Category Archives: technology

Amazon’s patent for flying warehouses and delivery drones

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 →

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Sensors in grocery stores and customer benefit

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

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

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

WalMart tests blockchain technology to track food and enable targeted recalls

An article in Bloomberg Technology (November 18, 2016) titled “Wal-Mart Tackles Food Safety With Trial of Blockchain” describes tests of a packaged produce item in the USA and pork in China using blockchain technology to track the supply chain across … Continue reading →

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The supply chain impact of India’s cash crunch

An article in the New York Times (December 13, 2016) titled “India Hobbles a Cash Crisis, and Electronic Payments Boom”, describes the shortage of the new currency bills in India following its demonetization of 500 and 1000 rupee notes (which … Continue reading →

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Amazon’s cashierless grocery store plans

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

Including weather forecasts to improve fashion product profitability

An article in the Wall Street Journal (November 27,2016) titled “The Next Fashion Trend:Weather Forecasting” describes the impact of weather on fashion sales and thus the need for the fashion industry to learn about weather forecasting. It claims that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Capacity, consumer, Cost, logistics, Made in USA, mgmt5612018, Supply Chain Issues, technology | Tagged , , , , , , | 141 Comments

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

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

Self Driving Truck Hauls beer 120 miles in Colorado

An article on October 25, 2016  in CNN.com (http://money.cnn.com/2016/10/25/technology/otto-budweiser-self-driving-truck/index.html?iid=ob_homepage_tech_pool) describes a trip made by an autonomous truck powered by Otto that carried 51, 744 cans of beer 120 miles in Colorado. The trip was planned and the truck was surrounded … Continue reading →

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

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 →

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