Fault Tolerance: We Gotta Get There!!
Posted by Cameron Hughes, Tracey Hughes @ 02:01:PM | May 2, 2010
When parallel processing is required, virtually every aspect of the software design and implementation is affected. The developer is faced with what we call the "10 challenges of concurrency".
Friday, May 14, 2010
WINDOWS SECURITY SYSTEM
Protect the Windows desktops from unauthorized access and other vulnerabilities
Security Policies: Enable or disable windows security policies under Active Desktop, control panel, MMC, etc., modules to maintain network privacy.
Alerts: Warn users about password expiry and less disk space to enable users to act on them.
Legal notice: Popup messages during system startup to notify users about company policies that are of prime importance.
Firewall: Enable XP Firewall and configure exceptions in Windows XP machines to secure the machine from unauthorized access.
Security Policies: Enable or disable windows security policies under Active Desktop, control panel, MMC, etc., modules to maintain network privacy.
Alerts: Warn users about password expiry and less disk space to enable users to act on them.
Legal notice: Popup messages during system startup to notify users about company policies that are of prime importance.
Firewall: Enable XP Firewall and configure exceptions in Windows XP machines to secure the machine from unauthorized access.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Worldwide presence
Toyota has factories in most parts of the world, manufacturing or assembling vehicles for local markets. Toyota has manufacturing or assembly plants in Japan, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Canada, Indonesia, Poland, South Africa, Turkey, Colombia, the United Kingdom, the United States, UAE, France, Brazil, Portugal, and more recently, Argentina, Czech Republic, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, Egypt, China, Vietnam, Venezuela, the Philippines, and Russia.
Toyota's Sales and Distribution by Geographical Regions for the Year Ended 31 March 2009[52]
Geographic Region Total Sales ( Yen in millions)
Japan 8,152,884
North America 8,771,495
Europe 3,346,013
Asia 1,969,957
Others 1,707,742
In 2002, Toyota initiated the "Innovative International Multi-purpose vehicle" project (IMV) to optimize global manufacturing and supply systems for pickup trucks and multipurpose vehicles, and to satisfy market demand in more than 140 countries worldwide. IMV called for diesel engines to be made in Thailand, gasoline engines in Indonesia and manual transmissions in the Philippines, for supply to the countries charged with vehicle production. For vehicle assembly, Toyota would use plants in Thailand, Indonesia, Argentina, South Africa and Pakistan. These four main IMV production and export bases supply Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Latin America and the Middle East with three IMV vehicles: The Toyota Hilux (Vigo), the Fortuner, and the Toyota Innova
Operations
Toyota has grown to a large multinational corporation from where it started and expanded to different worldwide markets and countries. It displaced GM and became the world's largest automobile maker for the year 2008. It held the title of the most profitable automobile maker (US$$11 billion in 2006) along with increasing sales in, among other countries, the United States. The world headquarters of Toyota are located in its home country in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. Its subsidiary, Toyota Financial Services sells financing and participates in other lines of business. Toyota brands include Scion and Lexus and the corporation is part of the Toyota Group. Toyota also owns majority stakes in Daihatsu, and 16.7% of Fuji Heavy Industries, which manufactures Subaru vehicles. They also acquired 5.9% of Isuzu Motors Ltd. on November 7, 2006 and will be introducing Isuzu diesel technology into their products.
Toyota has introduced new technologies including one of the first mass-produced hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles, of which it says it has sold 1 million globally (2007-06-07),[40] Advanced Parking Guidance System (automatic parking), a four-speed electronically controlled automatic with buttons for power and economy shifting, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Toyota, and Toyota-produced Lexus and Scion automobiles, consistently rank near the top in certain quality and reliability surveys, primarily J.D. Power and Consumer Reports[41] although they led in automobile recalls for the first time in 2009.[42]
In 2005, Toyota, combined with its half-owned subsidiary Daihatsu Motor Company, produced 8.54 million vehicles, about 500,000 fewer than the number produced by GM that year. Toyota has a large market share in the United States, but a small market share in Europe. Its also sells vehicles in Africa and is a market leader in Australia. Due to its Daihatsu subsidiary it has significant market shares in several fast-growing Southeast Asian countries.[43]
According to the 2008 Fortune Global 500, Toyota Motor is the fifth largest company in the world. Since the recession of 2001, it has gained market share in the United States. Toyota's market share struggles in Europe where its Lexus brand has three tenths of one percent market share, compared to nearly two percent market share as the U.S. luxury segment leader.
