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378 Part Three Key System Applications for the Digital Age

manual inspections at gates and the reduction in investigating its use within the yard, and how data
manual data input errors demonstrate DP World’s captured can be used.
customer-centric approach to delivering a superior
level of service. The technology also allows trans- Sources: Dave Friedlos, “RFID Boosts DP World’s Productivity in
Australia,” RFID Journal, July 27, 2009 (www.rfidjournal.com/arti-
port companies to save time, increase revenues,
cle/ view/5086, accessed October 20, 2010); Rhea Wessel, “DP World
and reduce costs. Ramps Up Its Dubai Deployment,” RFID Journal, August 13, 2009
DP World’s use of RFID has also helped it to (www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/5130, accessed October 20,
tighten security by providing better accuracy on 2010); “DP World UAE Implements Automated Gate System at Jebel
Ali Port,” The Zone, May-June 2008 (www.jafza.ae/mediafiles/
inbound and outbound truck movements through 2008/10/23/20081023_Issue-11.pdf, accessed October 20, 2010),
the terminals. For instance, the system can auto- p. 11; DP World (www.dpworld.com, accessed October 20, 2010);
matically check whether a truck has a booking and Identec Solutions (www.identecsolutions.com, accessed October 20,
2010).
whether it is authorized to enter the port.
As a next step, DP World will consider expand- Case contributed by Faouzi Kamoun, The University
ing its use of RFID-enabled scanning and tracking of Dubai
technology to further optimize supply chain flow.
In the future, Rose hopes DP World will focus on

CASE STUDY QUESTIONS

1. How did Identec Solutions’ RFID-based technology 3. How does the concept of supply chain execution
help DP World increase the efficiency and effec- relate to this interactive session?
tiveness of its customers’ supply chains? 4. What managerial, organizational, and technologi-
2. Describe two improvements that resulted from cal challenges might DP World have faced in the
implementing the Identec RFID-based solution. early stages of the RFID project’s deployment?

A manager uses a Web interface to tap into suppliers’ systems to determine
whether inventory and production capabilities match demand for the firm’s
products. Business partners use Web-based supply chain management tools to
collaborate online on forecasts. Sales representatives access suppliers’ produc-
tion schedules and logistics information to monitor customers’ order status.
Global Supply Chain Issues
More and more companies are entering international markets, outsourcing
manufacturing operations, and obtaining supplies from other countries as well
as selling abroad. Their supply chains extend across multiple countries and
regions. There are additional complexities and challenges to managing a global
supply chain.
Global supply chains typically span greater geographic distances and time
differences than domestic supply chains and have participants from a number
of different countries. Performance standards may vary from region to region
or from nation to nation. Supply chain management may need to reflect foreign
government regulations and cultural differences.

MIS_13_Ch_09 Global.indd 378 1/17/2013 2:28:54 PM