D. N. Prabhakar Murthy

This introductory textbook links theory with practice using real illustrative cases involving products, plants and infrastructures and exposes the student to the evolutionary trends in maintenance. Provides an interdisciplinary approach which links, engineering, science, technology, mathematical modelling, data collection and analysis, economics and managementBlends theory with practice illustrated through examples relating to products, plants and infrastructuresFocuses on concepts, tools and techniquesIdentifies the special management requirements of various engineered objects (products, plants, and infrastructures)

Serving to unify the existing literature on extended warranties, maintenance service contracts and lease contracts, this book also presents a unique perspective on the topic focussed on cost analysis and decision-making from the perspectives of the parties involved. Using a game theoretic approach together with mathematical modelling, results are presented in an integrated manner with key topics that require further research highlighted in order to serve as a starting point for researchers (engineers and statisticians) who are interested in doing further work in these areas. Designed to assist practitioners (managers, engineers, applied statisticians) who are involved with extended warranties, maintenance service contracts and lease contracts, the book provides them with the models and techniques needed for proper cost analysis and effective decision-making, The book is also suitable for use as a reference text in industrial engineering, applied statistics, operations research and management.

Cut warranty costs by reducing fraud with transparent processes and balanced control Warranty Fraud Management provides a clear, practical framework for reducing fraudulent warranty claims and other excess costs in warranty and service operations. Packed with actionable guidelines and detailed information, this book lays out a system of efficient warranty management that can reduce costs without upsetting the customer relationship. You'll dig into the whole spectrum of warranty fraud, from simple sloppy procedures to systematic organized crime, and get to know the fraudulent parties, the victims, as well as the objectives and methods of the fraudulent activities in different scenarios. You'll learn how to implement controls to detect and reduce fraudulent claims and decrease the overall warranty costs. The impact of fraudulent claims is plainly spelled out alongside detailed descriptions of typical symptoms and process gaps present in diverse companies. A comprehensive, multi-modal framework for robust warranty management is presented as a template for revamping your own company's strategy. Fraudulent warranty claims occupy an estimated 3-15 percent of the average company's warranty costs, which generally average between 1-4 percent of sales. Many companies are unaware of the issue or struggle to take action against the claims for fear of upsetting business partners, or because they lack tangible evidence. This book details a robust warranty control framework that institutes transparency and control over the whole warranty chain—supporting the process far beyond just fraud reduction. Understand the different actors (customers, sales channels, service agents, warranty providers, etc.) and different forms of warranty fraudUncover issues in your company's warranty processesLearn methods to detect and prevent fraudulent activitiesImplement a robust system of warranty cost control Warranty fraud is a major cost-control issue for most companies, but the sensitive nature of the topic leaves most reluctant to share their experiences and divulge their strategies. Warranty Fraud Management brings warranty fraud out into the open, and provides a clear, actionable framework for cost-savings through fraud reduction.

Serving to unify the existing literature on extended warranties, maintenance service contracts and lease contracts, this book also presents a unique perspective on the topic focussed on cost analysis and decision-making from the perspectives of the parties involved. Using a game theoretic approach together with mathematical modelling, results are presented in an integrated manner with key topics that require further research highlighted in order to serve as a starting point for researchers (engineers and statisticians) who are interested in doing further work in these areas. Designed to assist practitioners (managers, engineers, applied statisticians) who are involved with extended warranties, maintenance service contracts and lease contracts, the book provides them with the models and techniques needed for proper cost analysis and effective decision-making, The book is also suitable for use as a reference text in industrial engineering, applied statistics, operations research and management.

Warranty Data Collection and Analysis deals with warranty data collection and analysis and the problems associated with these activities. The book is a both a research monograph and a handbook for practitioners. As a research monograph, it unifies the literature on warranty data collection and analysis, and presents the important results in an integrated manner. In the process, it highlights topics that require further research. As a handbook, it provides the essential methodology needed by practitioners involved with warranty data collection and analysis, along with extensive references to further results. Models and techniques needed for proper and effective analysis of data are included, together with guidelines for their use in warranty management, product improvement, and new product development. Warranty Data Collection and Analysis will be of interest to researchers (engineers and statisticians) and practitioners (engineers, applied statisticians, and managers) involved with product warranty and reliability. It is also suitable for use as a reference text for graduate-level reliability programs in engineering, applied statistics, operations research, and management.

Warranty Data Collection and Analysis deals with warranty data collection and analysis and the problems associated with these activities. The book is a both a research monograph and a handbook for practitioners. As a research monograph, it unifies the literature on warranty data collection and analysis, and presents the important results in an integrated manner. In the process, it highlights topics that require further research. As a handbook, it provides the essential methodology needed by practitioners involved with warranty data collection and analysis, along with extensive references to further results. Models and techniques needed for proper and effective analysis of data are included, together with guidelines for their use in warranty management, product improvement, and new product development. Warranty Data Collection and Analysis will be of interest to researchers (engineers and statisticians) and practitioners (engineers, applied statisticians, and managers) involved with product warranty and reliability. It is also suitable for use as a reference text for graduate-level reliability programs in engineering, applied statistics, operations research, and management.

