Facilities Management Case Study Essay Example

Facilities Management Case Study Essay Example Facilities Management Case Study Essay Facilities Management Case Study Essay Biotech Case Study: Implementing Predictive Maintenance for Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers Submitted By: Regina Gracia E. Sandoval Carolyn Pulanco Glaiza Bustria Joyce Domingo Jeralyn Barrios Arabelle Loresto OM4A RND Biotech Case Study: Implementing Predictive Maintenance for Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers October 2008 CHALLENGE: * RND Biotech operates 300 ultra-low freezers (-80 °C) that frequently fail, even though maintenance activities are performed on a quarterly basis. RND Biotech is currently replacing freezers as they fail, rather than trying to repair them, to keep up with the required freezer capacity. * When freezers fail, RND Biotech potentially loses product development samples that represent months of research. * RND Biotech would like to implement a predictive maintenance strategy and continuously monitor freezer function, which they believe will improve uptime, and free up skilled labor for other tasks. * However, they have not found a comprehensive method that is cost-efficient and non-invasive to implement a predictive maintenance strategy. Most alternatives only monitor freezer temperature which is not enough for predictive monitoring. SOLUTION: RND Biotech installed a new automation technology which did not incur any disruption to ongoing processes and required minimal installation cost. The solution, a non-invasive wireless sensor system, allowed RND Biotech to monitor multiple freezer data points, including chamber temperature and compressor amperage. RESULTS: * RND Biotech immediately found distressed freezers and were able to prevent failures. The freezers were able to be repaired, as opposed to replaced, saving approximately $7,000 per freezer. RND Biotech is now able to implement a predictive maintenance strategy for their freezers. Challenge RND Biotech is a biotechnology research and development company. The company has 300 ultra-low freezers (-80 °C), used to store research samples. These freezers are critical to RND Biotech because the samples stored in them represent ongoing research that comprises the co mpany’s product pipeline. Failures of these freezers could potentially result in a loss of years’ worth of research for new products that could be worth billions of dollars in revenue. The facilities group reports that it spends a significant amount of time addressing freezer failures. Records show that approximately twenty work orders per month are freezer related. Additionally, researchers complain that frequent freezer failures impact their ability to focus on their research. When a freezer fails, researchers have to scramble to find space in other freezers to store samples. If the failure occurs during non-working hours, both facilities and research personnel have to come to the facility in order to address the failure. If the failure is not addressed in time, the freezer contents critical research samples or products are lost. The empty freezers have to be defrosted and decontaminated before they can be moved to the maintenance area for troubleshooting and repairs. This process alone can take up to a week. Failures have occurred frequently enough that it is now more convenient for RND Biotech to simply replace the freezers as opposed to repairing them, even though it is not a cost efficient solution. The primary failure mode on ultra-low freezers is at the compressors. The ultra-low freezers each have two compressors. Failure of either compressor directly impacts the freezer’s ability to maintain temperature. Simply monitoring the temperature of the freezer is not enough to preventatively catch failures. By the time the temperature rises, everyone has to react to the impending failure as opposed to preventing it. The primary function of the preventative maintenance procedures is to ensure that the compressors are functioning efficiently. To accomplish this, specific maintenance activities include: * measuring compressor amperage on a quarterly basis to ensure that the compressors are operating within specification and are not overworked * de-icing the door gasket on a quarterly basis so that the freezer chamber is properly sealed * maintaining the filters on a semi-annual basis so that proper air flow and temperature is achieved around the compressors * defrosting and de-icing the freezer on an annual basis to prevent ice buildup in the freezer chamber Even with such rigorous maintenance of the ultra-low freezers, there are still a significant number of failures occurring and disrupting operations. The facilities group is looking for a way to be able to detect potential problems with freezers before they fail so that the impact on