Supply Chain Analytics and Innovations (SCAI)

[Audio] Group B Presentation. Answers for Part: 3 By Group Member: Maurice Nyasulu BUSINESS CASE: APPLE Supply Chain Analytics and Innovations (SCAI) Supply Chain Analytics and Innovations (SCAI) Group B Presentation. Answers to Part 3 By Group Member: Maurice Nyasulu.

[Audio] Best Case Scenario: In the event the current global financial climate persists, with all variables remaining equal, Apple as a business entity would be expected to be having a stalled growth rate. This is based on the company’s five-year financial postings from year 2019 whereby the yearly revenue that was posted in 2020 was approximately 275 Billion US dollars reflecting a 5.51 Percent increase. This positive outlook continued in the following year, 2020-2021FY with yet another increase of 33.26 percent, with approximately 366 Billion US Dollars in revenue. Again, the company posted another protracted growth in revenue in the following financial year, 2021-2022FY of approximately 394 Billion US dollars, growth of about 8 percent, this time around. Worst Case Scenario: Nevertheless, the company has seen a slump in revenue since 2022-23FY, posting approximately 384 Billion US Dollars, reflecting a drop of 0.93 percent as of June 2023 report. (Macrotrends, 2023) Therefore, with the company’s posting of a 1.4 percent decline in its latest quarter signifies a cloudy outlook regards to its financial standing, therefore, if all variables remain constant this negative trend can persist, leading to further decline in revenue with eventual losses down the line unless drastic measures are put in place to change the trajectory. 5. Scenario analysis 5. Scenario analysis Best Case Scenario: In the event the current global financial climate persists, with all variables remaining equal, Apple as a business entity would be expected to be having a stalled growth rate. This is based on the company's five-year financial postings from year 2019 whereby the yearly revenue that was posted in 2020 was approximately 275 Billion US dollars reflecting a 5.51 Percent increase. This positive outlook continued in the following year, 2020-2021FY with yet another increase of 33.26 percent, with approximately 366 Billion US Dollars in revenue. Again, the company posted another protracted growth in revenue in the following financial year, 2021-2022FY of approximately 394 Billion US dollars, growth of about 8 percent, this time around. Worst Case Scenario: Nevertheless, the company has seen a slump in revenue since 2022-23FY, posting approximately 384 Billion US Dollars, reflecting a drop of 0.93 percent as of June 2023 report. (Macrotrends, 2023) Therefore, with the company's posting of a 1.4 percent decline in its latest quarter signifies a cloudy outlook regards to its financial standing, therefore, if all variables remain constant this negative trend can persist, leading to further decline in revenue with eventual losses down the line unless drastic measures are put in place to change the trajectory..

[Audio] Its popularity is due to the fact that those organizations, who can appreciate its significance and hence figure out methods of acquiring, using and storing these essential pieces of information, inevitably benefit a great deal from it compared to those companies or organizations who do not. Therefore, Apple like many other organizations by utilizing the power of Data can effectively plan-ahead and mitigate difficult scenarios by reading into the data they collect, through methods such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) (Porter, 1985) Utilising the power of Data: Essentially the collection of information in form of numbers, and other provable details, has steadily been attracting attention among many organisations. Utilising the power of Data: Essentially the collection of information in form of numbers, and other provable details, has steadily been attracting attention among many organisations. Its popularity is due to the fact that those organizations, who can appreciate its significance and hence figure out methods of acquiring, using and storing these essential pieces of information, inevitably benefit a great deal from it compared to those companies or organizations who do not. Therefore, Apple like many other organizations by utilizing the power of Data can effectively plan ahead and mitigate difficult scenarios by reading into the data they collect, through methods such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) (Porter, 1985).

[Audio] However, in an ideal world the worst scenarios must always be anticipated. Therefore, the company given its current standing would still bounce back given some cost-cutting measures are put in place. Fact finding through analysis would be first step. For instance, by performing a thorough company analysis. Managers are likely to find out the reasons for the under-performance since the various types of analysis may highlight a specific areas of interest, thereby offering multiple options of enhancements. In other words, through analytical screening, managers or directors would make fact based and data driven decisions based on the type of analysis applied, for example: Diagnostic; whose objective is to establish the cause of a particular outcome. It unravels the underlying elements behind a trend or situation. For example, it can give bring up the reasons why sales of a certain once-popular product slumped suddenly. Descriptive; which gives the user more understanding as to what happened regarding the trend or pattern of events in a certain period. Prescriptive; which ideally is used optimise best decision making whilst determining the right course of action with reference to other available options, therefore, helping decision makers avoid any possible pitfalls in the process. Predictive; Just like the word itself suggests, it provides clarity to future’s most likely outcomes based on data collected from past events. Therefore, reading into these expectations from a project or decision-making process. (Robertson, 2022) ANALYSIS: ANALYSIS: However, in an ideal world the worst scenarios must always be anticipated. Therefore, the company given its current standing would still bounce back given some cost-cutting measures are put in place. Fact finding through analysis would be first step. For instance, by performing a thorough company analysis. Managers are likely to find out the reasons for the under-performance since the various types of analysis may highlight a specific areas of interest, thereby offering multiple options of enhancements. In other words, through analytical screening, managers or directors would make fact based and data driven decisions based on the type of analysis applied, for example: Diagnostic; whose objective is to establish the cause of a particular outcome. It unravels the underlying elements behind a trend or situation. For example, it can give bring up the reasons why sales of a certain once-popular product slumped suddenly. Descriptive; which gives the user more understanding as to what happened regarding the trend or pattern of events in a certain period. Prescriptive; which ideally is used optimise best decision making whilst determining the right course of action with reference to other available options, therefore, helping decision makers avoid any possible pitfalls in the process. Predictive; Just like the word itself suggests, it provides clarity to future's most likely outcomes based on data collected from past events. Therefore, reading into these expectations from a project or decision-making process. (Robertson, 2022).

