1. UPS is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad array of supply chain solutions including transporting packages and freight, facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Explore UPS websites and then answer following questions:
a) Discuss UPS’s adoption of sustainable MIS infrastructures.
b) What types of ethical and security issues might UPS encounter with the tracking technology it has placed in its trucks?
2. Uber was founded in 2009. It is a high-tech company that brilliantly connected the transportation industry with technology via its ride-sharing app. In 2014, it was stated as the highest valued venture-supported company. Uber offered its service in over 200 cities in 53 countries by 2014 (PA, 2015). Every single car arrangement for Uber is made using wireless networks. As stated in the article “No one under the age of 40 with a smart phone is going out and getting a cab anymore.” Uber allows passengers to book the nearest ride by smart phone and then track the vehicle eon a map as it approaches the location. Payments can even be made through the smartphones. All if this is achieved via wireless technologies. Uber is using GPS and GIS to track its cars and locate close drives. Uber is also using cellular networks and its application to help customers and drivers connect. There are many potential uses for each type of network – LANs in its local offices for its staff, WANs to connect offices, and many other ideas for how the company is using the networks to achieve success.
a) Application: Explain how challenges with wireless networking could affect Uber’s business model.
b) Analysis: Explain why some market segments may not be included in Uber’s business model.
3. Amazon launched its first online bookstore in 1994 for which it required IS for enabling online purchase of a variety of books by the user. First innovation was in 1996 when it integrated its IS with sellers called Associates Program, so that sellers could feature Amazon’s products on their websites and earn revenue. Another innovative feature of Amazon was 1-click shopping which is a trademark of Amazon. Another major innovation came with Amazon Web Services (AWS) in 2002, where using cloud services, other users can lease time on Amazon’s infrastructure and Amazon offers variety of payment options. Another feature added to its IS was in 2003 when consumers could search the contents of the book. The kindle is a major innovation which makes Amazon a vendor of tablets, online music and video. It runs its own currency Amazon coins, a recent introduction in 2013, which lets the consumer buy rapidly and easily from Amazon.
a) Discuss the strategies followed by Amazon for online retail business. How is Amazon applying its information systems to manage the online retail business?
b) Cloud services are helping Amazon in sharing its excess infrastructure capacity.
Discuss the various features provided by Amazon cloud services that are helping the company to attract a large number of customers.