part 1

Before the model era of e-commerce, and digital supply chains, video games used to be physical, tangible, goods that one had to go to the store and acquire. Now, platforms like Xbox, Playstation, and Steam allow users to instantaneously (capacitated by their internet bandwidth, of course) acquire the latest video game without leaving the comfort of their own homes. Indeed, this is a marvel of modern technology, that is guided by sound operations management. So, here is the question:

-Consider this digital video game distribution scenario. What types of capacity(ies) are being planned for? How, and by whom, is this capacity being acquired? Where are the potential bottle necks, and how might they be alleviated? How have manufacturers of these video games taken advantage of economies of scale? Is it possible for this method of distribution to reach dis-economies of scale?

part 2

Apple recently had an announcement regarding their new model line up and products they are going to introduce. Chief among which, for this particular announcement, was the new and improved iPad. Apple has made design modifications to the edges (squared off instead of beveled/rounded) and an increased screen size, as well as integrated Apple Pencil functionality. Clearly, this has supply chain implications. Here's the question:

-How may have Apple used a QFD/house of quality to design their new products? What do you think the process was in relation to the connection between the supply chain management and marketing teams of Apple? What supply chain and operations management challenges does this new design propose? What other constraints might this pose for Apple to deliver on-time and in full to their customers?

part 3

Theworld's largest pizza, upon its completion, "measured122 feet, 8 inches in diameter, weighed26,883 pounds, and contained 9,920 pounds of flour, 3,960 pounds of cheese, 1 763 pounds of mushrooms, 1,984 pounds of tomato puree, and 1,984 pounds of chopped tomatoes." Clearly, this was a massive undertaking. A few questions:

-Identify which type of manufacturing process this was. What considerations, from a planning standpoint, do you think were made? How might the process change if you were planning the manufacturing process for a pizza available at pie craft? What about a pizza that you can buy in the frozen section of the supermarket? What are the elements [of the manufacturing process] that change as we transition from the world's largest pizza, to a completely standardized frozen one?art 3