BUSML 4388
Warehouse Operations
FISHER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING AND LOGISTICS
COURSE SYLLABUS
Term:
Spring T2 2014
Course Title:
BUS M&L 4388 (5419), Warehouse Operations
Course Time/
Place:
Tuesday/Thursday – Schoenbaum Rm #220, 8:00 AM to 9:20 AM
Prerequisite:
BUS M&L 3380
Description:
Study of general warehouse operations, focusing on facility layout, financial
analysis, labor relations, warehouse management systems, productivity
improvement and measurement; impact of corporate and industry strategies on
warehouse operations.
Instructor:
David Widdifield,
Fisher Hall, Room #510
(614) 292-2757 (office)
E-mail: widdifield_2@fisher.osu.edu
Website: https://carmen.osu.edu
Office Hours:
Tuesday 10:00am to 12:00pm.
Required Text:
Highly Competitive Warehouse Management, An Action Plan for Best-in-Class
Performance - North American Edition, 2012, Jeroen P. Van Den Berg,
Distribution Group 2012, ISBN 97800915910656, 712 Main Street, Boonton, NJ
07005, Retail $59.95 (OSU Bookstore; www.ohiostate.bkstore.com), $59.95
(Amazon; www.amazon.com)
World Class Warehousing and Material Handling, 2001, Edward H. Frazelle,
McGraw-Hill, ISBN 9780071376003, Retail $49.95 (OSU Bookstore;
www.ohiostate.bkstore.com), $25.80 (Amazon; www.amazon.com)
Optional Text:
Course Lecture
Materials:
Revised on: 5/29/2016
Warehousing Profitably: How to Tell What's Wrong With Your Warehouse...And
Fix It! 3rd Edition, Ken Ackerman, Distribution Group 2011, ISBN
9780982994009, Retail $79.75 (Distribution Group;
http://www.distributiongroup.com), $70.00 (Amazon; www.amazon.com)
Course lecture materials will include; guest speaker presentations, industry
journal PowerPoint slides, and text questions. Class materials will be made
available on Carmen for downloading prior to class.
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BUSML 4388
Warehouse Operations
Course Objective:
To provide a general understanding of key distribution center and warehousing
concepts and how businesses use these logistics assets to support customer
service profitability goals. Particularly, this course will provide an understanding
of the function of distribution and warehousing within logistics as well as the
primary processes and system infrastructure required to process goods
efficiently. Students will learn how and what role a warehouse manager plays
within logistics operations from a conceptual and practical perspective using
course material and the lived experience of industry practitioners. Students will
develop a basic understanding of key warehousing concepts and techniques
important to analysis of business logistics problems. The course will also
examine how various logistics activities warehousing work interdependently
with each other to support business goals. Finally, the course strives to develop
management and control techniques/skills that are critical in the area of
warehouse operations.
Course Format:
This course will be conducted using a combination of class discussion, lecture,
guest speaker, industry analysis, industry visit, and text questions. The lecture
will cover the assigned text chapter, including comparison to current trends in
the industry. You are expected to attend all classes and to be prepared to
discuss and/or apply assigned readings. Students may be called upon to discuss
assigned topics and concepts. In addition, students are expected to actively
participate in all team projects and papers.
Class Point Total:
Grades will be based upon performance on the following:
Assignment
Comprehensive Final Exam
Guest Speaker Attendance
Industry Visit
Participation
Peer Review
Team Project
Text Quiz #1
Text Quiz #2
Text Quiz #3
Text Quiz #4
Text Quiz #5
TOTAL
Assignment Details:
Revised on: 5/29/2016
Points
150
25
25
60
20
45
15
15
15
15
15
400
Percentage
37%
6%
6%
15%
5%
11%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
100%
Chapter Quizzes. Prior to the text chapter lecture and discussion, I will give a
short quiz consisting of 15 multiple choice questions from our assigned chapter
(see page 8). On the day of the chapter quiz students will receive a quiz form
and have 20 minutes to complete and return the quiz. Students failing to take a
chapter quiz on the scheduled date will not be able to complete a make-up quiz
unless approved by the instructor at least 12 hours prior to the quiz date & time
or in the event of an extraordinary situation.
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BUSML 4388
Warehouse Operations
Chapter Quizzes (cont’d). An extraordinary event is the occurrence of a situation
that is beyond the control of the college, instructor or student. Student minor
illnesses, schedule conflicts, tardiness, unscheduled vacations, or similar
situations does not constitute extraordinary situations to be considered for
making up the quiz. If you feel the circumstances indicate a need to take a
chapter quiz early or after the scheduled date, please notify the instructor via
email. Quizzes will count for 75 (15 pts. per quiz) points toward your final grade.
