Definition Of Virtual Integration : Dell Inc.

Supply chain management is essential to align the E-business information system applications that provide to incorporate the systems of commerce to streamline its value chain. The streamlining of the internal value chain combined with the external supply chain is essential for strategy of e-business that allows businesses to respond promptly to the gradually more severe demands of customers online. Tools that assist in aligning the corporate strategy are using the integration of intranets within the corporation that also extend outside the company which are called extranets. Additionally,

A virtual corporation is described as a technology-linked network of companies, suppliers, and customers that are used by a company to outsource non-strategic business functions (Hershkovitz, 2012). The management of Super Bakery, Inc. identified that they could reduce their costs in permanent staff, fixed assets, and working capital (Kimmel,

A virtual corporation is described as a technology-linked network of companies, suppliers, and customers that are used by a company to outsource non-strategic business functions (Hershkovitz, 2012). The management of Super Bakery, Inc. identified that they could reduce their costs in permanent staff, fixed assets, and working capital (Kimmel,

Supply chains must be managed to coordinate the inputs with the outputs in a firm to achieve the appropriate competitive priorities of the firm’s enterprise processes. The Internet offers firms an alternative to traditional methods for managing supply chains. A supply chain strategy is essential

In summary, Dell competes with a retailer by offering a lower price and allowing the consumer to customize the product to the options that they prefer.

After careful assessment of the infrastructure and inventory systems used at Riordan Manufacturing, our team has identified these systems are outdated and unable to effectively manage the day to day processing. As a global leader in the manufacturing of plastic products, the performance and reliability of the infrastructure is crucial to the continued success and growth of your company’s operations. Therefore, our solution to uplift the infrastructure and launch of the Riordan Global Operations System (R.G.O) a new platform for supporting inventory and managing customer orders . Our system will enable your employees and customers see

integration strategy is where the organization owns all or some of its supply chain (Lawless,

The stakeholders associated with this project are broken down into four categories, based on three processes of inventory management and a category for stakeholders that do not necessarily fall into any of the categories of inventory management. Raw materials receiving stakeholders include supervisors, receiving area teams, raw materials delivery partners and inventory clerks. Manufacturing with inventory stakeholders include manufacturing staff and inventory clerks. Final product shipping stakeholders include, Riordan Manufacturing’s customers, sales staff, sales order clerks, shipping department and inventory clerks. Additional stakeholders include members of the IT department tasked with maintenance and management of technology proposed in this service review and Hugh McCauley, Chief Operating Officer of Riordan Manufacturing.

As an example, Tombow’s supply chain set up used for Object EO can be analyzed. To produce it, Tombow coordinates six vendors. Two of them - Kantoh and Nagano - are the main suppliers. Kantoh produces components and Nagano, besides production of components, is also responsible for the assembly work. In practice, Nagano outsources assembly work to residents near Nagano´s factory. There are currently challenges with supply

The virtual chain offers a number of distinct advantages over the physical value chain. Some of these advantages lie in forging alliances between customers and manufacturers, advertising products and services selectively with effects of audio, video, and graphics, and saving time and money in efficiently processing customer orders and enquiries. Besides, e-commerce offers flexibility in option pricing and customization of products and service, by reducing the constraints of time and

Vertical integration is a system where an organization grows its business operations into various steps on a similar creation way, such as when a manufacturer owns its supplier or distributor. Vertical integration can help organizations lessen costs and enhance efficiencies by diminishing transportation costs and decreasing turnaround time, among different favorable circumstances (Clara, 2016). Notwithstanding, in some cases it is more viable for an organization to depend on the set up mastery and economies of scale of different sellers as opposed to attempting to wind up vertically integrated. It can be a forward integration or backward integration or a combination (Berkowitz, 2011). For example, acquiring a supplier or distributor in the

With the implementation of Ford’s restructuring plan, Ford 2000, the company has set forth goals to compete with the expansion of foreign-based auto manufacturers globally. The goal of Ford 2000 is to continue to improve quality and reduce cycle times by finding ways to improve processes involving all stakeholders within the supply chain and the company itself.

Dell applied virtual integration in four main areas: organizational simplification, inventory management, customer service and support, and suppliers’ management. Ford’s supply base is complex in nature when compared with the DELL supply base—many more layers and many more companies. This is one area that would be difficult to apply the same degree of virtual integration. Although there are several key differences between the companies, the restructuring initiatives of Ford 2000 have set a viable foundation to implement Dell’s virtual integration strategy in inventory management, customer service and support and suppliers’ management. In order to successfully implement the virtual integration, the problems existing in the current supply chain will be identified and addressed.

Although the direct business model of Dell is most attractive, there are several key differences between the computer and auto industries which serve as barriers to Ford‘s implementation of uniform, supply chain virtual integration. Ford must tackle many diverse obstacles that were, simply, not a factor with Dell‘s implementation. These obstacles range down the delivery chain from the supplier to the manufacturer to the dealer and, ultimately, to the customer. Overall, the intricate and historic process of manufacturing and selling automobiles contradicts the technological innovation necessary for a true virtually integrated system to exist.

I will recommend the BOD to approach the Dell model with a prudent attitude, neither too aggressive nor too timid. Emulating the virtual integration should focus on developing the strategic partnerships with technologically advanced suppliers and eliminating the correlation with smaller ones. Ford would make sure that key suppliers have access to forecasting data from customers' purchasing trends and production information to enable a faster order-to-delivery cycle. The difference in the distribution model between Dell and Ford lies in the middle link of using retail shops. Since Ford cannot skip retail as a focal distribution point, it should work on establishing a network of retail shops that it owned. Ford make sure shops are not affecting