Step 7.9

Finalize distribution logistics.

Navigate Findings

Primary findings

Barriers

Distribution logistics face more constraints than in the past; shorter product lifecycles, more competition, and rising user expectations. 
Survey findings 
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Carriers

Knowledge transfer processes within and outside a firm are important enablers of supply chain flexibility. 
Survey findings 

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The ideal commercialization network uses complementary resources of both non-profit organizations and of industries.
Case study findings
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Coordination between product development teams and functional departments is linked to greater product success at market.
Case-based research
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Methods

A plan for getting to market and knowing who approves purchases of such new products is critical early in the project and again downstream. This avoids dead time between then the product is available to order and when the customers start buying it. Understand how customers make purchasing decisions, and know any required demonstration periods and projected conversion rates.
Conclusions drawn from case studies and experience.
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Designing Storage Facilities — storage and warehouse facilities involve processing of raw materials, semi-finished components and finished goods. The tasks include receiving, inspecting, storage, packaging, labeling and shipping. They consider these factors: — Physical similarity — items with similar characteristics are grouped together; — Functional similarity — functionally-related items are grouped together; — Popularity — frequency with which items are stored, accessed or retrieved. — Reserve stock separation — keeping reserve supplies apart form working stock.
Authors experience in industrial engineering, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Industrial Engineering.
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Performance Drivers: One is the Quality of Execution. Eight activities distinguish best from worse performers: 1) Conducting a post-launch review (8.2); 2) Assessment of product's value to business (2.1); 3) Test market or trial sell to a limited set of customers (7.13); 4) Concept testing to determine customer reaction to product and gauging purchase intent before Development begins (4.11); 5) Idea Generation (1.3); 6) Customer tests of products under real-life conditions (6.3); 7) Detailed market study/research or Voice of the Customer (4.3, 4.13); 8) Pre-launch business analysis (7.7, 7.8, 7.9).
A quantitative survey of 105 business units, supported by team's experience in NPD modeling, consultation, application and analysis.
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Tips

Product launches into international markets often schedules sequence of launches into the various markets, because of supply limitations, regulatory differences, and the variation in drivers within each market segment.
Conclusions drawn from case studies and experience.
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