Class Participation. Due to the nature of the class meeting schedule, attendance
is critical to the student’s success in the class and knowledge transfer. Therefore
the participation grade will be based on your attendance at each class meeting. I
will be taking the attendance each class session on an attendance log. Class
participation will account for 60 points (5pts. per class meeting) towards your
final grade.
Final Exam. A comprehensive final exam will be given at the end of the course.
This exam will consist of questions drawn from the text readings, lectures, and
other class assignments. You are responsible for the material even if it is not
emphasized during the lectures. Pre-exam review will be held the week prior to
the exam. This review will focus on material to be included in the test. The exam
will focus on the text chapters contained in the class schedule. Due to the
nature of the course and subject matter, exams may contain some
comprehensive elements from guest speakers and industry visits. There will be
no make up exams except in extraordinary situations, which require approval
before the scheduled exam. All tests will need to be returned to me at the
conclusion of the exam. Following the exam, I will schedule a class test review
and will return graded student tests. Upon completion of this review, all student
tests will need to be returned to me, any test not returned will be subject to a
grade of “0”. Each exam will account for 150 points towards the final grade.
Distribution Center (DC)/Warehousing Topic Team Presentation. Students will be
broken into self-selected teams of 5 members to research and present to the
class an instructor approved DC/warehousing issue, topic, or trend within
industry. The objective of this project is to gain an understanding of how
companies review their DC/warehousing strategies to grow market position
while using logistics to support overall company, customer, industry, and profit
objectives. Suggested topics may include;
a. DC/warehousing network sizing (number of facilities and size)
b. DC/warehousing outsourcing
c. DC/warehousing systems investments (LMS, MHE, RF, WMS)
d. Inventory holding strategies
e. Labor strategies
f. Management strategies
g. Multichannel facilities
h. Process improvements (e.g. automated sortation, bulk picking, cross
docking)
Revised on: 5/29/2016
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BUSML 4388
Warehouse Operations
Distribution Center (DC)/Warehousing Topic Team Presentation ( cont’d). Teams
are free to select any DC/warehousing topic & industry however no team can
select the same issue/topic to ensure variety. Student teams will conduct a 1520 minute in-class presentation outlining the analysis of their research on the
chosen topic.
Presentations will review what, when, where, and how the topic is affecting the
logistics operations in an industry. This presentation will include; 1-topic
background and/or origin, 2-business/industry affected, 3-impacts on market
share, 4-key processes or technologies needed, 5-how businesses are addressing
the issue, & 6-potential opportunities or threats to business logistics strategies
within the industry.
The team’s PowerPoint presentation will need to be uploaded to the Carmen
dropbox the day prior to the team’s presentation. In addition, a hardcopy of the
PowerPoint presentation deck is to be submitted to the instructor on the day of
the presentation. The expected deliverable due to the instructor should consist
of 10-15 slides. All sources used will need to be document using American
Psychological Association (APA) format
(http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/basics-tutorial.aspx) on the
individual slides as well as included as the last slide listing references at the end
of the presentation. The team’s presentation will account for 45 points towards
the final grade.
All team members will submit their individual peer evaluations rating the
performance of all members on the day of their presentation. This form can be
can be completed and uploaded to the Carmen dropbox before 11:59pm. This
will account for 20 points towards the final grade. Forms for the peer evaluation
and presentation grading template are attached at the end of this document.
Guest Speaker Attendance. During the course, we will have the opportunity to
host a senior level manager from one of the leading companies in the Columbus
area. They will provide critical insights to the importance of DC/warehousing in
their logistics operations from a corporate perspective as well as current or
emerging industry trends in business and/or employment. The objective of
these events is to provide the student with a practitioner’s perspective on the
part DC/warehousing plays in his/her business. Attendance is mandatory for all
students as these events provide timely and unique information about the
logistics industry. Due to this, there is no make-up assignment for students
missing the guest speaker. This event will account for 25 points towards the
final grade.
