Lego chose to implement SAP’s Supply Chain Management SCM, Product Lifecycle Management PLM, and Enterprise Resources Planning ERP modules.. The appropriate strategy including support bu
DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE
The Lego Group, headquartered in Billund, Denmark, is one of the world's leading toy manufacturers, renowned for its iconic building bricks and figures that have captivated children for generations The name "Lego" is derived from the Danish words "Lego godt," meaning "play well," reflecting the company's commitment to quality and imaginative play Since its founding, Lego has experienced sustained growth, establishing itself as a global leader in the toy industry.
1932, and for most of its history its major manufacturing facilities were located in Denmark
Lego has consistently improved product quality to meet the evolving demands of children worldwide, using toys to ignite their imagination, curiosity, and excitement The company defines quality as a commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring it provides the best possible playthings for kids' development As a result, Lego has earned the trust of parents and gained global popularity However, few realize that Lego’s remarkable success was achieved through a challenging development process in its history.
In 2003, Lego faced intense competition from imitators and electronic toy manufacturers, prompting the company to undertake a strategic restructuring to remain competitive To reduce operational costs, Lego outsourced manual, labor-intensive processes while retaining only highly skilled workers at their headquarters in Billund This cost-cutting initiative led to a significant workforce reduction from 8,300 employees in 2003 to around 4,200 by 2010, supporting Lego's ongoing efforts to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
Lego’s recent restructuring and double-digit sales growth have driven its international expansion and diversified workforce These changes have introduced supply chain and human resources challenges, prompting the company to reengineer its supply chain for streamlined production without compromising quality Enhanced logistics planning has enabled Lego to strengthen collaborations with retailers, suppliers, and outsourcing partners, supporting its global growth objectives.
SOLUTION
STRENGTHS
The Lego Group is a globally recognized brand and a leading manufacturer in the toy industry Its strength lies in its ability to innovate technologically while upholding its core principles Continuous product innovation enables Lego to attract new customers and enhance brand awareness, ensuring its position as a major player in the toy market.
The Lego Group's extensive experience in the toy industry enables them to effectively meet customer needs and expectations This expertise allows the company to easily identify opportunities for improvement and swiftly implement adjustments to their product lines, ensuring ongoing innovation and customer satisfaction.
The Lego Group's diverse product portfolio, including television, video games, and motion pictures, strengthens its market position and appeals to a broad audience By combining entertainment with educational value, such as kids playing and learning through play, the company promotes engaging, innovative experiences These strategic advantages enable Lego to effectively compete with other leading toy industry companies.
WEAKNESSES
The Lego Group's main challenge lies in the simplicity of its product designs, which are easily imitated by competitors Many companies in the industry offer similar products and services, making it difficult for Lego to fully differentiate its brand from rivals This lack of uniqueness hampers Lego's ability to establish a distinct market position and maintain a competitive edge in the industry.
The Lego Group faces significant challenges in differentiating itself within the competitive toy market, as its brand identity risks fading amid rapid industry growth The abundance of low-cost alternatives threatens to erode its market share, given that Lego's products are perceived as expensive Additionally, the company's narrow focus on a single product category limits its potential for diversification and growth, impacting its long-term competitive edge.
OPPORTUNITIES
To target new market demographics effectively, The Lego Group must develop additional branding initiatives and activities This strategic expansion will help the company extend its product presence to emerging nations worldwide, broadening its global reach and enhancing brand visibility.
Organizations can enhance their learning and development by leveraging the latest technology, which also increases their awareness of ongoing industry trends and innovations Implementing cutting-edge tools fosters continuous improvement and keeps the business competitive in a rapidly evolving sector Staying updated with sector developments ensures organizations remain agile and well-informed for strategic growth.
The Lego Group is considering relocating its production processes to a more cost-effective location, which could significantly reduce manufacturing expenses This strategic move not only offers immediate cost savings but also positions the company for long-term sector growth and increased competitiveness By optimizing production costs and expanding its operational footprint, Lego aims to strengthen its market presence and ensure sustainable business development.
Children's shifting entertainment preferences are significantly impacting the electronic industry To engage young audiences, brands could organize school-based gaming tournaments, which may reduce device switching and boost customer retention Implementing such initiatives can enhance brand loyalty among children and drive growth in the electronic market.
THREATS
The main challenge facing the Lego Group is that its product designs are easily imitated, as many competitors offer similar goods and services This high level of replication makes it difficult for Lego to differentiate its product lines and maintain a unique market position To stay competitive, the brand must focus on strengthening its brand value and innovation strategies amid a landscape of similar offerings.