operations is minimized. Implementing Predictive Maintenance RND Biotech would like to implement a predictive maintenance strategy for their ultra-low freezers. Their goal is to get ahead of their failures and maximize equipment uptime. In order to accomplish this, the facilities group would need to be able to monitor the freezer compressors on a frequent and regular basis, in order to observe the normal mode of operation of the freezers. Current preventative maintenance procedures only allow facilities to take a snapshot of compressor operation at the time the maintenance is performed. The Cypress Solution Cypress Systems offers a Wireless Freezer Monitor (WFM) designed to check the overall health of the freezers. This battery operated device can be installed on a freezer to monitor compressor amperage and freezer temperature on pre-defined intervals. The data is wirelessly transmitted back to the Cypress server, where it can be trended via a web interface. Wireless data collection allows the freezers to be moved if needed without reinstalling hard-wired sensors. The battery operated device eliminates the need to have additional power available for monitoring tools. Results RND Biotech tested the Cypress wireless freezer monitor solution and installed WFMs on a pilot of twenty freezers, at a cost of $2000 per freezer. At the onset of the project, the expectation was that 10% of the freezers were not performing optimally. RND Biotech immediately found 20%, or four, of their freezers that were now monitored were not functioning optimally. Problems they saw included compressors not cycling off or compressors cycling on and off too frequently. Both situations indicated that the freezers were working harder than they should and needed to be repaired. All four freezers were all eventually repaired rather than replaced. The replacement cost per freezer would have been $12,000. The repair cost was approximately $5,000 per freezer. RND Biotech was able to save $28,000. Additionally, if a researcher had to reproduce lost samples, it could potentially cost $7,000 or more in labor and material costs. The initial investment in the Cypress solution for the twenty freezers was $40,000. The financial payback was under two years. RND Biotech was greatly impressed with the ability they gained to coordinate the repair activities without having to scramble. Value of Predictive Maintenance for Freezers The immediate benefit of the Cypress Wireless Freezer Monitor system was that the facilities group could plan their repair activities with research, rather than have to scramble to find freezer space for their samples. They were able to prioritize which freezers were more critical to address. Financially, the project had an immediate payback, based on the number of freezers that were in distress and the new capability for RND Biotech to coordinate repairing their freezers before they fail as opposed to purchasing new ones. The value that they see includes: reducing the frequency of freezer failures nd emergency response situations mitigating the risk of loss in RND Biotech’s product pipeline troubleshooting freezer work orders more easily by viewing amperage and temperature trends and even reducing the number of work orders submitted for freezer problems minimizing required maintenance activities, reducing maintenance time having the ability to plan maintenance and repair acti vities around research activities becoming more â€Å"green† by replacing fewer freezers saving energy by repairing compressors as soon as problems becomes evident, rather than only observing problems during maintenance or when failures occur Based on these overall benefits and proven utility, RND Biotech now plans to install the Cypress wireless freezer monitors on all their ultra-low freezers.

Battle of Glorieta Pass in the Civil War

Battle of Glorieta Pass in the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass - Conflict: The Battle of Glorieta Pass occurred during the American Civil War. Battle of Glorieta Pass - Dates: Union and Confederate forces clashed at Glorieta Pass on March 26-28, 1862. Armies Commanders: Union Colonel John P. SloughMajor John Chivington1,300 men Confederates Major Charles L. PyronLt. Colonel William R. Scurry1,100 men Battle of Glorieta Pass - Background: In early 1862, Confederate forces under Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley began pushing west from Texas into the New Mexico Territory. His goal was to occupy the Santa Fe Trail as far north as Colorado with the intention of opening a line of communication with California. Advancing west, Sibley initially sought to capture Fort Craig near the Rio Grande. On February 20-21, he defeated a Union force under Colonel Edward Canby at the Battle of Valverde. Retreating, Canbys force took refuge at Fort Craig. Electing not to attack the