Initial Post [Due: Wednesday at 11:59. P.M., CT.] Due to competitive pressures, firms in the computer industry are constantly looking to reduce costs. Computer manufacturers compete fiercely for contracts based on meeting the technology, quality, and price requirements of customers. Profit margins and return-on-investment Most computer manufacturers have programs designed to improve qualmost its operating margins sllp to a sllm 7 percent. that many producers use is to contract only with high-quality sove quality and reduce the costs associated with their products. One strategy computer company, Porto, also initiated a program requesting suppllers to continually improve productivity, which shioulds. Onead to major reductions. The objective of the program was to reduce purchase costs over the foreseeable future. Porto also expects its suppliers to contribute costsaving ideas whenever possible. The high-technology industry features high fixed costs due to large investments in plant and equipment. These companies also cominit large expenditures to research and development. Porto currently has a requirement for an electronic component termed "New Prod," which is part of a recently designed product. The estimated volume requirement of New Prod is 200,000 units with additional follow-on orders likely. For the New Prod component, Porto felt there were five to eight highly competitive suppliers capable of producing the Item. These suppllers are located primarily along the East and West Coasts of the United State5. After a request for quote and preliminary analysis, the buyer for Parto decided to pursue further discussions with Technotronics. Each of you will be assigned to assume the persona of a negotiator representing the interests of either the "Buyer" or the "Sclles". Each negotiator must plan and prepare before conducting negotiations. The instructor has information packets for the buyer and the sellet that provide additional information and assignments required for conducting the negotiation. While you will not be engaping in actual negotiations for this assignment, it is important to keep in mind that buyers and sellers can share as little or as much of the information with each other as they desire during actual negotiations. This "give and take" can be a tactical component of one's negotiation strategy. A negotiation strategy should be developed prior to engaging in active negotiations. Remember, price is not the only warlable subject to