SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND ARCHITECTURE

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LABORATORY 1 - CASE STUDY

1. What are some of the system integration challenges faced by UPS?

Ø UPS struggled greatly with the lack of efficiency in their original
system, and as a shipping company, that was indeed most
troubling. Because of this, the company frequent encounter errors
including but not limited to shipping to the wrong address and
loading parcels to the wrong trucks. Correcting these errors
required return shipment and then reshipment, which obviously
entail financial loss. Additionally, the company also had to fend-off
an overwhelming load of costumer service calls from concerned
clients, which was an additional financial loss and a waste of human
resources.

2. Discuss the systems integration solutions at UPS. How does it help UPS
integrate new technologies?
Ø Basically, UPS invested hugely on technology. With the help of
software like Package Flow12 and Trade Direct12, different ERP
modules from Oracle, and thousands over thousands of new
computers, servers, and IT personnel, UPS hauled their company
into becoming an industry front runner. Because of said system
integrations, UPS saved tremendous amount of time, resources,
and money, but most importantly, they resulted to satisfied UPS
customers.

3. Discuss the advantages of systems integration for UPS customers.

Ø With new system integrations to the company, UPS costumers
could track real time status of their packages or cargoes as they
were being shipped around the world. Concerned customers could
also get instantaneous response to their inquiries. And most
importantly, much fewer UPS customers were subjected to the
inconvenience of having to deal with their packages or cargoes
being delayed or mis-shipped.