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Primary Discussion Response is due by Friday (11:59:59pm Central), Peer Responses are due by Tuesday (11:59:59pm Central).

The discussion assignment for this week includes a review of the final project outline completed by one of your classmates, as well as a substantial response to at least 2 other students.

Primary Task Response

Your first task is to post an outline of your final project to the discussion area so that other students are able to review your plan. Attach your document to the main discussion post, and include detailed notes that you feel are appropriate. The purpose of this assignment is to help improve the quality of the final project that you will complete next week.

You work for a popular consumer electronics company that sells products such as cell phones, tablets, and personal computers. The vice president of operations has talked to you about setting up a warehousing and distribution process that can support business expansions globally. He has asked you to develop a recommendation that will help build a business plan. You need to focus on the areas of transportation regulations and policies, transportation methodologies, warehousing, distribution, and inventory management.

The company is looking to start its global expansion in the European Union and China. You will focus your analysis and recommendations for this report on importing goods into those areas from the United States and fulfilling customer orders from in-region warehousing or distribution centers. Your outline should include the following:

1. Part I:Transportation Regulations and Policies
   • Define the goal
   • Explain the relevance
   • National security
   • Public safety
   • Environment
   • Unrestrained competition
2. Part II:Transportation Methodologies
   • Economic viability
   • Practical use
   • Applications in domestic and global markets
3. Part III:Warehousing and Distribution
   • Principles
   • Design
   • Storage and handling
   • Information systems and information technology
   • Third-party logistics provider (3PL)
4. Part IV:Inventory Management
   • Inventory functions for intermediate and final products
   • Packaging techniques

Respond to Another Student: Review at least two other students about their final project outline and provide meaningful feedback. Refrain from general feedback, such as simply stating "good job." Your feedback to other students is most helpful if you not only point out weak areas but also offer suggestions for improvement. The best feedback takes a three-stage approach to identify what was done well, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.