In the first three months of 2007, Toyota together with its half-owned subsidiary Daihatsu reported number one sales of 2.348 million units. Toyota's brand sales had risen 9.2% largely on demand for Corolla and Camry sedans. The difference in performance was largely attributed to surging demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. In November 2006, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas added a facility in San Antonio.[44] Toyota has experienced quality problems and was reprimanded by the government in Japan for its recall practices.[45] Toyota currently maintains over 16% of the US market share and is listed second only to GM in terms of volume.[46] Toyota Century Royal is the official state car of the Japanese imperial family, namely for the current Emperor of Japan.
Toyota was hit by the global financial crisis of 2008 as it was forced in December 2008 to forecast its first annual loss in 70 years.[47] In January 2009 it announced the closure of all of its Japanese plants for 11 days to reduce output and stocks of unsold vehicles.[48]
Early in 2009, media sources reported that Akio Toyoda, grandson of the founder, will be promoted in June from vice-president to the position of President, replacing Katsuaki Watanabe.[49] Akio Toyoda became the new president and CEO of the company on June 23, 2009 by replacing Katsuaki Watanabe who became the new vice chairman by replacing Katsuhiro Nakagawa.
Toyota Production System
Main article: Toyota Production System
Toyota has long been recognized as an industry leader in manufacturing and production. Three stories of its origin have been found, one that they studied Piggly-Wiggly's just-in-time distribution system, one that they followed the writings of W. Edwards Deming, and one that they were given the principles from a WWII US government training program (Training Within Industry). It is possible that all these, and more, are true. Regardless of the origin, the principles described by Toyota in its management philosophy, The Toyota Way, are: Challenge, Kaizen (improvement), Genchi Genbutsu (go and see), Respect, and Teamwork.[38]
As described by external observers of Toyota, the principles of the Toyota Way are:[39]
Base your management decisions on a long-term philosophy, even at the expense of short-term goals
Create continuous process flow to bring problems to the surface
Use "pull" systems to avoid overproduction
Level out the workload
Build a culture of stopping to fix problems, to get quality right the first time
Standardized tasks are the foundation for continuous improvement and employee empowerment
Use visual control so no problems are hidden
Use only reliable, thoroughly tested technology that serves your people and processes
Grow leaders who thoroughly understand the work, live the philosophy, and teach it to others
Develop exceptional people and teams who follow your company’s philosophy
Respect your extended network of partners and suppliers by challenging them and helping them improve
Go and see for yourself to thoroughly understand the situation (genchi genbutsu)
Make decisions slowly by consensus, thoroughly considering all options; implement decisions rapidly
Become a learning organization through relentless reflection and continuous improvement
[edit]Operations
Toyota philosophy
Main article: The Toyota Way
Toyota's management philosophy has evolved from the company's origins and has been reflected in the terms "Lean Manufacturing" and Just In Time Production, which it was instrumental in developing.[37] Toyota's managerial values and business methods are known collectively as the Toyota Way.
In April 2001 the Toyota Motor Corporation adopted the "Toyota Way 2001," an expression of values and conduct guidelines that all Toyota employees should embrace. Under the two headings of Respect for People and Continuous Improvement, Toyota summarizes its values and conduct guidelines with the following five principles:[38]
Challenge
Kaizen (improvement)
Genchi Genbutsu (go and see)
Respect
Teamwork
According to external observers, the Toyota Way has four components:[39]
Long-term thinking as a basis for management decisions.
A process for problem-solving.
Adding value to the organization by developing its people.
Recognizing that continuously solving root problems drives organizational learning.
The Toyota Way incorporates the Toyota Production System.
Marketing
Marketing
Toyota's marketing efforts have focused on emphasizing the positive experiences of ownership and vehicle quality.[35] The ownership experience has been targeted in slogans such as "Oh, what a feeling!" (1978–1985, in the U.S.),[35] "Who could ask for anything more" (1986–1989), "I love what you do for me, Toyota!" (1990–1997), "Everyday" (1997–2000)", "Get the feeling!" (2001–2004), and "Moving Forward" (2004–present)
Toyota Trademarks
1957 is the year the first Toyota vehicles were exported to the United States by the Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.[31] However, it wasn't until Friday, June 9, 1967 that the first trademark application with the USPTO for TOYOTA was filed by Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Gaisha. The trademark application was filed for Automobiles and motor trucks in Class 19, Non-metallic Building Materials. It also indicates the first use of the trademark name was on March 29, 1958. The application also includes a reference that, "Toyota" translates in English to, "Richfield." This is likely a variation of the Toyoda family name translation of "fertile rice paddies." U.S. trademark registration was on January 30, 1968.
The stylized depiction of the letter "T" logo, trademarked at the USPTO, and filed by Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Toyota also submitted trademark application at the same time on June 9, 1967 for the first auto models imported to the United States Corona[32], and Crown[33]. Registration was granted on January 30, 1968 and February 6, 1968 respectively.
