Dell Computer Has Excelled with a Fast-Paced Build-To-Order Approach That

question 70

Essay

Dell Computer has excelled with a fast-paced build-to-order approach that involves taking customer orders online, orchestrating production tailored to each customer, and forging a one-to-one relationship with the customer after the sale. Some auto industry executives have turned to Michael Dell, the company founder, for advice concerning how to make their businesses look like his. Senior executives at Ford, for example, envision a future where customers will order online and factories will build to order, eliminating billions of dollars of inventory costs (for example, large stocks of vehicles on hand). All of those mass produced cars sitting for weeks on dealer lots represent a massive investment that yields no return until a buyer comes along.
a.Evaluate the feasibility of a build-to-order system for an automaker like Ford and outline the key requirements that Ford must meet to make the strategy work for a potential customer like you.
b.How would a build-to-order system alter the way in which suppliers (business marketers) would serve Ford as a customer?

---

Definitions:

Simple Linear Regression

A statistical technique that models the relationship between two variables by fitting a linear equation to observed data, with one independent variable explaining the variation in the dependent variable.

Multiple Linear Regression

An analytical approach in statistics that uses a linear equation to define how a dependent variable is related to two or more independent variables based on observed data.

Alternative Hypothesis

A statement that contradicts the null hypothesis and is tested to determine if there is evidence to support it.

Mean Difference

Mean difference, also known as the average difference, refers to the arithmetic mean of differences between paired observations in two sample sets.