Guided Reading Exercise - CIS 211 - Management Information Systems

Independent Work Policy

On this assignment, students must work independently. Actions such as directly collaborating with students currently enrolled in the class, referring to the work students formerly enrolled in the class, and using other people to complete the assignment are all examples of violations of this policy. Students should use the instructor for any questions about completing the assignment.

Academic Integrity

Students who choose to violate the independent work policy must cite the use of other people's work by including the names of those people in a conspicuous location. By providing citations, students avoid violating the Elon Honor Code. Students who both violate the independent work policy and fail to cite the names of contributors are subject to the Elon University Academic Integrity Policy.

Format

Students must write their answers on exactly one sheet of standard letter paper (8.5 inches by 11 inches, as found in all Elon campus printers). It is recommended but not required that students use word processing software to print their work.

Directions

Respond to items 1-3 by reading Chapter 9 (pages 118 through 132) of the Baltzan textbook. Respond to items 4-6 by reading Chapter 10 (pages 133 through 142, including the BudNet article) and Business Plug-in B8 (pages 400 through 408) of the Baltzan textbook.

  1. If you are not familiar with EZPass, do a quick bit of Web research starting at the EZPass "How It Works" page. What type of system is EZPass? What are some of the costs, benefits, and competitive advantages of the system?
  2. Visit the Map of the Market Web site. What type of system if this? Why would Smart Money provide this site for free?
  3. Find three examples of shopping bots by doing some Web searches. Pick your favorite bot (or the one that looks most interesting) and be prepared to give a 1-minute tour of the site in class.
  4. What tradeoffs does an organization make in using a supply chain management system with high visibility? (i.e., what advantages do they gain but what disadvantages do they suffer?)
  5. Consider two video rental models: Store (like Hollywood Video, Family Video, etc.) and Mail-Order (like Netflix). Speculate on the following questions (or, if you have time, try to determine the answers through some research).
    1. Which model has a more efficient Facilities driver? Why?
    2. Which model has a more efficient Transportation driver? Why?
    3. Which model has a more efficient Information driver? Why?
  6. How do you think databases support SCM software and systems?

Delivery

Students must submit their work in person and immediately at the beginning of class on the due date listed. Students may not submit their work electronically and may not have other students submit their work. Late work will not be accepted. Students are advised to print their work prior to their arrival in the classroom.