The penultimate example of global distribution and Just In Time (JIT) delivery is set to go again this year. Within a 24-hour period, Santa Claus, aka Father Christmas -- British Isles, Dun Che Lao Ren – China; Svaty Mikalas – Czechoslovakia; Julemanden – Denmark; Pere Noel or le petit Jsus – France; Saint Nicholas or Weihnachtsmann – Germany; Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus – Greece; Jolasveinar, Stekkjarstaur, Giljagaur, Stufur, Thvorusleikir, Pottaskefill, Askasleikir, Hurdarskellir, Skyrgamur, Bjugnakraekir, Gluggagaegir, Gattathefur, Ketkrokur and Kertasnikir -- Iceland (No wonder kids have problems in a place called Iceland that was formed by volcanoes.); Babbo Natale – Italy; Hoteiosho – Japan; Nino Jesus – Mexico; Sinterklaas – Netherlands; Julebukk – Norway; Saint Nicholas – Russia; Julenisse – Scandinavia; Balthazar – Spain; Tomte – Sweden; and Mari Ilwyd – Wales, will deliver 40 trillion pounds (18 trillion kilos) of toys in 24 time zones around the globe.
"Productivity is up about 34% from last year following the installation of our new pick-to-light systems -- and providing iPod Nanos as incentives to all the elves," said Claus.
He added that last year’s breakthrough move of installing RFID tags has really paid dividends this season. "We’re looking at an accuracy rate exceeding 99.9% for matching the toy to the kid’s list this year. Last year we had some bugs in the system, but the cold weather up here took care of those," said Claus.
Asked what the hot toy was this year, Claus paused, scratched his head, then rubbed a finger alongside of his nose.
Swoosh! He shot off into the ozone! Rudolf and Olive, the other reindeer, groaned as Claus disappeared over the horizon.
"Oh, man," said Rudolf, "he did that finger-alongside-of his-nose thing again. It’ll take us a week to find him. That real-time locating system we slipped into his jacket should help. The distribution center, however, runs like a Swiss clock so we’ll be good to go at the stroke of midnight, December 24. Tell your readers to have a fun-filled holiday season."
