Data Compression Essays - Archive Formats, Data Compression

Data Compression Essays - Archive Formats, Data Compression Data Compression subject = Information Theory title = Data Compression Data Compression- in beginners terms Data Compression just sounds complicated. Dont be afraid, compression is our good friend for many reasons. It saves hard drive space. It makes data files to handle. It also cuts those immense file download times from the Internet. Wouldnt it be nice if we could compress all files down to just a few bytes? There is a limit to how much you can compress a file. How random the file is, is the determining factor to how far it can be compressed. If the file is completely random and no pattern can be found, then the shortest representation of the file is the file it self. The actual proof that proves this is at the end of my paper. The key to compressing a file is to find some sort of exploitable pattern. Most of this paper will be explaining those patterns that are commonly used. Null suppression is the most primitive form of data compression that I could find. Basically, it says that if you have different fields that data is in (possibly a spread sheet), and any of them have only zeros in them, then the program just eliminates the data and goes straight from the empty data set to the next. Only one step up from null suppression is Run Length Encoding. Run length encoding simply tells you how many of what you have in a row. It would change a set of binary data like 0011100001} into what the computer reads as (2)zeros, (3)ones, (4)zeros, 1. As you can see, it works on the same basic idea of finding a series of 0s (null suppression) and 1s in this case too and abbreviating them. Once the whole idea of data compression caught on, more people started working on programs for it. From these people we got some new premises to work with. Substitutional encoding is a big one. It was invented jointly by two people: Abraham Lempel and Jakob Ziv. Most compression algorithms (big word meaning roughly program) using substitutional encoding start with LZ for Lempel-Ziv. LZ-77 is a really neat compression in which the program starts off just copying the source file over to the new target file, but when it recognizes a phrase of data that it has previously written, it replaces the second set of data in the target file with directions on how to get to the first occurrence of it and copy it in the directions place. This is more commonly called a sliding-window compression because the focus of the program is always sliding all around the file. LZ-78 is the compression that most people have in their homes. Some of the more common ones are ZIP, LHA, ARJ, ZOO, and GZIP. The main idea behind LZ-78 is a dictionary. Yet it works quite a bit like the LZ-77. For every phrase it comes across, it indexes the string by a number and writes it in a dictionary. When the program comes across the same string, it uses the associated number in the dictionary instead of the string. The dictionary is then written along side the compressed file to be used in decoding. There is a combined version of LZ-77 an LZ-78. It is called LZFG. It only writes to the dictionary when it finds the repeated phrase, not on every phrase. Then instead of LZFG replacing the second set of data with directions on how to get to the first occurrence of it, the program puts in the number reference for the dictionarys translation. Not only is it faster, but it compresses better because of the fact that it doesnt have as big of a dictionary attached. Statistical encoding is another one of the new compression concepts. It is an offshoot of the LZ family of compressors; It uses basically the same style as LZFG, but instead of assigning the numbers in order that the strings come out of the source file, statistical compressors do some research. It calculates the number of times each string is used and then ranks the string with the most number of uses at the top of the hash table. The string with the least is ranked at the bottom. (A hash table is where the rank is figured) The higher up a string is on this list, the smaller of a reference number it gets to minimize the total bit usage. This gives this compression just a slight edge on the others, but every little bit helps. (ha ha -bit- ) Beware! There are a

How to Get Your GED Online The 4 Best Courses

