Manufacturing Interactive CD-ROM

The company, a global multidisciplinary professional services organization, in conjunction with Oliver Wight, a business education and consulting firm, has developed Manufacturing Interactive, an interactive computer-based multimedia training program to help people learn about manufacturing environments. Suitable for novices or veterans looking for a refresher course, this CD-ROM describes key terms and concepts, demonstrates how manufacturing plants operate, and explains financial matters and other issues important to the manufacturing industry.

The CD-ROM is set in the virtual town of Portofino where visitors explore two virtual plants- Schindler Elevator and Paper Products, Inc.- to learn how discrete and process manufacturing companies operate from the inside out. To provide further support for participants after they have completed the virtual tours, the CD-ROM also contains a list of recommended books and articles, the ninth edition of the APICS dictionary, Web links to related Internet sites, and other tools and resources.

The program is designed for use by anyone who wants to learn about concepts in the manufacturing industry, including plant, shop-floor and production managers, safety managers/coordinators, and training and development departments. In addition, it can be used by business school professors in management, management science and other areas to teach students about manufacturing.

This CD-ROM provides self-directed, narrated tours of virtual plants by integrating video demonstrations and interviews, photos, charts, blueprints, animation and text. Both tours take participants through manufacturing processes from warehouse, to assembly line to shipping.

Various areas within the plants such as financial management, information management, product development and other functions also can be explored. Inquisitive exploration is rewarded by earning points to gain access to special bonus areas. After visiting each plant, participants are given a chance to test their knowledge by playing a game. Upon completion of the program, participants are awarded a bronze, silver or gold star based on their overall point total.

Arthur Andersen, Tel: 800-872-2454 or 941-373-2020.