Ups Competes Globally with It
Andrew Brown
CIS 5620
Dr. Hendricks
August 28, 2012
CASE STUDY:
UPS COMPETES GLOBALLY WITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
QUESTIONS:
1. What are the inputs, processing, and outputs of UPS’s package tracking system?
Inputs | Processing | Outputs | Smart Label created and attached to package (customer inputs various types of data) | Information from label about the sender, the destination, and delivery date is transmitted to UPS computer center | Package information is read by computer and sent to the distribution center nearest its final destination | Dispatchers at distribution center download label data | Special software calculates the most efficient delivery route for each driver that accounts for traffic, weather, and locations of each stop | Customized route is created and assigned to each driver | Driver Logs on DIAD | Driver is verified & customized route is download to DIAD | Route is available for driver on DIAD to read | Driver delivers or receives a package | Package tracking info is transmitted to UPS network for storage & processing | Information is available worldwide to provide proof of delivery to customers or respond to inquiries | Driver delivers a package & Customer signs for package | Signature & delivery info transmitted to UPS network for storage & processing | | Various points along route: bar code devices scan info on package label | Data about the progress of the package is fed into central computers | Employees can check the status of any package from computers linked to central computers | | | Customers can access information from UPS website using their computer or mobile phone |
2. What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies related to UPS’s business strategy?
The technologies used by UPS include various types of custom software for a variety of tasks, such as creating scannable bar-coded labels, creating efficient delivery routes, capturing customer signatures, and
CIS 5620
Dr. Hendricks
August 28, 2012
CASE STUDY:
UPS COMPETES GLOBALLY WITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
QUESTIONS:
1. What are the inputs, processing, and outputs of UPS’s package tracking system?
Inputs | Processing | Outputs | Smart Label created and attached to package (customer inputs various types of data) | Information from label about the sender, the destination, and delivery date is transmitted to UPS computer center | Package information is read by computer and sent to the distribution center nearest its final destination | Dispatchers at distribution center download label data | Special software calculates the most efficient delivery route for each driver that accounts for traffic, weather, and locations of each stop | Customized route is created and assigned to each driver | Driver Logs on DIAD | Driver is verified & customized route is download to DIAD | Route is available for driver on DIAD to read | Driver delivers or receives a package | Package tracking info is transmitted to UPS network for storage & processing | Information is available worldwide to provide proof of delivery to customers or respond to inquiries | Driver delivers a package & Customer signs for package | Signature & delivery info transmitted to UPS network for storage & processing | | Various points along route: bar code devices scan info on package label | Data about the progress of the package is fed into central computers | Employees can check the status of any package from computers linked to central computers | | | Customers can access information from UPS website using their computer or mobile phone |
2. What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies related to UPS’s business strategy?
The technologies used by UPS include various types of custom software for a variety of tasks, such as creating scannable bar-coded labels, creating efficient delivery routes, capturing customer signatures, and