Matching Items (20)
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- All Subjects: Internet of Things
- All Subjects: Supply Chain
- Creators: Department of Finance
- Member of: Theses and Dissertations
Description
The purpose of this thesis was to design a market entrance strategy for Company X to enter the microcontroller (MCU) market within the Internet of Things (IoT). The five IoT segments are automotive; medical; retail; industrial; and military, aerospace, and government. To reach a final decision, we will research the markets, analyze make versus buy scenarios, and deliver a financial analysis on the chosen strategy. Based on the potential financial benefits and compatibility with Company X's current business model, we recommend that Company X enter the automotive segment through mergers & acquisitions (M&A). After analyzing the supply chain structure of the automotive IoT, we advise Company X to acquire Freescale Semiconductor for $46.98 per share.
ContributorsBradley, Rachel (Co-author) / Fankhauser, Elisa (Co-author) / McCoach, Robert (Co-author) / Zheng, Weilin (Co-author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Hertzel, Mike (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
This project did a deep dive on AI, business applications for AI and then my team and I built an AI model to better understand shipping patterns and inefficiencies of different porting regions.
ContributorsFreudenberger, Evan Martin (Author) / Wiedmer, Robert (Thesis director) / Duarte, Brett (Committee member) / Thunderbird School of Global Management (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
Graytech Operations Management Simulation is an educational videogame that teaches the fundamental principles of operations management. It was coded from scratch in Java and is playable as an executable jar file. Designing the game required creating a business case, designing a production process, and turning that process into a playable program. The simulation serves as a simplified version of what the player will face in their professional careers, giving them a solid way to practice and experiment with introductory operations management principles in a low pressure setting. The game puts the player in charge of a simple factory floor. The player controls direct materials ordering, manages the capacities of each process, and identifies and responds to changing bottlenecks, all while managing limited financial resources. Using the principles and strategies taught in their introductory supply chain courses, the player will attempt to maximize profits by manipulating the production system. Through playing this simulation, the player will gain a higher understanding of operations management principles while also having fun in the process. The finished game, supplementary tutorial videos, and source code can be freely accessed online at www.graytechsimulation.wixsite.com/download.
ContributorsGray, Carson (Author) / Van Orden, Joseph (Thesis director) / Sopha, Matthew (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
This thesis discusses the case for Company X to improve its vast supply chain by implementing an artificial intelligence solution in the management of its spare parts inventory for manufacturing-related machinery. Currently, the company utilizes an inventory management system, based on previously set minimum and maximum thresholds, that doesn’t use predictive analytics to stock required spares inventory. This results in unnecessary costs and redundancies within the supply chain resulting in the stockout of spare parts required to repair machinery. Our research aimed to quantify the cost of these stockouts, and ultimately propose a solution to mitigate them. Through discussion with Company X, our findings led us to recommend the use of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) within the inventory management system to better predict when stockouts would occur. As a result of data availability, our analysis began on a smaller scale, considering only a single manufacturing site at Company X. Later, our findings were extrapolated across all manufacturing sites. The analysis includes the cost of stockouts, the capital that would be saved with A.I. implementation, costs to implement this new A.I. software, and the final net present value (NPV) that Company X could expect in 10 years and 25 years. The NPV calculations explored two scenarios, an external partnership and the purchase of a small private company, that lead to our final recommendations regarding the implementation of an A.I. software solution in Company X’s spares inventory management system. Following the analysis, a qualitative discussion of the potential risks and market opportunities associated with the explored implementation scenarios further guided the determination of our final recommendations.
ContributorsHolohan, Joseph Michael Houston (Co-author) / Shahriari, Rosie (Co-author) / Aun, Jose (Co-author) / Heineke, Christopher (Co-author) / Gurrola, Macario (Co-author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Hertzel, Michael (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
In order to graduate with honors from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, I have completed the following thesis under the direction of Dr. Craig Carter and Dr. John Eaton. The purpose of this thesis is to perform preliminary and proprietary research on the sustainability of components of the supply chain of local business within the greater Phoenix, Arizona area in order to determine practices that can lead to and even increase success in a competitive niche of already competitive industries, especially during times of supply chain stress. My hypothesis is that preliminary and proprietary research will both display that the consumer aspect of the supply chain of local business is the most essential, especially if other aspects of the supply chain experience distress. My preliminary research involved breaking down the title of this thesis into four parts: sustainability, supply chain, local business, and the Phoenix local business market and then performing internet research and interviews in order to form a solid understanding of such concepts. Then, I performed my proprietary research, which involved conducting a consumer survey and three interviews with local business owners. Though my hypothesis is not supported, I have learned a lot on the topic of this thesis itself, as well as on the thesis writing process.
ContributorsBrunacini, Maria Abigail (Author) / Carter, Craig (Thesis director) / Eaton, John (Committee member) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
The purpose and goal of this project is to pinpoint a potential use case for Company X to invest in to sell their 5G modems. As 5G technology is growing to be a dominant force in global markets, Company X is looking to capitalize on the emerging technology by selling their 5G modems for Internet of Things applications. Research and gathering of information involved understanding cellular connectivity, modem operations and applications, companies in related industries, the history of the wireless spectrum, the pillars of 5G technology, and the plethora of use cases enabled by 5G. Looking at smart street lights as a potential use case for Company X, analyses were conducted to recommend whether Company X should invest in smart street lights. These analyses ranged from researching Company X’s competitors to performing a pro forma financial analysis to see if it is financially viable for Company X to enter the smart street light industry. The final recommendation is for Company X to not invest in smart street lighting.
