IBM Logistics in Black and White

This year IBM celebrates its centennial.   In doing so we have lots of activities planned, but my personal favorites are looking at our rich history.  Across the year we will honor 100 IBM innovations.  Today, we honor the IBM Data Processing System 1401.  


When it was announced in Octover 1959 IBM was shocked to receive 5200 orders for the 1401 computer in just the first five weeks after introducing it—more than was predicted for the entire life of the machine. 


Of course with these orders came shipping and I found some old photos.  From what I can tell our shipping partner was Numan Logistics.  I wonder what happened to them?

Mini Supply Chain Problems at Mini

If you haven't heard automaker Mini, owned by BMW, has developed a larger, four-door version of its popular Mini Cooper called the Mini Countryman.

Being an avid fan of Mini and the previous owner of one of the first Mini Coopers in New York I went to my local dealership in Switzerland and purchased one a few months ago.  Why? Uh, I needed the four wheel drive in snowy Switzerland?  Do you believe me? My fiance didn't either.  I just love the design and the drive.  Plus the iPhone to dashboard connection is amazing.  I can even Tweet as I drive -- don't worry I will pull over.

Everything has been on schedule, until last night. After dropping off some paperwork I discovered that the supplier of the rims for the Mini Countryman seems to be having challenges keeping up with demand.  So here is what I saw when I went to look at my new car last night.  What irks me is that in this day and age how does a automotive supplier not have better forecasting tools?  I mean new cars pop up every year.  They must have the data to track buying trends with current economics.  I just don't get it.  This should be easy.

I am told they should arrive on Saturday, but I am hearing that not everyone is so lucky.  Another interesting supply chain point about the Mini Countryman is that it is being made in Styria, Austria, land of delicious pumpkin seed oil -- trust me it is delicious.  Anyway, word is that the Austrians at supplier Magna Steyr can make them faster than the Germans and the Brits, who make the Cooper.