The document discusses the impact of technology on business operations and emphasizes the importance of integrating systems for effective supply chain management. It raises questions about team composition for designing an IT system and the trade-offs related to information sharing and technology acquisition. Additionally, it highlights the need for diverse decision-makers in technology acquisition and notes three ways technology enhances supply chain management.

1. Discussion Thread 2
—Integration of Technology
Technology has changed the way we conduct business on a daily
basis. A number of organizations have opted for integrating
systems and sharing information with their counterparts.
Then respond to the following:
As a manager, if you have to design an IT system for supply
chain purposes using a cross-functional team, who would you
include on your team and why?
Explain some of the trade-offs you would consider when
designing/acquiring the system. Be specific and support your
reasoning with examples.
What trade-offs are involved in (a) sharing information with
other organizations in a supply chain and (b) the acquisition of
information-processing technology?
Who needs to be involved in decisions as they pertain to
technology acquisition for supply chain management?
Name three different ways that technology has improved the
ability to manage supply chains.
Explain why integrated technology has improved the ability to
manage supply chains.