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The advance of digital technology is having a dramatic impact on businesses, their workers, and the suppliers and customers who trade with them. Here's how:
ORGANIZATION
New electronic systems are breaking down old corporate barriers, allowing critical information to be shared instantly across functional departments or product groups-- and even with workers on the factory floor.
OPERATIONS
Manufacturers are using information technology to shrink cycle times, reduce defects, and cut waste. Likewise, service firms are using electronic data interchange to streamline ordering and communication with suppliers and customers.
STAFFING
New systems and processes have eliminated management layers and cut employment levels. Meanwhile, companies are using less costly computers and communication devices to create ``virtual offices'' from workers in far-flung locations.
NEW
The information ``feedback loop'' is PRODUCTS collapsing development cycles. Companies are electronically feeding customer and marketing comments to product-development teams so that they can rejuvenate product lines and target specific consumers.
CUSTOMER
No longer simply an ``order entry'' job
RELATIONS Customer-service representatives are tapping into companywide databases to solve callers' demands instantly, from simple changes of address to billing adjustments.
Updated July 23, 1998 by bwwebmaster
Copyright 1998, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
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