Individual assignment for week#3 04/13/08

This article discusses how an analyst did a test simulation of an information system in a powder coating company production line. Through this test they hoped to gain knowledge of the major and minor org and prod issues. Through the use of this system the company would be able to better serve there customers and improve there lead time. This will give them a competitive advantage over their rivals.
We learned in chapter 2 that IS can help company's gain competitive advantage, and this is exactly the situation in the above case. They were able to ID issues in there production line and help increase the supply of the products. They found bottlenecks in there production line which were able to be corrected for, but without the IS the company would have had a very hard time determining these issues because they were in multiples. Many times we as humans can diagnose one or more concurrent problems but when you get into a area that is a grey it is sometimes very hard to grasp what is really going wrong in an organization. Information systems are a great way to diagnose, implement and improve business processes.




A. Azadeh, M. Haghnevis, Y. Khodadadegan Design of the integrated information system, business, and production process by simulation;volume 59, Issue 2 , Pages 216 - 234
Published Online: 6 Nov 2007
Copyright © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company

Blockbuster Vs Netflix

1.)Blockbusters business model was to provide video rentals to people within a few blocks or towns of their stores. Until Netflix, Blockbuster held a 40% share on the market of video rental.
3.) Yes Blockbuster launched an online store soon after Netflix popped up. They offer the same services at a lower price. They also offer video games for rent online.
5.) It's hard to say, i think as long as Blockbuster continues to match or beat Netflix's current options that they will be around for a long time. Blockbuster has the advantage of having walk in stores as well as online services. Netflix is limited to the Internet savvy consumer, even though it is convenient it is intended for a special consumer.