How to Get Your GED Online The 4 Best Courses SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips No high school diploma? Then you might be thinking about taking the GED test. Can you take the GED online? What about online GED courses? In this guide, we’ll discuss what the overall GED process entails and why you can’t actually take the GED online (even though it would definitely be more convenient!). We’ll also give you our top picks for the best online GED classes. What Is the GED Process? Overview The GED (short for General Educational Development) test is a group of four subject tests that, when passed, certify that one has achieved the US and Canadian high school educational standards. The four GED subjects are as follows: Language Arts Social Studies Science Math As an alternative to a high school diploma, the GED targets those who did not finish high school and who are older than 16. It tests the same essential skills students learn in high school. So what exactly is the process for taking the GED? Here’s an overview of the steps: Check your eligibility: As stated above, in order to take the GED, you must be at least 16 years old and not currently enrolled in high school. Some states have requirements in terms of how long you must have been out of high school, so be sure tocheck your state's policies on this before you decide to take the GED. Register for the GED: You mustmake an account on the official GED website to be able to register for the test. Note that you can take up just one of the tests or all four at once. Each subject test costs about $30 (this price can vary slightly depending on the state). Prep for the GED:Though studying isn’t required, it’s certainly encouraged, especially if you haven’t taken a high school class in a long time or are rusty with a particular subject. We’ll talk more about what you can use for your GED prep shortly. Take the GED test: The final step is to go to your testing center and take the GED! This is just a brief outline of what you can expect when starting the GED process. But can you take the GED online? Can You Take the GED Test Online? The short answer is no, you cannot take the GED online. Similar to many standardized tests, includingthe GRE, the GED can only be taken in person at an authorized GED test center. Although the GED is administered on a computer, you can’t take the test at home or online from anywhere other than an authorized test center. You can search for nearby test centers using the GED website test center search tool. Unfortunately, this hasn’t stopped websites from claiming to offer real GED diplomas and certificates online. Any website you come across that insists you can earn a GED online or take the GED test online is simply a scammer trying to steal your money. Don't be fooled! All they are actually offering arefake GED diplomas and certificates that are not accredited or recognized in the US or Canada. Even the official GED website has a page warning against these GED online scams: "If the state isn’t awarding you the GEDÂ ® credential or you are taking the exam online or at home, you’re paying for something other than the GEDÂ ® test. Don’t assume a website is stating the truth when it says 'accredited.' They’ll say anything to take your money! To find out if a high school or online program is recognized or accredited by your state, please contact your state's Department of Education." So what can you do online with the GED? Though you can’t take the test on your own computer, you can prep for it using online resources and classes.Read on to learn more! The 4 Best Resources for Online GED Classes and Prep You can’t take the GED test online, but there are many (legitimate!) online GED classes you can take that are guaranteed to help you do your best on exam day. Here are some top resources you can use for online GED courses and prep. #1: Official GED Website By far the best resource you can use for GED prep is the official GED website. The GED Testing Service not only has a tool to help you find in-person prep courses near you, but also offersan array of high-quality, live online GED classes. Course materials can be accessed anytime and anywhere from your computer, cell phone, or tablet. Each live class lasts 60-90 minutes and is taught by an expert Kaplan instructor. This video shows you how these official online GED courses work: The cost is $129 for 90-day access to all four subjects.Alternatively, you can get45-day access to one subject for $59 (Language Arts or Math only). If you don’t want to pay a lot for a class, the GED Testing Service offers practice tests and practice question flashcards for $6-$15 per subject. #2: Kaplan Kaplan is already a pretty famous test-prep company, but it shines extra brightly when it comes to its offerings of GED prep materials. In addition to the live online GED classes Kaplan does in conjunction with the GED Testing Service, the company offers a self-paced online GED class for $129. This three-month course is ideal for working adults and people with kids since you can study on your own time and at your own pace. With this course,you will get access to more than 150 instructional videos, hundreds of GED practice questions, a diagnostic test, and a final practice test. #3: UGO Prep If you're in a time crunch, UGO Prep offers a top-rated two-week GED online course. Online practice tests include real GED questions from previous exams and use an interface extremely similar to what you’ll see on test day. The course costs $69.99 for one-month access to the full study packagefor all four subjects. You can also buy add-on features,including math lecture videos ($9.99), audio lectures ($24.99), and flashcards ($14.99). If you’re not sure how long your GED prep might take you, you have the option to upgrade your package to