Case I

Summary
Major Baseball League (MBL) is not only game but business as well. Revenue from tickets to
games, television broadcasts, and other sources to pay for teams. Many fans now watch games
on television rather than attending them in person or choose other forms of entertainment, such
as electronic games. One way to keep stadiums full of fans, and to keep fans at home happy as
well, is to enrich the fan experience by offering more video and services based on technology.

1. Changes were done using Information System to increase stadium attendance and
revenue, the New York Yankees chose to modernize the Yankee Stadium and rely on
information technology to provide new interactive services to fans inside and outside the
Stadium. They added 1,100 flat-panel high-definition TV monitors as well as redesigned
the Stadium and job functions. These monitors provided: Live game coverage, Up-to-date
sport scores, Videos and Promotional messages, News, weather and traffic information.
Touch screens for ordering food and merchandise, Interactive video conferencing
technology. They created a Yankee website that allowed for the interaction with fans,
selling of tickets and other products. Ticket price rose as well as Stadium attendance rose.
These changes enhanced service, efficiency and profitability. They basically revised their
business strategy, redesigned the Yankee stadium as well as the work flow and job
functions within it, they also expanded the sales channels while implementing new
technology. While bringing these changes the stadium faced challenges. Some of them
are: New sources of competition, Declining customer base and Increase cost. It is also
important to note that these technologies changed the way the Yankees run their business.
Yankee Stadium's systems for delivering game coverage, information, and interactive
services changed the flow of work for ticketing, seating, crowd management, and
ordering food and other items from concessions. These changes had to be carefully
planned to make sure they enhanced service, efficiency, and profitability.
 CASE II

SUMMARY
United Parcel Service (UPS) has created its own information system with Delivery Information
Acquisition Device (DIAD) and Web-based Post-Sales Order Management System (OMS)
globally by using developed information technology. These special systems help the company to
reduce the cost of transaction greatly. Its aim is "best service and lowest rates". It has over
400000 employees and delivers 15.6 packages a day. By building its efficient order information
management system, UPS can make optimal routing strategy, place orders online, and track
shipments to meet customer needs. These information systems guarantee the possibility of two-
day delivery nationwide as well as lower warehousing and inventory costs for the company.
FedEx and other air borne express count as its main competition. UPS spends over $1 b/year to
maintain high level customer service such as it uses DIAD, Automated package tracking,
functional websites, traffic trackers, web based post sales post technologies among others. Now
leverages its logistics expertise for other companies. It also focus on medical supplies, aerospace,
high tech equipment deliveries and runs quality inspection on all parts.
UPS's strategic aim "best service and lowest rates". Its information technologies have a direct
relationship to its efficiency. We understand efficiency to be the least input for the most output
level. A lot of cost is saved through its fast information technology system. Its usage improves
their competitive image. The speed improves customer loyalty.

1. What are the inputs, processing and outputs of UPS's package tracking system?
Ans: The inputs, processing and outputs of UPS's package tracking system are:
i. Inputs: The inputs are detailed information (customer information, package information),
pickup, delivery, current location, bar coded label, special software program by using the UPS
Web site.
ii. Processing: The all information are transmitted to a central computer, distribution centers,
logistical planning. (DIAD) program which was their drivers had been handheld delivery
information Acquisition Device, called UPS net, DIAD is collected from scan able label on
packages, and changing schedules.
iii. Output: UPS served tools that able to a customer which is Cisco Systems, to include UPS
functions, such as tracking and cost calculations, into their own Web sites. Destination (on the
way), pick-up and delivery schedule.
2. What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies related to UPS's business
strategy?
Ans: Various technologies are used by the UPS which increased their efficiency. Such as: i.
Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIADs), bar-code scanners, wireless communications
networks, UPS's central computer, desktop computers used by the UPS customer services
personnel, storage technology for the package delivery data, UPS package tracking system,
hosting a website .fees calculating tools.
ii. Through the use of DIADs, the UPS drivers automatically capture customer's signature along
with pickup and delivery information.
iii. UPS's information systems use these data to track packages while they are being transported.
iv. Bar-code scanners are send to the distribution centres , at these centres using special software
to determine the most efficient delivery route to the driver.

3. What strategic business objectives do UPS's information systems address?

Ans: - UPS has a several business objectives. They are:
i) Scan able Bar-code: One of the MIS business strategy objectives. This system's objective is to
use time more efficiently and use low labour force in classify the packages destination and
reduce human error in classifications that will reduce the cost. It means by reducing cost they can
keep up the lowest rate.
ii) In delivering UPS uses special software that help drivers to take the most efficient routes to
deliver the package, plus this system considers the traffic and weather conditions.
iii) DIAD: Every driver has device that has information about at automatically captures
customer's signature along pickup and delivering information from UPS's central computer.
Every deliver person can access information about the package and the customer can check the
package it delivered or not. Also the signature that from the delivery will be proof, sender can
check it.
iv) Cisco system: contains the customer can know about their packages information more
detailed such as shipping rates, determine time in transit, print labels, schedule a pickup, and
track packages. Those actions can get the high technology to the senders and it can reduce the
time losing. They can check their tracking and cost calculations and shipments cost without the
UPS site.
v) OMS: Advanced delivering system that takes packages from the warehouse of companies and
delivers their fulfilment parts of equipment more quickly with in efficient routes.
4. What would happen if UPS/s information systems were not available?
Ans: - If UPS's information systems were not available then:
i) Customer/ Sender: If there were not available for information system, the customer will
decrease faster. Senders want to choose the good one which has high proof and information
system and easy to understand system.
ii) Global delivering: For other countries it will be difficult to get their packages. They will not
know how is going their packages. It means no information about their packages.
iii) Saving Cost: Maybe it will be good to saving cost for the company. They do not need enough
employees and machines.
iv) Time Losing: Those systems always give the information about their packages. For the
company it is the one of the advantage but if they has nothing then the company can lose their
time.
 CASE III

