Deck 14: Supply Chain Technology

Question 1

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

Answer 1

True

Question 2

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

Answer 2

True

Question 3

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

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Supply chain software is now available over the Internet. These applications are collectively known as on-demand software.

Question 5

RFID applications have been widely embraced due to their low cost and high reliability.

Question 6

Web-enabled SCIS allows managers to monitor sourcing, transportation, and inventory data at the order and item level.

Question 7

IoT is unconnected technology with sensors, on/off switches, and Internet linkages that allow supply chain managers to intelligently link people, processes, data, and things.

Question 8

Which of the below is not part of the seven Rs of logistics?

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

Question 9

Business intelligence applications are being used to gather information on competitors and their suppliers.

Question 10

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

Question 11

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

Question 12

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 13

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

Question 14

The term supply chain information system (SCIS) is well defined and commonly understood.

Question 15

The promise of driverless vehicles is a long-range prospect as much more testing and proof of concept will be needed to gain regulatory and public acceptance of truly driverless vehicles.

Question 16

The _____ of demand, customer orders, delivery status, inventory stock levels, and production schedules provides managers with the knowledge needed to make effective situational assessments and develop appropriate responses.

A) visibility
B) availability
C) accuracy
D) accountability

Question 17

ERP systems are multimodal application software platforms that help organizations manage the important parts of their businesses.

Question 18

Organizations are putting less emphasis on information technology to help them become more competitive, innovative, and adaptive, relying more on supply chain innovations.

Question 19

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

Question 20

Individual supply chain applications must work together to provide a holistic view of all relevant processes, and must also link effectively to supply chain partners.

Question 21

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

Question 22

Discuss the role of information in the supply chain and how it supports supply chain planning and execution.

Question 23

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 24

What are the 10 golden rules for technology implementation? Discuss how they are important.

Question 25

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

A) internal development.
B) third party logistics firms.
C) external software vendors.
D) all of these answers.

Question 26

On-demand supply chain software that is not installed on a company computer is gaining popularity. An issue to be addressed with this purchase option is:
a. all of these answers.
a. functionality may not be as robust as traditional software.
b. data control is an issue.
c. total cost of ownership could exceed purchase cost over the long run.

Question 27

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

Question 28

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

Question 29

When preparing to purchase and implement SCIS components, what issues and questions must managers address?

Question 30

Describe the attributes of information quality and how they impact supply chain decision making.

Question 31

Why would companies choose to use on-demand software versus licensed software?

Question 32

ERP systems:

A) are taking the place of SCIS systems.
B) have information elements needed by SCIS applications.
C) require RFID to be fully functional.
D) focus primarily on manufacturing issues.

Question 33

Supply chain software that provides a platform for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to aggregate and organize item-related data such as item number, price, description, and weight is called:

A) business intelligence tools.
B) supply chain collaboration tools.
C) spreadsheets and database tools.
D) data synchronization tools.

Question 34

Due to mergers and acquisitions in the software industry and ERP vendors moving into the supply chain applications market space, it is possible to purchase:

A) best of breed solutions from leading providers in each category.
B) supply chain software suites that combine planning, execution, event management, and related capabilities.
C) spreadsheet software with expanded capabilities.
D) event management tools that monitor the supply chain for events that are out of tolerance.

Question 35

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 36

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

Question 37

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

Question 38

What are the primary capabilities created by supply chain technology? How can they drive supply chain excellence?

Question 39

The term supply chain information system (SCIS) is defined as:

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 automate the flow of information between a firm and its suppliers.
D) process management software that may or may not use ASP applications.

Question 40

_____ is/are a major barrier to the effective use of information technology.

A) Cost
B) People
C) Effective applications
D) Management support

Question 41

How will the Internet of Things, mobile connectivity, and automation drive change in a supply chain?