Hasbro, the second-largest toy manufacturer globally, is preparing to enter the market with an innovative new product line called Kre-O This move positions Hasbro as a direct competitor in the building toys sector, challenging established brands like Lego The introduction of Kre-O reflects Hasbro’s strategic efforts to expand its product offerings and capitalize on the growing demand for creative construction toys.
Here is a diagram that illustrates the SWOT
Lego selected SAP Business Suite software to enhance their business operations, leveraging SAP AG's leading enterprise software solutions SAP, a renowned German company, offers a wide range of applications that support all essential company functions efficiently Specifically, Lego implemented SAP’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions to optimize and streamline their supply chain processes and product development lifecycle.
Management (PLM), and Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) modules The
The SCM module offers essential functionalities including supply chain monitoring, analysis, forecasting, planning, and inventory optimization to streamline operations Additionally, the PLM module empowers managers to enhance development processes and systems, ensuring efficient product lifecycle management and improved overall productivity.
ERP module includes, among other applications, the Human Capital
Management (HCM) application for personnel administration and development
SAP’s business suite is based on a flexible three-tier client-server architecture
•Move to the other place where is cheaper than
•Organize the game competitions in the school
•Product designs are simple to imitate
•The second-largest toy maker in the world, is getting ready to join the market
•Focus on the one product category in the past
OpportunitiesThreats that can easily be adapted to the new Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) available in the latest versions of the software
Lego has achieved significant success by implementing a well-crafted strategy that supports business innovation and sustainable growth Key elements of this strategy include selecting the right components, securing high-quality building blocks, and designing with long-term applications in mind Additionally, Lego focuses on assembling physical components efficiently, creating versatile templates, maintaining copies of finished models, and ensuring seamless integration with other parts Strategic planning for future models further secures Lego's competitive edge and continues to drive the company's current triumphs.
Our comprehensive support for business innovation leverages the SAP landscape to optimize finance, logistics, and sales operations Integrating SAP Product Lifecycle Management with SAP Warehouse Management exemplifies our long-term commitment to enhancing supply chain efficiency As Lego expands into new regions and introduces its "cookbook" concept, we will incorporate SAP ERP Human Capital Management to effectively manage human resources This strategic, step-by-step expansion of the SAP ecosystem demonstrates how tailored SAP solutions empower Lego to focus on core innovation and maintain industry excellence.
Selecting the right components is essential, and SAP software offers the optimal balance between traditional procedures and adaptability to the dynamic needs of the toy industry SAP supports all core business functions, including finance, logistics, and sales, ensuring seamless integration Long-term plans include integrating SAP Product Lifecycle Management with SAP Warehouse Management to enhance operational efficiency As the business expands into new regions, SAP ERP Human Capital Management will be added to the system, supporting growth and workforce management with tailored solutions.
Lego's global expansion and success are largely supported by its strategic use of SAP applications, which streamline essential business processes Key areas such as product lifecycle management and warehouse management demonstrate how SAP solutions are critical to Lego’s operations By integrating SAP's robust application suite, Lego enhances product development, inventory efficiency, and supply chain management, ensuring they meet their core business requirements effectively This dedication to SAP technology underpins Lego’s ability to innovate and maintain a competitive edge in the global market.
Lifecycle Management solutions in finance and production facilitate comprehensive insight into how product development decisions impact costs and manufacturing, enabling businesses to understand the true financial and operational effects These tools empower companies to respond swiftly and effectively to market fluctuations and opportunities by making informed decisions early in the process Implementing effective lifecycle management enhances agility, reduces costs, and optimizes overall business performance.
Lego's long-term success in design relies on essential elements such as superior product lifecycle management, enabling the rapid introduction of innovative products, and continuous logistics operations that oversee global manufacturing and distribution Effective financial management and analysis are vital for maintaining business performance, while efficient human procedures support Lego's diverse and international workforce The company's ability to respond swiftly to market opportunities has been enhanced by integrated SAP applications on the IBM Power platform, streamlining processes across all departments—from staff management and production systems to product design and sales.
Assembling physical components abroad enables scalable operations that start small and expand quickly, making it essential to choose flexible platforms capable of handling increasing workloads Lego leverages its dual-system architecture to maximize capacity and efficiency Planned service reductions automatically reallocate resources needed for development, testing, simulation, and integration environments to production systems when a data center goes offline Additionally, IBM Enhanced Technical Support assigns dedicated experts to each hardware and software platform, along with a knowledgeable platform and product account advocate familiar with Lego's installation, ensuring seamless support and operational resilience.
