Q&A Hero

Q: A logistics information system begins with: a. a logistics manager requesting information b. a good computer system c. lots of money d. a customer order

Q: Which of the following statements about radio-frequency identification (RFID) is false? a. RFID only offers read capabilities b. Walmart has been a major catalyst for RFID usage in logistics c. RFID can store large quantities of data d. RFID has helped to reduce the occurrence of inventory stockouts e. all of the above are true

Q: The most popular automatic identification system currently in use is ____ a. voice-data entry b. radio-frequency identification c. magnetic strips d. bar code scanners

Q: Automatic identification systems are an essential component in ____. a. every warehouse b. point-of-sale systems c. a logistics information system d. dual distribution

Q: Which of the following statements about EDI is not true? a. EDI can have high setup costs b. EDI can result in increased inventory carrying costs c. EDI can lead to increased billing accuracy d. the Internet is likely a complement to, rather than substitute for, EDI

Q: ____ refers to the computer-to-computer transmission of business data in a structured format. a. big data b. enterprise resource planning systems c. electronic data interchange d. data mining

Q: Electronic data interchange represents what general type of information management system? a. communication system b. transaction processing system c. decision support system d. office automation system

Q: ____ refers to a network of satellites that transmits signals that pinpoint the exact location of an object. a. global positioning systems b. geographic information systems c. the National Security Agency d. electronic data interchange

Q: What has emerged as the measuring stock for logistics information technology in the 21st century? a. Facebook b. the Internet c. wireless communication d. enterprise resource planning systems

Q: ____ help various stakeholdersemployers, suppliers, customerswork together by interacting and sharing information in many different forms. a. decision support systems b. communication systems c. office automation systems d. transaction processing systems

Q: Which of the following is not considered a general software package? a. spreadsheets b. presentation packages c. word processing d. database management e. all are general software packages

Q: The most relevant general software package for logisticians is ____. a. spreadsheets b. word processing c. presentation packages d. email

Q: ____ provide effective ways to process organizational business data, to perform calculations, and to create documents. a. enterprise resource planning systems b. transaction processing systems c. decision support systems d. office automation systems

Q: ____ refers to the collection of large amounts of near-real-time data collected through a variety of sources such as sensors and smart phones, among others. a. cloud computing b. big data c. data warehousing d. decision support systems

Q: How do data and information differ? a. data are a body of facts in a format suitable for decision making, while information is simply facts b. they are the same c. data are simply facts; information is a body of facts in a format suitable for decision making d. data are associated with decision support systems; information is associated with ERP systems

Q: Which of the following is not a benefit to utilizing information in logistics? a. greater knowledge and visibility across the supply chain b. greater awareness of customer demand via point-of-sale data c. better coordination of manufacturing, merchandising, and distribution through ERP tools d. more streamlined order processing and reduced lead time e. all of the above are benefits

Q: What are some of the macro-level information technology challenges that managers face?

Q: What is an online reverse auction? Why do buyers like them?

Q: Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to electronic procurement.

Q: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing.

Q: Why is a "one size fits all" logistics strategy not likely to facilitate effective or efficient online shopping?

Q: From a logistical perspective, what are some of the differences between online and in-store retailing?

Q: Refer back to the logistical activities listed in Chapter 1; pick two that you are interested in and research how they have been influenced by the Internet. Are you surprised by your findings? Why or why not?

Q: Discuss advantages and disadvantages of enterprise resource planning systems.

Q: What is data mining? How might it be used in logistics?

Q: What benefits are associated with transportation and warehouse management systems?

Q: Discuss the importance of timely and accurate information to a logistics information system.

Q: Why are some companies hesitant to adopt RFID technology?

Q: Discuss the relationship between automatic identification technologies and point-of-sale systems.

Q: Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of EDI.

Q: Discuss how global positioning systems have become quite valuable in transportation management.

Q: What advances in telecommunications technology do you view as being most beneficial to logistics management? Why?

