Production Activity Control

Certified Inventory Optimization Professional (CIOP) is an end-to-end supply chain certification program. The certification consists of 30 modules focusing both on traditional and futuristic topics. The traditional topics are introduction to supply chain management, all about inventory, strategic business planning, forecasting, demand management, capacity management, sales and operations planning (S&OP), master scheduling (MPS), materials requirements planning (MRP) and production activity control (PAC). It also includes topics on procurement, warehousing, transportation, distribution, and packaging. The topic on the future trends such as Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Machine Learning (M/L) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). There is a significant focus on supporting technologies such as forecasting and process mapping tools such as Microsoft Visio. In addition to the above indicated topics the participants need to master over 3000 terminologies in supply chain management.

If you are considering a career change or advancement in your present job, one of the courses you should definitely consider taking is the Production Activity Control (PAOC) course. This four-credit course will not just demonstrate you how to make and run a logistical function, it also demonstrates how to accomplish success through a combination of techniques and strategies. Supply chain management specialists play a vital role in capturing consumer demands, making accurate forecasts, building accurate plans, ordering and supervising entire production and distribution processes, managing inventory... And all this can be done with minimal supervision.

In order to become a successful production planner, you need to first be able to accurately gauge the quantity of raw materials that are required for each completed part. Next you must know where those raw materials are located, and how quickly they must be brought to production for maximum productivity. Finally, you need to know when to order and complete raw materials as well as when to place an order for them and when to make any delivery arrangements. If you don't have a handle on these elements, then you are going to be at a serious disadvantage in today's manufacturing environment.

Many of the problems encountered during manufacturing processes can be effectively controlled using sophisticated computer software designed specifically for manufacturing purposes. The Production Activity Control System (PAOC) was developed to ensure a superior level of planning and execution with minimum disruptions to manufacturing schedules. The system first introduced in 1981 by DuPont, now a part of Honeywell, is designed to coordinate all aspects of a manufacturing operation, from scheduling raw materials to ordering them, manufacturing them, shipping them and completing their sale to ultimate consumers. The most frequently used components within the system include the Manufacturing Planner, the Inventory Tracker and the Manufacturing Execution Manager. A company must possess a PAOC to participate in the program; see the list of approved manufacturers if you wish to become certified.