The Australian Logistics Academy » Subjects

Subject Summary

Administrator — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:04:54 +0000

Diploma in Logistics Management

Compulsory:

Strategic Analysis & Decision Making

Advanced Diploma in Logistics & Operations Management

Compulsory:

Business Research Project

Elective Subjects
(choose 5 for the Diploma, all will be studied for the Advanced Diploma)

Business Research Project

Administrator — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:38:16 +0000

The Business Research Project is a group semester assignment. Groups should comprise no more than five (5) people. The students are advised to use the same group for the minor case and the BRP if they are offered in the region.Each group is to submit three progress reports during the course of the BRP.

Each progress report aims to focus the student on:

Identification and formulation of strategic objectives
Determination of strategy to achieve these objective
Assessment of the impact of these decisions on the results of the BRP
Reporting on group performance in respect to the objectives
Identification of changes in strategy and the reasons for these changes

The final report asks that the students evaluate and assess their work. The results and the methodologies used to complete the task and includes:

Reporting on group performance
Explain and justify the major strategic decisions made throughout the course of the project, and any changes
Reporting on achievement of strategic objectives
Analysis on how decisions affect competitiveness and effectiveness of operations
Formulation of future long-term strategy for company

The progress reports will be approximately 1500 to 2000 words long (each) and the Final Report will be between 6000 and 7500 words. The group should also be prepared to do a presentation to their mentor and selected peers, and answer questions from the group.

See: Current subject availability

Strategic Analysis & Decision Making

Administrator — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:36:43 +0000

Strategic analysis is concerned with understanding the strategic position of the organisation. From a business perspective, competition refers to rivalry among firms operating in a market to fill the same customer’s needs. Competition is a basic essential in the free enterprise system. The term competition defies true definition because the view of competition held by different groups varies. This term will be addressed in context with the ability of a logistician to deliver on what the company promises.

The central purpose of information is for planning. Management requires information about customers, markets, competition and other environmental variables in order to plan effectively. Information is the medium of control. Management seeks relevant information such as sales, market share and expenses to monitor performance. Information gathered either on an ad hoc or continuous basis can be used as a guide to predicting future trends, and how the logistician can support the efforts and direction of the organisation in delivering according to customer requirements, based on the organisation’s competitive advantage.

OBJECTIVES

This subject aims to apprise participants of the industry’s newest technological development in products and technology. To help participants achieve a high degree of effectiveness within the logistics industry by providing an understanding of this range of relevant skills and talents to complement their experience.

SYLLABUS

Includes key topics like:

Analysing corporate strategy concepts and decision making process
Understanding the environments in which organisations operate
Identifying strategic implications and methods that lead to decision-making and action taking

See: Current subject availability

International Transportation

Administrator — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 08:35:18 +0000

Almost every international shipment travels on more than one mode form its origin to its destination. Recent efforts have attempted to reduce transit times and costs by increasing the various modes compatibility and by trying new mode communications. This module will prepare students to develop an understanding of shipping documentation, processes and configuration of shipping networks, from the time orders are processed to the time letters of credit are sent to the bank for negotiation until the ultimate arrival of goods.

SYLLABUS

Includes key topics like:

Economics of shipping
Freight earnings
Freight rates
Government regulations and shipping security
Law of shipping
Practice of shipping
Freight transport management of vessel
Port facilities
Shipboard handling equipment and operations
Insurance and damages claims
FTZ concept and export processing zones

See: Current subject availability

Logistics Technology

Administrator — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:33:31 +0000

The Supply Chain is a complex network of links and feedback loops, particularly in term of its communication and information flow – shaped at each step by advances in engineering and information technology. The sheer magnitude of product variety and volume makes complex analysis, the use of information and logistics technology, and the strategic management of the Supply Chain essential.

Includes use of logistics information technology systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and advanced planning software, to support logistics decisions, application of e-commerce in logistics/supply chain management, use of logistics simulation software, use of currently available business application software such as databases, spreadsheets, project management, and presentations, and other technological areas such as WMS/SCM systems implementation, bar coding and scanning.

OBJECTIVES

This course will provide a detailed overview of the Supply Chain and will introduce state-of-the-art technologies, as well as to the business concepts and terminology involved in retailing and in supply chain management, that make very large and complex supply chains possible. Students will learn how to analyse operations, logistics, retailing, marketing, channel management and allied issues.

SYLLABUS

Includes key topics like:

The Bullwhip Effect
The Order processing cycle
EDI/XML
MRP/MRP II/ERP/DRP
Design of the Logistics Information System

See: Current subject availability

Transportation Carrier Management

Administrator — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:30:22 +0000

Designed for students interested in the transportation of goods and services and the application of modern methods to solve operational problems in this area of increasing importance in the world economy. Employment opportunities include distribution or delivery scheduling, international freight forwarding and shipping.