Q: How can communication systems facilitate logistics management in the immediate aftermath of situations such as terrorist attacks and natural disasters?

Q: Do you view the spreadsheet as the most relevant general software package for logisticians? Why or why not?

Q: Name the six general types of information systems, and give one logistics application for each one that you"ve named.

Q: In what ways can information be helpful in logistics and supply-chain management?

Q: In the first meeting, A.J. asked about SUVs but there was no further mention of them. How would you follow up on his query?

Q: Draft a brief statement (catalog copy) to be inserted in the firm's spring/summer brochure that clearly explains to the potential customers the policy that is recommended in Question 5.

Q: Which alternative would you prefer? Why?

Q: List and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of charging the customer for home delivery if they are unable to carry the Super Gym home.

Q: List and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of stocking Super Gyms at the distribution centers and then having the truck that makes deliveries from the distribution center to the retail stores also make deliveries of Super Gyms to individual customers.

Q: List and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having local trucking companies deliver the Super Gym from the retail stores to the customers.

Q: List and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a two-wheeled trailer for each store to use for delivering Super Gyms.

Q: U.S. News & World Report has highlighted logistician as one of the 50 best careers.

Q: It is better for a logistics manager to be a generalist rather than a specialist.

Q: Transportation represents the most costly logistics activity in many organizations.

Q: Packaging can have both a marketing and logistical dimension.

Q: Demand forecasting is not considered to be a logistics-related activity.

Q: A commonly used logistical intermediary is the freight forwarder.

Q: A broker is a type of intermediary often associated with the negotiations channel.

Q: Intermediaries assume ownership of goods while they"re in the marketing channel.

Q: The sorting function takes place between retailers and the consumer.

Q: The sorting function has four steps.

Q: The most significant contribution that the logistics channel makes to the overall channel process is the sorting function.

Q: There is no linkage between the promotions and logistics channels.

Q: The financing channel handles a company's credit and payment for goods.

Q: The ownership channel is the one where buy and sell agreements are reached.

Q: Many promotional decisions, such as pricing campaigns that lower the price of certain items, require close coordination between marketing and logistics.

Q: Logistical decisions tend not to be impacted by marketers' growing emphasis on offering sustainable products.

Q: Stockouts refer to a situation where a company is out of an item at the same time that there is demand for that item.

Q: Landed costs refer to the price of a product at its source.

Q: Dual distribution refers to an alliance that allows customers to purchase products from two or more name-brand retailers at one store location.

Q: Logistics offers many companies an important route for creating marketing superiority.

Q: Postponement is the delay of value-added activities such as assembly, production, and packaging to the latest possible time.

Q: Long production runs sometimes result in excessive inventory of products with limited demand for them.

Q: The finance department tends to measure inventory in terms of units while logistics tends to measure inventory in terms of its cost / value.

Q: The key to the total cost approach is that all relevant cost items are considered simultaneously when making a decision.

Q: Interfunctional logistics attempts to coordinate materials management and physical distribution in a cost efficient manner that supports an organization's customer service objectives.

Q: Physical distribution is synonymous with materials management.

Q: The systems approach indicates that a company's objectives can be realized by recognizing the mutual interdependence of the major functional areas of a firm.

Q: Logistics has played a minor role in the growth of global trade.

Q: Superior logistics is an essential component of corporate strategies for many big-box retailers.

Q: Disintermediation refers the removal of intermediaries between producer and consumer.

Q: Market demassification suggests that the customer desires a product offering that is highly tailored to her/his exact preference.

Q: Reductions in economic regulation allowed individual transportation companies flexibility in pricing and service.

Q: Humanitarian logistics represents an emerging application of logistics to not-for-profit organizations.

Q: In mass logistics, groups of customers with similar logistical needs and wants are provided with logistics services appropriate to those wants and needs.

Q: The purpose of logistics is to maximize customer service.

Q: Logistics is only concerned with forward flows, that is, those directed towards the point of consumption.

Q: The current definition of logistics, as promulgated by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, suggests that logistics is part of the supply chain process.