APICS Responds to Questions About the Basics Module

Editor's note: As information about the new Basics module has been made public, APICS has received a number of inquiries. Here are answers to two of the most frequently asked questions.

What are a candidate's options to prepare for the Basics exam?
There are three ways to prepare for the exam: self-study, a preparation course taken on the local level either through an APICS chapter or a company-sponsored, in-house training program, or one of the five APICS Basics of Supply Chain Management workshops scheduled nationally for 1997 (see article on the next page for workshop dates). APICS recommends that all candidates purchase the 1997 CPIM Exam Content Manual (item #09001), which includes details about the exam, offering sample questions and a list of reference materials for self- or supplemental study for taking a course or exam. The key reference for the Basics module is Introduction to Materials Management--Second Edition (item #03813).

These and other references can be ordered by calling APICS Customer Service at (800) 444-2742 or (703) 237-8344.

Why doesn't the Basics exam have immediate scoring like the other CPIM modules?
Because this is the first time this module is being tested, the APICS exam committee will meet after the exam window and review all questions and answers to ensure that they meet the statistical and validation criteria set forth by APICS. The committee hopes to obtain enough statistical information from the first testing window to allow immediate scoring during the second window in August.

Basics of Supply Chain Management Workshops Set for '97

The Basics of Supply Chain Management workshop covering the new module in the Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) program, will be offered five times in 1997.

Feb. 24-26
Orlando, Fla.

May 5-7
Pittsburgh

July 14-16
Calgary, British Columbia

Sept. 22-24
Seattle

Dec. 3-5
San Diego

This workshop provides valuable, basic knowledge of materials management for industry professionals. It is designed for people who are either new to manufacturing or looking to advance into management and in need of materials management knowledge. The Basics is recommended as the first module in the CPIM process. The fundamental concepts that will be explored in the workshop include:

• types of manufacturing systems
• forecasting
• master planning
• material requirements planning
• capacity management
• production activity control
• purchasing
• Just-in-Time manufacturing

The workshop instructor is Henry Hutchins, CFPIM, CM, a partner in Florida-based Applied Industrial Cybernetics. He was the primary instructor for the pilot test conducted at AlliedSignal Communications Systems in Towson, Md., last October. Hutchins views the course as a means for people to learn the "language of manufacturing," making it easier for them to comprehend more advanced topics.

"The beauty of the course is that, from an instructor's point of view, the materials are well-written and designed so that even new instructors can teach it," Hutchins said. He added that, when he taught the pilot, he realized the course would be a confidence-builder for students.

"I detected that people really understood the concepts and were looking forward to the other CPIM modules," Hutchins said.

The Basics exam will be offered three times this year: March 1-8, Aug. 16-23 and Dec. 6-13.

For more information about these and other workshops, request the 1997 APICS Learning Opportunities Brochure (item #01049), featuring educational program and instructor descriptions, registration information for all APICS programs, and descriptions of APICS products and services by calling APICS Customer Service at (800) 444-2742 or (703) 237-8344.

New APICS Board of Directors Takes Office

The new APICS Board of Directors took office on Dec. 3, led by Gregory L. Schlegel, CPIM, CSP, 1997 APICS president. The board will serve a one-year term.

"I look forward to an exciting, 'push-the-edge-of-the-envelope' year as we continue to serve our members and customers through product leadership, operational excellence and customer care," said Schlegel.

A resident of Flanders, N.J., Schlegel is logistics associate director for GAF Building Materials Corp. of America in Wayne, N.J. He has held positions at GAF as director of materials and systems director and was a production/materials manager within several Fortune 100 companies. Schlegel is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in operations research and is presently working toward an MBA. Schlegel holds the APICS professional designation of Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and is pursuing the designation of Certified in Integrated Resource Management (CIRM). He also is a Certified Systems Professional.

Before being elected APICS president, Schlegel served as executive vice president education-programs/materials and as secretary/treasurer. Previous service included participation on the APICS Strategic Planning Committee, International Committee and Education Forum Committee. He is a qualified CIRM/CPIM instructor and a frequent speaker at APICS conferences, seminars and dinner meetings.

Schlegel's incoming president's message appears on page 10 and photographs of the 1997 APICS Board of Directors appear on page 12 of the print edition.

APICS '97

Tom Peters Signs as Conference Speaker

Corporate expert and author Tom Peters will be the featured speaker during Wednesday's general session at APICS '97, the APICS International Conference and Exhibition. With the theme "Target Breakthrough Ideas," the program is set for Oct. 26-29, 1997, at the Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.

Described by Business Week as business' "best friend and worst nightmare," Peters was ranked No. 1 on "awareness and credibility of business leaders" in the Report on American Business Executives (Siegel & Gale/Roper Starch Worldwide, 1/96). Author of In Search of Excellence and three later books (all ranked at or near the top of the New York Times best-sellers list), Peters presents 75 or more seminars each year throughout the world, has written more than 100 news articles and has created and/or hosted numerous television network broadcasts and corporate training films.

"We expect the 1997 conference to be the best yet and having a keynote speaker like Tom Peters will help us achieve our goal," said Diane Beni, CPIM, APICS '97 Conference Chair.

For information about APICS '97, visit the APICS web site at http://www.apics.org or call APICS Customer Service at (800) 444-2742 or (703) 237-8344 and request the advance conference brochure, item #04066 (available Spring 1997).

Majority of Exhibit Space for '97 APICS Conference Already Sold

It may be 10 months away, but 80 percent of the exhibit space for the 1997 APICS International Conference and Exhibition, set for Oct. 26-29 in Washington D.C., has already been sold. In fact, 103 of the 187 exhibitors at the '96 conference in New Orleans have made reservations for booth space in Washington.

For more information about exhibiting at the APICS conference, contact Dee Willett, APICS exhibits associate, at (800) 444-2742 or (703) 237-8344 or by e-mail at [email protected]