fortified Union troops, Sibley pressed on leaving them in his rear. Moving up the Rio Grande Valley, he established his headquarters at Albuquerque. Sending his forces forward, they occupied Santa Fe on March 10. Shortly thereafter, Sibley pushed an advance force of between 200 and 300 Texans, under Major Charles L. Pyron, over the Glorieta Pass at the southern end of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The capture of the pass would allow Sibley to advance and capture Fort Union, a key base along the Santa Fe Trail. Camping at Apache Canyon in Glorieta Pass, Pyrons men were attacked on March 26 by 418 Union soldiers led by Major John M. Chivington. Battle of Glorieta Pass - Chivington Attacks: Assaulting Pyrons line, Chivingtons initial attack was beaten back by Confederate artillery. He then split his force and two and repeatedly flanked Pyrons men forcing them to retreat twice. As Pyron fell back a second time, Chivingtons cavalry swept in and captured the Confederate rearguard. Consolidating his forces, Chivington went into camp at Kozlowskis Ranch. On the following day the battlefield was quiet as both sides were reinforced. Pyron was augmented by 800 men led by Lieutenant Colonel William R. Scurry, bringing Confederate strength to around 1,100 men. On the Union side, Chivington was reinforced by 900 men from Fort Union under the command of Colonel John P. Slough. Assessing the situation, Slough planned to attack the Confederates the next day. Chivington was given orders to take his men in a circling movement with the goal of striking the Confederate flank as Slough engaged their front. In the Confederate camp, Scurry also planned an advance with the goal of attacking at the Union troops in the pass. On the morning of March 28, both sides moved into Glorieta Pass. Battle of Glorieta Pass - A Close Fight: Seeing the Union troops moving towards his men, Scurry formed a line of battle and prepared to receive Sloughs attack. Surprised to find the Confederates in an advanced position, Slough realized that Chivington would not be able to assist in the assault as planned. Moving forward, Sloughs men struck at Scurrys line around 11:00 AM. In the battle that followed, both sides repeatedly attacked and counterattacked, with Scurrys men getting the better of the fighting. Unlike the rigid formations used in the East, the fighting in Glorieta Pass tended to be focused on small unit actions due to the broken terrain. After forcing Sloughs men to fall back to Pigeon Ranch, and then Kozlowskis Ranch, Scurry broke off the fighting happy to have achieved a tactical victory. While the battle was raging between Slough and Scurry, Chivingtons scouts succeeded in locating the Confederate supply train. Out of position to assist in Sloughs attack, Chivington elected not to rush to the sound of the guns, but rather advanced and captured the Confederate supplies after a brief skirmish at Johnsons Ranch. With the loss of the supply train, Scurry was forced to withdraw despite having won a victory in the pass. Battle of Glorieta Pass - Aftermath: Union casualties at the Battle of Glorieta Pass numbered 51 killed, 78 wounded, and 15 captured. Confederate forces suffered 48 killed, 80 wounded, and 92 captured. While a tactical Confederate victory, the Battle of Glorieta Pass proved to be a key strategic win for the Union. Due to the loss of his supply train, Sibley was forced to withdraw back to Texas, ultimately arriving at San Antonio. The defeat of Sibleys New Mexico Campaign effectively ended Confederate designs on the Southwest and the area remained in Union hands for the duration of the war. Due to the decisive nature of the battle, it is sometimes referred to as the Gettysburg of the West. Selected Sources CWSAC Battle Summaries: Battle of Glorieta PassBattle of Glorieta Pass: A Shattered DreamPhotographs of Glorieta Pass

Novel Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Novel Response - Essay Example However, somehow despite the hostile environment and state, immediate sense of awe and wonder that is evoked is felt.  The members come to realize that they play a vital role individually and corporately to return the land. P. 72  "Shall we head up further for him, to the crags? Theres an Ogre or two and could introduce a Hag to it, up there." "Certainly not," said Caspian. "I should think not, indeed," said Truffle-hunter. "The same variety needs nothing on the minor." Besides the appropriate requirements. The imagination of the sense of unity and responsibility drives them to stand up for change in something real. P. 187 â€Å"However, the new bout went well. The shield may have certainly been used well by Peter and make use his feet skillfully. He almost played Tig with Miraz; shifting his ground to keep out of range, making the enemy work.