Global Technology Supply Chains: What they are and why you need to know about them

Mr. Patrick Harper
VP & General Manager Technology Supply Chain, Keysight Technologies

Cerent Engineering Science Complex, Salazar Hall 2009A
3:00 PM

Abstract – The Global Technology Supply Chain is an AND world! As electronic instruments and products become more complex, and more prevalent, designers are challenged to design state of the art equipment that is state of the art AND cost competitive AND environmentally responsible. In this lecture we will explore what a global technology supply chain is and how design choices engineers make during the initial product design can be optimized for a cost effective and “greener” global supply chain. We will look at the concept of “Design for Supply Chain.” Design is a series of trade-offs and the design of a supply chain is no different. Various countries around the world have comparative advantage for certain aspects of the supply chain and designers need to be cognizant of these strengths and also the cost, risk, and environmental impact tradeoffs associated with these choices. Finally, we will explore engineering jobs that are needed within the enterprise supply chain function.

Mr. Patrick Harper is the Vice President and General Manager of the Technology Order Fulfillment team at Keysight Technologies. He manages a team of over 1000 employees worldwide and has team members in Germany, Geneva, Spain, UK, Finland, Penang Malaysia and the US. Pat has been in the high tech industry for over 35 years including 20 years with Hewlett Packard and 13 with Agilent Technologies, and two years with Keysight Technologies. He has held a variety of positions in Manufacturing and R&D. He has a BS in Economics and a MS in Project Management from the University of San Francisco and is PMP certified. In his “spare time” he is an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco and Sonoma State University teaching a variety of undergrad and graduate courses. Pat currently serves on the board of two non-profits and is very involved in STEM programs and projects across Sonoma County.