Training: CAST for Network Modelling
The following courses are available for Network Modelling using
CAST:
The starting point for all users is the introductory three-day
training course.
Please refer to CAST Training Schedule to view all planned
training dates and booking process.
Introduction to CAST (3
days)
Course objectives
The course seeks to take the delegate through all the key areas of
CAST functionality so that the individual feels confident to build
their own supply chain models. The course builds up a network model
from first principles using a step-by-step approach.
By the end of the course students will be able to develop a
model of a supply chain using CAST, and to test alternative
strategies against that model.
The introductory course includes a multiple-choice test at the
end of the three days whereby delegates reaching the 'pass mark'
will achieve level one accreditation as part of the CAST
accreditation programme.
Who should attend?
The course has been designed for planners and managers who are
about to use CAST and who have experience of planning and analysing
distribution networks.
Pre-requisites
The course has been designed for people with experience of network
planning - preferably from an appropriate supply chain background -
with computing and data manipulation skills (basic PC - Windows -
and spreadsheet skills).
Duration
The course lasts three days with approximately 7 hours of
classroom time each day.
Teaching style
The course content includes practical work involving hands-on
exercises. Extensive use is made of examples from Barloworld Supply
Chain Software consultants' many years of using CAST on
projects.
Follow-up activities
To maximise the benefits from attending the course it is helpful
if students can return to work on a live project.
N.B. Unfortunately it is not possible to give the generic
introductory training course using client specific data. This would
extend the duration of the course and not necessarily cover all
functional and theoretical areas. Mentoring options do, however,
exist where a Barloworld Supply Chain Software consultant works
with a client during key phases of a project to facilitate skills
transfer on the job.
CAST Intermediate (2
days)
The course is designed for users who have mastered the basics of
CAST and wish to ensure that they are getting the maximum possible
benefit from the use of CAST. Delegates who have undertaken the
introductory course may attend this course. The courses have been
scheduled such that new users can attend the introductory course
and intermediate courses in successive weeks. This enables new
users to fast-track their training in CAST. Alternatively, users
who have completed some project work but require a refresher using
hands-on based project work may wish to participate.
The intermediate course centres around a fictitious
manufacturing company. The company faces issues around warehouse
locations, product sourcing, own vehicle fleet substitution and
delivery size profile.
The course includes:
- Using the Mixed Integer Programming Optimiser to optimise a
network
- Developing warehouse cost functions
- How to get the best from carrier-based rate tables
- Using the cost to market functionality
- How to compare 'own vehicle costs' with carrier rates
This course is very hands-on with one user to a PC in a small
group of up to six delegates.
Over the years it has also become evident that some users
require training around aspects of data manipulation & cost
analysis when preparing data for, or analysing results from, the
modelling process.
Subsequently, this course also incorporates data manipulation
& statistical techniques, helping our users to get the most out
of Access and Excel within the context of a CAST project. This will
assist users to overcome problems they may have with some of the
basic principles of data handling, manipulation and cost
interpretation.
As well as advanced CAST functionality, the course includes
elements on data requirements, data analysis techniques and
introduces the concept of data synthesis in support of a CAST
project. From a practical point of view, delegates use databases
& spreadsheet in a series of hands-on exercises to practice the
techniques at first hand. Some experience using such tools is
required, as this training course does not take the place of
conventional training courses for these products.
CAST-CO2 (1 day)
The course focuses on the CAST-CO2 product, taking delegates
through a series of exercises designed to illustrate all of the
CAST functionality relating to the calculation of the carbon
emissions of a supply chain.
The CAST-CO2 course covers the issues faced when trying to
incorporate carbon emissions into a supply chain model as well as
providing several contextual examples.
The course:
- Exercises focus on a global manufacturing company who is
seeking to evaluate their carbon emissions
- Reviews the changes that are possible to the analysis through
the different settings available within CAST-CO2
- Considers different design configurations and transportation
options before making operational changes
The course has been scheduled to follow the intermediate
training course as a third day, enabling delegates to combine the
two courses together. However, delegates who prefer just the
CAST-CO2 element can also attend on the third day.
CAST Advanced
(customised)
For those users who have attained a significant amount of
project experience and have attended both the data manipulation and
intermediate courses there may still be a need for advanced
training with an experienced consultant from Barloworld Supply
Chain Software.
The format for such training is tailored specifically to the
needs of the individual customer. Typically one or two users from a
company take a dedicated advanced course designed to their own
agenda. Barloworld Supply Chain Software prepares the required
training material and then works with students in an informal
workshop session. Such training is charged on a daily rate
including the course preparation time.
In order to meet clients' specific requirements, advanced
training is necessarily less prescriptive than the other training
options offered by Barloworld Supply Chain Software. Ultimately it
offers the chance to benefit from the considerable experience of
Barloworld Supply Chain Software gained through the use of CAST
across many industry sectors around the world.
If project specific on-the-job training is required then
mentoring days can be considered.
CAST Inventory Modelling (1
day)
This session is an introduction to probabilistic inventory
modelling and how it supports CAST network modelling.
It starts with an overview of inventory modelling theory in the
context of network optimisation. This is then followed by a
detailed review of the existing inventory modelling approaches that
exist in CAST including:
- Summary Level Depot Inventory Cost functions
- Detailed Level Depot Inventory Cost functions
- Stock Strategy Model
The 2nd part of the session focuses on probabilistic inventory
modelling at the SKU level. It will encompass finished good product
flows, from factory via different echelons of depot to the
customer. An example model will show how demand variability,
transportation lead time and service level (stock availability)
will be considered as drivers of inventory. The key output of the
model is optimised inventory policies for all SKUs at all
facilities. It can also be used to assess the impact of network
changes on resulting inventories, with results being iteratively
fed back to CAST for fine tuning of the network.
The course is aimed at users who have been on the Introduction
to CAST training course and wish to increase or refresh their
understanding of inventory modelling within the context of network
optimisation.
CAST Management
Appreciation Seminar & Supply Chain Modelling workshop (1
day)
There are 2 components to this training day aimed at 2 different
audiences.
Management Appreciation Seminar
The first part of the day is a seminar used to introduce global
supply chain network modelling to managers who are not directly
involved in the discipline. This helps to build awareness and
understanding of the supply chain optimisation / re-engineering
process. By highlighting the key applications & benefits of
using CAST, it also generates executive and cross functional
'buy-in' to strategic network modelling across the
organisation.
In manufacturing & retail companies the session often
involves project stakeholders from either: Production, Procurement,
Finance, Marketing, Customer Service as well as the Supply Chain
function. Alternatively, the session is often used to help show the
benefits of supply chain optimisation realised in one part of the
business to a different division or business unit.
In a 3rd Party Logistics company the course is tailored towards
the business development / sales team who have a responsibility to
understand CAST capabilities in order to properly sell the
capabilities of their solution design team to their client base in
order to realise process improvements and cost savings.
The content can be customised to the client's requirements, but
usually includes an introduction to supply chain modelling in
general, as well as an overview of CAST and an insight into
relevant industry case studies.
Supply Chain Modelling Workshop
The Management Appreciation Seminar is normally followed by a
Supply Chain Modelling Workshop which is aimed specifically at CAST
users. It is used to critically review the organisation's current
level of CAST usage in terms of specific functionality &
application. This GAP analysis permits a Barloworld Supply Chain
Software consultant to identify areas where the client can improve
their CAST modelling methodologies & application of specific
functionality in order to either speed up or improve the breadth
& depth of the existing modelling process and subsequently it's
ability to bring benefits and value to the organisation.