Why Information Systems?
United Parcel Service (UPS) started out in 1907 in a closet-sized basement office.
Concept: best service and lowest rates
today UPS delivers close to 3 billion parcels and documents each year
estimated investment in IT 1992-1996 $1.8 billion
Using a hand-held computer called Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIAD)
UPS drivers capture customers signatures along with pickup, delivery and timecard information
This information is transferred to UPS’s computer network for storage and processing in UPS’s main computer in Mahwah, NJ
Through TotalTrack, UPS can monitor packages throughout the delivery process
In 1988, UPS moved aggressively into overseas markets and set up its own global communications network.