Lego enhances its supply chain efficiency by dividing its total compute capability based on workload demands and utilizing SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) During weekends, when main systems are typically unavailable, Lego assigns spare computing capacity to APO, ensuring rapid and successful processing with enough time for reruns if needed This strategic allocation improves overall system performance and maintains seamless supply chain operations.
Lego manufactures approximately 19 billion components annually across locations in Denmark, Eastern Europe, and Mexico, with key inventory stored in centralized high-bay warehouses To support business expansion, it is essential that their warehouse solution be reliable and easily replicable in new sites Since these warehouses operate on proprietary systems, Lego cannot rely on vendor assistance and instead aims to develop a standardized template based on SAP Warehouse Management This approach enables rapid deployment of new warehouses, reducing business risks and ensuring consistent operational processes Additionally, using a uniform SAP-based template grants access to SAP’s extensive support and development resources, facilitating seamless growth and scalability across international locations.
Lego has consolidated its data storage by utilizing IBM System Storage DS8700 systems, each with 1.5TB of production data and deployed in multiple data centers for redundancy The company ensures full access to all corporate data by storing desktop application data on these systems To streamline its information infrastructure management, Lego uses IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop for comprehensive network and system health monitoring, application performance visualization, and infrastructure control These Tivoli solutions help standardize administration across Lego’s globally diverse environment, reducing infrastructure management costs and enhancing operational efficiency.
IBM Tivoli Composite Application Manager (ITCAM) for Applications provides an integrated, user-friendly interface for connecting and managing various application components It enables seamless tracking, visualization, analysis, and control of SAP applications across the entire enterprise, facilitating comprehensive application landscape oversight This technology also allows external applications to easily integrate with SAP systems, granting Lego complete access and streamlined management of their application environment Additionally, IBM Tivoli Network Manager enhances network efficiency by optimizing asset utilization, ultimately reducing operational costs.
BUILD AND DEVELOPMENT
RECORD A MACRO WITH A BUTTON
1 Click View > Macros > Record Macro
2 Type a name for the macro
3 To use this macro in any new documents you make, be sure the Store macro in box says All Documents (Normal.dotm)
4 To run your macro when you click a button, click Button
5 Click the new macro (it’s named something like Normal.NewMacros.), and click Add
7 Choose a button image, type the name you want, and click OK twice
8 Now it’s time to record the steps Click the commands or press the keys for each step in the task Word records your clicks and keystrokes
Note: Use the keyboard to select text while you’re recording your macro Macros don’t record selections made with a mouse
9 To stop recording, click View > Macros > Stop Recording
The button for your macro appears on the Quick Access Toolbar
To run the macro, click the button.
RECORD A MACRO WITH A KEYBOARD SHORTCUT
1 Click View > Macros > Record Macro
2 Type a name for the macro
3 To use this macro in any new documents you make, be sure the Store macro in box says All Documents (Normal.dotm)
4 To run your macro when you press a keyboard shortcut, click Keyboard
5 Type a combination of keys in the Press new shortcut key box
6 Check to see whether that combination’s already assigned to something else If it's already assigned, try a different combination
7 To use this keyboard shortcut in any new documents you make, be sure the Save changes in box says Normal.dotm
9 Now it’s time to record the steps Click the commands or press the keys for each step in the task Word records your clicks and keystrokes
Note: Use the keyboard to select text while you’re recording your macro Macros don’t record selections made with a mouse
10 To stop recording, click View > Macros > Stop Recording.
APPLICATION
INTRODUCTION
Young Mix is innovative software designed to facilitate the creation of diverse multiple-choice exam questions from a single original test set It enables educators to generate multiple versions of tests with different test codes, enhancing assessment security and variability The software offers three versatile modes: question permutation test, answer permutation test, and combined question and answer permutation test, allowing for tailored test generation to suit various testing needs By leveraging Young Mix, institutions can efficiently produce multiple exam copies while maintaining question integrity and improving exam security.
Young Mix Online quickly and accurately mixes multiple-choice questions in just 3 seconds for 24 codes, or only 1 second if considering 4 codes This innovative tool transforms original exam questions, which may be unorganized or poorly formatted, into well-aligned, visually appealing, and information-rich formats Enhance your exam preparation by using Young Mix Online to efficiently organize and beautify your test questions with unmatched speed and precision.