OBJECTIVES

To help participants achieve a better understanding of the transport carrier control function, the uses and application of various planning and control techniques and upgrade the theoretical competence of participants.

SYLLABUS

Includes key topics like:

Importance of inexpensive transportation system
Transportation systems
Service choices and performance characteristics
Single service choices
Coordinated services
Agencies and small shipment services
Company controlled transportation
International transportation
Documentation
Transport cost characteristics
Rate profiles
Line-haul rates

See: Current subject availability

Purchasing & Inventory Management

Administrator — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:29:07 +0000

Adequate inventory is critical in ensuring the continuity of operations within any industry. However, inventory investment can be a very expensive affair. The direct costs of carrying inventory depress profits and ties up much needed finance. Only through effective inventory management can we provide this support without over-committing the organisation’s funds. Purchasing & Inventory Management (PIM) is past gaining prominence as a key area in ensuring competitiveness and is considered more and more to be a professional area where relevant skills and expertise are important.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

To understand fundamental concepts with regards to satisfaction of needs and wants, the concept of exchange, utility, value, and the role that purchasing plays in these concepts.
To understand the roles, procedures and documents used in the purchase process, the evolution of the purchasing department, and the purchasing profession as a whole.
To recognise that the understanding of corporate strategy is important in determining purchasing/inventory strategy and policy.

See: Current subject availability

Channels of Distribution

Administrator — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:28:02 +0000

Channel decisions are among the most critical decisions facing management. The company’s chosen channels intimately affect other marketing decisions. The company’s pricing depends on whether it uses mass merchandisers or high-quality boutiques. The firm’s sales force and advertising decisions depend on how much training and motivation the channel partner requires. In addition, the company’s channel decisions involve relatively long-term commitments to other firms. When an automobile manufacturer signs up independent dealers sell its automobiles, the manufacturer cannot buy them out the next day and replace them with company-owned outlets.

Thus, there is a powerful initial tendency in channel arrangements. Therefore management must choose channels with an eye on tomorrow’s likely selling environment as well as today’s. This is an important area in Supply Chain Management as it determines the level of integration within the logistics pipeline.

OBJECTIVES

This subject aims to apprise participants of the industry’s newest developments in products and technology. To help participants achieve a high degree of effectiveness within the logistics industry by providing a command of a range of relevant skills and talents to complement their experience in the field.

SYLLABUS

Includes key topics like:

Nature and scope of retailing
Retain methods of operation
Consumer behaviour
Merchandise management
Planning and control
Functions of wholesalers
Wholesaling-supplies, relationships and strategies
Physical distribution systems
Nature & User of elements of physical distribution systems
Organisation and planning

See: Current subject availability

Warehouse Management

Administrator — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:23:47 +0000

The Warehouse or Distribution Centre is as critical, if not more so, as any other department in an organisation. Its contents alone can account for as much as 90% of the total operating capital of the company.

This course aims to help participants have a better understanding or contribute more towards the efficiency and productivity of this crucial are by explaining its importance in respect to the total organisation and upgrading by the technical skills of the participants.

Traditionally regarded as a place of temporary convenience, incurring costs and generating no returns, the course focuses on modern management techniques to views this differently. Today, the store is considered the most critical cost and revenue-generating centre with the quality of its service having a direct influence on the overall efficiency of the organisation. It is therefore important to ensure that this department is always functioning efficiently and effectively.

Affording an opportunity for continuing education, this module covers pertinent topics for executives in any industry or those pursuing such careers. This course also gives you a chance to profit from the collective and experience of industry peers.

SYLLABUS

Includes key topics like:

Overview of store and its role within its organisation
Six store functions
Effective layout of stores
Storage Systems – manual, semi-automated and automated
Store management and control techniques
Material audit methods
ABC Analysis
Inventory management
Purchasing

See: Current subject availability

Operations Management

Administrator — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:22:58 +0000

Affording an opportunity for continuing education, this course covers pertinent topics for executives in any industry. This module also gives the student a chance to profit form the collective expertise and experience of peers in the industry.

This subject aims to demonstrate to students that there is always a better way of doing a given task. Operations Management trains a person to think critically and question existing methods, systems and standards with a view of finding more efficient and cost effective methods of completing that task.

This program trains participants on the techniques of observation and questioning, imparting the science of work measurement and method study. This aims to help students realise the existence of various components of tasks, and thus help them to carry out work improvement programmes. The use of systems concepts stresses coordination, optimisation and control materials, equipment and people to the management of all types of organisations.

SYLLABUS

Includes key topics like:

Systems concepts
Systems organisation
Location analysis
Layout analysis
Optimisation models and methods in production planning
PERT
Queuing
Integration of operations functions with:
- Procurement
- Inventory control
- Quality control
Work methods and measurement

See: Current subject availability