wear and tear that comes with time and use.

They want to have their cake (Perfectly preserved so that it can never rot and mold) and be able to eat it whenever they so desire, at any time in the future. And STILL get paid to rent it out.

They have a very childish understanding of how the natural world and *time* work is what I mean.

In this world, contractors and housing developers and repairmen, electricians, plumbers, and now internet and communication technicians, all need jobs. And they're both understaffed and can't keep up with their own bills. Despite us desperately needing experienced people in those fields.

What this means is that this chain, cycle--ecosystem of housing material supply, housing building, housing repair, and housing related services all have an important role in the overall health of the economy as a whole.

And viewing it as [just an investment] that'll appreciate or depreciate in value simply by owning it; either intentionally or unintentionally creates a bottleneck in the economy itself that--in our now inextricably linked global economy; forces many into needless hardship.

How's that for a [Butterfly Effect]?

[imperial-nuisance-rudje]

i think if your response to seeing people say they do not trust random people to be able to take adequate quality measures for many pharmaceuticals and you immediately jump to "they're brain poisoned by capitalism to think more expensive=better", you should examine your own brain poison keeping you from considering how incredibly dangerous many drugs can be if the dosage/release mechanisms are even slightly off, or that many very necessary drugs require precursors that are outright toxic (and some are even themselves toxic and require particularly strict compounding procedures to keep them from cross-contaminating to someone who doesn't specifically need medical poison). Getting a proper clean room is quite frankly not something even people with the knowledge have access to a lot of the time, people have good reason to not trust a rando to have that. And you do have to account for a rando, because if you just have one person doing it, there's a massive supply bottleneck (that a rando can exploit), and if you have a full system going you need to figure out how to supply that system and also be able to effectively investigate and handle problems and failures in any part of the chain (and a rando can exploit those failures as well).

Yes, people can say "i had good experiences with x". There are just as many if not more people being sickened by improper production and compounding of the same drugs.