VACUUM LIFTER uses the vacuum pad which attaches itself to a product. The suction force al-lows the product to be lifted (and rotated and placed). Vacuum lifters are used for moving and positioning glass sheets, but are also seen lifting boxes, plastic sacks, sheets of building materials and pipework. Some models feature hydraulic arms which allow easy movement of the lifted load. The lifting system will have a number of sucker pads and vacuum capability which determines the maximum weights and largest items that can be lifted.

DOLLY consists of stack and sets of wheels (either casters or rollers) under the stack that allow the dolly and the heavy object on top of it to move easily and smoothly. For moving in a straight line, rollers is ideal. If you want to move manoeuvrability, dolly with sets of casters will let you swivel and turn.

SACK TRUCK (hand truck) is an L-shaped box-moving handcart. It comprises a small base plat-form with two wheels at the base and a larger vertical structure. A small ledge to set objects on flat against the floor when the sack truck is upright. When moving, the truck and object are then tilted backward based on the vertical structure until the weight is balanced over the large wheels, making otherwise bulky and heavy objects easier to move.

PALLET STACKER is designed to lift and stack pallets. This one is fully mobile so can move easily around the warehouse. An operator would typically sit or stand while driving like a counter-balanced, reach or straddle lift truck.
LO 1, AC 1.3

Holding extra stocks will always improve customer service levels, or at least reduce the risk of them falling.
This implies that if an organisation aims at higher service levels, they should have larger safety stock.
However, increasing safety stock is not the only solution to improve service level. The widespread adoption of just-in-time (JIT) techniques particularly in the automotive industry has greatly reduced costs with increased service levels as well as the additional benefit of increased problem visibility.
The correct answer should be 'A safety stock is not always required to achieve a required service level'.
Reference: CIPS study guide page 104-105
LO 2, AC 2.2

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a numeric commercial book identifier which is intended to be unique. Publishers purchase ISBNs from an affiliate of the International ISBN Agency. ISBN is standardised by ISO 2108:2017. ISBN is an example of industry standard code as it applies to commercial books around the world.
Check digits are additional numbers or characters added to codes that a computer uses to verify the number is valid. The intention is to reduce the likelihood of miskeying an item and hitting an alternative live item. More often, a system is devised which a computer can calculate using combination of numbers.
Own product code system: an organisation will use its own product code system. This has the ad-vantage that the organisation can construct a code that is effective and fits with its software and variety of items covered.
The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, also known as the Harmonized System (HS) of tariff nomenclature is an internationally standardized system of names and numbers to classify traded products. It came into effect in 1988 and has since been developed and maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO) (formerly the Customs Co-operation Council), an independent intergovernmental organization based in Brussels, Belgium, with over 200 member countries.
Reference: CIPS study guide page 38-39
LO 1, AC 1.2

For JIT manufacturing to succeed, companies must have steady production, high-quality workmanship, glitch- free plant machinery, and reliable suppliers.
JIT production systems cut inventory costs because manufacturers do not have to pay storage costs.
Manufacturers are also not left with unwanted inventory if an order is canceled or not fulfilled.
Reference:
- Just in Time (JIT)
- CIPS study guide page 122-124
LO 2, AC 2.3