SUMMARY
The case is about the development of smart grids. It provides information about electricity usage,
its benefits, and the challenges for development. Existing electricity infrastructure doesn’t
provide information on how customers are using electricity. It provides few ways to handle
power provided by alternative energy sources. Smart grids provide consumers and energy
companies to make intelligent decisions. Using digital technology to save energy, reduce costs,
increase reliability, transparency, and lower pollution. Smart grids need such as switches,
networks, sensors, communication systems linked to appliances. Consumers can use energy-
efficient methods. If they are transparent on the cost and quantity of the energy they are using.
Smart grid projects are attracting attention in some places. Smart Grid City in Boulder in
collaboration with Xcel Energy Inc. Has tested its viability on small scale. Peterson and his wife
have worked with Xcel, to turn their home into the prototype house. And in the end, they have
been able to reduce their electricity usage by one-third.
Xcel and many other technology companies have spent on smart grid initiatives. But there are
many challenges facing the efforts to install a smart grid. The first is changing the infrastructure
of electricity grids. Some customers find the appliances too confusing and high-tech. Some
people are not ready to invest in the smart grid as it won’t be cheap. Air conditioner controllers,
settings, and compressors reduce energy costs, will provide benefits at their cost.
Consumer advocates have advised them to boost rates for customers who are unable or unwilling
to use such portals, and allow energy companies to control aspects of their appliances. Energy
companies might work to set up new technology and pricing plans so the solutions to the
problems in developing smart grids should be found as patience will be critical.
 1. How do smart grids differ from the current electricity infrastructure in the United
States?
Ans: The current electricity infrastructure in the United States consists of energy companies
providing power to consumers without providing any information about how the consumers are
using that energy. Operating this way makes it hard to develop more efficient methods of
distribution. Another issue with the current infrastructure is the fact that there are only a Few
ways to handle the power that comes from alternative energy sources. This causes a hindrance
when electric companies try and go “green”. Smart grids digitally deliver the electricity from the
provider to the consumer which allows for a better circle of communication between the provider
and the consumer as appose to communication strictly between the supplier and consumer.
Another benefit of the smart grid is the fact that they are sized to meet the maximum amount of
electricity needed so a drop on the peak demand would allow utilities to operate with fewer
expensive power plants. This lowers costs as well as pollution.

2. What management, organization, and technology issues should be considered when

developing a smart grid?
Ans: - With as advanced as a smart grid is, it is easy to understand that there are several issues
that need to be considered when developing a smart grid. From a management perspective it is
important to keep in mind the vendor requirements, having and an effective understanding of
buyers, having a higher level of customer awareness, complete grid compliance, cost and
reliability, workforce skill requirements, contingency planning for any unfavorable conditions,
any engagements with developers of the system, and education on the benefits and downfalls of
the smart grid. From an organizational perspective one of the most important issues to keep in
mind is the level of customer awareness. Several other organizational issues include customer
satisfaction metrics, systems integration, new operating metrics, cyber security, and legal
compliances. Technological issues that need to be considered are the switches and networks
required, the communication systems that are needed to transfer information back and forth
between the supplier and consumer, and the monitoring and sensor devices that are responsible
for tracking and tracing the energy use.

3. What challenge to the development of smart grids do you think is most likely to hamper
their development?
Ans: The challenges that I feel would most likely to hamper the development of smart grids is
the initial implementation of the smart grid. This will cause a hindrance for a couple of different
reasons. The most obvious issue is how expensive it will be to implement the new monitors and
smart grid technological systems. The next challenge would be the animosity that will come
about from challenging the existing power companies. Implementing smart grids would cause a
financial loss for existing power companies.
4. What other areas of our infrastructure could benefit from "smart" technologies? Describe
one example not listed in the case.
Ans: - There are several areas of our infrastructure that could benefit from "smart" technologies.
Areas that could benefit the most are waste management and recycling, transportation,
environmental conservation, and agricultural management. Those areas could most benefit
because they have the largest impact on society as a whole. If there was a way to find a "smart"
fuel for transportation, better than what we have now, society would be drastically impacted.
5. Would you like your home and your community to be part of a smart grid? Why or Why
not? Explain.
Ans: - I think it would be beneficial for my home and my community to be part of a smart grid.
Although the initial start-up costs would be rather high, it would be more beneficial in the short
run and the long run. Having a smart grid allows for an external monitoring of energy usage
which leads to less expensive bills. These appliances will be able to switch into a power save
mode when they aren’t being used which will significantly cut down on energy usage. Whether
we realize it or not, we are using energy even when we are not using all of the appliances in our
house and using a smart grid would cut out on that little bit of extra energy usage. That little bit
of energy usage adds up and causes an unnecessary amount added on to our bills every month.