Jessica E.

Laran

Chapter 1: UPS COMPETES GLOBALLY WITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

1. What are the inputs, processing, and outputs of UPS's package tracking
system?

Inputs: The inputs are detailed information (customer information, package

information), pickup, delivery, current location, bar coded label, special software
program by using the UPS Web site.   

Processing: The all information are transmitted to a central computer,  distribution

centers, logistical planning, (DIAD) program which was their drivers had been
handheld delivery information Acquisition Device, called UPS net, DIAD is collected
from scan able label on packages, and changing schedules.

Outputs: UPS served tools that able to a customer which is Cisco Systems, to
include UPS functions, such as tracking and cost calculations, into their own Web
sites. Destination (on the way), pick-up and delivery schedule.

2. What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies

related to UPS's business strategy?

Everything is firstly started about “ scannable bar-coded label “. It’s the main thing
that they use their daily work. Also customers know fully, detailed information about
their shipment. Which contains complete information about the sender, location of
where it must go, and date of shipment should have arrive.  If sender wants to get
information about the package they can go to company’s web site and download and
print it out. Before the packages picked up information transmitted to 2 main servers
Mahwah, NJ or Alpharetta, GA and send to nearest distribution centers of its final
destination. Dispatchers of these centers received the information use the special
software plan the most efficiency delivery way to each driver to consider of traffic and
weather conditions.

        1. UPS drivers used their daily work activities handheld computer named
Delivery information Acquisition Device (DIAD) which can access wireless network.
Drivers once he/she log in daily routes downloaded onto their device.  The DIAD
automatically captures customers signatures according pickup and delivery
information.  Package tracking process is then transmitted to UPS main server and
storage on it.  From there information can be accessed to the worldwide. To provide
proof of delivery to customers or to respond customer questions. Process takes only
60 seconds and new information throughout DIAD to be available on the UPS’s site.
         2.  In 2009 UPS launched new program called Web Based Posts Sales Order
Management System (OMS) which designed to global shipping services to provide
service dangerous shipment such as high-tech electronics, aerospace, medical
equipment and any other company’s critical shipment/inventory to fully responsibility.

 These technologies involved company’s motto “best service and lowest rates “

They implement “best service” strategy. DIAD helps make it work easier and quicker
for the both sides, customers and company staff. It saves time, collect the all
information make it complete.  As for the company side dispatchers schedule way
routes, traffic/weather conditions and notice the drivers. According to this information
drivers can make their work more efficiency. Company mainly focused on their high
level of customer’s satisfaction. Customers can easily go to company’s Web Site and
to get complete information about the packages. All the package are insured. UPS
approximately spend 1billion USD in a one year customer’s satisfaction guarantee
for their customers while reducing cost low. 

3. What strategic business objectives do UPS's information systems

address?

UPS has a several business objectives. 

1. 1. Scannable Bar-code: One of the MIS business strategy objective. this

system's objective is to use time more efficiently and use low labor force in
classify the packages destination and reduce human error in classifications
that will reduce the cost. It means by reducing cost they can keep up the
lowest rate.

2. In delivering UPS uses special software that help drivers to take the most
efficient routes to deliver the package, plus this system considers the traffic
and weather conditions.

3. DIAD: Every driver has device that has information about at automatically
captures customer's signature along pickup and delivering information from
UPS's central computer. Every deliver person can access information about
the package and the customer can check the package it delivered or not. Also
the signature that from the delivery will be proof, sender can check it.

4. Cisco system: contains the customer can know about their packages
information more detailed such as shipping rates, determine time in transit,
print labels, schedule a pickup, and track packages. Those actions can get
the high technology to the senders and it can reduce the time losing. They
can check their tracking and cost calculations and shipments cost without the
UPS site. 

5.  OMS: Advanced delivering system that takes packages from the warehouse
of companies and delivers their fulfillment parts of equipment more quickly
with in efficient routes.
4. What would happen if UPS/s information systems were not available?

1. Customer/ Sender: If there were not available for information system, the
customer will decrease faster. Senders want to choose the good one
which has high proof and information system and easy to understand
system.

2. Global delivering: For the another countries it will be difficult to get their
packages. They will not know how is going their packages. It means no
information about their packages. 

3. Saving Cost: Maybe it will be good to saving cost for the company. They
do not need enough employees and machines.

4. Time Losing: Those systems always give the information about their
packages. For the company it is the one of the advantage but if they has
nothing then the company can lose their time.

At lastly, UPS will not be successful as today!