† It is all about taking steps driven by the desire for change in order to attain the destroyed glory. (Lewis) The main conflict in the book is leadership tussle between a prince who is fighting for his crown and a false king who has taken the mantle. The prince was dethroned because he was young. Therefore, he was seen as not capable of leading. It narrows down to a battle of only two men who are to determine the fate of the entire world. This conflict is an external conflict that later involves all the members of the land. The conflict is resolved through battle and unity amongst the members of the land ending up in victory. The most favorable part is when Miraz is challenged by Peter to a High King duel. Peter become victorious as Miraz had tripped over a tussock and could never get up. Lord Glozelle whom he had earlier insulted in revenge killed him. The Narnians did the consequent battle with the help of Aslan. Finally Caspian is crowned as King of Narnia by Aslan, and this resulted to the door opening at the edge of the cliff. Telmarines who had gathered were give an option to choose to

Homosexuality and LGBT rights in Vietnam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Homosexuality and LGBT rights in Vietnam - Essay Example The country hosts highly talented people belonging to a variety of professions including artists, scientists, lawyers, and economists. Still, the discrimination of the society toward the LGBT community in general is overt. Vietnam is just another country among a range of conservative countries in which homosexuality is perceived as a taboo. While people hold different views about it, the view against homosexuality is carried by a vast majority of people in the society. Although a Google search over the keywords â€Å"Dong tinh† leads an individual to more than 250 million links in a fraction of a second, yet most of the links reveal the negative stance of the society of Vietnam over the topic of homosexuality. Most people in Vietnam express curiosity and distress over the topic, and articles citing cases of discrimination against the homosexuals in different ways can be readily found. However, the situation has started to change recently in favor of the LGBT community in Vietn am, even though the country has to go a long way before equality of rights of the LGBT community can be established. A major hurdle in the way of social acceptance of the LGBT community in Vietnam is certain misunderstandings. At a conference organized for gay-rights, Le Quang Binh, the think-tank leader mentioned that while 57 per cent of the Vietnamese thought of homosexuality as a social fad, 48 per cent of them thought that it was a curable condition. Nguyen Thanh Tam, the Viet Pride founder recalled the curiosity shown by people to see the rainbow flags at the last year’s event in these words, â€Å"People were running up to us asking why we were carrying rainbow flags. They wanted to know what product we were marketing† (Tam cited in Phillips). According to the LGBT activist Tam, life for the lesbians is made particularly complicated by the police as the police hauls them in for questioning on charges that while their gender is mentioned as female on their identity cards, they look like boys to the cops. A major barrier in the way of the LGBT movement is social conformity. Peopl e belonging to the minority are understood by others with difficulty since people tend to follow the norm that being different is bad. Rights of the LGBT community in Vietnam is a pleasant outlier among the human-rights statistics’ bleak set. The police has arrested many dissident bloggers in 2013 whereas the total number of political prisoners in detention in Vietnam surpasses 150 (Phillips). The case of Dieu Cay, the campaigning journalist is one of the most high-profile cases in Vietnam. â€Å"Suffering a raft of serious health problems that require round-the-clock care, the activist is serving a 12-year sentence for â€Å"disseminating antistate information and materials,† and on June 22, embarked on an ongoing hunger strike to protest his treatment† (Phillips). Same-sex couples in Vietnam have been fined for many decades for holding the relationship ceremonies in the past. Contrary to the decades-long history of anti-gay sentiment in Vietnam, circumstances have started to change in favor of the LGBT community as a result of alteration in the laws. Gay and lesbian couples are likely to soon be allowed to conduct ceremonies of relationship in Vietnam. Lawmakers in Vietnam have started to conduct a debate regarding the hope of the advocates of gay rights and their allies that Vietnam might permit same-sex marriages in near future. Of late, the National Assembly of Vietnam has scheduled the commencement of a debate regarding amendment of the Law of Marriage and the Family which would, in effect, annul the ban placed over same-sex marriage, though the law would not allow

