This well-written comprehensive text strikes the perfect balance between both the managerial issues and quantitative techniques of operations. The text is known for being the most current and cutting edge text on the market by staying abreast of contemporary trends. Therefore, a major thrust of the revision includes increased emphasis on information technology and the effect of the Internet and e-business on operations management. Features NEW??????????????????Reorganized Table of Contents??????????????????The text has undergone a major reorganization: Part I-The Strategic Importance of Operations, Part II-Designing the Operating System, Part III-Managing the Supply Chain, and Part IV-Ensuring Quality. NEW??????????????????Early coverage of Project Management (Ch 6)??????????????????This reflects the increasing use of projects to plan and implement design strategies in our rapidly changing business environment. NEW??????????????????Greater emphasis on Supply Chain Management??????????????????Part III, Managing the Supply Chain, includes totally new chapters on Supply Chain Management and Enterprise Resource Planning. NEW??????????????????Quality topics now grouped together??????????????????The authors now present the four interrelated topics in quality including quality management, statistical process control, waiting lines models, and human resources in Part IV. NEW??????????????????Increased emphasis on Information Technology and e-business??????????????????Throughout the text the authors emphasize how information technology and the Internet are changing how operations are managed. NEW??????????????????Interactive Multimedia Student CD??????????????????Packaged free with every new text. Many interactive elements are provided to enhance the teaching of operations management in the new edition. Special post-it notes, located in the margin of the text, direct the student to related interactive resources on the Student CD and website. Contents THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF OPERATIONS. Introduction to Operations and Competitiveness. Operations Strategy. DESIGNING THE OPERATING SYSTEM. Product and Service Design. Processes and Technologies. Facilities. Project Management. MANAGING THE SUPPLY CHAIN. Supply Chain Management. Forecasting. Capacity and Aggregate Planning. Inventory Management. Just-In-Time and Lean Production. Enterprise Resource Planning. Scheduling. ENSURING QUALITY. Quality Management. Statistical Process Control. Waiting Line Models for Service Improvement. Human Resources in Operations Management.