2.1 Information Technology Egbu and Botterill (2002) argue that Information Technology has the potential to aid collaboration and co-operation between people. Accordingly, some organisations have developed software to encourage social interaction in the organisation. The support for connecting people is not limited by location but can span the entire world. Collaboration and co-operation among many people supports effective and efficient team problem solving. Since supply chain consists of very many stakeholders who may not necessarily be living in the same geographical area, a tool for collaboration and co-operation breaks the barrier of communication over distance. Ward and Zhou (2006) reveal that Information Technology electronically …show more content…
Internal integration connects the different functions in an organization such as human resource, purchasing, and materials management and it is aimed at improving the performance of cross-functional processes that make up the supply chain process. ERP systems are designed to achieve such high levels of internal integration (Ward and Zhou, 2006). On the other hand, external integration connects a firm with its suppliers and customers and impacts inter-firm lead time (Ward and Zhou, 2006). A firm has to be integrated both internally and externally in order to reduce the overall lead time in a supply chain (Ward and Zhou, …show more content…
These activities include inbound and outbound transportation, warehousing, and inventory control, sourcing, procurement, and supply management, forecasting, production planning and scheduling, order processing and customer service all are part of the process as well (Zigiaris, 2000). The challenge that a supply chain poses is that the supply chain activities are run by different partners who are geographically isolated and therefore have to be integrated and linked in a chain so that they interact seamlessly (Zigiaris, 2000). A lack of integration of processes and partners in a supply chain increases the overall lead time in a supply chain (Ward and Zhou, 2006). As a result, supply chain management involves integrating supply chain processes and activities so that the processes are
This will ensure that the correct audience will read her article. It is also important for a tech-savvy audience that all information on technology is up-to-date, which the author successfully executes by only writing her article only two days after Google explained their Jigsaw expansion of Alphabet. Lafrance knew that the tech-savvy audience would demand an article with all of the history put together — with her added opinion.
Imagine how life would be without Technology? What if the Internet just vanished from existence? Everyone today has become dependent on technology, from picking out a potential spouse online, to buying a house. Any questions can be answered merely within a matter of seconds with thousands of options to choose from online. Nicholas Carr, a former non-fiction writer, states that he has found himself thinking differently.
As earlier stated, over the years people have become intact with technology thus society adapted to technology in their lives, making their lives easier. “Our use of the Net will only grow, and its impact on us will only strengthen, as it becomes even more present in our lives.” (92) The
He claims that people should remain vigilant when openly accepting any computer network or technology. Carr’s viewpoint from start to finish is that the Internet is shifting the way that the present age group thinks, by changing the way we develop information.
Carr illustrates how his mind has become more restless because of the internet. Currently, the access to information on the Internet is unlimited, and its consumption is increasing every day. Presenting different studies and scholars, Carrs supports his claim explaining how technology influences the way people write and read. Carr goes on saying that people lose their concentration skills because of using online articles. However, many articles,
The internet is an ever changing beast. Adapting to the needs of the audience. Shortened articles, hyperlinks, pop-up ads, and shorts cut have made their way into every screen we look at without looking into its questionable ethics. Carr recalls an experiment conducted by Frederick Winslow Taylor where he set a new precedent for productivity in factories. By studying time and performance, Taylor did create a system that defined the industrial revolution.
Today’s innovation is the internet, and the internet is proving to be just the same. Carr says that the attentiveness, thoughtfulness, and socialization of modern day society, or rather the lack of, is to the blame of the internet. Although Carr creates a strong argument, and does nothing but continually back up his thesis with good facts, but it is his actual thesis that I disagree with. Carr constantly states historical and scientific facts that show how the internet is following a path from the past.
Additionally, operations are often conducted away from the office, or in austere environments utilizing mobile broadband and laptop computer. Having access to the organizations data in an organized efficient manner is essential. Finally, a centralized knowledge management system allows organizations to share and collaborate much
Over the the years, more and more people have become heavily dependent on technology to get us through our day. A reason for that is because technology has been rapidly advancing. For example, back in the day people used pagers, dvr’s, and typewriters. Now we have 3D televisions, computers, game systems, social media, search engines, and smartphones that come out every year. In Nicholas Carr’s article “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”
Into the Electronic Millennium by Sven Birkerts, written in 1991, is an informative essay that goes into depth about how society is becoming dependent on electronics as a way of communication. New generations will encounter drastic changes as a result of the switch from printed words to electronic media. Birkerts’ intent is to inform his audience about the dangers that electronics will bring to future generations. He thinks that seeking information through printed words are becoming a rarity for younger people. He also claims that since people are dependent on electronics now, people do not have a mind of their own.
Our way of thinking is beginning to change to the way that computers do. Advancements are made everyday. These new advancements are attempting to make life in general easier for everyone. Nicholas Carr makes the claim that, “as the internet because our primary source of the information it is affecting our ability to read books and other long narratives.” Carr suggests that using the internet is altering the way that our minds operate.
This paper presents an overview of Kmart retail supply chain in New Zealand. Various IT systems and software used by Kmart are presented in this paper. The new IT systems and business applications are also proposed. In retail sector, IT is involved at every point right from supply chain management to POS terminals for transaction processing. Efficient use of technology and IT systems can bring innovation.
Walmart in collaboration with P&G built an automated re-ordering system which is linked to the PCs in P&G and it would send the inventory to Walmart's distribution center or directly to the stores. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is an integrated part of Walmart and it connects internal and external resources. It has helped reduce supply chain inaccuracies. Using ERP, it can easily fulfill the basic steps of SCM - Procurement, manufacturing, distribution, retailing and finally reaching the end customer.
As a result of the events of Dremliner, Boeing has improved their supply chain management process by incorporating continuous improvement strategies and implementing ways to encourage open lines of communication amongst their supply base. Boeing 's supply chain management places emphasis on on-time deliveries and streamlining common standard processes across their suppliers. Boeing has developed several tool to not only monitor and audit the best practices and overall performance of the supplier, but aid in collaborative communication amongst their entire supply base.
Remote teams are becoming more and more common in modern enterprise, for many reasons. The main one is money, as it saves a considerable amount of money in a competitive market and difficult economic climate. However, many managers are questioning whether it is an ideal way to do business and whether remote working or the traditional office structure produces better results and profits. Much of it comes down to personal preference as to how each individual prefers to work, but taking the IT industry as an example, many have found that they are actually much more productive and turn in better quality work from home rather than the office. Here are just a few ways that IT professionals, and indeed people of any profession, have improved their