ContributorsPannala, Ishan R (Co-author) / Alcaron, Sandra (Co-author) / Nilles, Robert (Co-author) / Wells, Dwight (Co-author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Reber, Kevin (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
There is a growing demand for discrete graphics processing units (dGPU) in the internet of things. Our subject company, Company X, has decided to develop a dGPU to be used in client computing (desktops, laptops, etc). This project will address whether or not company X should invest time and money into adopting their existing client focused dGPU for applications in IoT such as digital signage, gaming, or medical imaging. If this investment is to be made, we will also make specific recommendations about how Company X should enter the IoT space. The project will be completed in three stages. The first stage will consist of an analysis of the competitive landscape and research on dGPUs and how they differ from integrated GPUs. Stage two will focus primarily on the IoT space and how the competitors are using dGPUs in the IoT along with an analysis of three potential use cases for Company X’s dGPU. Finally, we will build a comprehensive financial model based on our research of one specific IoT segment where Company X could potentially enter. Based on these stages, we will then offer a conclusion and recommendation on whether Company X should invest in this project.
ContributorsSmith, Jesse Thomas (Co-author) / Nickel, Jack (Co-author) / Sethia, Priyanka (Co-author) / Morey, Jake (Co-author) / Bergauer, Kevin (Co-author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Kreutner, Caleb (Committee member) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
The basis of this project was to analyze the potential cost savings derived from the implementation of an ultrasonic flaw detector for gas pipes in factories. The group began by researching the market of the Industrial Internet of Things. IIoT is a very attractive market for investment, as connected technologies are become both more advanced and more affordable. Factory automation also saves costs of human capital, maintenance, and bad product cost as well as safety. After doing this preliminary research, the group continued by identifying potential solutions to current shortcomings of the manufacturing status quo. After narrowing down the options, the ultrasonic flaw detector appeared to have the highest potential for success in Company X's factories. The group began doing research on what physical components would go into this solution. They found pricing for all of the various parts of such a device as well as estimated labor, maintenance, and implementation costs. After estimating these costs, the team began the construction of a detailed financial model to generate the hypothetical net present value of such a tool. After presenting two times to a panel of Company X employees, the group decided to focus only on cost savings for Company X, and not the potential revenues of selling the whole solution. They ran a sensitivity analysis on all of the factors that contributed to the NPV of the project, and discovered that the estimated percentage of scrapped product resulting from gas leaks and the percentage of gas lost to leaks contributed the most to the NPV.
ContributorsFlick, Jacob (Co-author) / Alam, Mustafa (Co-author) / Nguyen, Mong (Co-author) / Zhang, Zihan (Co-author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Hertzel, Michael (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Culture (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
For our collaborative thesis we explored the US electric utility market and how the Internet of Things technology movement could capture a possible advancement of the current existing grid. Our objective of this project was to successfully understand the market trends in the utility space and identify where a semiconductor manufacturing company, with a focus on IoT technology, could penetrate the market using their products. The methodology used for our research was to conduct industry interviews to formulate common trends in the utility and industrial hardware manufacturer industries. From there, we composed various strategies that The Company should explore. These strategies were backed up using qualitative reasoning and forecasted discounted cash flow and net present value analysis. We confirmed that The Company should use specific silicon microprocessors and microcontrollers that pertained to each of the four devices analytics demand. Along with a silicon strategy, our group believes that there is a strong argument for a data analytics software package by forming strategic partnerships in this space.
ContributorsLlazani, Loris (Co-author) / Ruland, Matthew (Co-author) / Medl, Jordan (Co-author) / Crowe, David (Co-author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Hertzel, Mike (Committee member) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
As the IoT (Internet of Things) market continues to grow, Company X needs to find a way to penetrate the market and establish larger market share. The problem with Company X's current strategy and cost structure lies in the fact that the fastest growing portion of the IoT market is microcontrollers (MCUs). As Company X currently holds its focus in manufacturing microprocessors (MPUs), the current manufacturing strategy is not optimal for entering competitively into the MCU space. Within the MCU space, the companies that are competing the best do not utilize such high level manufacturing processes because these low cost products do not demand them. Given that the MCU market is largely untested by Company X and its products would need to be manufactured at increasingly lower costs, it runs the risk of over producing and holding obsolete inventory that is either scrapped or sold at or below cost. In order to eliminate that risk, we will explore alternative manufacturing strategies for Company X's MCU products specifically, which will allow for a more optimal cost structure and ultimately a more profitable Internet of Things Group (IoTG). The IoT MCU ecosystem does not require the high powered technology Company X is currently manufacturing and therefore, Company X loses large margins due to its unnecessary leading technology. Since cash is king, pursuing a fully external model for MCU design and manufacturing processes will generate the highest NPV for Company X. It also will increase Company X's market share, which is extremely important given that every tech company in the world is trying to get its hands into the IoT market. It is possible that in ten to thirty years down the road, Company X can manufacture enough units to keep its products in-house, but this is not feasible in the foreseeable future. For now, Company X should focus on the cost market of MCUs by driving its prices down while maintaining low costs due to the variables of COGS and R&D given in our fully external strategy.
ContributorsKadi, Bengimen (Co-author) / Peterson, Tyler (Co-author) / Langmack, Haley (Co-author) / Quintana, Vince (Co-author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Hertzel, Michael (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05