The Industrial Revolution Of Mass Media Media Essay

The Industrial Revolution Of Mass Media Media Essay More than half of the worlds population is under 30-years-old and only 4 of them have not joined a social network yet. It took 38 years for Radio to reach 50 million users and 13 years for TV. Facebook reported a rise of 200 million users in less than a year (Social Media Revolution, 2010). 48 hours of video will be uploaded to Youtube in the next two minutes (Youtube Fact Sheet, 2010). Media consumption takes up almost a half of an average individuals time and, although live TV remains the favourite channel in most peoples media diets, new medias popularity is growing at an incredible rate (Ofcom, 2010). One quarter of the search results for the worlds largest brands are links to user-generated content and 78 of consumers trust the online peer reviews recommendations of a product or service (Qualman, 2010). In this context, it is no longer a choice, but a necessity, for PR professionals today to consider the numerous Web 2.0 tools and technologies and redesign their communication strategies around customers social activity. In order to adapt to the current media trends, most newspapers today are developing blogs, uploading video content to their website, offer e-newsletter subscription and so on. This may indicate that the channel is not as important to the media consumer as the content is. The combination between the old media of broadcasting and newspapers and the new one, of data communications, delivered on a single device, is referred to, by most analysts, as media convergence. A recent example of old-new media convergence is represented by the merger between the US magazine Newsweek and the news and blogs website The Daily Beast into a new entity named The Newsweek Daily Beast(Media Week, 2010). In his book Convergence culture: where old and new media collide Jenkins (2006:2) uses three different concepts media convergence, participatory culture, and collective intelligence to describe the convergence culture; in other words, it is the flow of information across a myriad of media industries, the collaboration between these media and the nomadic behaviour of media consumers in search of their desired kinds of entertainment, that define the term of convergence culture. The author implies that convergence is not just a technological concept, unifying various media in a single device, but a cultural and social one, encouraging consumers to act as communities, rather than individuals. Jenkins (2006) states that convergence culture impacts both the way media is produced and the way it is consumed, highlighting the changing relationships between media producers and consumers in todays online environment, sometimes their efforts reinforcing each other, other times conflicting with each other. He shows that convergence is driven by corporations (on a top-down level) when media companies are speeding up the flow of information to increase consumer involvement and hence revenues, and also by consumers (on a bottom-up level), who are demanding more and more control over the media content, the right to take part in the creation of it and the ability to access it wherever they go (Jenkins, 2006). Internet has changed the entire PR industry: the way PR professionals view their roles, the delivery of effective communication and the way a brand interacts with its customers (Solis Breakenridge, 2009). Unlike the old, traditional media consumers, the new consumers are active, migratory between different networks or media, socially connected and noisy, and media producers who fail to respond adequately to this new culture may encounter a loss of goodwill and decrease in revenues (Jenkins, 2006). With the democratization of media, monologue becomes dialogue and people are complementing the existence of PR professionals, becoming the main influencers (Breakenridge, 2008). Breakenridge (2008) draws attention on the importance of constant and targeted research during the whole lifecycle of a brand, highlighting the multiple opportunities available in the 2.0 world. Among these, there is the ability to monitor and analyse customer behaviour and determine how well is the brand received in the market. Furthermore, businesses can keep themselves informed and up-to-date on their competitors, but also understand their main influencers, such as the media, using a wide array of research tools available on the Internet, from the free search engines to the paid service providers. The convergence of the Internet and the public relations profession into PR 2.0 opened new doors for business communicators, who can now reach their customers directly, in ways PR pros have not experienced before: through blogs, social networking, Really Simple Syndication (RSS) technology, webcasts or podcasts.

