4-6 page CASE STUDY -----> READ ATTACHMENTS<------ GOOD WRITERS ONLY<-------4 ATTACHMENTS PLEASE READ<-------

5014 Final Case Study The role of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in managing business processes has expanded significantly over the past decade from a focus on specific business areas such as manufacturing, procurement, or human resources, to broader use throughout the company. Although IT has traditionally been responsible for specifying and implementing technology within an organization, successful ERP implementations require involvement from stakeholders at all levels, from executives to end users. For many companies, the transition from existing traditional systems to a new ERP can consume significant corporate resources, including time, expense, and risk to business operations. (TEC, 2013)

United Parcel Service (UPS) the world‘s largest air and ground package–distribution company, started operating in 1907, out of a closet-sized basement office. Today, with the backing of technology and especially ERP systems, UPS is now the world’s largest ground and air package-distribution System Company. Arguably, because of the fierce competition with FedEx, UPS has had to heavily invest in technology to become the global leader that they are.

Assignment:

1. Review these videos:

UPS overview

FedEx and UPS Documentary

The UPS WorldPort facility

The FedEx Memphis Hub

How UPS operates

FedEx package tracking

2. Prepare a 4-6 page paper, following APA guidelines. I strongly urge you to make use of the electronic library and other electronic resources to strengthen your paper. Upon completion of your essay, list in question/answer format, your responses to the 11 questions listed following the essay criteria. Address the following:

a. A brief overview of the UPS company (3 paragraphs max!) b. Describe and discuss at least 3 technologies in-use at UPS (cite sources)

c. Financially speaking (looking at each companies 10-K reports), discuss how the two companies compare to each other in terms of income and expense.

i. What are the three reportable segments of UPS?

d. Discuss UPS’s business of outsourcing supply chain management. e. Discuss how technology plays a role in UPS’s International Package

reporting segment. f. Describe both UPS and FedEx competitive strengths. Which one is poised

to have the most growth over the next 5 years? g. Discuss the FedEx Mobile suite of services. Does UPS have anything that

compares? h. Imagine landing a new job--you are in charge of technology at the

WorldPort Warehouse. Name at least 4 items (technology-wise) that you would want to know about right away.

3. Questions: 1. What automotive company uses UPS as their parts supplier? Briefly describe

how they take advantage of UPS services.

2. What company setup shop right next to FedEx so they can quickly deliver their perishable goods? What do they sell?

3. How many times is the average FedEx package scanned

4. Over the past 18 months, UPS has opened 12 new dedicated facilities on 4 continents. What are they dedicated to?

5. What does telematics do for UPS?

6. What does UPS Quantum View do for customers?

7. Which is bigger? The FedEx Memphis hub or the UPS WorldPort Hub? Provide statistics in at least a one paragraph answer.

8. According to company financials, what was the total income and profit for each company? Who did better in terms of profit as a percent of revenue?

9. How did Siemens help to expand the Worldport Hub?

10. What fine foods company has a warehouse next to the UPS WorldPort facility?

What do they keep there? How do they do it?

11. What is the name of the hand-held device that UPS drivers use? How does it integrate with the UPS ERP system?