Supply Chain Management: Identify appropriate technology tools for manufacturing, healthcare, and retail
Review the Scenario. Your process team has been requested to identify technology that would be beneficial to manufacturing and service operations clients (Samson Seating and Midland Hospital, for example). Consider the following:
Samson Seating manufactures leather seating that consists of various components such as frames, electrical parts (heating and comfort features), padding, and leather sewing (final assembly). It currently uses basic accounting software and high-end manufacturing plant machinery in its operations.
Midland Hospital has little or no specific technology tools pertaining to inventory management.
Walton's Department Store: a growing retail concern that is interested in providing low cost products and is relying on technological innovation to optimize costs.
Your task is to research and identify appropriate tools for the two clients listed above, developing a review of potential technologies (software and hardware) that may be appropriate for each industry area and client in particular. Using course materials and other sources, specifically do the following:
The three clients represent three different industries: manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Explain how the technology requirements for SCM are the same and explain how they are different.
Research and identify a minimum of two appropriate software tools for each industry and client, explaining how each will support the business and which aspects of the business.
Research and identify one other non-software technology that might be useful (e.g., robotics for manufacturing) to each industry and explain how the technology will help optimize costs and efficiencies.
Objective:
Discuss the impact of technology on a firm's supply chain.
Discuss the impact of technology on business.