CaseStudy.co.in» Industry Specific Cases

Distributed Power Generation in Rural India

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:16:12 +0000

This paper presents an analysis of a rural distribution network to examine what the benefits of decentralized generation would be for meeting rural loads. We use load flow analysis to simulate the line conditions for actual rural feeders in India, and quantify the loss reduction and system improvement by having decentralized generation available. We also present a framework for valuing ancillary services from the generator, viz., reactive power. This provides a starting point for utilities in developing countries to better plan their systems to meet dispersed loads, while optimizing for renewables and other decentralized generation sources.
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Supply Chain Management and Telecom Components

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:16:31 +0000

The telecom industry’s radical shift this year from a supply-driven marketplace to a demand-driven model has significantly impacted not only how carriers market and sell their products, but how they purchase their own network equipment. In the current economic climate, achieving operational efficiencies and reducing cost has taken on paramount importance.
Insight’s research suggests that the only way operators and their suppliers will be able to succeed in the new demand-driven marketplace is by practicing effective supply chain management, streamlining purchasing processes and reducing time-to-market. Successful functional core component firms will address oversupply problems, meet demands for new construction and operator buildouts, follow key industry standards, and improve available technology in often-neglected areas such as power plant operations. Leaders will also take advantage of a key shift in the supply chain infrastructure: large equipment vendors outsourcing manufacturing operations.
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TOP 10 FREE ONLINE MARKETING TIPS FOR STARTUPS

maddy — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:25:30 +0000

Internet marketing, also referred to as i-marketing, web-marketing, online-marketing or e-Marketing, is the marketing of products or services over the Internet.
Internet marketing ties together creative and technical aspects of the Internet, including: design, development, advertising, and sales.
Internet marketing also refers to the placement of media along many different stages of the customer engagement cycle through search engine marketing (SEM), search engine optimization (SEO), banner ads on specific websites, e-mail marketing, and Web 2.0 strategies.
The rise of social networking means that the Internet now offers so many free and low-cost marketing options, if your customers are online (and few people aren’t) you genuinely don’t need a marketing budget any more. Just to prove the point, here are top ten zero-budget online marketing tips
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When Swedish High-End Apparel went “Online”

maddy — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:53:30 +0000

Six Swedish high-end apparel companies attributed as part of “the Swedish fashion wonder” with online distribution have been affected by six chosen factors. The six factors presented are extracted from previous studies and consist of customer relationships, intermediary relationships, pricing, costs and revenue, competitors and impact on the brand. The results show that customer relationships is an important factor that most companies value and was also the factor they presented as determining when they made the decision to go online. Costs and revenue have an effect on the companies and was something the companies had to consider after going online. Intermediary relationships are important to some extent and demand continual communications, but nothing that worried the companies. Competitors and pricing were not regarded as important, where price setting was primarily seen as a valuable tool to control and maintain intermediary relationships. Impact on the brand was regarded as an important factor when engaging online, and the positive aspects of increased brand knowledge and brand awareness were appreciated.
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Tips for energy saving

maddy — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:16:21 +0000

Here is a good article which is targeted towards identifying the opportunities for power saving in a typical industrial setup.
A real nice read for all who believe in the statement that “Energy is future”

A Lean-Six Sigma Duo for the Office

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:25:04 +0000

Combining Lean tools and the Six Sigma methodology has become popular during the last five years. However, most of these efforts were focused on manufacturing operations. The experience of a European life insurance provider highlights the lessons learned from transferring Lean from the shop floor to the office, as well as providing a deployment model that integrates Lean, Six Sigma and process management.
A leading life insurance company decided to implement a comprehensive process excellence program, using Lean and Six Sigma to achieve substantial cost savings.
Having conducted some initial analysis, the team in charge of the overall effort decided to conduct a Lean pilot project to test the assumption of early wins.
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SWOT and sustainable business planning: IKEA Model

maddy — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:45:54 +0000

IKEA is an internationally known home furnishing retailer. It has grown rapidly since it was founded in 1943. Today it is the world’s largest furniture retailer, recognised for its Scandinavian style. The majority of IKEA’s furniture is flat-pack, ready to be assembled by the consumer. This allows a reduction in costs and packaging. IKEA carries a range of 9,500 products, including home furniture and accessories. This wide range is available in all IKEA stores and customers can order much of the range online through IKEA’s website. There are 18 stores in the UK to date, the first of which opened in Warrington in 1987. In July 2009 IKEA opened a store in Dublin too – its first in Ireland.
Since it was founded IKEA has always had concern for people and the environment. The IKEA vision ‘to create a better everyday life for the many people’ puts this concern at the heart of the business. IKEA has responded to the public’s rising concern for sustainability in its choice of product range, suppliers, stores and communication. It has also spotted business potential in providing sustainable solutions. IKEA’s concern for people and the environment encourages it to make better use of both raw materials and energy. This keeps costs down and helps the company to reach its green targets and have an overall positive impact on the environment.
This case study will show why IKEA believes a strong environmental stance is good business practice.
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Highways Agency – PEST analysis

maddy — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:39:29 +0000

The Highways Agency was established in 1994. It is an executive agency of the Department for Transport and has responsibility for the operation of the strategic road network in England, within the context of the government’s aim of a sustainable transport system which will support economic growth. The Agency’s aim is: ’safe roads, reliable journeys, informed travellers’. Its functions include tackling congestion, providing accurate information for drivers and improving safety.
The Highways Agency operates within a complex external environment. The government’s transport policy sets the overall agenda, but several other external factors impact on the Agency’s operations. PEST analysis is a useful tool to analyse these external forces and help inform future strategy and set priorities. This case study looks at the political, economic, social and technological factors that impact on the Highways Agency.
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First Direct: Using customer service to position a business

maddy — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:29:25 +0000

Customer service is more important for businesses that provide services rather than physical products. In fact it is often good customer service that wins and keeps customers in the first place. Many service industries provide essentially similar products. For example, all hotels provide accommodation and most offer food as well. All banks offer customers current and savings accounts. It can be difficult to differentiate between service products. They have intangible qualities. This is why it is important to ensure that customers have a good experience.
first direct is a division of the HSBC Bank. It provides a range of banking services, offering customers products such as current accounts, credit cards, savings accounts, insurance and loans. What is different is that first direct does not have a branch network.
This case study shows how the online bank first direct positions itself in the retail banking sector. It illustrates how customer service has become a key factor in helping the bank to differentiate its offer to customers in a competitive market.
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Managing firms throughout the business cycle: The Davis Way!

maddy — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 11:29:55 +0000

The first decade of the 21st century has been a rollercoaster ride for economic activity. Business confidence was high at the start of the millennium. This was particularly fuelled by the growth of the internet as a means of buying and selling. A lot of companies have developed websites and there has been a rapid increase in online purchasing.
during 2008/9 the rapid growth of world markets came to a halt. Many of the problems stemmed from banks lending money to risky borrowers. When some of these failed to pay back this led to a rapid loss of confidence in the banking system. Banks became reluctant to lend.
The Davis Service Group provides textile maintenance services in the UK and Europe. This includes linen hire, work-wear rental, dust control mat, laundry and washroom services. The Group consists of two main operating companies each with its own directors and executive team.

These two operating companies delegate responsibility and authority to profit centres throughout the Group. Providing essential services enables the company to grow when economic activity is expanding in its various markets.
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