------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ASSESSMENT Subject: UPS competes globally with Information technology (Tutorial 1)
Prepared By: Muhammad Ali (mansqw@live.com)
Student #: 1339100

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Q1: What are the inputs, processing and outputs of UPS’s package tracking system?

Answer:

Inputs:
The inputs include package information, customer signature, pickup, delivery, time-card data, current location (while en route), and billing and customer clearance documentation.

Processing:
The data are transmitted to a central computer and stored for retrieval. Data are also reorganized so that they can be tracked by customer account, date, driver, and other criteria such as the consolidation of orders for efficient final delivery of packages.

Output:
The output includes pickup and delivery times, location while en route, and package recipient. They also include various reports such as all packages for specific account or a specific driver or route, as well as summary reports for management.

Q2: What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies related to UPS’s business strategy?

Answer:

Technologies used by UPS are in many different form which includes Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIADs), bar-code scanners, wired and wireless communication networks, UPS’s central computer, storage technology for the package delivery data, UPS in-house package tracking software and many different pieces of software to access the Internet, for tracking packages calculating fees, maintaining customer accounts and managing logistics.
UPS has used the same strategy for over 90 years. Its strategy is to provide the ‘best service and lowest rates’. One of the most visible aspects of technology is the customer ability to track his/her package via the UPS website. However, technology also enables data to seamlessly flow throughout UPS and helps streamline the workflow at UPS. Thus the technology described in the scenario enables UPS to be more competitive, efficient and profitable. UPS culture has been centred on placing service to customer first. This company philosophy can clearly be found in their package tracking systems.

Q3: What strategic business objectives does UPS’s information system address?

Answer:

UPS’s DIAD is able to automatically capture customer’s signature through scanning the packages and upload the delivery information in their website, annihilating any physical paper work, saving 30 minutes time in the process. And at various points along the route the customers can check the status of their packages based on their inquiries through UPS’s software. Their special software also creates the most efficient delivery route for each driver that considers traffic, weather conditions and the location of each stop.

Q4: What would happen if UPS’s information system were not available?

Answer:

Firstly, UPS Company will not be able to carry out their business in very efficient manner. In addition, customer cannot ask their requirement or do complain online if there will be no access to UPS over the internet or if there is no internet technology.
If the tracking technology were not present customer cannot track their shipments in a real time manner, also customer would not be able to re-route once the parcel has been dispatched. UPS would not be able to capture delivery info remotely and would have to process same in a time consuming batch process.