Showing papers on "Service system published in 1987"

Dealing with Inherent Variability: The Difference Between Manufacturing and Service?

Abstract: The debate about whether any difference exists between manufacturing and service operations is discussed. There is no difference per se between the two types of operation and that debate about differences between them is spurious. There are significant differences between operating systems which process materials and those which deal directly with customers. These differences are sufficient to require different treatment for material processing operations and customer processing operations. The similarities and differences between the two types of system are demonstrated, and strategies for managing customer processing operations are outlined. If an appropriate strategy is adopted, customer processing operations are very similar to material processing operations, but other strategies exist which make customer processing operations very different from material processing operations.

A methodology for labor scheduling in a service operating system

Abstract: In the increasingly competitive services sector, utilization of the labor force can make the difference between profits or losses. Until recently, service operations managers had a limited set of tools, most of them computer-based, for scheduling labor. This paper offers a manual heuristic for labor scheduling that outperforms traditional algorithmic solution approaches. Specifically, this study examines the problem of scheduling employees in service delivery system subject to demand variability. The manual heuristic proposed asigns full-time empolyees to weekly work schedules with the objective of minimizing the total number of labor hours scheduled. The performance of the manual heuristic is compared to the classical algorithmic solution and to a lower bound for a variety of demand distributions and system operating conditions. The heuristic is shown to produce a smaller work force than the classical approach in 106 of the 108 demand-operating condition patterns examined.

A State Mental Health System With No State Hospital: The Vermont Feasibility Study

Abstract: A comprehensive study of both the feasibility and the desirability of operating a state mental health system without a state hospital, except for a small forensic facility, was carried out in Vermont. Feasibility was examined in terms of client needs, service system capabilities, financing, human resource requirements, legal and rights protection issues, and political considerations. The study team concluded that developing comprehensive regional community support and rehabilitation services to replace the state hospital for all public mental health clients except forensic patients was both feasible and desirable since it would result in better services at a roughly equivalent cost to the state. The team also developed recommendations for optimizing the success of regionalization.

Digital data service system

Abstract: A digital data service transmission system is described in which 19.2 kbps data rate AMI encoded local loop signals are formatted for reliable transmission at 64 kbps rates over unqualified digital facilities and re-formatted for entry into DDS network hierarchy.

Value Structures, Formal Structures, and Technology for Lower Participants in Service Organizations

Abstract: The effects of technology and formal structures on value structure for lower level individuals in service operations is examined. Service providers (337) in direct contact with clients/customers were surveyed. The results indicate significant relationships among formal structure, task uncertainty, and employee value orientation to customers. Task uncertainty was also found to mediate the relationship between formal structure and value orientation for individuals in direct contact with clients/customers.

Hospital ownership and Psychiatric services: implications of ownership and reimbursement changes on lengths of stay and availability of services

Abstract: Dramatic increases have occurred in the proportion of for-profit hospitals in the general hospital sector; even more pronounced increases have occurred within the psychiatric sector. Concomitant with this changing mix of ownerships, revised reimbursement plans are being proposed for psychiatry. Thus, providers of acute psychiatric inpatient care, although loosely aggregated, constitute a service system that is experiencing dynamic revision. This article examines the implications of these changes for health policy analysts and planners in the design of hospital payment mechanisms and in planning for resources to meet the needs of the public. The state of California is viewed as a system, and data from the state are examined to test traditional assumptions of economic behavior when less costly substitute services are available. The availability of services such as outpatient clinics, emergency psychiatric services, and partial hospitalization are found to vary according to hospital ownership. Differences in availability of these services influence the access to inpatient care experienced by various populations within the defined system. Although these services may permit earlier discharge from the hospital, the poor insurance coverage of ambulatory psychiatric care relative to inpatient hospitalization1–3 distorts this effect. The implications of these findings for public policy are discussed.

Theory development in a non-university service setting.

Abstract: What is the role of the non-university service setting in theory development research? The authors discuss the importance of nursing theory to professional survival, economic necessity, and the generation of a knowledge base for practice. Motivational and contextual characteristics of the non-university setting that enhance or inhibit the conduct of research are identified. Common problems that arise from differing needs and goals of clinical nursing personnel and theoretical researchers are explicated. Specific strategies to facilitate theoretical research in a service setting are proposed.

