Darryn Lubisco Living in the Information Age (2012-09-SOS-110-OL-009)
Information Technology
The transportation industry in recent years has seen the impact of GPS technology and the internet impact its business model. The industry in itself is unique because it does not manufacture or produce a product; its main source of revenue comes from selling a service. That service is simple; provide customers with reliable solutions to their transportation needs. In 2010 International Data Group’s Computerworld named FedEx Corp as one of the best places to work in IT. IT can be defined as is a branch of engineering dealing with the use of computers and telecommunications equipment to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology).
With the boom of e-commerce and internet websites such as EBay, and Amazon, goods are being purchased 24/7 over the internet. The recipients of these goods expect their shipments to be delivered on time and intact. FedEx has simplified this by developing a webpage on their website called tracking. Customers can input their order or tracking number and receive up to date information on the status of their shipment and an estimated time it will be delivered. Shippers can also use this data to rate the service FedEx is providing their customers.
Recently, FedEx added a new service to their tracking system that gives customers the ability to get email or text message confirmations when their shipment delivers or becomes lost in transit. This innovation has led to a decrease in returns, and a higher percentage of deliveries on first attempts. Customers that know when their shipment will be delivered are more likely to be home to receive it.
Besides advances to customer IT needs, FedEx has embraced software and technology advances for management to increase efficiency and profitability. Nearly 70% of all freight tonnage in the United States is moved in trucks,
References: Information technology. (2012, September 9). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11:50, September 9, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Information_technology&oldid=511517194 Trucking and the Economy. (2007-2008). American Trucking Association. Retrieved, September 9, 2012, from http://www.trucking.org/Newsroom/Trucks%20Are/Trucking%20and%20the%20Economy.pdf