Wikis

Web-based services, such as those found in Wikipedia, are wikis. Wikis are systems for collaborative publishing that allow many authors to contribute to an online document or discussion.

Will Call

The practice of taking orders that will be picked up at the selling facility by the buyer is known as 'customer pickup'. It refers to an area where buyers can pick up their orders directly from the selling facility. This practice is widely used in the service parts business.

Windows Meta File (WMF)

A vector graphics format for Windows-compatible computers is mostly used for word processing clip art.

WIP

Parts and subassemblies are in the process of becoming completed finished goods. Work in process generally includes all of the materials, labor, and overhead charged against a production order that has not been absorbed back into inventory through the receipt of completed products.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

A complete line-by-line breakdown of the products, services, and activities that will be required to fulfill a contractual obligation.

Work-in-Process (WIP)

Parts and subassemblies are in the process of becoming completed finished goods. Work in process generally includes all of the materials, labor, and overhead charged against a production order that has not been absorbed back into inventory through the receipt of completed products.

Work Sequence

The defined steps and activities that must be performed in order for the work to be accomplished.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

An organization established on January 1, 1995, replacing the previous General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), that forms the cornerstone of the world trading system.

World Wide Web (WWW)

A 'multimedia hyperlinked database that spans the globe' and allows you to browse through lots of interesting information. Unlike earlier internet services, the 'Web' combines text, pictures, sounds, and even animations, and it allows you to move around with a click of your computer mouse.

WYSIWYG

An editing interface in which a file is displayed as it will appear to an end user.

X12

The ANSI standard for inter-industry electronic interchange of business transactions is as follows:

XML

Extensible Markup Language

Yard Management System (YMS)

A system is designed to facilitate and organize the coming, going, and staging of trucks and trucks with trailers in the parking 'yard' that serves a warehouse, distribution, or manufacturing facility.

Yield

The ratio of usable output from a process to its input.

Yokoten

A term Toyota adopted to capture the idea of horizontal transfer of information and knowledge across an organization, Yokoten is a two-way street requiring proactive effort from both those acquiring and developing the knowledge, and those who could benefit from a greater understanding of the requirements for success.

Zero Inventory

A Just-In-Time inventory control term, where emphasis is placed on reducing inventory to minimal levels to reduce costs and promote organizational effectiveness.

Zone Jumping

For shipments via the US Postal Service, depositing mail at a facility one or more zones closer to the destination is an option. This option would benefit customers operating in close proximity to a zone border or shipping sufficient volumes to offset additional transportation costs. It can also be used with UPS/FedEx, but these companies tend to work with carriers to do a truckload shipment into a zone and use UPS to do the last mile delivery, reducing lead time and cost.

Zone of rate flexibility

Railroads are permitted to raise rates by a percentage increase in the railroad cost index determined by the ICC. Rates may be raised by 6% per year through 1984 and 4% thereafter.

Zone of Rate Freedom

Motor carriers are permitted to raise or lower rates by 10% in one year without ICC interference. If the rate change is within the zone of freedom, the rate is presumed to be reasonable.

Zone of Reasonableness

A zone or limit within which air carriers are permitted to change rates without regulatory scrutiny: if the rate change is within the zone, the new rate is presumed to be reasonable.

Zone Picking

A method of picking orders where a warehouse is divided into several pick zones, with order pickers assigned to a specific zone and only picking the items in that zone. Orders are moved from one zone to the next (usually on conveyor systems) as they are picked (also known as 'pick-and-pass').

Zone Price

The constant price of a product at all geographic locations within the zone.

Zone Skipping

For shipments via the US Postal Service, depositing mail at a facility one or more zones closer to the destination is an option. This option would benefit customers operating in close proximity to a zone border or shipping sufficient volumes to offset additional transportation costs. It can also be used with UPS/FedEx, but these companies tend to work with carriers to do a truckload shipment into a zone and use UPS to do the last mile delivery, reducing lead time and cost.