Category Archives: Operations Management

Smartphone ordering and long lines at Starbucks

Posted on January 27, 2017 by aviyer2010

An article in CNN Money (http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/27/investing/starbucks-long-lines-mobile-ordering-earnings/index.html) describes customer adoption of the Starbucks app to order and pay, but the consequent long wait to get their drinks.  The company expects over 30% of the orders at stores to move to mobile … Continue reading →

Posted in Capacity, Ecommerce, fairness, Operations Management, ordering, queue, Service Operations, Starbucks, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged | 20 Comments

The costs and benefits of drop shipping to customers

Posted on January 27, 2017 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (January 26, 2017) titled “Drop Shipping set to go mainstream as more retailers get on board” describes retailers use of shipping directly from suppliers to customers as a way to increase variety offered … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration, consumer, Cost, delivery, Ecommerce, Operations Management, ordering, supplier, Supply Chain Issues | Leave a comment

Amazon’s patent for flying warehouses and delivery drones

Posted on January 24, 2017 by aviyer2010

An article in techcrunch.com (https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/28/amazon-patents-show-flying-warehouses-that-send-delivery-drones-to-your-door/) describes a patent filed by Amazon that describes a floating warehouse that can deliver product to customers via drones. By parking the warehouse close to large gatherings (such as sporting events) the patent claims quickly … Continue reading →

Posted in delivery, Ecommerce, logistics, Operations Management, ordering, Supply Chain Issues, technology, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Sensors in grocery stores and customer benefit

Posted on January 24, 2017 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (January 20,2017) titled “Kroger tests sensors, analytics in interactive grocery shelves” describes Kroger, the US grocery chain, deploying sensors that detect mobile devices and, through LCD screens on aisles, interact with customers’ shopping … Continue reading →

Posted in consumer, Cost, Ecommerce, logistics, loyalty, mgmt5612018, Operations Management, product, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 159 Comments

What innovation lessons can one learn from LEGO ?

Posted on January 23, 2017 by aviyer2010

The book “Brick by Brick:How LEGO rewrote the rules of innovation and conquered the global toy industry”  by David Robertson describes the rebirth of LEGO and strategic choices made along the way. The book lists ideas such as a) linking … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration, competitiveness, consumer, Cost, disruption, Innovation, logistics, Operations Management, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Will floating warehouses and drone delivery enable Amazon to deliver in minutes?

Posted on December 29, 2016 by aviyer2010

An article in CNN.com titled “Amazon patent hints at floating warehouses in the sky”  (December 29, 2016) describes a plan to carry anticipated inventory in a blimp located close to customers, with drone delivery in minutes to a customer.  Example … Continue reading →

Posted in Capacity, competitiveness, consumer, Cost, delivery, logistics, mgmt5612018, Operations Management, ordering, Supply Chain Issues, technology | Tagged | 46 Comments

Amazon’s cashierless grocery store plans

Posted on December 6, 2016 by aviyer2010

An article in Business Insider (December 6,2016) titled “Amazon’s new grocery store highlights a huge hole in Donald Trump’s promise on jobs” describes plans by Amazon to open thousands of stores where customers can check into the store with their … Continue reading →

Posted in competitiveness, consumer, Cost, disruption, logistics, Operations Management, retailers, Service Operations, technology | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Voting lines in New York City, machine failures, repair personnel and backup

Posted on November 8, 2016 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (November 8, 2016) describes the long lines to vote in New York City. The article describes 50 repair personnel allocated to repair machines in 1200 stations, but also stuck in traffic as they … Continue reading →

Posted in Capacity, Operations Management, technology | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Will Sweden’s proposed tax breaks for repair and reuse of products improve outcomes ?

Posted on October 2, 2016 by aviyer2010

An article in the Guardian (September 19, 2016) titled “Waste not, want not: Sweden to give tax breaks for repairs” describes a plan to cut value added tax for repairs of bicycles, clothes and shoes from 25% to 12 % and … Continue reading →

Posted in consumer, Global Contexts, Operations Management, ordering, Service Operations, Sustainability, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Will distributed satellite facilities and automation maintain holiday hiring as volumes grow at FedEx and UPS ?

Posted on September 30, 2016 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Sept 30, 2016) titled “FedEx, UPS Gear Up for Holiday Season With More Sorting Hubs, Technology” describes moves by FedEx and UPS to create satellite facilities and mobile delivery centers respectively, and increase … Continue reading →

Posted in consumer, Cost, delivery, Ecommerce, logistics, Operations Management, ordering, Prices, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues, technology, Uncategorized | Leave a comment