Delta’s Purchase Microsoft Tablets of Employees

Capacity uses the organization of its resources in order to function efficiently and effectively as a whole. There are three components to capacity include equipment, space, and employee skills. These three components are important to the success of the strategic planning for both short-term and long-term goals. To execute a change in product, and to satisfy the consumer wants and needs, the capacity needs to be strategically implemented. Management must first look at how to determine capacity requirements; other factors to consider include economies of scale, the experience curve, and flexibility to changes in capacity.

Before the ability to use computers at any place, at any time, there was a paper system for airlines. This paper system required pilots to carry a large book with information of routes and data of the planes. With technology advancements, Delta wants to increase its productivity level while incorporating the intelligence of its employees by providing each pilot a Microsoft tablet. The Microsoft tablet will eliminate the overhead of the paper work, and booklets that were used on a daily bases that had the potential of error. Without the extra paper work, the pilots will be able to efficiently produce accurate information and data for the airport safety board and will be beneficial for Delta customers because this will increase its probability the flight will leave on time. "By eliminating paper, we'll reduce clutter and minimize time spent looking for flight information, allowing our pilots the opportunity to develop greater situational awareness in the air and on the ground," said Capt. Steve Dickson, Delta's senior vice president for flight operations.

In this news article, capacity is used to define how efficiently Delta is able to provide a safe and secure flight to its customers while increase employee morale. Both companies, Microsoft and Delta, will need to predict its production capacity in order to easily meet demand changes with technology, number of employees, and economical factors that will still be beneficial to both companies. Delta’s managers and CEO were able to calculate the benefit of this purchase to save them $13 million a year in fuel and related costs. Microsoft will need to calculate the accurate amount of Surface 2 devices readily available and will need to increase production of the Surface 2 to supply Delta with this large order, 11,000 tablets. Capacity is an important factor because the efficiently use capacity; the equipment and employees need to be used correctly. By incorporating the equipment, tablets, to the highly trained employees will result in higher customer satisfaction due to the safety and accuracy provided by the tablets while minimizing error. The purchase of the tablets will impact the ability of the organization to meet future demands and can provide Delta with the ability to pass their current goals. One of Delta’s current goals is to advance from its competitors such as, Southwest Airlines and US Airways, whom have not invest in tablets for its employees. This competitive advantage will be shown to its consumers that Delta is increasing its revenues and reputation from the recent recession. Organizations today must look at ways to take competitive advantage, and a way to access this is through capacity. The key is to execute strategic capacity successfully and productively.