Discussion—Integration of Technology

Technology has changed the way we conduct business on a daily basis. A number of organizations have opted for integrating systems and sharing information with their counterparts.

Research information technology (IT) systems for supply chains.

Then respond to the following:

• As a manager, if you have to design an IT system for supply chain purposes using a cross-functional team, who would you include on your team and why?
• Explain some of the trade-offs you would consider when designing/acquiring the system. Be specific and support your reasoning with examples.

After your initial post, discuss the following:

• What trade-offs are involved in (a) sharing information with other organizations in a supply chain and (b) the acquisition of information-processing technology?
• Who needs to be involved in decisions as they pertain to technology acquisition for supply chain management?
• Name three different ways that technology has improved the ability to manage supply chains.
• Explain why integrated technology has improved the ability to manage supply chains.

Write your initial response in 200 to 300 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.