Operations Management: An Integrated Approach, 5th Edition

TECHNOLOGY DECISIONS

Advancements in technology have had the greatest impact on process design decisions. Technological advances have enabled companies to produce products faster, with better quality, at a lower cost. Many processes that were not imaginable only a few years ago have been made possible through technology. In this section we look at some of the greatest impacts technology has had on process design.

Information Technology

Information technology (IT)

Technology that enables storage, processing, and communication of information within and between firms.

Information technology (IT) is technology that enables storage, processing, and communication of information within and between firms. It is also used to organize information to help managers with decision making. One type of information technology we are all familiar with is the Internet, which has had the greatest impact on the way companies conduct business. The Internet has linked trading partners—customers, buyers, and suppliers—and has created electronic commerce and the virtual marketplace.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

Large software programs used for planning and coordinating all resources throughout the entire enterprise.

Enterprise software is another powerful information technology, such as enterprise ...