Young Mix provides an Excel file containing the correct answers for each code, which can be easily imported into the QM multiple-choice marking app on your phone for efficient grading Additionally, the original exam questions have been refined to ensure they are more standardized and visually appealing, enhancing the overall quality of the exam materials.
WHY WE CHOOSE YOUNGMIX?
Since 2017, the widespread use of multiple-choice tests has led to increased instances of answer copying, prompting teachers to randomize exam questions by combining different exam codes Manual mixing is time-consuming and labor-intensive, while computer-based mixing can strain low-performance devices To address these challenges, teachers seek efficient, accurate, user-friendly, and free software solutions for shuffling and mixing multiple-choice questions across various subjects Consequently, specialized software like YoungMix has emerged as the most popular and widely used online tool, fulfilling teachers’ needs for quick and reliable exam randomization.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF YOUNGMIX
Using Young Mix online quizzes software brings a lot of benefits, including:
Themes with many different bridges
Young Mix allows the creation of versatile exams featuring 100% multiple-choice questions or a combination of multiple-choice and essay questions It enables grouping questions together, such as matching group questions, and organizing these groups in a specific sequence to craft comprehensive assessments This flexible platform streamlines the exam design process while enhancing the variety and structure of your tests.
In addition, Young Mix can also combine the following styles:
_ Or change both the question and the answer in each question
_ Or just replace the questions without replacing the answers in the question _ Or the answer only replaces in the question, not the question
From there, it can meet all the user's exams
Young Mix provides an Excel file with correct answers for each question, which can be quickly imported into the QM multiple-choice test app on your phone for efficient grading The platform also offers exam questions and question banks compatible with Word, with the original question files reformatted to enhance standardization and visual appeal.
Easy to use and no installation required
Young Mix offers an easy-to-use, hassle-free solution for exam mixing without the need for learning complex software or installing multiple applications Available for free at youngmix.vn, this tool is developed by ChamThi, the provider of the renowned QM exam marking app for mobile devices Users simply visit youngmix.vn, upload their Word files, input the number of exams to be mixed, and download the results instantly.
Any computer can use this software to mix multiple choice questions
Young Mix is compatible with all types of computers and devices, including Dell, Asus, desktops, MacBooks, iPads, Surface tablets, and smartphones like iPhone, Samsung, and Oppo It does not require any resources from the user's machine, ensuring smooth operation even on low-spec computers or devices This universal compatibility and lightweight design make Young Mix accessible and efficient for all users.
Young Mix is versatile software designed to generate randomized multiple-choice questions across a wide range of subjects, including English, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Citizenship Education, and Informatics It is widely used by educators at all levels—from primary and secondary schools to high schools and universities—to efficiently create diverse and secure test questions suitable for different academic standards.
• Young Mix can only mix up to 24 codes Teachers can only mix multiple codes from the one original exam
• The original exam needs to be standardized according to youngmix's regulations to mix the correct exam
Once the original exam has been uploaded to the software, it cannot be edited To make any changes, you must re-upload the exam to update or modify it, ensuring the latest version is used for assessments.
RIVALS
Several software options are now available to assist users in mixing exams, each offering unique advantages and disadvantages Besides YoungMix, other tools provide various features tailored to different user needs A detailed comparison of these software solutions is presented in the table below, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help users make informed choices.
• Decentralize and manage the exam library, assign permissions for members to take the test
• The feature of creating self-practice and self-scoring test questions
• In the mixed exam questions, users can insert images, audio files, and video illustrations
• Support to configure the score scale for exam questions and time
• Teachers, users can review exam history and students' work
• Each set of quizzes created shows random questions and answers based on the original question
• Only free for the trial version, if you want to upgrade, you need to pay for each package that suits your needs
• Complicated account registration is required
• The test will be randomized both the question and the answers based on the original set extremely quickly
• Questions will not be limited in number
• After mixing the test questions, the software allows to export raw data to computer memory Here, the user can enter data by editing the XML data file
There is no online version, users have to download the software to their computer
• It is completely free to use and is not limited to the time of use or the number of exam questions and the number of questions and exam subjects
Easily import your exam questions into the software by uploading an entire Word document or adding questions individually The platform allows for quick and seamless swapping of questions and answers, ensuring efficient exam creation and editing.