Revised on: 5/29/2016
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BUSML 4388
Warehouse Operations
Industry Visit. During the course, we will have an opportunity to visit the
DC/warehousing operations at one of the leading companies in the Columbus
area. Companies are either a leader in their market utilizing efficient logistics
organization or a leader within the logistics industry. The objective of these
visits is to provide the student with a “real world” perspective of the logistics
industry. Attendance is mandatory for all students as these events provide
timely and unique information about the logistics industry. Due to this, there is
no make-up assignment for students missing the industry visit. This event will
account for 25 points towards the final grade.
Extra Credit:
You can earn 5 extra credit points during the course by attending an event of
your choosing from one of the below options. Note: attendance at student
organizations will be confirmed by the sponsoring organization during last week
of regular classes (2/17). If attending a professional logistics organization event
be sure to provide me with attendance registration (hard copy or soft copy) of
the event you attend in order to receive credit. All extra credit is due on 2/21;
 Professional Logistics Meeting Option: (5 pts) you may earn credit by
attending a regular meeting of the following professional logistics & supply
chain organizations. A “regular” meeting is defined as one which a guest
speaker (ordinarily from the practitioner community) presents a timely
topic.;
o The Logistics Association (TLA). The TLA meets weekly on Tuesdays
and/or Thursdays during the quarter (and meetings are free!). For
information on meeting dates, times and locations you can
reference the TLA website at: http://www.osutla.com. Be sure to
sign-in at these meetings to receive credit for your attendance.
o Buckeye Operations Management Society (BOMS). For information
on meeting dates, times and locations you can reference the BOMS
website at: https://groups.cob.ohio-state.edu/boms. Be sure to
sign-in at these meetings to receive credit for your attendance.
o Purchasing and Supply Management Association (PSMA). For
information on meeting dates, times and locations you can
reference the PMSA website at http://www.osupsma.com. Be sure
to sign-in at these meetings to receive credit for your attendance.
o Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)
Columbus Roundtable. For more information on meeting dates,
times, and locations be sure to visit the CSCMP website at:
http://www.columbusroundtable.org. Be sure to sign-in at these
meetings to receive credit for your attendance.
Assignment Due Dates: You are expected to approach each assignment with the professionalism
required of you in the “work” world. This will help you develop skills necessary
to be successful when interacting with future employers as well as fulfilling the
requirements of this course. All assignments are to be submitted on their
assigned due dates unless specified otherwise.
Revised on: 5/29/2016
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BUSML 4388
Warehouse Operations
Out of class assignments will be submitted to the Carmen dropbox, it is
recommended they be uploaded prior to their assigned due date. A 50% penalty
will be assessed for assignment submissions 12 hours past the due date (one
day late). A 100% penalty will be assessed for submissions more than 12 hours
after the assignment is due. Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation are
expected and will be considered in the grading of all assignments.
Grading Scale:
The grading scale is guaranteed. You will receive no less than the grade listed
within the appropriate interval.
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DE
Numeric Range
384-400 points
372-383 points
344-371 points
332-343 points
320-331 points
304-319 points
288-303 points
280-287 points
264-279 points
252-263 points
240-251 points
0-239 points
Quality Points
4
3.7
3.3
3
2.7
2.3
2
1.7
1.3
1
0
Source: OSU Graduate School (MBLE program): http://www.gradsch.osu.edu/4.2-marks-grades.html
OSU Undergraduate Programs: http://trustees.osu.edu/rules/university-rules/rules8/ru8-21.html
OSU-Marion Campus Calculation: https://www.google.com/url?q=http://osumarion.osu.edu/sites/default/files/Policies
Academic Integrity:
Revised on: 5/29/2016
All tests, written exercises, and papers are to be your own work. academic
integrity is essential to maintaining an environment that fosters excellence in
teaching, research, and other educational and scholarly activities. Thus, the
Ohio State University and the Committee on Academic Misconduct (COAM)
expect that all students have read and understand the University’s Code of
Student Conduct, and that all students will complete all academic and scholarly
assignments with fairness and honesty. Students must recognize that failure to
follow the rules and guidelines established in the University’s Code of Student
Conduct and this syllabus may constitute “Academic Misconduct.” The Ohio
State University’s Code of Student Conduct (Section 3335-23-04) defines
academic misconduct as: “Any activity that tends to compromise the academic
integrity of the University, or subvert the educational process.”
Examples of academic misconduct include (but are not limited to) plagiarism,
collusion (unauthorized collaboration), copying the work of another student,
and possession of unauthorized materials during an examination. Ignorance of
the University’s Code of Student Conduct is never considered an “excuse” for
academic misconduct, so I recommend that you review the Code of Student
Conduct and, specifically, the sections dealing with academic misconduct.