Purchasers of manufactured goods need assurance that they will perform well over their expected life. Warranties play a vital role in this. With proper management, warranty terms provide a promise of protection in case of product failure, while warranty service can assure customer satisfaction in the event of a claim. The authors have developed "Stage-3" warranty management, viewing warranties from a strategic perspective, starting with a strategy linked to technical and commercial planning from the start of product development. Warranty management aims to achieve business objectives by focusing on product performance assurance and customer satisfaction, the goal of warranty management; guidelines are provided for achieving this goal. Written by leading experts, this book details current thinking in product manufacture. It will be a valuable guide for managers in product development, production and marketing as well as graduate students in business and operations management and industrial engineering.

Currently, reliability issues are not addressed effectively in new product development. Product reliability depends on the technical decisions made in the early stages and the impact of commercial outcomes in the latter stages. With an effective methodology for reliability performance and specification, one can make better decisions. Product Reliability develops a framework linking reliability specifications and product performance in new product development by: (1) considering how customer needs and business aims can be translated into product development so that desired performance is met/exceeded; (2) discussing the data requirements, tools and techniques needed to build models vital to decision-making; (3) providing an approach applicable to many products. This book is suitable for managers and engineers involved in new product design. It can be used as a text for graduate courses on design, manufacturing, new product development and operations management and in various engineering disciplines.

Currently, reliability issues are not addressed effectively in new product development. Product reliability depends on the technical decisions made in the early stages and the impact of commercial outcomes in the latter stages. With an effective methodology for reliability performance and specification, one can make better decisions. Product Reliability develops a framework linking reliability specifications and product performance in new product development by: (1) considering how customer needs and business aims can be translated into product development so that desired performance is met/exceeded; (2) discussing the data requirements, tools and techniques needed to build models vital to decision-making; (3) providing an approach applicable to many products. This book is suitable for managers and engineers involved in new product design. It can be used as a text for graduate courses on design, manufacturing, new product development and operations management and in various engineering disciplines.

Purchasers of manufactured goods need assurance that they will perform well over their expected life. Warranties play a vital role in this. With proper management, warranty terms provide a promise of protection in case of product failure, while warranty service can assure customer satisfaction in the event of a claim. The authors have developed "Stage-3" warranty management, viewing warranties from a strategic perspective, starting with a strategy linked to technical and commercial planning from the start of product development. Warranty management aims to achieve business objectives by focusing on product performance assurance and customer satisfaction, the goal of warranty management; guidelines are provided for achieving this goal. Written by leading experts, this book details current thinking in product manufacture. It will be a valuable guide for managers in product development, production and marketing as well as graduate students in business and operations management and industrial engineering.

A comprehensive perspective on Weibull models The literature on Weibull models is vast, disjointed, and scattered across many different journals. Weibull Models is a comprehensive guide that integrates all the different facets of Weibull models in a single volume. This book will be of great help to practitioners in reliability and other disciplines in the context of modeling data sets using Weibull models. For researchers interested in these modeling techniques, exercises at the end of each chapter define potential topics for future research. Organized into seven distinct parts, Weibull Models: *Covers model analysis, parameter estimation, model validation, and application *Serves as both a handbook and a research monograph. As a handbook, it classifies the different models and presents their properties. As a research monograph, it unifies the literature and presents the results in an integrated manner *Intertwines theory and application *Focuses on model identification prior to model parameter estimation *Discusses the usefulness of the Weibull Probability plot (WPP) in the model selection to model a given data set *Highlights the use of Weibull models in reliability theory Filled with in-depth analysis, Weibull Models pulls together the most relevant information on this topic to give everyone from reliability engineers to applied statisticians involved with reliability and survival analysis a clear look at what Weibull models can offer.

Bringing together business and engineering to reliability analysis With manufactured products exploding in numbers and complexity, reliability studies play an increasingly critical role throughout a product’s entire life cycle—from design to post-sale support. Reliability: Modeling, Prediction, and Optimization presents a remarkably broad framework for the analysis of the technical and commercial aspects of product reliability, integrating concepts and methodologies from such diverse areas as engineering, materials science, statistics, probability, operations research, and management. Written in plain language by two highly respected experts in the field, this practical work provides engineers, operations managers, and applied statisticians with both qualitative and quantitative tools for solving a variety of complex, real-world reliability problems. A wealth of examples and case studies accompanies:*Comprehensive coverage of assessment, prediction, and improvement at each stage of a product’s life cycle*Clear explanations of modeling and analysis for hardware ranging from a single part to whole systems*Thorough coverage of test design and statistical analysis of reliability data*A special chapter on software reliability*Coverage of effective management of reliability, product support, testing, pricing, and related topics*Lists of sources for technical information, data, and computer programs*Hundreds of graphs, charts, and tables, as well as over 500 references