lifetime access for $15 more- a pretty good value when you compare this price with those for the official online GED classes and Kaplan GED online course described above. #4: Union Test Prep If you’re searching forfree GED classes online, I recommend Union Test Prep. This company offers a broad array of free GED prep materials, from full practice tests to flashcards to study guides. Though these materials aren't a GED online course in the traditional sense, you can use them to structure your own GED review sessions, going over only what you need to know. With Union Test Prep, you’re getting a comprehensive overview of the different kinds of questions and topics you can expect on the GED for all subject areas. You’ll also learn about the GED format and question types. Key Takeaways:Getting Your GED Online The GED is a set of four subject tests that, when passed, earns you certification equivalent to a US or Canadian high school diploma. The test is exclusively administered at GED testing facilities, meaningyou cannot take the GED online. Any website or company that claims to offer the GED test or GED diplomas/certificates online is a scam and should not be trusted! Despite this risk, the internet isn't completely worthless when it comes to GED prep.You cantake online GED courses to help you prepare and review for the exam. The best online GED classes we recommend looking into are those by the GED Testing Service, Kaplan, and UGO Prep. If you'd rather save some money, try studying with thefree GED online study materials provided by Union Test Prep. What’s Next? What exactly is the GED? Learn everything there is to know about this high school equivalency test, including who takes it and whether you should, too! What is a high school equivalency diploma? Get the scoop on how these diplomas differ from your typical high school diploma. Not sure whether you need a high school diploma to do what you want in life? Then take a look at our comprehensive guide to how you can get a high school diploma, even if you're not in high school currently. Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Hannah Muniz About the Author Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. 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Country analysis ( Germany ) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Country analysis ( Germany ) - Research Paper Example In particular, Germany majors on manufacturing and processing of products, ranging from vehicles, machineries and even chemicals that are highly valued globally. Trade Exports accounted for about 52 percent of its GDP. European Union (EU) integration has facilitated intra-European trade accounting for about 69 percent of German exports shipped to European countries. In addition, it accounts for an estimated value of 58.2 percent delivered to member states of the EU. The report highlights Germanys largest trading partners based on the amount of revenue generated and the percentage they account for in trading with Germany. The report gives details about Germany’s Outward investments in the form of Foreign Direct Investments with a primary focus laid on net inflows and outflows. The report tabulates the statistics from 2004 to 2013 and shows how both have influenced the growth of Germany’s economy. Germany has a very stable economy based on the evidences the report offers. The country has continually relied on its well-established industrial base to fast track their exports being part of the Euro economic zone. The country’s currency is moderately valued on the global scale. Germany’s economic environment is promising in the long-term international trading activities’ perspective. The merits attribute to its high scores in economic liberty, diverse economic strategies, and government transparency. International Monetary Fund (IMF) has encouraged Germany to reduce on fiscal stance that may rather render the instability of the

Alexander The Great as a Military Leader Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Alexander The Great as a Military Leader - Essay Example He was trained in rhetoric, literature, philosophy, science and was groomed into a knowledgeable person. His sheer military genius was exhibited when he was merely 18 years of age, when he helped win the Battle of Chaeronea. This was just the beginning of a long innings. When Alexander was around twenty years of age, his father, King Philip II was assassinated. Following this tragic event, Alexander ascended the throne in 336 B.C. The situation in Macedonia was not really conducive, since he was surrounded by enemies and there was a threat of internal strife; while foreign relations were not good either, due to which there was the threat of rebellion. In this complex situation, Alexander took the reigns of his kingdom in this hands and took severe steps to do away with the rebellion. He ordered the execution of all those who were against him and quickly disposed the conspirators and rebels. The domestic enemies, were thus steered clear of. "He promptly took Thessaly and Thrace; he brutally razed Thebes except for its temples and the house of Pindar." 