Orphanage

Orphanage is the name to describe a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable to care for them. Parents, and sometimes grandparents, are legally responsible for supporting children, but in the absence of these or other relatives willing to care for the children, they become a ward of the state, and orphanages are a way of providing for their care and housing. Children are educated within or outside of the orphanage. Orphanages provide an alternative to foster care or adoption by giving orphans a community-based setting in which they live and learn. [1] In the worst cases, orphanages can be dangerous and unregulated places where children are subject to abuse and neglect. [2] An orphanage is sometimes called a group home, children's home, rehabilitation center or youth treatment center. The first orphanages, called â€Å"orphanotrophia,† were founded in the 1st century amid various alternative means of orphan support. Jewish law, for instance, prescribed care for the widow and the orphan, and Athenian law supported all orphans of those killed in military service until the age of eighteen. Plato (Laws, 927) says: â€Å"Orphans should be placed under the care of public guardians. Men should have a fear of the loneliness of orphans and of the souls of their departed parents. A man should love the unfortunate orphan of whom he is guardian as if he were his own child. He should be as careful and as diligent in the management of the orphan's property as of his own or even more careful still. [3] The care of orphans was referred to bishops and, during the Middle Ages, to monasteries. Many orphanages practiced some form of â€Å"binding-out† in which children, as soon as they were old enough, were given as apprentices to households. This would ensure their support and their learning an occupation. Such practices are assumed to be quite rare in the modern Western world, thanks to improved social security and changed social attitudes, but remain in force in many other countries. Since the 1950s, after a series of scandals involving the coercion of birth parents and abuse of orphans (notably at Georgia Tann's Tennessee Children's Home Society), the United States and other countries have moved to de-institutionalize the care of vulnerable children—that is, close down orphanages in favor of foster care and accelerated adoption. Moreover, as it is no longer common for birth parents in Western countries to give up their children, and as far fewer people die of diseases or violence while their children are still young, the need to operate large orphanages has decreased. Major charities are increasingly focusing their efforts on the re-integration of orphans in order to keep them with their parents or extended family and communities. Orphanages are no longer common in the European community, and Romania in particular has struggled to reduce the visibility of its children's institutions to meet conditions of its entry into the European Union. In the United States, the largest remaining orphanage is the Bethesda Orphanage, founded in 1740 by George Whitefield. In many works of fiction (notably Oliver Twist and Annie), the administrators of orphanages are depicted as cruel monsters.

Gawain and Beowulf Comparison - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 526 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/05/17 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Beowulf Essay Did you like this example? Â  In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Knight challenges the knights to an exchange of blows with an axe; to which Gawain offers to accept. (Tolkien 33, lines 343-360) The speech he gives, in lines 343-360 offering to take the challenge for Arthur gives insight on his character; it shows he is chivalrous in loyalty and love to the King, brave in accepting the challenge, and humble in claiming he is the least of the knights. (33) Also, Gawain is much beloved by others, who weep for him when he leaves Camelot. (37, lines 672-685) While seeking out the Green Knight, Gawain fights many creatures, animals, and bitter cold. This part of his journey shows in his actions, that Gawain is brave and strong in enduring hardships, and that he is steadfast in God. (38, lines 720-724) Gawain also proves his pure and chaste nature when refusing the advances of the woman of the castle that he stays at. However, his honesty fails when he doesnt tell his host of the green belt he receives from the woman. (study guide, 27) When Gawain faces the Green Knight, his character is again tested. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Gawain and Beowulf Comparison" essay for you Create order Despite showing bravery leading up to this point, when the Green Knight swings his axe at Gawain, Gawain flinches. (39, 2268) While these trials show that Gawain is less than the perfect ideal knight that would face his apparent beheading with staunch acceptance, his failures bring out another important aspect of his character. Gawain is vastly ashamed, feeling he has displayed a great act of poltroonery. He swears to wear the belt, that token of the troth-breach for the remainder of this days. ( 40, 2507-2510)Gawain falls short of the perfect, chivalrous knight. But his reaction to his failure proves that he is honest about his failures, that he is yet humble in admitting them. By wearing the belt, his character takes on more depth, proving that where he falls short, he would learn, and strive all the more to meet the model of chivalry. Beowulf is also characterized as a heroic ideal of his time. When Beowulf heard of the monster Grendels attacks, he set out to aid the King Hrothgar. (Sullivan Murphy 7, lines 170-175) Like Gawain, a part of his character is revealed by his words. In lines 365-385 for instance, he tells of his own greatness, his strength, and feats as a warrior. (10) Unlike Gawain, he does not show a modest humility, but rather, he boasts of his deeds to gain fame and glory. (Study guide, 17) Furthermore, Beowulf proves that he is true to his word; when he fights Grendel, he remembers his promise to the king and grabs the monster tighter. Also, similarly to Gawain, Beowulf shows faith and dependence on the power of God; He stated his victory over Grendels mother would not have been had the Lord not looked after his life. (17, lines 1462-1465) And lastly, its not just Beowulf that considers himself great; his companions show admiration for him too. When he dies, for example, they mourn and praise him, calling him great among kings, mild in his mien, most gentle of men, kindest to kinfolk yet keenest for fame. (19, lines 2795-2802)