Assignment #4 Communications Technology Questions

Assignment #4 Activity
Schneider National Keeps on Trucking with Communication Technology Questions
September 22, 2010
CS460


1.Analyze Schneider using the value chain and competitive forces models.

This company came on top of its competitors by using the value chain and competitive forces models. They used the value chain model to identify specific and critical leverage points where the company could use information technology most effectively to enhance its competitive position. They used the value chain method to determine where they could use the power of technology related to the production and distribution of their products and service to create more value to their customers. They used the competitive forces model to identify what forces affect their organization’s ability to compete to influence their company’s business strategy. They knew how to be on top of their strategies to maintain their market positioning.

2.What business strategy did Schneider National adopt? What is the role of telecommunications and information systems in that strategy? How do these systems provide value for Schneider?

The business strategy that this company used was the use of technology on its favor. They knew what kind of technology to use and how to use it to keep on top of their competitors. The use of telecommunication and information systems played a big role on their business strategy because they knew how to use the telecommunication systems to their favor by using satellites to track trailers and the information systems to connect better with their costumer by using the web and by getting all of their orders electronically. These systems provide value to this company because it helped the company to be on top. It gave the company the value to provide excellent customer service, and better that the one from their competitors.

3.What organization, management, and technology issues did Schneider National have to address when information technology became so pervasive in its operations?

The issues that this company had to overcome in their organization how to develop the design and production process of the company to keep on top of the other companies. Their management issue was to develop a fast fashion strategy to always remain the first choice for their customers. And their technology issue was to deploy their inventory replenishment software to always have the most useful and sophisticated software technology on the market.

4.How did Schneider’s information systems change its business processes?

The information systems of this company changed completely how it business processes were working. They started handling a whole new technology. Now all its business runs around information and telecommunications systems. They started to implement a paperless order tacking by only using electronically order taking as well as tracking.

5.Has Schneider National’s reliance upon information systems been successful? Is the company transforming itself into a digital firm? Why or why not?

The reliance that the company has upon information systems has been most definitively successful. And the company is for sure transforming itself into a digital firm because it is depending very much on technology, to do all of their orders electronically with no more paper, to track all of their trucks where ever they go, to optimize the use of both the company drivers and the loads they used the scheduling system, and also the Touch Home program so their drivers could keep in touch with their families via e-mail. They are depending very much on technology and keep thinking on many different ways to make their business easier by inventing new software.