1 Carrying forward his father's mission, Alexander carried out an attack on the Thracians and also defeated the Illyrians with an iron hand. He also moved on the Thebes, which had revolted against him. He only spared the house of Pindar and the temple of Gods. He also sold the surviving inhabitants into slavery. Due to his power and valour, the other Greek states submitted meekly and Alexander became the conqueror of Greece. Thus, Alexander restored his dominant position in Greece. "He was elected by a congress of states at Corinth."2. Two years ago, after establishing a strong hold in Greece, Alexander decided to move towards Persia, in 334 B.C. He crossed the Hellespont and near the city of Troy, Alexander fought the Persians. The battle gave way to a massive victory for the Macedonians. Consequently, the res of the states in Asia Minor gave way and submitted to the great king. As the legend goes, it is said that "he cut the Gordian knot in Phyrgia (333), by which act he was destined to rule Asia."3 This knot, he is said to have broken with his sword. Alexander began to move towards the south and met the Persian army led by Darius III. This took place at Issus, in northeastern Syria. The battle was fought with a huge army from Darius' end. His army ended up losing the battle and Darius fled, leaving behind his family. However, his family was treated with respect by Alexander. The next expedition was at the Tyre, which was a seaport. The port was strongly fortified and offered strong opposition. However, Alexander defeated the port as well, in 332 B.C after seven months. He then moved on to Gaza and defeated them. "In the spring of 331 BC, Alexander made a pilgrimage to the great temple andoracle of Amon-Ra, whom

Mexican Drug Cartels Essay Example for Free

Mexican Drug Cartels Essay Several drug cartels are involved, such as: Sinaloa Cartel, Gulf Cartel, Juarez Cartel, Knights Templar Cartel, Tijuana Cartel, La Familia Cartel (disbanded), Los Zetas, Beltran-Leyva Cartel (disbanded), Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Independent Cartel of Acapulco, La Barredora. You could see them all as the bad guys. On the other team are the Mexican forces, consisting of the Army, Navy, Air force, the Federal police and other Mexican forces What are the sources of the conflict? What is it about? The main source of the conflict is power. All of the cartels wanted more power and money and they started fighting each other because of this. Another major cause of the conflict are the drug trafficking routes used by different cartels, the cartels want more power over each other’s routes. Relationships between/among conflicting parties? They were once all together in one massive cartel. But because of the decision of the leader of the cartel the ‘mother-cartel’ split up in many smaller cartels (See Dimension #1). What is the history of the conflict? The birth of all Mexican drug cartels is traced to former Mexican Judicial Federal Police agent Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo (The Godfather), who founded the Guadalajara Cartel in 1980 and controlled all illegal drug trade in Mexico and the trafficking corridors across the Mexico-USA border throughout the 1980s. He started off by smuggling marijuana and opium into the U. S. A. , and was the first Mexican drug chief to link up with Colombias cocaine cartels in the 1980s. Through his connections, Felix Gallardo became the point man for the Medellin cartel, which was run by Pablo Escobar. This was easily accomplished because Felix Gallardo had already established an infrastructure that stood ready to serve the Colombia-based traffickers. There were no cartels at that time in Mexico. Felix Gallardo was the lord of Mexican drug smugglers. He oversaw all operations; there was just him, his cronies, and the politicians who sold him protection. [59] However, the Guadalajara Cartel suffered a major blow in 1985 when the groups co-founder Rafael Caro Quintero was captured, and later convicted, for the murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena. 60][61] Felix Gallardo afterwards kept a low profile and in 1987 he moved with his family to Guadalajara. According to Peter Dale Scott, the Guadalajara Cartel prospered largely because it enjoyed the protection of the Direccion Federal de Seguridad (DFS), under its chief Miguel Nazar Haro, a CIA asset. The Godfather then decided to divide up the trade he controlled as it would be more efficient and less likely to be brought down in one law enforcement swoop. 63] In a way, he was privatizing the Mexican drug business while sending it back underground, to be run by bosses who were less well known or not yet known by the DEA. Gallardo convened the nations top drug traffickers at a house in the resort of Acapulco where he designated the plazas or territories. The process: how do we choose to deal with the conflict? We do not personally deal with this conflict. However, the US army helps the Mexican government at some points, since most of the drugs comes in via Mexico.

