Microsoft Business Solutions For Supply Chain Management example essay topic

1. Two possible fuel tank suppliers for Dirt Bike are J&P Cycles and Hot Rods USA. Both companies supply numerous designs of fuel tanks that can be used for motorcycles. J & P Cycles is a US company that ships within the US and their prices for a listed below for ground transportation: SHIPPING RATES WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. & TO APO / FPO ADDRESSES GROUND SHIPPING RATES Invoice Total Rate 0-$49.99 $6.99 $50-$99.99 $7.99 $100-$149.99 $12.99 $150-$199.99 $16.99 $200-$299.99 $18.99 Over $299.99 FREE Bike Lifts $25.00 Extra Wide Bike Ramp $50.00 Complete Motors $100.00 Rolling Chassis Kits $175.00 Trailers $300.00 C.O.D. Add $7.00 For this company however, if the package is 5 lbs and under $150 in value the package will be shipped Priority Mail. For Ground Transportation the predicted time is 7 - 10 days not including Saturday or Sunday. For Hot Rods USA is another US company so shipping within the US the shipping time is very similar to J & P Cycles.

All of the shipping within the US is free for over $500. It will take between 7 -10 days. J & P Cycles would probably be the best out of the two. For them the price of shipping is free at a lower buying price. This way if Dirt Bike was to buy in a low bulk they would receive free shipping.

The only problem that might arise would be when it come to just buying one. Dirt Bike would have to pay for the Priority mailing price because it is small and under a certain price. This almost focuses Dirt Bike to constantly buy in Bulk. Both will take the same amount of time when shipping. 2. There is great supply chain management software that Dirt Bike can use.

Two software packages are Microsoft Business Solutions for Supply Chain Management and IFS Applications - Supply Chain Management. Both are delivered in package form of other CDs that are geared towards certain steps in the Supply Chain. Microsoft Business Solutions for Supply Chain Management This software can be used to optimize the supply chain cycles and warehouse management according to the company's unique needs. The software packages contains stuff to better handle the supply chain management, purchasing, requisitioning and procurement, inventory management, and order entry and processing management. This software package allows Dirt Bike the ability to integrate all of their sales and purchasing systems to make the process go faster. Dirt Bike employees will be able to receive purchase orders.

This software will help make everything automotive which in return should help increase end customer satisfaction. This package is made for small business ranging from 1-500 persons. A plus about this product is that it can be put on Palm Pilots or PDAs which would allows the sales and marketing and production and manufacturing team to be in constant contact with the company's Supply Chain. This software is also linked to a Ke will Systems, which is a low cost multi-carrier shipping company. Dirt Bike would be able to have a link to a shipping company that will give them rate, routing, tracking, tracing and compliance labeling to all major parcel carriers. IFS Applications - Supply Chain Management This software package is used for targeting three parts of the of the Supply Chain: Supply Chain Planning, Supply Chain Execution, and Supply Chain Performance.

This package also consist of different CDs targeting different steps; Trading Partner Management, Supply Chain Management, Requisitioning and Procurement, Manufacturing Solutions (Integrated), Distribution and Warehousing, and Inventory Management; again focusing on the three specifics areas. The Planning sections covers the demand flow and how everything collaborates within the actual Supply Chain. The Execution section handles the actual flow of material, products, and services. Included in that is the informational and financial flow of things in and out of the company. The Performance section focuses on all the decision-making process along all of the supply Chains. This software also offers a lot of training for using the software; there is IFS e Learning, Web-Based Training, Classroom Training, Informational Webcasts and Customized Training, all made to help the user work well with the software.

This software package is built for a medium to large organization (101-2000+). For Dirt Bike's needs, the best Software package would be Microsoft Business Solutions for Supply Chain Management. Even though the other package would clearly be a better choice for a larger company, some of the IFS Applications- Supply Chain Management capabilities are too unnecessary for a small business. The Microsoft Business Solutions is targeted for Small businesses. Their direct connection with the different shipping companies will provide to be very beneficial to Dirt Bike.

That way when they need to have something shipped they will have a clear understanding of how long it will take, along with how much, and be able to track the package pretty easily. Both software have tools that will be needed by Dirt Bike to better keep control of their supply Chain, but Microsoft is more geared towards helping small business manage a.