IST 301 CASE STUDIES QUESTIONSS
How did IBM become the dominant IT industry leader? - Answers -Developed
Mainframes and client/server
What changed that knocked IBM off its industry leader position? - Answers -The
development of PCs and customers became more informed about computers
Change from hardware as the dominant cost of a computer to software becoming the
majority of the cost
What did the new outside CEO Lou Gerstner do that saved IBM? - Answers --Business
Process Redesign - global -business processes
-simplifies organizational structure
-remakes the brand
-new product strategy "Network-centric computing"
-motivated his team
What company was selected to provide consultation? Why? - Answers -KPMG
because ERP are specialized system and they take expertise to implement.
What company was selected to provide the new ERP system? Why? - Answers -Oracle
because of it's
-great manufacturing capabilities
-promised long-term development of functionality
-located close by
the five tracks that team members were placed into. Who oversaw all five tracks? -
Answers -program management office oversaw all five tracks
-Order Entry track
-Manufacturing track
-Finance track
Sales/Reporting track
-technology track
Describe Walmart's purchasing process. - Answers --Purchase right from the supplier.
-Began sourcing products globally
Describe Walmart's distribution process. - Answers --"Hub and Spoke" design of high
volume distribution centers
-largest private truck fleet employee base of any firm
-Trucking employees were also non-unionized
How did Walmart's retail strategy fit with its purchasing and distribution processes? -
Answers -EDLP was their retail strategy allowed distribution centers to have close to
real-time information on each's stores stock levels.
