How Apple's Supply Chain Fared During the 3G Rollout

The article that found discusses how Apple’s supply chain stood up after the launch of the 3G iPhone. According to the article Apple’s physical supply chain processes including manufacturing, inventory and logistics worked very well what the part that fell behind was its digital supply chain. In which lots of customers from 21 countries had to wait a long time to get onto iTunes and be able to go through their final stage of syncing their iPhones. In an AMR research conducted in 2008 about the “Supply Chain Top 25” Apple took the number one spot with its magnificent software interfaces and top design goods. Apple was able to beat the competition with its mechanical and financial benefits and high inventory turns with minimal material and capacity limitations to grow that has allowed them to have a zero-marginal cost on its digital supply-chain. The success of Apple being able to meet the demands of its customer for the Apple 3G iPhone came with the Apple making the essential components well in advance and upgrading the basic information systems so that it could meet the high demand of customers on the iTunes store. Relating the article to our chapter we see how it is essential for a business to have a good supply chain because it gives them the ability to meet the demands of its customers at a faster pace and in a more seamless manner. Like Apple, Dell’s success came from the ability to maintain close contact with its customer and removing the middle men and by at same time having a close relationship with its shippers and manufactures.

Wailgum, Thomas (2009). How Apple’s Supply Chain Fared During the 3G Rollout. Retrieved October 13, 2009. From PC World: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/148429/how_apples_supply_chain_fared_during_the_3g_rollout.html