Apple Inc. : Demand Forecasting And Inventory Management

This paper introduces six economic indicators that affect Apple Inc. and how they form part of the firm strategic plans and goals for the future of the firm. A definition this paper provides a definition of each economic indicator along with an explanation of how they affect the company’s domestic operations. In addition, the paper offers suggestions as of what the strategic response for each indicator should be.

When CEO Steve Jobs announced in January 2007 that Apple would be releasing a revolutionaryiPhone five months hence, consumers waited with bated breath for a phone that would deliver all the features of their iPods as well as a smart phone. Anticipation grew, just as Jobs knew it would, as Juneapproached. The launch would become one of the most heralded technological product splashes Apple,known for its masterful media build-up, had ever planned. How the iPhone was developed, priced, promoted, and distributed is lesson for marketers around

Apple was established as an IT company dealing in exclusively in computers. However, competition in the technology sector forced the firm to focus on other consumer products. The diversification strategy has seen Apple’s sales grow tremendously in the last decade, earning the firm the No. 1 brand position at Forbes. The Apple brand is recognized on an international scale and enjoys a strong recognition thanks to its aggressiveness when it comes to creativity and innovation (Tar, 2013). It has a large number of loyal customers who would purchase the new products regardless of the market price, which guarantees profits from the new division.

In this report, I prove that Apple’s iPhone has dominated all other smartphones in the years leading up to 2016. It is the epitome of what a globally recognized product can accomplish when considering how quickly it globalized and the image it provides for those who buy an iPhone. Owning one of these phones is not only a statement, it holds power and value that other smartphones simply cannot top. The company owns the stage when compared to other smartphones, and it’s journey to become the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer is truly incredible. In fact, not only does it lead in technology and phone production, it’s become the largest publicly traded TNC in the world. Everything from its assets to its brand loyalty prove why it has expanded across the globe, and will continue to for many years to come. Apple Inc. has globally expanded by outsourcing nearly every level of its production and became one of the most successful and revolutionary TNC’s in the world, mainly due to the release of the infamous iPhone in 2007.

This paper is a business situation analysis of Apple, Inc. Apple a market leader in the consumer computer industry with products including desktop, laptop, and handheld computers, as well phones, media streaming, and now watches. A multinational company, Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne on April 1, 1976. They specialize in designing, developing, and selling high-end computers, software, and other electronic devices. Because of Apple’s broad product portfolio they compete with many different companies in a range of markets. This analysis will be conducted using historical information, a SWOT analysis, and portions of Porter’s Five Forces Model to understand its business strategies, impact within markets, products and services offered, corporate leadership, and future.

In the article “Apple Forecasts First Sales Drop Since 2003 on iPhone Slowdown” by Adam Satariano he discusses many factors contributing to Apple’s first sales decline in over 13 years and what steps they plan to take to recover. Apple’s revenue was expected to produce $55.5 billion this quarter but the company believes it will be $50-$53 billion dollars (Satariano, “Apple Forecast”). This decreased is believed to show signs of saturation in the smart phone market. Along with iPhones, Apple also had a pause in its iPad and Mac sales last quarter (Satariano, “Apple Forecast”). Apple is still overwhelmingly profitable but they cannot rely on the adoption of smart phones to carry the iPhone sales anymore.

THE STRENGTHS OF BEST BUY Good customer satisfaction levels, especially with women, who have the most consumer electronics purchases in the United States. An ability to retain customer loyalty. Marketing expertise in the electronics sector.

Apple, one of the leading technological companies in the world has recorded revenues uncharacteristically short of expectations. Wall street analysts predicted iPhone sales during their fourth quarter earnings to be ’20 million sales’, with a short fall of ’17 million sold’. With overall revenues recorded at $28.3 billion, substantially short of expectations (Sky News, 2011).

Apple Computers is a well-established and highly profitable company that has several leading technology- and computer-based products on the market, and that retains a highly loyal consumer base in its niche personal computing market (Yahoo Finance, 2012; Hoovers, 2012). Though the company faltered for some time in its history, it has again reached the pinnacle of innovation and progress in the computing and technology industries, and its product rollouts constitute some of the most anticipated and avidly watched events each year by early adopters and investors alike (Yahoo Finance, 2012; Hoovers, 2012). Despite the recent passing of Steve Jobs, one of the company's founders and the company's CEO and public face during the company's resurgence over the past decade-and-a-half, most projections for the company are optimistic in both the short and long terms (Yahoo Finance, 2012).

This paper will discuss a company called Apple computers. It will further access the market forces and strategies used by apple.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has emerged as the dominant global manufacturer and marketer of advanced personal computer, desktop and consumer electronics products including the iPod, iTouch and iPhone Series of MP3, tablet PC and smartphone products. Apple's innovative approach to new product development requires intensive coordination and confidentiality on the part of suppliers, as the company will often move quickly from market test to launch in a matter of weeks. The speed and agility Apple moves with is exceptional given its size and the highly competitive nature of the industries it competes in as well (Franke, Schreier, 2010). While best known for its personal computers, MP3 players, tablet PCs and smartphones, Apple is also a leading innovator in the area of systems development and operating systems as well (Apple Investor Relations, 2012).

When Tim Cook was appointed to be in charge with Apple’s supply chain, Apple became one of the leading companies. In 2012, Apple was said to turn inventory every 5 days and that was part of the reason the research firm, Gartner,

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Introduction The intention of presenting this report is to give a full strategic appraisal and evaluation of Apple Inc. In 1976, the company was founded in a garage in Santa Clara, California. The American multinational corporation mainly involves in designing and marketing consumer electronics, computer software and as well as personal computers. Differentiation is the current strategy position of Apple Inc. There are five main firms in the PC industry and among them; the world’s leading brand is Dell. Apple’s major target is to sustain their present strategic position and to take over the market position as a leader. The key stakeholders include Steve Jobs, employees, lenders and the government.

Apple and Dell both use a direct sales strategy. The Direct sales strategy detects the trends of sales and by sharing this information with its suppliers they plan their operations more efficiently. Direct sales have benefits in fulfilling the needs of their customers’. Comparable with Dell, Apple stores track demand at each store and each hour and therefore adjust production forecasts daily according to the demand of each product.