Deck 14: Supply Chain Technology Managing Information Flows

Question 1

The purpose behind digitized SCM networks is to collect data from disparate, siloed sources, cleanse the data, and aggregate it into a single version of the truth that reflects what is actually happening in the supply chain.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

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

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Which of the following trends is the driving force in the growth of information technology in supply chain management?

A) Globalization
B) Increasing complexity
C) Reliance on data
D) All of these answers

Answer 3

D

Question 4

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

Question 5

Thanks to recent advantages in technology, there are many solutions available that will fix flawed supply chain processes and make effective use of even poor quality data.

Question 6

RFID tags are growing in popularity in retail stores as a means of tracking inventory and point-of-sale activities.

Question 7

A significant challenge in SCIS management is the integration of various applications created by different vendors, a problem that is exacerbated by the fact that these competing vendors refuse to address integration issues or to foster better synchronization.

Question 8

Information is useful only if it can drive effective decision making.

Question 9

Companies with highly digitized supply chains and operations can expect efficiency gains of 6.2 percent annually, while boosting revenue by 4.9 percent a year.

Question 10

A supply chain information system (SCIS) allows managers to monitor supply chain conditions and respond quickly with corrective actions to avoid problem escalation.

Question 11

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

Question 12

Before selecting and implementing new software, managers must conduct a needs assessment, which includes addressing the links between effective business processes, appropriate technology, and supply chain performance.

Question 13

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

Question 14

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are internal applications that enable firms to monitor inventory levels.

Question 15

There are three principle supply chain information requirements that support effective decision-making. First, the information in a system must meet quality standards to support fact-based decision making. Second, the information must readily flow within and between organizations. Third, the information must support multiple types of supply chain decisions.

Question 16

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

Question 17

Which of the following is not part of the seven "rights" of logistics?

A) Information
B) Cost
C) Quality
D) Place

Question 18

Unless the technology components of an SCIS are properly linked, firms will not be able to capitalize on the benefits of systems integration, real-time data access, or process optimization.

Question 19

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

Question 20

Recent data shows that sales of supply chain management and procurement software is on the rise in the U.S.-a 12.5 percent increase in 2018 alone.

Question 21

ERP systems:

A) are taking the place of SCIS systems.
B) provide a single, unified solution that spans an enterprise.
C) require RFID to be fully functional.
D) focus primarily on manufacturing issues.

Question 22

The best description of a supply chain information system (SCIS) is:

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 provide management with supply chain data that facilitates timely decision making.
D) process management software that may or may not use ASP applications.

Question 23

Discuss the relative advantages of best-of-breed software versus supply chain suites.

Question 24

Describe how a supply chain information system enables process excellence and links the essential elements.

Question 25

What is the role of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in SCM?

Question 26

Now that Henderson Air, a manufacturer of heating and air conditioning units, has moved to a just-in-time production process, the firm expects its suppliers to provide inventory replenishment orders within 24 hours. This is an example of which quality that enables process excellence?

A) Optimization
B) Segmentation
C) Velocity
D) Agility

Question 27

Review the methods used by supply chain managers to mitigate SCIS implementation risks.

Question 28

TransNational Shipping is preparing to invest more than $1 million in a new system that applies machine learning, AI, and analytics to create and automate rules for shipping, sourcing, and logistics. This is an example of which type of technology expected to emerge in the future?

A) Digital supply chain twin
B) Intelligent order management
C) Quantum computing
D) AI cloud computing

Question 29

Name at least four of the seven golden rules supply chain managers should follow to successfully guide an IT implementation process and avoid disruptions. Which rule do you think is most important, and why?

Question 30

Identify the four primary categories of supply chain software and discuss their primary functions.

Question 31

Summarize supplier relationship management software and customer relationship management software. In what ways are these two categories of software similar?

Question 32

When supply chain partners have access to the same real-time information and use it to gain consistent insights and drive collaborative decisions, it is called:

A) optimization .
B) segmentation .
C) cross-chain visibility .
D) synchronization .

Question 33

Summarize at least five of the eight attributes of information quality.

Question 34

There are three principle supply chain information requirements that support effective decision-making. Which of the following is not one of the three?

A) Information must meet quality standards to support fact-based decision-making.
B) Information must readily flow within and between organizations.
C) Information must support multiple types of supply chain decisions.
D) Information must be in the form of real-time data.

Question 35

Compare the two SCM software purchasing options-licensed software and SaaS.

Question 36

Like many organizations, Acme Fasteners & Tools has purchased various components of its supply chain management system one at a time, bit by bit over the years. Some of these components communicate well among themselves, while other components have never been fully integrated into the system. Which of the following best describes this common issue in SCM?

A) Expecting a solution to resolve a flawed supply chain
B) Failing to align technology with processes
C) Creating gaps in the technology system
D) Failing to prepare for successful implementation

Question 37

Explain how SCM supports both strategic and tactical planning, as well as routine decision making. Include examples to support your answer.

Question 38

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

A) internal development.
B) licensed software solutions from vendors.
C) software as a service.
D) all of these answers.

Question 39

Discuss the role of information in the supply chain, and identify the three principle requirements for supply chain information.

Question 40

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 41

Traditional linear supply chains are gradually being replaced by an integrated supply chain ecosystem. Explain what this means, including at least three key benefits of this evolution.