The Human Connection in Manufacturing: Bridging the Gap between Operations and Supply Chain Management with Tom Pierce

<p><strong>Connect with Tom Pierce:</strong></p><p><strong>Email: </strong>Tom@i2s.us</p><p><strong>Website: </strong><a href="https://i2s.us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://i2s.us/</a></p><p><strong>LinkedIn: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-pierce-6799b356/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-pierce-6799b356/</a></p><p><strong>Lisa Ryan:&nbsp;</strong>Hey, it's Lisa Ryan. Welcome to the Manufacturer's Network podcast. I'm excited to introduce today's guest, Tom Pierce. Tom is the President of Integrated Information Systems with decades of experience; Tom brings a unique perspective to solving complex problems in integrated business planning, cost and schedule analysis, and cross-functional collaboration.</p><p>His ability to combine human intelligence with innovative software solutions makes him an invaluable resource for those in the manufacturing sector seeking to improve efficiency, streamline operations, and drive sustainable growth. So Tom, welcome to the show.</p><p><strong>Tom Pierce:&nbsp;</strong>Thank you so much, Lisa. It's a pleasure to be with you.</p><p><strong>Lisa Ryan:&nbsp;</strong>Share a little about your background and what led you to do what you're doing now with integrated information systems.</p><p><strong>Tom Pierce:&nbsp;</strong>Certainly. I'll cover the mountain peaks. I took my one and only one computer course in seventh grade. That would've been about 1972. After that, I never took another course. I was self-taught and was fascinated with how computers and technology can help solve problems. It was a side interest for a very long time. Then, I went to college on an Army ROTC scholarship. On my first day of reporting for duty, they plucked me out, seeing my math major, knowing that I loved computers.</p><p>I was on an analysis team and did simulation modeling for the Army missile maintenance, ammunition, and logistics. After I left the Army, I started working for a defense contractor, developing logistics mo