• Manage database of all exams, subjects and exam questions to access data if needed at any time
• Providing full Vietnamese fonts (Unicode, ABC, VNI, ), the outstanding point is that it supports Russian, French, Chinese,
• Preserve the format of the original exam with all text formats, formulas, images,
Users can customize headers, footers, templates, and the overall program to organize exam questions in a logical and visually appealing manner This ensures that after permuting questions and answers, the exam remains functional and requires no additional modifications, providing a seamless and professional assessment experience.
There is no online version, users have to download the software to their computer
• Unlimited number of permutation questions can be created, automatically generating smart permutation codes
• Import/Export answers for automatic or manual grading
• Import/Export original exam questions for users to exchange exam questions with each other in the community to use
• Unlimited number of exam questions and questions
• Print the answers for the TestPro Engine exam marking machine software
• Link to test module TestOnline
• Users can compose exam questions from Microsoft Word but must be from the 2003 version or later
• When installing software on your computer, your computer needs hardware from Pentium II and RAM 128 or higher
• The capacity is quite light, with 100MB of free memory usable
• Smart Test has a software interface similar to MS Word 2013 and MS Word
2016, so creating code in Word format is quite convenient for teachers and students
• Support management function and ensure data security for safe users
• After creating the codes, the software will secure the questions through login authentication to avoid theft or backup
• Question data recovery feature if the user accidentally deletes the file
There is no online version, users have to download the software to their computer
• Allows users to create questions for the exam through audio recording, through images directly from the computer camera
• The bank of multiple-choice questions is diverse and quite rich
• Users can use different types of related questions to create for multiple choice
There is no online version, users have to download the software to their computer
• Allows users to create different multiple choice questions from the available question bank
• The program mixes multiple-choice questions for all subjects
There is no online version, fully integrated in the MS Word editing environment
Young Mix Online offers an easy-to-use and fast software solution for creating multiple-choice exams today Users can effortlessly mix exams online without the need to download any software to their computers Completely free to use, Young Mix does not require users to log in or register an account before creating exams Its simple, user-friendly interface ensures a convenient experience, making it ideal for newcomers and experienced users alike.
The rising demand for exam mixing tools has led to the development of specialized software designed to assist teachers Choosing the right software depends on specific user needs, ensuring effective exam management Among these options, the Young Mix application stands out by thoroughly addressing user requirements for seamless and efficient exam mixing.
YOUNG MIX SOFTWARE USER MANUAL
• The question must begin with the word “sentence” For example: Sentence 1, Sentence 2, etc (Or the word “Question”, for example Question 1, Question 2,…)
• a newline (type Enter) before typing the answers
• Compulsory answers must begin with the words “A”, “ B ”, “ C ”, “ D ”
If you need to fix any answer, put a # in front of it Example: #A
• Each answer should be on one line (Optional, but identification will be more accurate)
• The correct answer must be highlighted in red (A or #A) or underline (A or #A )
Ensure that questions and answers accompanied by images are embedded inline with text to maintain layout stability, preventing images from shifting during future permutations and preserving a coherent, user-friendly presentation.
In addition, YoungMix also supports mixing exams according to question groups, according to the mixing option by adding the next 1 line above each group of characters below:
The group of bald sentences does not need to be mixed (Examples usually apply to the Listening test of English subject, )
Question group just transpose the questions
The group of bald sentences just need to transpose the answers
The question group needs to permute both the questions and the answers
This is an example original exam that has been prepared according to the standard
Figure 2 - Example of original exam questions
Step 2 Visit the link below, click Choose file and start uploading your prepared test file
• Young Mix – Mixing multiple choice questions online
In Step 3, the exam mixing interface allows you to customize various parameters, including the number of exams, sorting short answers, selecting English exams, and unifying font styles To generate your customized exam, simply click the "Mix Theme" button and get started.
Step 4 Upon completion, you will receive a multiple-choice test file with the following files:
• Excel file with the correct answer for each question This Excel file can be quickly imported into the QM multiple-choice marking app on your phone for later marking
• The original title file has been reformatted to make it more standard and beautiful
• New sets of multiple-choice questions for each code
• QR Code to answer QM app
Figure 5 - Files after mixing exam questions
Excel file with answers to all exam codes
Figure 6 - Excel file containing answers
To generate a QR Code containing answers from an Excel file, access the QRCode_dapan file within the test set folder Navigate to the "Create QR Code" option, then select your Excel answer file The system will then generate a QR Code that encodes the answers, providing an efficient way to distribute and access exam responses digitally.