Deck 6: Supply Chain Technology-Managing Information Flows

Question 1

RFID applications have been widely embraced due to their low cost and high reliability.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

SCIS software selection is relatively straightforward as the choices have been simplified.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Organizations are putting less emphasis on information technology to help them become more competitive, innovative, and adaptive, relying more on supply chain innovations.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Supply chain software sales faltered during the 2007-2009 recession and remained flat in 2010 and 2011.

Question 5

The _________ of demand, customer orders, delivery status, inventory stock levels, and production schedules provides managers with the knowledge needed to make effective situational assessments and develop appropriate responses.

A) visibility
B) availability
C) accuracy
D) accountability

Question 6

Individual supply chain applications must work together to provide a holistic view of all relevant processes, and must also link effectively to supply chain partners.

Question 7

Supply chain information technologies can provide timely, cost efficient sharing of information between suppliers, manufacturers, intermediaries, logistics services providers, and customers.

Question 8

Information must be real-time, not just current.

Question 9

Event management systems monitor the supply chain for events that are out of tolerance, such as a shortage of parts at a manufacturing location or the breakdown of a truck delivering an important order.

Question 10

The term supply chain information system (SCIS) is well defined and commonly understood.

Question 11

Now that people are computer-literate, they are no longer a major barrier to the effective use of information technology.

Question 12

Web-enabled SCIS allows managers to monitor sourcing, transportation, and inventory data at the order and item level.

Question 13

Business intelligence applications are being used to gather information on competitors and their suppliers.

Question 14

Spreadsheets and database software no longer have a place in SCIS as newer tools have supplanted them.

Question 15

Information technology plays an important role in each of the five drivers of sustainable supply chain management practice.

Question 16

"It has been said that information is the lifeline of business, driving effective decisions and action. Quality of information is less and less important, given advances in technology."

Question 17

Technological capabilities ultimately determine the success or failure of SCIS, rather than the technology users.

Question 18

Supply chain software is now available over the Internet. These applications are collectively known as on-demand software.

Question 19

Supply chain execution tools have focused on a company's internal logistics activities-order management, warehouse management, inventory management, labor optimization, and transportation management-and are being expanded into new integration software applications.

Question 20

ERP systems are multimodal application software platforms that help organizations manage the important parts of their businesses.

Question 21

Which of the below is not part of the seven Rs of logistics?

A) information
B) cost
C) quality
D) place

Question 22

What are the 10 Golden Rules for technology implementation? Discuss how they are important.

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT one of the five drivers of sustainable supply chain management practice?

A) adaptability
B) synchronization
C) velocity
D) execution

Question 24

What is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software?

Question 25

ERP systems

A) are taking the place of SCIS systems.
B) have information elements needed by SCIS applications.
C) require RFID to be fully functional.
D) focus primarily on manufacturing issues

Question 26

Due to mergers and acquisitions in the software industry and ERP vendors moving into the supply chain applications market space, it is possible to purchase

A) best of breed solutions from leading providers in each category
B) supply chain software suites that combine planning, execution, event management, and related capabilities
C) spreadsheet software with expanded capabilities
D) event management tools that monitor the supply chain for events that are out of tolerance

Question 27

What are the five drivers of sustainable supply chain management practice? Give a brief definition of each driver.

Question 28

What are supply chain execution tools?

Question 29

What is XML? Describe some of its benefits.

Question 30

Supply chain software that provides a platform for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to aggregate and organize item-related data such as item number, price, description, and weight is called

A) business intelligence tools
B) supply chain collaboration tools
C) spreadsheets and database tools
D) data synchronization tools

Question 31

Managers have several options for software development and implementation. They include

A) internal development.
B) third party logistics firms.
C) external software vendors.
D) all of these answers

Question 32

What are some of the questions that must be asked by senior management in order to establish and refine the software vision that guides their organization's supply chain strategy?

Question 33

The term supply chain information system (SCIS) is defined as

A) software that manages the supply chain.
B) technology that has enhanced the ability of companies to pay more attention to customers.
C) information systems that automate the flow of information between a firm and its suppliers.
D) process management software that may or may not use ASP applications.

Question 34

What are the 7 Rs of a logistics information system? Name them, and pick two to discuss in more detail.

Question 35

Supply Chain software includes technologies that

A) address virtually every function and task that occurs in the supply chain.
B) help organizations plan, execute, and control supply chain activities in real time.
C) help to maintain visibility of inventory
D) all of these answers

Question 36

What is event management software?

Question 37

On-demand supply chain software that is not installed on a company computer is gaining in popularity. An issue to be addressed with this purchase option is
A) All of these

A) Functionality may not be as robust as traditional software
B) Data control is an issue
C) Total cost of ownership could exceed purchase cost over the long run

Question 38

The textbook provides an example of how SanDisk improved forecast accuracy by 25%, and achieved higher inventory turns and a lower cost structure as a result of implementing

A) a new supply chain execution tool
B) business intelligence tools
C) an advanced planning solution
D) new ERP systems

Question 39

What are the key requirements of an SCIS system?

Question 40

___________ is/are a major barrier to the effective use of information technology.

A) cost
B) people
C) effective applications
D) management support

Question 41

Define and discuss the history of RFID adoption and the associated issues with the technology.

Question 42

Discuss how advances in mobile computing have led to the development of supply chain capabilities.