Factory Floors go On-line

For this case read the article below concerning connecting the factory floor to the intranet/internet. This seems to be an effective way to manage an organization's inventory.

Assignment: After you have read the article answer the question below.

When it comes to inventory control how will putting its factory floor on-line benefit an organization?

Assignment Expectations

Be sure to explain the benefits. Focus on inventory and other logistical factors. Find at least 3 different additional sources of information. Use the same format as your module one paper. The paper should be 3-4 pages.

Factory Floors Go Online: Pioneering manufacturers close the final gap in their supply chains; InternetWeek; Manhasset; Mar 12, 2001; Michael Alexander. Available in the Trident Online Library.

Abstract:

For the majority of manufacturers, the plant floor is the weakest link in their supply chains, yet that is where they are apt to find the biggest payoff from e-manufacturing. Industrial equipment manufacturers, for example, have been fairly slow to jump on the e-business train. About 11% of these manufacturers are actively tying the plant floor to the Internet. Two exceptions are the semiconductor and computer equipment industries, where ferocious competition is impelling manufacturers to connect their plant floors with the top floor of their enterprises. The number of companies that have plugged their shop floors into the Internet is not what one might expect, but it is rising rapidly, according to some experts.