Factory Physics Inc. Awarded Additional National Science Foundation Grant

May 30, 10:04 AM

Current Headlines: Factory Physics Inc., a management consulting company that assists enterprises in improving on-time delivery, reducing inventories and increasing productivity, today announced the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded it a grant of $100,000. The grant is designated for support of Factory Physics Inc.'s project, titled "Small Business Innovation Research Phase I: Dynamic Risk-Based Planning and Scheduling." NSF also recognized Factory Physics Inc. for "outstanding entrepreneurship" at a Phase II Grantee Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this month.

Factory Physics Inc. provides a scientific framework, software support tools and training to optimize performance of manufacturing supply chains and operations strategy. To date, NSF has awarded Factory Physics Inc. more than $1 million in grants to develop its LeanPhysics Support Tools software suite to standardize and advance the framework.

"A National Science Foundation grant is a strong endorsement of the Factory Physics approach and speaks to the value of the framework in helping organizations optimize their supply chains by applying basic science to manufacturing," said Mark Spearman, founder, president and CEO of Factory Physics Inc. and co-author of the award-winning book Factory Physics.

The grant is to investigate the feasibility of a new methodology known as Dynamic Risk-based Scheduling (DRS). DRS is an alternative to the overly complex deterministic scheduling systems known variously as Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) and Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS). Unlike APO/APS, DRS works with the natural behavior of the manufacturing system and accounts for randomness and risk factors. Consequently, DRS will be able to provide an environment that can accommodate daily fluctuations in demand and productivity without the need to constantly reschedule.

The grant is intended to support Factory Physics Inc.'s proposed work for a period of six months. At the end of six months, Factory Physics Inc. is eligible to apply for Phase II and Phase IIB grants worth up to $1 million.

Each year, NSF receives approximately 40,000 proposals for research, education and training projects. Approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of the Phase I SBIR proposals are funded. The primary objective of the NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Program is to increase incentive and opportunity for small firms to undertake cutting-edge, high risk, high quality scientific or engineering research that would have a high potential economic payoff if the research is successful.

About Factory Physics Inc.

Factory Physics Inc. is a management consulting company that enables companies to improve on-time delivery, reduce inventory, and increase productivity by providing software, training and operations strategies based on the practical, scientific Factory Physics® framework. Factory Physics also is the title of an award-winning book co-authored by Factory Physics Inc. founder Mark Spearman. Factory Physics® principles and applications provide the practical science to cut through complexity, reduce conflict and fill in gaps in manufacturing and supply chain control. Factory Physics Inc. has helped organizations worldwide realize millions of dollars in savings, dramatic reductions in inventory and cycle time and tremendous increases in throughput to show from past engagements. For more information, visit www.factoryphysics.com.

FACTORY PHYSICS is a registered trademark of Factory Physics Inc. All rights reserved.