Comparing Jeffersonians and Hamiltonians :: Jefferson Hamilton American Constitution Essays

Comparing Jeffersonians and Hamiltonians The Washington administration was the first to bring together in the cabinet of the United States, the Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and the Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson and Hamilton began to take different views when the government began to address the issue of the old war debts and the worthless paper money left over from the days of the Confederation. Hamilton suggested that the government should create the Bank of the United States, which would be a public-private partnership with both government and private investors. The Bank of the United States was to handle the government’s banking needs. Jefferson protested because this was not allowed by the Constitution. Hamilton opposed the view of Jefferson and stated that the Constitution’s writers could not have predicted the need of a bank for the United States. Hamilton said that the right to create the Bank of the United States was stated in the â€Å"elastic† or the â€Å"necessary and proper† clause in which the Constitution gave the government the power to pass laws that were necessary for the welfare of the nation. â€Å" This began the argument between the â€Å"strict constructionists† (Jefferson) who believed in the strict interpretation of the Constitution by not going an inch beyond its clearly expressed provisions, and the â€Å"loose constructionists† (Hamilton) who wished to reason out all sorts of implications from what it said†. Hamilton and Jefferson began to disagree more and more. Hamilton wrote nasty anonymous articles in John Fenno’s Gazette of the United States and Jefferson responded to him in Philip Freneau’s National Gazette. Jefferson’s Notes of the State of Virginia in 1787 stated that rural life was beneficial to the government because cities and other areas of large population created poverty, disease, and corruption. Jefferson believed that the small farmers where the backbone of the United States. While in the Report on Manufactures of 1791,Hamilton stated that the government should be used to develop cities, industries, and trade Hamilton believed that â€Å"government's function is to maintain order in a potentially chaotic society. It needs to be remote and secure from the people's emotional uprisings†.Jefferson believed the government â€Å"needs to be limited in its powers and completely responsive to the needs and desires of the people†.Hamilton was strongest among merchants in the cities and throughout New England while Jefferson was strongest among artisans in the cities and throughout the South. Comparing Jeffersonians and Hamiltonians :: Jefferson Hamilton American Constitution Essays Comparing Jeffersonians and Hamiltonians The Washington administration was the first to bring together in the cabinet of the United States, the Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and the Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson and Hamilton began to take different views when the government began to address the issue of the old war debts and the worthless paper money left over from the days of the Confederation. Hamilton suggested that the government should create the Bank of the United States, which would be a public-private partnership with both government and private investors. The Bank of the United States was to handle the government’s banking needs. Jefferson protested because this was not allowed by the Constitution. Hamilton opposed the view of Jefferson and stated that the Constitution’s writers could not have predicted the need of a bank for the United States. Hamilton said that the right to create the Bank of the United States was stated in the â€Å"elastic† or the â€Å"necessary and proper† clause in which the Constitution gave the government the power to pass laws that were necessary for the welfare of the nation. â€Å" This began the argument between the â€Å"strict constructionists† (Jefferson) who believed in the strict interpretation of the Constitution by not going an inch beyond its clearly expressed provisions, and the â€Å"loose constructionists† (Hamilton) who wished to reason out all sorts of implications from what it said†. Hamilton and Jefferson began to disagree more and more. Hamilton wrote nasty anonymous articles in John Fenno’s Gazette of the United States and Jefferson responded to him in Philip Freneau’s National Gazette. Jefferson’s Notes of the State of Virginia in 1787 stated that rural life was beneficial to the government because cities and other areas of large population created poverty, disease, and corruption. Jefferson believed that the small farmers where the backbone of the United States. While in the Report on Manufactures of 1791,Hamilton stated that the government should be used to develop cities, industries, and trade Hamilton believed that â€Å"government's function is to maintain order in a potentially chaotic society. It needs to be remote and secure from the people's emotional uprisings†.Jefferson believed the government â€Å"needs to be limited in its powers and completely responsive to the needs and desires of the people†.Hamilton was strongest among merchants in the cities and throughout New England while Jefferson was strongest among artisans in the cities and throughout the South.

