How to answers Case Studies Essay

1. What are the inputs, processing, and outputs of UPSs package tracking musical arrangement? Inputs The inputs include package information, customer signature, pickup, speech communication, time-card data, current location (while en route), and billing and customer clearance documentation. affect The data are transmitted to a central calculator and stored for retrieval. Data are also reorganized so that they can be tracked by customer account, date, driver, and other criteria. Outputs The outputs include pickup and delivery times, location while en route, and package recipient. The outputs also include various reports, such as exclusively packages for a specific account or a specific driver or route, as fountainhead as summary reports for management.2. What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies related to UPSs business dodge? Technologies include handheld computers (DIADs), barcode scanning arrangings, wired and wireless communications networks, desktop comp uters, UPSs central computer (large mainframe computers), and storage applied science for the package delivery data. UPS also uses telecommunication technologies for transmitting data through and through pagers and cellular phone networks. The company uses in-house software for tracking packages, calculating fees, maintaining customer accounts and managing logistics, as well as software to access the World Wide Web. UPS has used the same scheme 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 customers ability to track his/her package via the UPS Web site. 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. The result is an information clay solution to the business challenge of providing a high level service with low prices in t he brass of mounting competition.3. What strategic business objectives do UPSs information systems address? Some problems this information system solves relate directly to logistics and supply chain activities, not just for itself, but also for other companies. These go include supply chain design and management, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, mail services, multimodal transportation, and financial services, in add-on to logistics services. Because of the advanced integration of its technology, UPS can provide these services cheaper and more efficient than most companies can construct them in-house.4. What would happen if these systems were not available? Arguably, UPS might not be able to compete effectively without technology. If the technology were not available, then UPS would, as it has through most of its history, attempt to provide that information to its customers, but at higher prices. From the customers perspective, these technologies provide value because they help customers complete their tasks more efficiently. Customers view UPSs technology as value-added services as opposed to increasing the cost of sending packages.