UPS Case Study

1. What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies related to UPS’s business model and business objectives?

The technologies used by UPS are the following:

• Mainly data net (IT network) and database. This was because they had a lot of packages to be shipped every day. They made an stronger and redefined IT network.
• Website and its APIs (application programming interface to build a software), which where called UPS OnLine Tools.
• Electronic signature and online COD because they used to have problems with the payments. With the electronic signature this problem was solved.
• Online call center: as UPS had a lot of requirements every day they made an online call center. It was one of the first companies on it.

The business models are B2B and B2C. Hence, websites and all the technologies mentioned before are the ones used by the company.

 

2. What problems do UPS’s information systems solve? What would happen if these systems were not available?

• Become one of the first company with this technology, making the process faster and even sell that technology to other companies. They became to be the top company on e-commerce.
• If the systems were not available, e-commerce would not exist. They would had not become a leader and achieve the strategic goal of the company. (Be the best company on e-commerce).

3. What are the inputs, processing, and outputs of UPS’s package tracking system?

• Inputs: requests, package’s tracking, costumer data, payments information, costumer doubts.
• Process: through call center, APIs, electronic signature.
• Outputs: replying at the moment to the costumer, detailed information of the package tracking.

 

4. General services: tracking, shipping, quoting, locations, views.

Depending on the business size we can find services classified into Mid-to-large business, small business and individual shipper.

• Mid-to-large business: contract logistics, shipping, e-commerce, international trade, customer solutions and integrating UPS technology.
• Small business: get started, UPS shipping services and solutions, start or grow your business, special discounts and offers, the UPS store.
• Individual shipper: delivery options for receiving, choosing shipping options, preparing to ship, shipping online, tracking my packages, delivery options for sending, UPS access point deliveries.

Explain how you or your business would benefit from the service.

My business would enjoy a quick and reliable service. We would control every process of our requests and an adapted service depending on our company’s size. We could be benefited from discounts and offers as well as solutions and delivery options to make the process easier. The online costumer service is very accurate and helpful.

5. Explain how the Web site helps UPS achieve some or all of the strategic business objectives. What would be the impact on UPS’s business if this Web site were not available?

 

The Web site helps UPS to optimise operational efficiencies and control costs in the processing and distribution of mail communications. It also helps to become one of first

company with this technology, making the process more quick. Through the website they make everything easier and strengthen the relation with the costumer.

If the the Web site were not available all the advantages UPS takes from the Web site would not exist. The process would be slower and they would not have grown as well as they did.  They would have not become a leader and achieved the main goals.