Polaroid Case Analysis

IIM Indore| Polaroid Corporation: European Distribution system| Logistics Management system| | Submitted to| Prof. S. Venkatramanaiah| | Group 2 | AludaiyaarasuAsvin VMohan M S Prabu PRajasekar VijayaraghavanSrinivasan DK. M. Venkatraj| Synopsis: Polaroid Corporation, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was a company marketed a wide variety of instant photographic products for consumers and industries. After the deregulation of US motor industry consolidation of the warehouses in US took place, which resulted in an improved service level and reduced costs.Overwhelmed by the consolidation results, the management wanted to consolidate the subsidiaries’ warehouses in the Europe to a direct distribution. There were around Twelve European subsidiaries each where headed by general manager. Of that France, Germany, Italy and United Kingdom together have accounted 70 – 80% of the sales. The Polaroid had three primary production areas in Vale of Leven, Scotland, Enschede, Netherlands and one in Cambridge itself. The site at Enschede also served as a central distribution site and export center known as International Distribution center (IDSC) that served all the international subsidiaries.Each European subsidiary had their own warehouse to cater as a buffer and for customizing the orders, special packaging and rush orders. As the measures for the economic integration of the European Community also made the direct distribution as an impetus option which could be used to save the transportation cost by 25%. But there was a resistance by the general managers of the European subsidiaries because of various problems like layoff, Buffer reduction, depriving the responsibility and above all, they felt that IDSC management team didn’t had the management skill. They were also skeptic about the outcome after implementation.Tom carrol, Director of International Distribution and customer service had different options before him. Like total handover to a t hird party or implement the direct centralized distribution. For Direct distribution, in the first place, he was contemplating in picking the first subsidiary to be centralized among the different options of Austria, UK, Italy and Germany Case Analysis: Problem Statement: For effective implementation of Centralized warehouse system in Europe for reducing the operational cost in spite of mounting opposition from the General Managers of European subsidiaries Options:Following are the different distribution system present to serve the European subsidiaries from Enschede, 1. To upgrade present IDSC warehouse to handle direct distribution to all the European Subsidiaries 2. To have a central ware house in Enschede and two satellite regional warehouse in southern France and a facility in Denmark 3. To allow a third party logistic provider to handle the direct distribution and warehousing in addition to the transportation service Reasons for opposition to plan: Following are the different concern raised by the General Managers of All the European Subsidiaries, 1.Doubt on the capability of the ISDC in Encshede to handle the requirements of all the European subsidiaries 2. Concern on lose of flexibility to respond to changes in the market which the subsidiaries considered the reason for their success 3. There is no financial benefit seen in reducing the inventory level as the subsidiaries are not charged for the inventory they hold 4. Doubt on whether the cost savings quoted could be achieved 5. Loss of warehouse was seen as substantial loss in their power 6. Subsidiaries considered the quality of Enschede as weak 7.Will lose a buffer between central distribution system and the customers 8. ISDC blamed for inbound transportation delays 9. Country specific objections like, a. Idiosyncrasies of trucking industry in Italy would make it difficult to do business differently b. Belgium and Netherland has achieved direct distribution only because of the fact that they had sma ll sales volume and they were located close to Enschede 10. Opposition from Unions in different subsidiaries against the layoff could cause serious problems like high severance package and possible strikes Benefits Of Centralized Warehouse system:By implementing Centralized warehouse system, Polaroid would achieve a net annual savings of $5. 7 Million. Savings through reduction of workforce will be $2. 