Trucking Technology Report - Nov. 6
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Both the online report and e-mail are sponsored by @Track Communications, a supplier of wireless communications and dispatch services.
Today's Technology Headlines:
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How Supply Chains Will Become 'Dynamic Arteries'
Manufacturers are scrambling to create Web-based electronic trading links with customers and suppliers to increase supply chain efficiency.
Additionally, real-time information from customers can be used to boost product development and improvement. Tight integration of the supply chain creates an increase in inventory turns - for both manufacturers and suppliers.
A significant factor to consider is that making products in response to online orders instead of for stock could spawn the much-talked-about promise of personalization. Instead of selecting from a fixed range, customers would be able to outline their own requirements. Financial Times (11/01/00) P. 8; Moran, Nuala
Symbian Cellphone Alliance Faces Growing Threat from Microsoft
Symbian is facing a major challenge from Microsoft (MSFT) for future dominance of the operating systems market for mobile phones. Microsoft has already displayed its Stinger operating system, which makes major improvements over its earlier Windows software for mobile phones. Stinger uses its power source more efficiently and has more memory than Microsoft's previous offering. Meanwhile, Symbian has yet to publicly introduce its Pearl operating system.But Symbian's main concern is Microsoft's aggressive strategy for marketing Stinger. Microsoft has already been successful in stealing away Symbian's former marketing chief, and has persuaded Ericsson, a key shareholder in Symbian, to use Microsoft's Web browser in one of its new cell phone models.
While other Symbian shareholders include such notable companies as Nokia, Motorola, and Psion, the company remains decidedly small with a little over 700 employees. In addition, Symbian appears to have lost a substantial part of its head start in developing operating systems. Executives at Microsoft reported that Symbian has had roughly two-thirds of its staff leave the firm during this year. But Symbian says it only lost 15% of its staff and downplays reports that licensees are frustrated with the release schedule for Pearl.
Nokia maintains that the market for Pearl, and similar systems, will not be ready until 2001. The market for cell phone operating systems is expected to generate $1 billion per year by 2004. Wall Street Journal (11/06/00) P. B1; Pringle, David
On-Line Retailers Are Checking It Twice
After numerous shipping delays and ordering mishaps on the part of online retailers last year, many companies are making sure that their operations are free from such problems this holiday season. Some companies have spent millions of dollars upgrading their software, integrating their operations, and hiring additional customer service reps.Internet research firm Jupiter Communications reports that despite last year's problems, online holiday shopping is expected to account for close to $12 billion in November and December, up from $7 billion in 1999.
Additionally, this season, Internet retailers are familiarizing themselves with a federal shipping rule that resulted in $1.5 million in fines last year. The Mail and Telephone Order Rule requires that retailers ship their wares within the date they promise. If the retailer does not promise a shipping date, the order must be received in 30 days.
The Federal Trade Commission, after an investigation of e-commerce sites' business practices, found seven retailers in violation of the rule. Under the terms of rule, if the company cannot deliver their merchandise on the date promised, they have to give the consumer sufficient notice of a new shipping date. Washington Times (11/02/00) P. B8; De Marco, Donna
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