Regarding Toyota's current "T" logo, a trademark was filed on Friday, September 15, 1989 with registration to Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha granted on October 12, 1993. The "T" design code is described by the USPTO with multiple descriptions for the geometric designed logo. Code 26032 for, "Plain single line ovals;" 260316 for, "Ovals touching or intersecting;" 260317 for, "Concentric ovals and ovals within ovals;" and 270301 for, "Geometric figures forming letter or numerals, including punctuation." The "T" trademark is filed in the Vehicles and Products for locomotion by land, air or water category for automobiles and structural parts thereof.[34]
Toyota, Corona, Crown, and the "T" logo trademarks are all registered and renewed and owned by Toyota Motor Company, Ltd., Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan.
Logo and branding
In 1936, Toyota entered the passenger car market with its Model AA and held a competition to establish a new logo emphasizing speed for its new product line. After receiving 27,000 entries, one was selected that additionally resulted in a change of its monikor to "Toyota" from the family name "Toyoda." It was believed that the new name sounded better and its eight-stroke count in the Japanese language was associated with wealth and good fortune. The original logo no longer is found on its vehicles but remains the corporate emblem used in Japan.
Still, there were no guidelines for the use of the brand name, "TOYOTA", which was used throughout most of the world, which led to inconsistencies in its worldwide marketing campaigns.
MEGAWEB, Toyota's permanent exhibition showroom and museum in Odaiba, Tokyo
To remedy this, Toyota introduced a new worldwide logo in 1989 in conjunction with and to differentiate it from the newly released luxury Lexus brand. There are three ovals in the new logo that combine to for the letter "T", which stands for Toyota. The overlapping of the two perpendicular ovals inside the larger oval represent the mutually beneficial relationship and trust that is placed between the customer and the company while the larger oval that surrounds both of these inner ovals represent the "global expansion of Toyota's technology and unlimited potential for the future."[30]
The logo started appearing on all printed material, advertisements, and dealer signage starting in 1990 and on the cars themselves in 1991.
Name
Vehicles were originally sold under the name "Toyoda" (トヨダ), from the family name of the company's founder, Kiichirō Toyoda. In September 1936, the company ran a public competition to design a new logo. Out of 27,000 entries the winning entry was the three Japanese katakana letters for "Toyoda" in a circle. But Risaburō Toyoda, who had married into the family and was not born with that name, preferred "Toyota" (トヨタ) because it took eight brush strokes (a fortuitous number) to write in Japanese, was visually simpler (leaving off the diacritic at the end) and with a voiceless consonant instead of a voiced one (voiced consonants are considered to have a "murky" or "muddy" sound compared to voiceless consonants, which are "clear"). Since "Toyoda" literally means "fertile rice paddies", changing the name also helped to distance the company from associations with old-fashioned farming. The newly formed word was trademarked and the company was registered in August 1937 as the "Toyota Motor Company".
In predominantly Chinese-speaking countries or regions using traditional Chinese characters, e.g. Hong Kong and Taiwan, Toyota is known as "豊田".[19] In predominantly Chinese speaking countries using simplified Chinese characters (e.g. China), Toyota is known as "丰田"[20] (pronounced as "Fēngtián" in the Mandarin Chinese dialect). These are the same characters as the founding family's name "Toyoda" in Japanese, which translate to "fertile rice paddies" in the Chinese language as well.
From September 1947, Toyota's small-sized vehicles were sold under the name "Toyopet" (トヨペット).[21] The first vehicle sold under this name was the Toyopet SA[22] but it also included vehicles such as the Toyopet SB light truck, Toyopet Stout light truck,[23] Toyopet Crown and the Toyopet Corona. However, when Toyota eventually entered the American market in 1957 with the Crown, the name was not well received due to connotations of toys and pets.[24] The name was soon dropped for the American market but continued in other markets until the mid 1960s.
2009–2010 vehicle recalls
2009–2010 vehicle recalls
Main article: 2009–2010 Toyota vehicle recalls
In January 2010, Toyota announced it was recalling up to 1.8 million cars across Europe, including about 220,000 in the UK, following problems with defective accelerator pedals..[9] Many Toyota models were involved, covering the 2007-2010 model years. Toyota subsequently recalled the Prius model for reprogramming of its ABS system. The U.S. Sales Chief, James Lentz, was questioned by the United States Congress committees on Oversight and Investigations on February 23, 2010, as a result of recent recalls.[10] On 26 March Toyota said it would halt production in France and Britain for 12 days because of poor sales following the recalls.[11] On 6 April 2010, The US government sought a record penalty of US$16.375 million from Toyota for its delayed response in notifying the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding the defective accelerator pedals,[12] and on 19 April Toyota said that it would pay the fine.[13][14] The company said the recalls could cost the company up to US$2 billion (GB£1.25 billion)[clarification needed] in lost output and sales.
