Bsc3046 Unit 4 Study Guide

Management Information System
(CSC-490)
Assignment #1

Faiz Moazzam Dar
01-134112-012

BSCS-8

Submitted to Sir Humayun Zaheer

Department of Computer Science
BAHRIA UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

UPS COMPETES GLOBALLY WITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Q1. What are the inputs, process, and outputs of UPS’s package tracking system?
Inputs:
Package Information
Scan able barcoded label
Pickup and Delivery Information
Time-card Data
Customer Information / Signature
Destination
Current Location of the Parcels (while en route)
Billing and Customer Clearance Documentation

Processing:
The data is transmitted to a central computer and stored for retrieval. Data is also organized in such a way that it can be tracked by the customer.

Outputs:
Pickup and Delivery Times
Delivery Status
Proof of Delivery
Position of Parcel
Smart Labels
Signatures of Receiver
Package Receipts
Reports on the Stages of Delivery
Summary Reports for Management

Q2. What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies related to UPS’s business strategy?
Following are the
technologies used by UPS:
Handheld Computers called Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIAD)
Bar-code Scanners
Colour Screens
Smart Labels
Wired and Wireless Communication Networks (GPRS and CDMA)
Bluetooth and Infrared Pot for Instant Messaging
In-house GPS Tracking Software
In-house Customer Account Maintenance Software
In-house Logistics Management Software
Order Management System
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Solution
Desktop Computers
Central Computers (Large Mainframes)
Central Storage (dB) for Package Delivery Data
Telecommunication (Pagers and Cellular Phone Networks)
Web-based Service

UPS’s business strategy is to provide the "best services and lowest rates." One of the most visible aspects of the advance integration of UPS’s technology is the customer’s ability to track his/her package through the UPS website.
The technology enables UPS to provide services that are cheaper and more efficient. Thus, making UPS to be more accessible, competitive and profitable.

Q3. What problems do UPS’s information systems solve? What would happen if UPS’s information systems were not available?
UPS information system provides solution for activities related to logistics and supply chain design and management, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, mail services, multimodal transportation, and financial services. In addition, it saves travel time and
money.

If these technologies were not present, UPS would not be competitive in its market therefore it would incur more cost and less revenue. The customers would not be able to track their shipments in a real-time manner and would also not be able to reroute a package once dispatched. UPS would not be able to capture delivery info remotely and would have to process the same in a time consuming batch process. The process of providing information to customer and finding customer information would become slow. The customer won't be able to receive the information rapidly. The operation of UPS would also become slow therefore it will not be able to deliver an effective and efficient, time targeted service.