Kaizen’s OperatiOns & research entity Presents
e-supply chain management : a nEW TREND
By Suhail shaikh
1| KAIZEN’S OPERATIONS& RESEARCH ENTITY
EDITOR’S LETTER “"Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great."”
Welcome to the second edition of “LAKSHYA”, our monthly supplement designed for people who dare to think above the average and believe in connecting the dots. In an age where technology has taken over every sphere, information is abundant and data is omnipresent, we have conspired to bring to you a collection of thoughtfully created and carefully curated pieces of work by some bright aspiring minds of ICFAI Business School, Hyderabad on the current trends and hot topics in the field of Operations Management and their relevance in different industries. In past the production was focused on obtaining resources at lowest possible cost and manufacturing at the lowest cost ignoring the damage made to the environment. Due to the initiatives by environment pressure groups companies are moving towards green production and green marketing where they carry out business activities without damaging the environment by not destroying natural resources, taking care of forests and wild life and so on. A fair share of this edition focuses majorly on the e-commerce and advertising. With the constantly evolving technology it will be interesting to ponder over changes that could be seen in the near future. We look forward to providing you with some valuable insights and inculcate the passion for reading once again within you all. We hope that you enjoy this first issue and do let us know if there are any topics you’d like to see covered in the future. Please write to us and become a part of this discussion Email ID: kaizenclub.ibs@gmail.com
SUHAIL SHAIKH IT HEAD Kaizen – IBS Hyderabad
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CONTENTS Cover Story: E-Supply Chain Management: A New Trend
04
Google AdWords vs Facebook advertising
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Google Maps: Operational Accuracy
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E-supply chain management: A new trend BY
Suhail Shaikh
Successful supply chain management is essential for every business. It is getting more complex with all of the competition in the market. Revolutionary products are being produced to the market every day. Each company has to step it up and take their business to the next level, businesses has to maintain their situation with the current condition of the market. Nowadays, supply chain and technology progressively more attached to each other. E-business will develop any private or public business within any industry. Organizations are insertion the furthermost accent on the enhancement and assimilation of their supply chains and business processes using technologies application. In context with the topic here are some advantages of e-commerce: -
1. Cost efficiency: By using e-commerce, companies can reduce costs, improve data accuracy, streamline business processes, accelerate business cycles, and enhance customer service. E-commerce allows transportation companies of all sizes to exchange cargo documents electronically over the Internet. E-commerce enables shippers, freight forwarders and trucking firms to streamline document handling without the monetary and time investment required by the traditional document delivery systems.
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2. Changes in the distribution system: E-commerce will give businesses more flexibility in managing the increasingly complex movement of products and information between businesses, their suppliers and customers. E-commerce will close the link between customers and distribution centers. Customers can manage the increasingly complex movement of products and information through the supply chain.
3. Customer orientation: Using the Internet for e-commerce will allow customers to access rate information, place delivery orders, track shipments and pay freight bills. Ecommerce makes it easier for customers to do business with companies: Anything that simplifies the process of arranging transportation services will help build companies' business and enhance shareholder value. By making more information available about the commercial side of companies, businesses will make their web site a place where customers will not only get detailed information about the services the company offers, but also where they can actually conduct business with the company. E-commerce will help companies deliver better services to their customers, accelerate the growth of the e-commerce initiatives that are critical to their business, and lower their operating costs. E-commerce is a vital link in the support of logistics and transportation services for both internal and external customers.
4. Shipment tracking: E-commerce will allow users to establish an account and obtain real-time information about cargo shipments. They may also create and submit bills of lading, place a cargo order, analyze charges, submit a freight claim, and carry out many other functions. In addition, e-commerce allows customers to track shipments down to the individual product and perform other supply chain management and decision support functions
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5. Shipping notice: E-commerce can help automate the receiving process by electronically transmitting a packing list ahead of the shipment. It also allows companies to record the relevant details of each pallet, parcel, and item being shipped.
6. Shipping Documentation and Labeling: There will be less need for manual intervention because standard bills of lading, shipping labels, and carrier manifests will be automatically produced; this includes even the specialized export documentation required for overseas shipments. Paperwork is significantly reduced and the shipping department will therefore be more efficient.