5 Million and Warehouse rental savings will be $1 Million Factors supporting Central Warehousing: 1. Successful implementation in US and savings derived 2. Forthcoming liberalization of cross-border transportation 3. Efforts by Logistic providers for pan-European service capabilities 4. Post liberalization transportation in Europe would reduce by 5-25% Analyzing Service Demand pattern:Country| Photographic Dealers| Hypermarkets/Retailers Warehouse| Wholesalers| Special Markets| Direct service | Nature of Service Demand (Remarks)| France| 70%| 20%| 10%| -| -| 1) Shipment of products di rectly to individual 2) Direct delivery to retail outlets &retail establishments| Germany| 0%| 85% – 90%| 10%-15%| -| -| 1) Highly demanding compared to other European subsidiary 2) Strongly opposed late or incomplete orders| Italy| 45%| 10%| 40%| 5%|   | Characterized most flexible| UK| -| 20%| 45%| 20%| 35%| Some of Accounts considered extremely demanding|From above table we could infer that Germany and France are seeking high level of service which calls for high operational cost. So if Central warehouse system is being implemented it would be better if they first start with Italy as the customers are not much demanding and also the account size is equivalent to other subsidiary. The successful implementation in ITALY would act as good reference point. Analyzing â€Å"Candidates† for Implementation:Country| Positive Factors| Negative factors| Other Remarks| UK| Extensive support from Rod Bishop, Manager UK| Servicing customers considered risky as sea transport req uired| Stringent service requirement from Bishop| Austria| Small Account| Located far from ISDC| Success in Austria will not have great impact as the account served is low| Italy| Product Theft in transit| Low service level demanded. Customers highly flexible| Memorandum Regarding distribution| From above table and from service demand pattern it can be clearly seen that Italy would be the best option for rolling the plan as 1.Much of the demand arises from the dealers ( 20 main dealers) and 45% from Wholesalers , therefore the cost of servicing would be less as compared to UK’s some of the important accounts which calls for greater service 2. Also the customers in Italy are flexible which implies that they will tolerate the poor service quality in initial period of direct distribution implementation Analyzing Net inventory level and Order, Line fill rate: Country| Line Fill rate| Order Fill rate| Net Inventory level ($ in Million)| France| 97%| 91%| 6. 1| Germany| 92%| 69%| 4 . 53| UK| 92%| 75%| 4. 32| Italy| 76%| 51%| 6. 28| From above table it is clear that though the inventory level in Italy is very high they have very low order and line fill rate. This shows a poor inventory management system and also improper ordering of SKU’s which might not be moving I the market. Therefore Italy seems to be a best candidate for implementing the Centralized distribution as the presence of Warehouse does not add much value to the business.Conclusion: Polaroid can go for Centralized Warehouse management strategy, to start with Italy and then slowly moving to other subsidiaries like France and Germany where service demand level is very high. Also Polaroid should look for the option of including third party logistics because they will have expertise in managing warehousing and transportations better than Polaroid. Calculations: Given data: 1. France , Germany, Italy and UK make nearly 70% t0 80% European sales 2.Total European sales = $504. 5 Million 3. Sales o f Germany = 30% of total European sales 4. COGS/ Total sales ratio = 0. 5073 ( from exhibit 1) Assumptions made 1. 70% of European sales are equally contributed by UK, France and Italy 2. Average price per unit = $125 3. Average inventory value= $ 7. 12 million ( based on Exhibit 7) Parameters /Country| Germany| France| UK| Italy| Sales ($) (in Millions)| 151. 35| 117. 72| 117. 72| 117. 72| Sales (Units)| 1210800| 941733| 941733| 941733|Distribution channel| Wholesaler (10-15%) Retailers (85%)| Specialty (70%) photographic dealers Hyper markets (20%) Wholesalers (10%)| Wholesalers (45%) Direct service (20%) Retailers (15%)| Photographic dealers (45%) Wholesalers (40%) Hypermarkets (10%) Special markets (5%)| Current Capability| Dedicated Warehouse| Dedicated Warehouse| Dedicated Warehouse| Dedicated Warehouse| Line fill rate| 95%| 95%| 94%| 88%| Order Fill rate| 81%| 90%| 94%| 62%| Annual Inventory turn| 11| 8| 8| 8| Labour savings (in 1000 $)| 570| 488| 242| 243| Facilities savings (in 1000 $)| 150| 300| 150| -|