QM 3345 Amazon Inventory Management and Distribution Case Study You will need to create a formal Word document answering the questions thoroughly, in narra

QM 3345 Amazon Inventory Management and Distribution Case Study You will need to create a formal Word document answering the questions thoroughly, in narrative form, and you must use, at a minimum, the textbook and at least one other source (Internet sites are acceptable). Although this is not a formal research paper, please include all references and citations within the Word document. Please note that you WILL be graded on proper use of grammar and sentence structure!

1. Provide a high-level overview and history of the company.

2. What differentiates Amazon from other large box retailers (e.g., Wal-Mart, Best Buy)?

3. What changes is Amazon planning in the future to improve inventory management and distribution?

4. Describe Amazon’s global strategy for managing inventory between countries. Operations Management:
Sustainability
and
Supply
Chain
Thirteenth Edition
Management
Chapter 12
Inventory Management
Copyright © 2020, 2017, 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Outline (1 of 2)
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Global Company Profile: Amazon.com
The Importance of Inventory
Managing Inventory
Inventory Models
Inventory Models for Independent Demand
Outline (2 of 2)
• Probabilistic Models and Safety Stock
• Single-Period Model
• Fixed-Period (P) Systems
Inventory Management at Amazon.com (1
of 3)
• Amazon.com started as a “virtual” retailer – no inventory, no
warehouses, no overhead – just computers taking orders to be
filled by others
• Growth has forced Amazon.com to become a world leader in
warehousing and inventory management
Inventory Management at Amazon.com (2
of 3)
1. Each order is assigned by computer to one of the distribution
centers
2. A “flow meister” at each distribution center assigns work
crews
3. Robots and technology help workers move merchandise and
pick the correct items
4. Items are placed into crates on a conveyor, bar code scanners
scan each item 15 times to virtually eliminate errors
Inventory Management at Amazon.com (3
of 3)
5. Crates arrive at central point where items are boxed and
labeled with new bar code
6. Order arrives at customer within 1 – 2 days
Amazon expects the customer experience to yield the lowest
price, fastest delivery, and error-free order fulfillment

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