Utilizing An Existing Service System to Aid Alzheimer's Clients and Their Families: The Massachusetts Home Care Network

Abstract: The need to provide supportive services for family caregivers of the non-institutionalized dependent elderly has been well documented. Family members are key variables in determining whether a loved one will remain in the community or be institutionalized. Though many of the needs of family members of dependent elderly are similar to those of family members caring for loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's disease, an overriding question for Alzheimer's families is not whether the individual requires institutionalization, but how long can institutionalization be delayed? The need ofAlzheimer's families for adequate and

Facsimile transmission information service system

Abstract: PURPOSE:To inform automatically by voice from an exchange side to improve serviceability by adding the number of place to be connected as information for informing transmission from an originating side, and transmitting it to facsimile information. CONSTITUTION:Information from a facsimile terminal 1 is transmitted to a facsimile accumulation converting equipment 9 through a telephone exchange 4, a facsimile communication exchange 6. Further, facsimile information is transmitted to a facsimile terminal 2 through the device 9, a facsimile accumulation converting equipment 10, a facsimile communication exchange 7 and a telephone exchange 5. Successively after termination of transmission, information to the effect that facsimile information is sent from the terminal 1 to terminal 2 is supplied by voice to a terminal 3 by connection of a voice answering device 8, the exchange 7, the exchange 5 and a subscriber terminal (telephone) for a contact person. Thus, even when contact is not made by a transmitting person at the time of transmitting facsimile, information is supplied automatically from the exchange side to the receiving side.

Price setting policies for service systems in case of uncertain demand and service time

Abstract: Building anM/M/1 queueing model, we determine price and capacity of a service system within monopolistic and competitive frameworks. The existence of a solution for a monopolist is shown and optimal capacity is determined, if demand is elastic. We also determine, within a competitive framework, the number of firms, outputs of each per unit of time, and the relation between price and the number of firms for elastic demands (which has a maximum). Finally, we show that competition supplies a much larger output than monopoly at the price set by the monopolist, if elasticity equals 2.

The potentials and problems of private sector transportation services

Abstract: This project explored the problems and potentials of new forms of private urban transportation that have evolved in the Metropolitan New York region in the last 20 years, as well as the problems and potentials of private urban bus service that has existed on a continuous basis parallel to the publicly owned modes. The specific new transport modes investigated were jitney feeders, express and commuter vans, and neighborhood car service operations, which serve as alternatives to standard taxis and other communal modes. One of the most important findings of this study is the extent and pervasive nature of these new travel modes in the New York area. They serve all classes, from affluent white collar workers seeking a more comfortable trip to work to some of the regions lowest paid workers who merely want to get to work on time. Another important finding is that the new locally-generated modes hold the promise of providing a superior service at lower cost than does the public operation in specific corridors, mostly in the least dense portions of the region where the costs of regular bus service are high. Existing private bus lines were found to be only slightly more cost efficient as compared to the public operations. It is suggested that significant amounts of money would be saved by the public sector and a better level of service achieved if the operations were authorized along some of the low density routes.

One-node closed multichannel service system: several types of customers and service rates, and random pick-up from the waiting line

Abstract: A closed queueing system has Q service channels and a waiting line. There are Ni customers of type i in the system, i = 1, ···, m, ∑ m i=1 Ni = N > Q. Q customers are served and Q 0 = N – Q stay in the waiting line. Q channels are partitioned into n groups with Qj channels in the jth group, j = 1, ···, n. The service time of the ith type customer by a channel of the jth group is τ ij ~ Exp (λ ij ). When a customer leaves the channel, it is immediately replaced by another one picked up randomly from the waiting time. The customer which has cleared service joins the waiting line without delay. Let Xij be the number of ith type customers served by jth group channels in equilibrium. An explicit formula for P(Xij = kij , i = 1, ···, m; j = 1, ···, n) is found. It is shown in a form of a local limit theorem that the asymptotic distribution of {Xij } is a multidimensional normal, if Qj/N and Qj/N have positive limits as N → ∞. Formulas for mean values and covariances are given. It turns out that the means of Xij and covariances between Xij and Xrk can be found, using an efficient iterative algorithm, from the deterministic version of the system. A numerical example demonstrates that the normal approximation is rather accurate.

Pipe for utility or service systems

Abstract: An economical pipe for use in a utility or service system, particularly a circulating hot water supply system or a heat exchanger system requiring outgoing and incoming hot water paths. The pipe possesses a partition wall dividing it longitudinally into two ducts.

