Determine how the explosion in Internet technology and information systems has impacted e-commerce within the last decade. Several impacts has chained the way we bank. Such as Automated teller machines, ATMs were very few and you could only use your card at your current bank. Soon afterwards you could use other ATMs for a surcharge from your account. I still don’t like the idea of paying to get my money and now I will find my bank’s ATM if traveling. Another technology impact is ATM deposits, you can actually bank without talking to your banker. Please don’t forget online banking and it’s hard to remember the last time I wrote out a check.
2. Determine how Internet technology and information systems optimize JIT operations and inventory levels. Technology in some ways has eased our concerns of incoming material or supplies. In my field of work, we really depend on JIT because contractors are never on time and this gives us lot flexibility in warehousing cost and reduce movement of material so many times. We try not to handle material but once and that’s direct from the manufacture to its final location. We can do it now because of technology improvements within various companies allowing us to have extranet access to their systems.
3. Why are value-added services considered essential in a customer success program? Include a specific example of a value-added service by a logistics provider that you have recently experienced. Valued added services are services you add to your supply chain or distributions operations to satisfy your customer. We added customer deliveries to our contract in Afghanistan because some units did not have the resources to pick-up material and transport to their locations. Majority of military vehicles were used for convoys but supplies were required to keep the vehicles operational. We created a million dollar resources of trucks, forklifts and drivers to our current support operations. This allowed customers to sign for equipment and sign up for delivery drop off. All customers were satisfied with our new operations because most of them could go back and prepare for other important mission they were involved in.
4. Provide an example of how an aircraft manufacturer uses EDI and explain its role in the firm. I have no personal experience with EDI but I have to rely on the experience of FEDX and their utilization of EDI. Their current program provides web-based tools, communication with customers, regulatory agencies and global networking. “We bring together the experience and knowledge of business analysts, information systems, account management and EDI specialists. This cross-functional team has the technical and business savvy to help you to integrate EDI within your overall business strategies. That's why our experienced and knowledgeable EDI business team can ease the pain of your transition to ED (fedex.com/us/services/edi.shtml).
5. Evaluate which customer service attribute would be most important to a company that supplies meals to an airline. Justify your answer. Gate Gourmet comes to mind with this question. I have noticed them over the years and never really thought about their full magnitude to the industry. Gate Gourmet is the core business of ten associated companies that offers various meal plans. Currently “Gate Gourmet provides about 250 million meals a year to more than 250 customers at about 120 airport locations around the globe. This means we have extensive expertise in serving complex hubs (gategourmet.com/about)”.
http://www.gategourmet.com/about