Internet and Supply Chains – MIS3537 Spring 2014

Supply Chains – at Internet Speed

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Q&A: e-markets – week 4

Find and list URLs for e-markets in the following industries (to enable broader participation, a student may not attempt more than 1-2): Pulp, Paper, Food, Plastics, Chemicals, Furniture,  Metals, Energy, Steel, Cattle (feel free to use other industries) Also describe briefly the basic and value added services provided by each e-market.

WWW ClearOrbit Case

MIS 3537

Internet & Supply Chains

Spring 2014

Due Date: February 13, 2014

Refer to the case “World Wide Technology and Clearorbit: Enabling Supply Chain Collaboration” on the HBSP website.

Answer the following questions briefly:

1. What were the main challenges facing the OEM’s MRO purchasing operations?

2. Why did WWT choose ClearOrbit’s POC software?

3. What benefits did the OEM and WWT realize?

4. What steps did OEM/WWT take to convince suppliers to use the new system?

5. What other supply chain collaboration initiatives can OEM/WWT pursue?

 

New Age Warehousing

Warehouse management is a key challenge for companies selling goods on the internet. Companies such as Zappos use robots to automate the process. Here are a couple of videos we saw in class about the Kiva Robots. Summarize the benefits of Kiva to Zappos.

Zappos Case

MIS 3537

 Internet & Supply Chains

Spring 2014

Due Date: February 6, 2013

Refer to the case “Zappos.com: Developing a Supply Chain to Deliver WOW!”. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Is Zappos mainly a pull or a push supply chain? With illustration of Zappos’ current supply chain, show the push-pull boundary of Zappos? Also show the push-pull boundary of Zappos’ Drop Ship model.

2. Show the evolution of Zappos’ supply chain in a diagram. What changes did Zappos make in its supply chain? Do you think that these changes are justified?

3. What are Zappos’ core competencies and sources of competitive advantage? How sustainable are they?

4. How would you expand the business? Would you add more products, more geographies, or by selling private labels?

5. How would you expect the environment of a more cost conscious customers to affect Zappos’ business? What can Zappos’ do to maintain sales in such an environment?

All groups (expect the group making the presentation) are required to submit a printout of their answers to the instructor at the beginning of the class. Also, be prepared to discuss the case in the class.