For more information, contact Richard Doty, (937) 775-3232.

June 30, 2005

Wright Center of Innovation, Raj Soin College of Business to partner on programs in logistics and supply chain management

To help businesses manage cutting-edge logistics and supply chain management, the Wright Center of Innovation for Advanced Data Management and Analysis (WCI ADMA) and the Information Systems and Operations Management (ISOM) Department of the Raj Soin College of Business at Wright State University have announced a partnership to develop and promote educational and research programs to enhance regional capabilities in this area.

Officials said these programs will focus on creating the skills necessary to acquire, analyze and interpret the increasing volumes of data that support high-velocity, sophisticated supply chains.

“There is an ever-increasing demand for greater visibility into the supply chain, and new technologies, such as radio frequency identification, can make this possible by providing accurate data,” said Ken Berta, WCI ADMA chief marketing officer. “The challenge is to convert this data into usable information and knowledge. We believe that the unique focus of ISOM programs will lead to this and create tools to improve supply chain operations through advanced data management capabilities and better position organizations in a highly competitive global economy.”

The partnership will unite WCI ADMA’s advanced data management capabilities with ISOM’s supply chain orientation. It will also create opportunities between the Wright Center partners, such as CDO Technologies, NCR, P&G and Standard Register, and the ISOM faculty. For example, ISOM faculty and students will work with NCR and other WCI ADMA partner companies on research related to analytical applications for the Data Intensive Supply Chain™ (DISC). This involves supply chains that are intensively supported by information technology and data.

The mission of the Wright Center is to create new high-wage, high-tech jobs, and increased investment and business growth in Ohio. Improving the competitive position of existing business is an essential element of this strategy. WCI ADMA is supported by a grant from the Ohio Department of Development as part of Ohio’s Third Frontier project.

“The Wright Center has unique skills in the area of advanced data management: acquisition, storage and interpretation of huge volumes of data. When applied to supply chains, these skills can result in world-class supply networks. The ISOM department’s research in the area of supply chain management is a natural fit with the skills of WCI ADMA,” explained Vikram Sethi, Ph.D., chair of the department.

The ISOM department offers a new, one-year Master of Science program in logistics and supply chain management. The program provides supply chain professionals with a unique educational experience, which includes residency periods, online education and visits to supply chain sites. The program began in January with 27 students from organizations such as Bekins Logistics, SuperValu, Nash Finch, UGS, and the Air Force Materiel Command.

For more details, contact Berta at KBERTA5@aol.com (937-312-3185) or Sethi at vikram.sethi@wright.edu (937-775-2895).