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BUSML 4388
Warehouse Operations
If I suspect that a student has committed academic misconduct in this course, I
am obligated by University Rules to report my suspicions to the Committee on
Academic Misconduct. If COAM determines that you have violated the
University’s Code of Student Conduct (i.e., committed academic misconduct),
the sanctions for the misconduct could include a failing grade in this course and
suspension or dismissal from the University.
If you have any questions about the above policy or what constitutes academic
misconduct in this course, please contact me. Additional sources of information
on academic misconduct (integrity) can be found by visiting;
 The Committee on Academic Misconduct web pages
(http://oaa.osu.edu/coam.html)
 Ten Suggestions for Preserving Academic Integrity
(http://oaa.osu.edu/coamtensuggestions.html)
 Eight Cardinal Rules of Academic Integrity
(http://www.northwestern.edu/provost/students/integrity/rules.html)
Americans with
Disabilities Act:
Course Disclaimer:
Use of Electronic
Devices:
Revised on: 5/29/2016
If you have a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
which requires special classroom/course accommodation or auxiliary aids,
please inform me of your needs during the first week of class so that I can take
appropriate action. Students requiring special accommodations will need to
provide the instructor the proper university documentation regarding her/his
disability. For more information on Ohio State University’s policies and
procedures concerning student disabilities, please visit the Office of Student
Life’s Disability Services website; http://ods.osu.edu.
The schedule, policies, and assignments contained in this course syllabus or on
the course website are subject to change in the event of extenuating
circumstances, class progress, or by mutual agreement between the instructor
and the students. Exam and quiz dates will not be changed except in the event
of extraordinary circumstances beyond the instructor’s control (e.g. college or
university closure).
The use of electronic devices (cell phones, digital recorders, laptops, tablet PC,
or other similar device) is prohibited during class discussion, lectures, or
presentations. Use of these devices during class periods creates a disorderly or
distracted environment taking away from the course content, goals, or
information (see OSU Code of Student Conduct, § 3335-23-04 Prohibited
Conduct Policy, http://trustees.osu.edu/rules/code-of-student-conduct/333523-04.html). All electronic devices are to be powered down, set to vibrate and
stowed during to the class period; students using these devices during class will
be asked to put these away. Failure to comply with this request may result in
the student’s dismissal from the class and loss of any in-class points (including
and not limited to exams, presentations, etc).
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BUSML 4388
Warehouse Operations
Additionally, if you do need to electronically record any portion of the
discussion, lecture, or presentation you will need to obtain the instructor’s
authorization 24 hours prior to the event and use of recording device.
Course Milestones:









3/6/14:
3/4/14:
3/8/14:
3/25/14:
4/1/14
4/3/14:
4/8/14:
4/15/14:
4/17-24/14:
Formation of student teams for course project & quiz #1
Industry visit (Toys’R’Us/Exel Logistics)
Quiz #2
Quiz #3
Guest Speaker (Ceva Logistics)
Quiz #4
Final exam review & Quiz #5
Final exam
Course project presentations
Class Schedule:
Note: I may revise this schedule based on my work schedule, to accommodate class progress, provide a more indepth focus, or to take advantage of additional guest speakers should the opportunity arise. We will attempt to
stay as close to the below schedule as possible, exam & quiz dates will not be altered.
