Weekly Discussion

According to Pearlson and Saunders’ ideas, “technology allows supply chains pf a company’s customers and suppliers to be linked through a single network that optimizes costs and opportunities for all companies in supply chain” (p. 156). Supply chain management is part of enterprise system (ERP), which is “a set of information systems tools that many organizations use to enable information flow within and between processes across the organization” (Pearlson & Saunders, p. 150). According to the video, ERP Software: Think differently, ERP can seamlessly integrate information flows throughout the company, connective through the company, less complicated, visibility, personalize through different packages, and can drive innovations and change management styles. Data through ERP systems are more accuracy and timely updated.

However, only implementing ERP system is not enough. Noted by McAfee and Brynjolfsson, to survive in this more competitive environment, executives also should be “deploy, innovate and propagate” of IT (p. 103). Deploying means greater consistency inside of the company, but also gives managers autonomies. ERP is a kind of technology platform, department managers has their autonomies to install different packages for convenience. The IT department needs to make sure everything are connected through the internet. In the innovation, even employees can suggest ideas, and sign up to complete tasks. From McAfee and Brynjolfsson’s view, ERP is an obvious tool for propagation, other technologies also can be used to change processes in lower levels. Decisions from headquarters usually is top down, global companies also need to admit changes from bottom up (p. 105). In recent competitive environment, to optimize the benefits for all applicants, executives play a primary role in identifying and propagating critical business process, line managers and employees end up with more discretion to serve customer needs. For global companies like Walmart, Apple and...