7. Online Shipping Inquiry:
This gives instant shipping information access to anyone in the company, from any location. Parcel shipments can be tracked and proof of delivery quickly confirmed. A customer's transportation costs and performance can be analyzed, thus helping the customer negotiate rates and improve service
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Google AdWords vs Facebook advertising BY VARUN KOCHAR
Do you know the biggest challenge for a business man is to decide where to invest in to get most benefits? Right! So, are you to stuck up selecting best advertising platform that is between Google Adword or Facebook advertisement? Well! Deciding the best out of both is bit tricky task yet it is well said that every problem is different and coping with it is also requires a different procedure same goes with these ads too. So, let’s have a brief account about the various business and what suits best for your one. Let’s discuss systematically. • Decide your Objective Each and every ad has a motive behind it. It could be to boost the brand awareness, drive engagements, increase sales, or acquire leads. So, here comes the platform into consideration like, which one you need to make this ad working according to your requirements. Basically, Facebook ads helps to make brand awareness, drive engagements and is also effective tool in promotion of events. So, if your business needs brand awareness, opt for Facebook ads rather than Google Adword. • In case you Wish to Boost Sales Google ads work well, when people are searching online for any product or services they prefer to purchase. In such a condition, buyers are confused to purchase a right product and are figuring out a solution. But in such a situation, Facebook doesn’t work well as people browse Facebook to pass their time and the biggest fact is no one visit social media sites in an intend to purchase products or services. In case, you want netizens to purchase your product, and you are juggled up with Google Ads or Facebook Advertisement, prefer going with Google Adword. 7| KAIZEN’S OPERATIONS& RESEARCH ENTITY
But in case, you launched your first product or services that is entirely unknown to the people. So, ensure investing in Facebook Advertisement is first it is essential to make brand awareness first. So, that people know about it, and then venture into the other advertisement. • Depends on Product you are selling In case you have currently launched a product that is people are not aware of, prefer first targeting relevant keywords to get relevant customers attracted towards your business. In such a situation, Facebook ads will work well as compared to Google Advertisement reason being ads on Google are basically text based and Facebook gives a wide freedom to add photos which is a right and an attractive medium to attract most people towards your business. • Decide Budget This is the prime and most essential thing that needs to be figured out first. There are two things to keep into account that are as follows ➢ Cost Per Click ➢ Cost Per Acquisition So, the fact is Facebook does not require much amount for doing Cost per click as compared to Google Adword. Rest the choice rest entirely on you which one to choose. • Who do You Wish to Advertise to? In Facebook Advertisement you have a freedom to target to group that you require to according to age, marital status, location, gender whereas in Google ad isn’t not possible. Well, as I earlier said it depends from business to business. Hope you understood the basics of advertisement through both the platforms. Hope you select the best one out of Google Adword or Facebook Advertisement after reading this informative write up.
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GOOGLE MAPS: OPERATIONAL ACCURACY BY RAYMAN KAUR
Years ago, dashboards were littered with Maps and a lot of time was wasted in asking people for directions. Everything changed due to the introduction of Google Maps. Launched in 2008 and fully functional in 51 countries now, from moms to taxi drivers, everyone swears by Google Maps. Their project is named Ground Truth where algorithms are playing a bigger role in extracting information from satellite, aerial, and Street View imagery. Google Maps team assembles their maps and refines them with a combination of algorithms and meticulous manual labour. Street View, launched a year earlier than Google Maps was intended to improve user experience by letting people see what the surroundings around their destination looked like. Nearly cent percent of the US roads have been covered by Street View cars. “It’s actually allowing us to algorithmic-ally build up new data layers from information we’ve extracted,” Manik Gupta, group product manager for Google Maps, said. Algorithms are helping in the extraction like street numbers painted on curbs, the names of businesses and other points of interest. The challenges faced are: – (a) Sometimes the arrows that tell you which turns are legal are painted on the road, sometimes they’re overhead, (b) These arrows can be of different colours and sizes, (c) Lane markers are harder because they’re not consistent, (d) Street signs are also a matter of concern as spelling or abbreviation used on street signs vary. This is where algorithms are giving Google the extra edge.
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Mostly all buildings in the US are now on Google Maps as it uses computer vision techniques to extract 3D models of landmark buildings from satellite and aerial imagery. Yet there are limitations of the satellites and algorithms as Google has employed a small workforce to manually check and correct the maps as traffic signs captured from Street View imagery appeared and disappeared. An operator could fix a road that’s out of alignment with the satellite image by clicking and dragging it into place. These operators check out tens of thousands of problems reported daily by Google Maps users and fix them as needed.
Google has been leveraging the using cell phone location signals to map traffic conditions for years. Another source is its Mapmaker program, launched in 2001, helps in getting cartographic help from ordinary citizens. “We recruited users to add mapping info where it’s important to them,” Gupta said. “We provided a tool and good satellite imagery so people could trace on top of it.” People also help out as they contribute data on parks, trails, and other places Street View cars can’t go. There is more to it than just the shapes of buildings as it was never only about the layout of roads. The maps are getting deeper as offline mapping for Android phones, Street View for nature trails and 3D Google Earth maps are the improvements coming to Google Maps in the near future.
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ABOUT US:
The word “Kaizen”, where “Kai” = change “Zen” = good, simply means “change for better”. In English Kaizen is typically applied to measures for implementing continuous improvement. It is an approach to activity organisation based on common sense, self-discipline, order and economy and is a strong contributor and fundamental part of a lean production process model in lean manufacturing. Kaizen- The Official Operations Club of IBS Hyderabad believes in relishing in the essence of "Constant Change and Evolvement" and hence we, as an organization work willingly for the betterment of the student community. KORE- Kaizen’s Operations and Research Entity, one of our primary wing which flaps to cater to the needs of students and motivate them to soar high by polishing their technical competencies. KORE’s area of expertise includes Case Based Research, Consultancy, Live Projects and Workshops. LAKSHYA, an initiative taken by KORE primarily focuses on the concepts of operations management and various articles based on the day to day operations and logistics of an organisation - SUHAIL SHAIKH
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LAKSHYA is an academic print and is not for any commercial sale. Reliability and Responsibility, for sources of data for the article vests with the respective authors. Please feel free to drop in your suggestions at kaizenclub.ibs@gmail.com KORE: Kaizen’s Operations & Research Entity. Kaizen – The Official Operations Club of IBS Hyderabad All Rights Reserved
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