Week
1
2
Date
Reading
Course Overview, Syllabus, & Introduction
Course Syllabus & Welcome Slide Deck
3/4/14
Industry Visit: TRU/Exel Logistics
See Carmen Website
3/6/14
Warehousing Introduction
Quiz #1 (Frazelle Ch. 1)
Due: Team selections for course project
No Classes
Frazelle Ch 1, pgs 1-11
Van Den Berg Ch 2, pgs 47-80
2
Spring Break
Topic
2/27/14
3/10-15/14
N/A
4
3/25/14
4
5
3/27/14
Warehousing Strategy
Quiz #2 (Van Den Berg Ch. 2)
Course Project Research Session – no
formal class
Warehouse Processes, Systems and Types
Quiz #3 (Van Den Berg Ch.3)
Warehouse Performance
4/1/14
Guest Speaker: CEVA Logistics
See Carmen Website
4/3/14
Receiving and Putaway
Pallet Storage and Retrieval Systems
Quiz #4 (Frazelle Ch 3, 4, & 5)
Small Item Picking Systems
Unitizing and Shipping
Quiz #5 (Frazelle Ch. 7 & 9)
Final Exam Review
Resource Utilization
Warehouse Workforce
Frazelle Ch 4, pgs 71-80
Frazelle Ch 5, pgs 85-108
3
3
3/18/14
3/20/14
5
4/8/14
6
4/10/14
Van Den Berg Ch 3, pgs 81-119
Frazelle Ch 3, pgs 45-69
Frazelle Ch 7, pgs 127-145
Frazelle Ch 9, Pgs 183-187
4/15/14
Final Exam
Van Den Berg Ch 8, pgs 231-240
Frazelle, Ch 12, pgs 231-233
Note; topics will be included in final exam
N/A
4/17/14
Team Project (3)
See Carmen website for details
4/22/14
Team Project (3)
See Carmen website for details
4/24/14
Team Project (3)
See Carmen website for details
6
7
7
Finals
Finals
See Carmen website for details
Revised on: 5/29/2016
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Warehouse Operations
Industry organizations and journal websites of general logistics interest
Source
Type
Website
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Governmental Agency
www.bts.gov
U.S. Department of Transportation
Governmental Agency
www.dot.gov
American Society of Transportation and Logistics (AST&L)
Professional Organization
www.astl.org
APICS The Association for Operations Management
Professional Organization
http://www.apics.org/default.htm
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)
Professional Organization
http://www.cscmp.org
Institute of Supply Management
Professional Organization
http://www.ism.ws
Reverse Logistics Association
Professional Organization
http://www.rltinc.com
American Shipper
Trade Journal
http://www.americanshipper.com/asdaily
Canadian Transportation & Logistics
Trade Journal
http://www.ctl.ca
DC Velocity
Trade Journal
http://www.dcvelocity.com
Inbound Logistics
Trade Journal
www.inboundlogistics.com
Industry Week
Trade Journal
http://industryweek.com
Internet Retailer
Trade Journal
http://www.internetretailer.com/home
Logistics Management
Trade Journal
http://www.logisticsmgmt.com
Logistics Today
Trade Journal
http://www.logisticstoday.com
Retailing Today
Trade Journal
http://www.retailingtoday.com
Supply Chain Brain
Trade Journal
Supply Chain Digest
Trade Journal
http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content
/index.php
http://www.scdigest.com/index.php
Transport Topics
Trade Journal
www.transporttopics.com
Revised on: 5/29/2016
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BUSML 4388
Warehouse Operations
Logistics Industry Team Presentation
Team
Company
Points
Possible
9
Points
Awarded
9
9
9
9
Project Element
Organization and Preparation: Clear, action-oriented objective stated
up front; complete and accurate audience analysis; ideas sequenced
logically and smoothly; comfortable with the material; no manuscript;
questions answered skillfully; effective ending summary; and time
limit observed
Visual Aid Usage: Appropriate to audience and setting; appropriate to
topic and content; readability assured through adequate size and
clarity; speakers paraphrased rather than read directly; design is
simple, clean and appealing; and error free
Delivery – Overall: Eye contact used; irritating non-words avoided;
stories and language appropriate to audience; body language
appropriate; confident appearance, speaking clearly and easily heard,
confident conversational tone used – not recited or read from
notes/slides, team members attentive and ready to add to discussion
Delivery - Specific: Confident, easy open posture (comfortable with
material), maintained eye contact with audience; movement free and
natural; face relaxed; strong speaking projection – not forced;
demonstrated enthusiasm for topic; maintained strong connection to
audience; adjusted presentation to accommodate needs of the
audience; and watched/listened to audience throughout the
presentation. Ability to comfortably handle questions.
Content: Information accurate and current; major points included;
major points adequately supported and developed using statistics, and
data from course or industry information, all sources appropriately
cited
Total
Points
Comments:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Revised on: 5/29/2016
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BUSML 4388
Warehouse Operations
Team Project Peer Evaluation Form
Name:________________________
Date:___________
Project:_____________________________
Team Name:_________________
Group member’s name: ______________________________
Inactive
Disruptive
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
Active
Constructive
Group member’s name: ______________________________
Inactive
Disruptive
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
Active
Constructive
Group member’s name: ______________________________
Inactive
Disruptive
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
Active
Constructive
Group member’s name: ______________________________
Inactive
Disruptive
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
Active
Constructive
Group member’s name: ______________________________
Inactive
Disruptive
1
1
Revised on: 5/29/2016
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
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6
6
7
7
Active
Constructive