MBA 5401
Information Systems Management
Unit II Case Study
Columbia Southern University
MBA 5401
The way UPS use information systems technology to achieve its strategic goals of being
more efficient and customer oriented.
UPS is one of the leading global technologically advanced carriers of all time. They first
started off as two teenagers working in a closet sized room commuting on bicycles in Seattle.
Today they are the leading global enterprise with almost a half a million employees, over
112,000 vehicles, and the world’s ninth-largest airline. The way UPS uses information systems
technology to achieve their efficiency, is using their scannable bar-code system that reflects the
parcel's status once scanned and information is entered into the computer database. These database
labels are able to send information into a system where not only UPS is being updated, but the
recipient and sender have access to updates to this information as well. It all starts with the
scannable bar-coded label attached to a package, which contains detailed information about the
sender, the destination, and when the package should arrive. Customers can download and print
their own labels using special software provided by UPS or by accessing the UPS website. Before
the package is even picked up, information from the “smart” label is transmitted to one of UPS’s
computer centers in Mahwah, New Jersey, or Alpharetta, Georgia, and sent to the distribution
center nearest its destination (Laudon & Laudon, 2020, pp 23-24).
What would happen if the automated package tracking system was not available?
The way UPS has their automated packing tracking system set is, having the driver log
into a Delivery Information Acquisition Device called a DIAD which has access to a wireless
cellphone network. As soon as the driver logs on, his or her day's route is downloaded onto the
, handheld. The DIAD also automatically captures the customer's signature along with pickup and
delivery information. The packing information is then transmitted to the UPS's computer network
for processing. From there, this information can be accessed via worldwide web. So, it
would be difficult for the automatic packing system to not become available. The driver would
have to be able to log in in order for this information to transmit and be achieved (Laudon &
Laudon, 2020).
How globalization has “flattened” the world.
Most corporations today are making an attempt to become more digital and effective,
keeping up with the rest of the world. The term of the world being flat refers to the competitive
market between countries concerning industrial and emerging market is leveling and companies
and also, entrepreneurs are becoming a part of a global supply chain across the world. This
certainly applies to UPS as they have successfully become a global corporation and have
successfully became a global supply chain across the world.
Analyze how information systems are transforming business.
Organizations rely heavily on information systems. It helps to keep track of data
concerning their finances in terms of revenue, communions, goods and services, how many
transactions have taken place, and many other entities that companies use in order to keep track
of things. Years ago, this was not the case. In the past when technology was not evident, many
companies had to keep files of all the data that they kept track of. This caused a great deal of
cluster as time accumulated. Now information systems have been a deal breaker in terms of
computer technology. All information can be stored in a database which saves more time and
energy for those needing to keep track of it, which has revolutionized many businesses across the
world.
Information Systems Management
Unit II Case Study
Columbia Southern University
MBA 5401
The way UPS use information systems technology to achieve its strategic goals of being
more efficient and customer oriented.
UPS is one of the leading global technologically advanced carriers of all time. They first
started off as two teenagers working in a closet sized room commuting on bicycles in Seattle.
Today they are the leading global enterprise with almost a half a million employees, over
112,000 vehicles, and the world’s ninth-largest airline. The way UPS uses information systems
technology to achieve their efficiency, is using their scannable bar-code system that reflects the
parcel's status once scanned and information is entered into the computer database. These database
labels are able to send information into a system where not only UPS is being updated, but the
recipient and sender have access to updates to this information as well. It all starts with the
scannable bar-coded label attached to a package, which contains detailed information about the
sender, the destination, and when the package should arrive. Customers can download and print
their own labels using special software provided by UPS or by accessing the UPS website. Before
the package is even picked up, information from the “smart” label is transmitted to one of UPS’s
computer centers in Mahwah, New Jersey, or Alpharetta, Georgia, and sent to the distribution
center nearest its destination (Laudon & Laudon, 2020, pp 23-24).
What would happen if the automated package tracking system was not available?
The way UPS has their automated packing tracking system set is, having the driver log
into a Delivery Information Acquisition Device called a DIAD which has access to a wireless
cellphone network. As soon as the driver logs on, his or her day's route is downloaded onto the
, handheld. The DIAD also automatically captures the customer's signature along with pickup and
delivery information. The packing information is then transmitted to the UPS's computer network
for processing. From there, this information can be accessed via worldwide web. So, it
would be difficult for the automatic packing system to not become available. The driver would
have to be able to log in in order for this information to transmit and be achieved (Laudon &
Laudon, 2020).
How globalization has “flattened” the world.
Most corporations today are making an attempt to become more digital and effective,
keeping up with the rest of the world. The term of the world being flat refers to the competitive
market between countries concerning industrial and emerging market is leveling and companies
and also, entrepreneurs are becoming a part of a global supply chain across the world. This
certainly applies to UPS as they have successfully become a global corporation and have
successfully became a global supply chain across the world.
Analyze how information systems are transforming business.
Organizations rely heavily on information systems. It helps to keep track of data
concerning their finances in terms of revenue, communions, goods and services, how many
transactions have taken place, and many other entities that companies use in order to keep track
of things. Years ago, this was not the case. In the past when technology was not evident, many
companies had to keep files of all the data that they kept track of. This caused a great deal of
cluster as time accumulated. Now information systems have been a deal breaker in terms of
computer technology. All information can be stored in a database which saves more time and
energy for those needing to keep track of it, which has revolutionized many businesses across the
world.