Recent company developments
2007–2010 financial crisis
On May 8, 2009, Toyota reported a record annual net loss of US$4.2 billion, making it the latest automobile maker to be severely affected by the 2007-2010 financial crisis.
History
Main article: History of Toyota
Toyota started in 1933 as a division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works devoted to the production of automobiles under the direction of the founder's son, Kiichiro Toyoda.[8] Its first vehicles were the A1 passenger car and the G1 in 1935. Toyota Motor Co. was established as an independent company in 1937.
Second Generation (2009)
A redesigned Mark X was released on October 19th, 2009. Engine options are the 2.5L 4GR-FSE V6 and the 3.5L 2GR-FSE V6 found in the Crown, GS 350 and IS 350. Models available are Standard (350G, 250G, 250G Four), Premium and Sports (350S, 250G S). The 250G has all-wheel drive as an option (250G Four).[4][5][6]
Changes from the X120 generation include the elimination of the exhaust outlet diffuser, 6-speed automatic for AWD models and a return to the hinge design trunk instead of lift support.
As with the last generation Mark X, Toyota's in-house tuning company Modellista installed a supercharger on the 3.5L 2GR-FSE motor to create the Mark X +M Super Charger. Power output is 360ps and 50.8 kg-m. [3]
Modellista also produced a non-supercharged version of the Mark X called the Vertiga.
First Generation (2004-present)
Toyota unveiled the Mark X sedan, successor to the Mark II sedan which has been on the market since the late '60s. Instead of being based on a modified Supra chassis, the Mark X shares its platform with the Toyota Crown and it's siblings the Lexus GS and the 2nd Generation IS Sport Sedan. Major changes the Mark series is the engine and footwork. Toyota discontinue the majority of their straight six engine, more specifically the JZ series and the G series motor and went to the newly developed GR series motor. Either the 2.5L 4GR-FSE or the 3.0L 3GR-FSE is made available, both pair to a 6-speed sequential automatic transmission. No manual transmission is offered.
A first in its class is the rear bumper with integrated exhaust outlet, which later made its way on to the new LS series and the new Crown. New led light for the ceiling runs from the front of the vehicle to the rear creating a "mood" lighting system. The led system is also incorporated into the gear shifter and key area of the vehicle.
Minor changes were made in 2006. Mirror mounted turn signals replaces the fender mounted turn signal, and a redesign grille. Mark X with all black interior deleted the wood trim in favor of the brush aluminum trim. A formal introduction of the "S package" which gain the 3-spoke steering wheel and changes to the exterior lip piece.
For model year 2007 on Japanese models only, G-BOOK, a subscription telematics service, is offered as an option.
This generation continues to be sold in China by the Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. as the Reiz (transliterated into Mandarin Chinese as '锐志'). The Reiz is sold as the 2.5S, 2.5V and 3.0V Premium with 2,497 cc 5GR and 2,995 cc 3GR engines.[2]
The Mark X Supercharged version uses the 3GR-FSE engine with a supercharger added.[3] Power output is 316 horsepower (236 kW) at 6200 rpm and 42.0 kilogram metres (412 N·m; 304 ft·lbf) at 3200 rpm, paired to a 6 speed auto transmission.
A first in its class is the rear bumper with integrated exhaust outlet, which later made its way on to the new LS series and the new Crown. New led light for the ceiling runs from the front of the vehicle to the rear creating a "mood" lighting system. The led system is also incorporated into the gear shifter and key area of the vehicle.
Minor changes were made in 2006. Mirror mounted turn signals replaces the fender mounted turn signal, and a redesign grille. Mark X with all black interior deleted the wood trim in favor of the brush aluminum trim. A formal introduction of the "S package" which gain the 3-spoke steering wheel and changes to the exterior lip piece.
For model year 2007 on Japanese models only, G-BOOK, a subscription telematics service, is offered as an option.
This generation continues to be sold in China by the Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. as the Reiz (transliterated into Mandarin Chinese as '锐志'). The Reiz is sold as the 2.5S, 2.5V and 3.0V Premium with 2,497 cc 5GR and 2,995 cc 3GR engines.[2]
The Mark X Supercharged version uses the 3GR-FSE engine with a supercharger added.[3] Power output is 316 horsepower (236 kW) at 6200 rpm and 42.0 kilogram metres (412 N·m; 304 ft·lbf) at 3200 rpm, paired to a 6 speed auto transmission.
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