Supply chain: Dell Inspiron 600m notebook

1. 6 factories

1.1. Limerick: Ireland

1.2. Xiamen: China

1.3. Eldorado do sul: Brazil

1.4. Nashville: Tennesee

1.5. Austin: Texas

1.6. Penang: Malaysia

1.6.1. next to Penang factory => Supplier Logistics Centers (SLCs) : the place where the computer parts were ordered directly

1.6.1.1. Just-in-time manufacturing

2. Orders

2.1. Dell.com or over the telephone

2.1.1. Order info: type, special features, personal information, shipping address, billing address and credit card information.

2.2. Dell factory in Penang

2.2.1. sends every two hours an e-mail to SLCs nearby => What parts? What quantities?

2.2.1.1. Within ninety minutes, trucks from the various SLCs unload the parts at the factory

2.2.1.1.1. Dell emlpoyees

3. Multiple suppliers

3.1. Why?

3.1.1. If one supplier breaks down for example, Dell is not left in the lurch.

3.2. Samsung, Nanya, Infineon, Elpida,...

4. Shipping

4.1. Tom's system was placed in protective foam and a shuttle box, with a label, which contains his order number, tracking code, system type, and shipping code

4.2. Tom's system arrived at Nashville with other Dell systems from Penang and Limerick.

4.3. Tom's system was inserted into a larger box, which went down the boxing line to the specific external parts that Tom had ordered.