A Community Approach to an Integrated Service System: A Digest.

Abstract: This digest summarizes the underlying structure, concepts, and ideology of the Project NEXUS manual, "A Community Approach to an Integrated Service System" (CAISS). Project NEXUS is a 3-year project charged with the development and field-testing of a technical assistance manual to aid communities in the development and/or improvement of service delivery to children with disabilities and chronic illnesses, from brith to 3 years of age, and their families. The philosophy of Project NEXUS is that a community, working together, has the responsibility and the resources to provide such services, and by doing so the entire community benefits. Section I discusses systems in the context of a family-community systems model, encompassing family, community, service delivery system, and legislation. Section II describes how to foster an alliance of service providers, parents, citizens-at-large, and advocates through the development of a CAISS committee. Section III focuses on possible actions the committee might take to deal with the community's needs. The digest is not intended for implementation purposes; persons wishing to implement the process should refer to the manual in its entirety. (JDD) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *********t************************************************************* A COMMUNITY APPROACH TO AN INTEGRATED SERVICE SYSTEM:

Information service system with addressing

Abstract: PURPOSE:To secure the information service for a hull contracted period by transmitting simultaneously two types of key codes different in pattern used in the contract periods of this time and the next time, at addressing a decoder, and storing both key codes in a memory at the decoder side. CONSTITUTION:Two types of key codes KC are transmitted simultaneously in an addressing format. Both key codes KC1 and KC2 of this month and the next month are transmitted simultaneously in an addressing mode. At the same time, the addressing operation is performed. In such a case, both codes KC1 and KC2 are stored. Therefore, the information service of the relevant month can be secured even after the addressing operation. Thus it is possible to secure the data service of this month even in case the addressing operation is carried out before the next reception contract period. As a result, no key code is replaced and therefore the data service is secured for a full paid reception contract period.

Computerized Testing Service Systems: A Description

Abstract: A testing service system (TSS) is a coordinated complex of automated procedures working with banks of educational test items. In the paper a TSS is described and the system development methodology is discussed.

Communication processing service system

Abstract: PURPOSE:To offer diversified communication processing service by decomposing the communication processing function into minimum elements (service components), allowing the user itself to select the components and registering one communication processing service in a communication network. CONSTITUTION:Service component controllers P1-Pn control various communication processing functions subject to component forming and a service component selected by an outgoing user is managed by a service management table 7 corresponding to the outgoing user. The user selects the service component and forms a peferred communication processing service (main body service) by combining them and inputs the result to a communication processing unit 3. The communication processing unit 3 registers the service number of a main body and the correspondence to the component constituting the said number in the table 7. When the user designates the main body service, a CPU 5 references the table 7, starts the corresponding controllers P1-Pn according to the combination of the registered service components to execute the communication processing service.

Exchange service system

Abstract: PURPOSE:To improve the service and the utilizing efficiency by providing a means registering a telephone directory file to a data base in an exchange, returning the retrieved information to an inquiry sender and connecting the inquiry sender and the inquiry destination. CONSTITUTION:The titled system applies the connection/disconnection control of communication lines between optional data subscribers 1, 4, sends the information representing the kind and mode of the retrieval index information of a data subscriber 4 desired to be connected from a data subscriber 1 to exchanges 2, 3 while being added to an opposite number inquiry code, the exchanges 2, 3 retrieve files 5, 6 based on the information and rerurn a destination number and its relevant information to the data subscriber 1 being the inquiry sender based on a flag representing open public or not in case of finding out the corresponding destination number. Thus, the performance, efficiency and economy of the exchange service system are improved.

Learning While Working with the Help of Creative Counsellors

Abstract: Recent changes in technology and attitudes to adult education will enhance the opportunities for counsellors to creatively assist individual independent learners. However, to maximize the growth potential of these adults, professionally trained individuals will have to become familiar with a variety of delivery systems and must be willing to share their responsibilities with a new team of professional helpers. This study examines some of the exciting opportunities and depressing realities in this area by focusing on (a) the needs of adult distance learners, (b) selected case studies of student service operations in Canada, and (c) technology currently used to provide counselling and support services to distance education students. Is the systems approach a thing of the past? Is the past a thing of the now? Must we solve today's problems with yesterday's tools? (Lemons, 1984)