[Audio] , , 6. Alignment with strategic direction , Just In Time: Therefore, having understood the cause and effects of the various decisions behind the company’s successes or failures, Apple may benefit massively by enhancing efficiency through timely production and delivery to customers. For example, using Just in time (JIT) system to boost customer satisfaction, whilst also yielding significant cost-effective returns in due time. (Mackelprang & Nair, 2010) Sustainability: By optimising on sustainable strategies in resourcing of raw materials and components, increasing efficiency in storage, warehousing, through to its manufacturing, distribution and waste management Apple can increase its competitive advantage hence boosting its sales and profit. (Rodriguez, 2002) Quality Assurance: A company that ensures that its products are of great and consistent quality, easily captures and maintains best patronage and healthy customer base, since consumers will always place demand where value for money is found. (Callan, 2006) 6. Alignment with strategic direction Just In Time: Therefore, having understood the cause and effects of the various decisions behind the company's successes or failures, Apple may benefit massively by enhancing efficiency through timely production and delivery to customers. For example, using Just in time (JIT) system to boost customer satisfaction, whilst also yielding significant cost-effective returns in due time. (Mackelprang & Nair, 2010) Sustainability: By optimising on sustainable strategies in resourcing of raw materials and components, increasing efficiency in storage, warehousing, through to its manufacturing, distribution and waste management Apple can increase its competitive advantage hence boosting its sales and profit. (Rodriguez, 2002) Quality Assurance: A company that ensures that its products are of great and consistent quality, easily captures and maintains best patronage and healthy customer base, since consumers will always place demand where value for money is found. (Callan, 2006).

[Audio] REFERENCES: Callan, R., (2006:482-498). Quality Assurance Certification for Hospitality Marketing, Sales and Customer Serviceshttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/02642069400000052?needAccess=true [Accessed: 12/10/2023] Carruthers, K. (2016). “Internet of Things and Beyond: Cyber-Physical Systems”, IEEE Internet of Things. Cole, R., Stevenson, M. & Aitken, J. (2019). “Blockchain technology: implications for operations and supply chain management”, Supply Chain Management Mackelprang, A. and Nair, A. (2010: 283-302) Journal of Operations Management https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S027269630900076X [Accessed: 12/10/2023] Macrotrends, (2023) Apple Revenue 2010-2023 https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/AAPL/apple/revenue [Accessed:11/10/2023] Porter, M. (1985). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. Porter’s Value Chain. University of Cambridge. https://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/research/dstools/value-chain-/ Robertson, P. (2020). Supply Chain Analytics: Using Data to Optimise Supply Chain Processes.Taylor & Francis Group. Rodriguez, M. , Ricart, J. and Sanchez, .P. (2002). Sustainable Development and the Sustainability of Competitive Advantage: A Dynamic and Sustainable View of the Firm https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-8691.00246 [Accessed : 12/10/2023) REFERENCES: Callan, R., (2006:482-498). Quality Assurance Certification for Hospitality Marketing, Sales and Customer Serviceshttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/02642069400000052?needAccess=true [Accessed: 12/10/2023] Carruthers, K. (2016). "Internet of Things and Beyond: Cyber-Physical Systems", IEEE Internet of Things. Cole, R., Stevenson, M. & Aitken, J. (2019). "Blockchain technology: implications for operations and supply chain management", Supply Chain Management Mackelprang, A. and Nair, A. (2010: 283-302) Journal of Operations Management https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S027269630900076X [Accessed: 12/10/2023] Macrotrends, (2023) Apple Revenue 2010-2023 https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/AAPL/apple/revenue [Accessed:11/10/2023] Porter, M. (1985). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. Porter's Value Chain. University of Cambridge. https://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/research/dstools/value-chain-/ Robertson, P. (2020). Supply Chain Analytics: Using Data to Optimise Supply Chain Processes.Taylor & Francis Group. Rodriguez, M. , Ricart, J. and Sanchez, .P. (2002). Sustainable Development and the Sustainability of Competitive Advantage: A Dynamic and Sustainable View of the Firm https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-8691.00246 [Accessed : 12/10/2023).