[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference 7.286::digital

Title:	The Digital way of working

Moderator:	QUARK::LIONELON

Created:	Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	5321
Total number of notes:	139771

4026.0. "Activity-based costing (ABC)?" by CHEFS::PARRYD () Thu Aug 03 1995 05:32

         I was recently on a course (who remembers training?) and I took 
    away an action to find out what is happening about what I think 
    should be called activity-based costing (ABC).  The idea is that this 
    is a tool for profit management and the company still hasn't cracked 
    this particular egg.  I would like to know why or whether, au 
    contraire, it's all happening but the news hasn't got to us yet.  So 
    does anyone own up to this portfolio and, if so, how'ya doin'?
         
         The basic idea is that you can both forecast AND ACCOUNT FOR 
    the added-value from programmes like TeamRoute, the U.K. public 
    sector ABU, CSS, etc. etc.  My use of upper case can be explained by 
    pointing out that you can say what you like at a PARB (or, I suspect, 
    at a phase review) because the accounting system won't track it.  
    ABC, I think, would enable us to cross-charge between programmes at 
    standard cost so that we would begin to get a measure of added value.  
    (You also have to deal with the issue that programmes do not always 
    finish on 30 June and totals to date need to be carried over.)
         
         I heard of an ABC programme (and, yes, it should be a cost 
    centre too) in Manufacturing about three years ago.  Since then, 
    nothing.  My impression is that all this talk of ABU accounts being 
    "profitable" doesn't mean much when it comes from country and 
    territory managers.
         
         Enquiring minds etc.

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
4026.1	Youre in luck !!	CHEFS::MORRISC		`Thu Aug 03 1995 06:24`	6
	Talk to Margeret Haughey @REO ... She is the Worldwide ABC program manager and and expert in Activity Based Costing as well.. She is always helpful Chris
4026.2	ABC is alive and well...as an expertise	AMIS::STRAGE	David STRAGE @GEO	`Thu Aug 03 1995 07:03`	8
	Also, if you need an outstanding ABC practitioner, try Theirry Minveille @vb He is now part of SI, but was in Management Science not so long ago and has done some customer work on this topic very recently. HTH, David
4026.3	MCS Administration ABM Program	CHEFS::WELCHL		`Thu Aug 03 1995 08:05`	20
	MCS Administration is running an Activity Based Management program in Europe, the Americas and Asia/Pacific. I am the European ABM Program Manager. Our emphasis is on: - Recognising where our resource is being spent, both on productive and non-productive work by regular surveys. - Calculating the cost of key standard transactions. - Analysing the cause of high costs - so called "root cause analysis". - Making system/process/business practice changes to eliminate non-productive work. Survey work started in the Americas last quarter; in Europe we are running a pilot in UK, Holland and Germany now, and AP will be starting shortly. Reviews of the data, root cause analysis and resultant actions will start in three weeks time. I will be happy to supply more information off-line. Laurence Welch
4026.4	"We Sell It"	ASABET::JDOYLE		`Thu Aug 03 1995 09:45`	5
	Try Charlie Kuehn @MKOTS3. Charlie is ABMS delivery person for I believe the ABU. He worked on ABC for a while and Digital developed and was or does sell a software package for this purpose. Good Luck
4026.5	Activity Based Costing	POWDML::SPIRITO		`Mon Aug 21 1995 15:14`	22
	David, Your note on ABM just came to my attention. Please give me a call if you want to learn more about ABM or ABC. I'm the manager of the Activity Based Management Group. As part of the Corporate Controller's organization our mission is to spread the use of ABM throughout the company. In fact we are currently supporting many of the efforts noted in the other responses. With it's start in manufacturing, ABM is more frequently being used as part of re-engineering efforts. Post re-engineering we are using it as an on-going process management tool -- for costing, balanced performance measures, activity based billing of services, activity based budgeting and many others. I'll put you on our distribution list. If you have a specific need, we're available to work with you. We also have an extensive library of articles, cases studies, conference material and ABM software (available for demo). Regards, Tony
4026.6	Me, Too, Please	NEMAIL::GEIS	Diane Ciuffetti Geis, 274-6992	`Mon Aug 21 1995 15:57`	16
	Tony, How are you spreading the word throughout the company? I've heard precious little about this, and would like to know a lot more. I heard it first from manufacturing when I was with CSS, though they really didn't know much. And, now that I'm with MCS, there is little said about this. Please put me on your distribution list as well - NEMAIL::GEIS. Do you have a notes conference on this subject as well or an internal home page? Thanks, Diane
4026.7	Another me too.	POBOX::SETLOCK		`Thu Aug 24 1995 12:42`	6
	Tony, I would like to know more about ABC/ABM as well. Will you add me to your mailing list too? POBOX::Setlock or Sue Setlock @ACI. Thanks, Sue
4026.8	please add me to your list	LYOISA::LACOMBE_D		`Fri Aug 25 1995 05:06`	10
	I was involved in ABC on a large customer site. Since I have some knowledge in accounting I am very interested by what's happening on this special topic. Please add me in your mailing list too? LACOMBE @LYO or LYOIS1::LACOMBE_D thanks
4026.9	ABM Group has started a Notes Conference	POWDML::CAYER		`Wed Aug 30 1995 17:05`	11
	The Activity Based Management has set up its own notes conference to update you on the progress of ABM within Digital, post articles, and answer your questions. The topic is also an opportunity for discussion on how to use ABM in your group. In order to access it: At the NOTES> prompt type ->add entry powdml::notes$library:activity_ based_management. Thankyou, Jeff