IT Plays Important Roles in Dell’S Supply Chain Management

Information technology (IT) is an important aspect of the electronic supply chain management (SCM). Advances in information technology, particularly in the Internet, enables companies to share information within and inter-organizations. The Internet and its three important types of networks: Intranet, Extranet, and Web allow organization to transfer digital data instantly and with high fidelity at nearly zero marginal cost. Information sharing is a vital aspect of coordination amongst parties in a supply chain. Information sharing can increase supply chain efficiency by reducing inventories and smoothing production. In Addition, e-commerce can enhance selling online and help better understand customers. E-SCM efficiency is highly important as today’s competition is no longer between companies, but between supply chains. This paper examined how IT - the Internet, Intranet, Extranet, Web technology affects, transforms and streamlines Dell’s SCM. Research results showed IT played important roles in enhancing, transforming, and streamlining Dell’s SCM for success. Keywords: IT, Internet technology, Web technology, e-Commerce, SC