Abstract
Technological application in business is fundamental towards efficiency and business sustainability. In the case of the TOTAL and the random food, retailers should integrate technology to improve on supply chain effectiveness.
Recommended technology
As an employee of the TOTAL Corporation, I would recommend the company to use the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to properly integrate the supply chain. The adoption of RFID, which is an example of GSI standards, will ensure that the entire supply chain of the company is well concentrated and accessible. However, successful implementation of the proposed technology would depend on other factors such as the area of coverage, company policy on technology, and efficiency of the technological network (Laosirihongthong, Punnakitikashem, & Adebanjo 2013).
The proposed network will coordinate appropriate technology transfer since it is multifaceted besides. Besides, the proposed network might be vital in integrating technological applications to the entire supply chain department. Specifically, the network has codes that identify the frequency application in the supply chain department (Goldratt 2007). When all other factors are held constant, the integration between the network and actual barcodes will improve the performance of the TOTAL Corporation. For instance, it would be necessary to code the proposed system to ensure that there is a smooth flown in information from a holistic perspective.
My recommendations might be supported by interface integration between the current internal technological applications. As a result, this position will guarantee efficiency in system functionality (Bamford & Forrester 2010). For instance, the Radio Frequency Identification technology might create an ideal environment for proactive tracking of different aspects of the supply chain management from a series of IT-based alternatives. In the ideal business environment, the balancing act might be achieved through the integration of the employees as implementers of the proposed software (Adebanjo & Michaelides 2010).
Key Concept Exercise
The current uptake of enterprise systems is that they can improve efficiency and accountability through a network that tracks and automatically update different activities with a backup. The systems are irreplaceable in the 21st century as the business functionality approach changes from traditional to modern efficient and high-quality results (Goldratt & Cox 2004). The bottlenecks that can affect the profits of a food supplier are the inability to buy and install an efficient network for a comprehensive supply chain flow. For instance, a food supplier who refuses to embrace the modern technological applications might end up losing profits.
The data and instruments I would suggest to measure bottlenecks, feedback loops, and process optimization are the past market performance, current market demand, the psychographic traits. Specifically, I would suggest the introduction of a performance tracker and system upgrade to match the faster, easy to use, and efficient technology-based webs used by some companies (Sanders 2007).
The above data and instruments will allow the food retailer to properly plan for the flow channel, distribution network, and expected output. This is achievable through comparative system integration. Besides, the food retailer might be more empowered if past performance is used to create a technological benchmark for ease of integration. For instance, if the food retailer is making losses, he or she would apply for improvement through the existing technological spheres of life.
Reference List
Adebanjo, D & Michaelides, R 2010, “Analysis of Web.2.0 enables e-clusters: A case study”. Techno-innovation Journal, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 238-248. Web.
Bamford, D & Forrester, P 2010, Essential guide to operations management: concepts and case notes. Wiley, London. Web.
Goldratt E & Cox, A 2004, The goal: A process of ongoing improvement. North River Press. Web.
Goldratt, K 2007, “Bloomsbury business library – business and management dictionary”, Business Source Complete, p.3428. Web.
Laosirihongthong, T, Punnakitikashem, P & Adebanjo, A 2013, “Improving supply chain operations by adopting RFID technology: evaluation and comparison of enabling factors”, Production Planning & Control, vol. 24, no. 1, pp.90-109. Web.
Sanders, N 2007, “An empirical study of the impact of e-business technologies on organizational collaboration and performance”, Journal of Operations Management, vol. 25, no. 6, pp. 1332–1347. Web.