Supply chain executives can take some comfort in the latest numbers from FreightWatch International's US cargo theft report for 2010, which showed that the loss of consumer electronics products to thieves declined in both the number of cargo theft incidents and the average value of electronic goods stolen. The study revealed that there were 174…
{complink 379|Apple Inc.}'s decision to invest billions of dollars to guarantee its supply of advanced LCD screens runs counter to conventional wisdom in the electronics supply chain. Apple is taking an unusual risk by in essence paying in advance for about $3.9 billion in unbuilt inventory. One way or another, this move is going to…
Could you imagine having enough clout to keep a slew of contract manufacturers on edge for months until between two weeks and 60 days before a product launch? Apparently that's {complink 379|Apple Inc.}'s secret to keeping supply chain practices under wraps for as long as it can before products ship, according to Richard Doherty, research…
CHENGDU, China — Dell, the world's second-largest PC maker, has formally launched its customer service center in Chengdu Tianfu Software Park, the largest software park operation in China. This center has a capacity of 400 seats in the first phase of operation and is Dell's third customer service center in China and the first in…
While everyone has been wondering about the fate of {complink 379|Apple Inc.} and how it will continue its fast-paced growth, given the recent double-shot headline news about its CEO and its December-quarter results, I’ve got to say I’m feeling congratulatory — and even a bit smug. (See: Apple’s Jobs to take Medical Leave of Absence…
Technological innovation has a greater impact on high-tech competition than government antitrust measures. That’s the conclusion of recent research by the Technology Policy Institute, a Washington think tank evaluating the economics of innovation, technological change, and related US and global regulation. Taking a closer look at high-profile antitrust cases that put {complink 2470|IBM Corp.}, {complink…
SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. — Seagate Technology plc (NASDAQ:STX) today reported financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. The company shipped 48.9 million disk drives and on a GAAP basis reported revenue of $2.7 billion, gross margin of 19.5%, net income of $150 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.31. On a non-GAAP…
Have you ever been contacted by a firm asking you to sign up to be one of its experts? The pitch is that you sign up as a consultant, the firm will ask you to participate in phone calls and answer questions, and you get paid for it. Sounds like easy money. But be very,…
Many analysts are beginning to ponder the once unthinkable: What will {complink 379|Apple Inc.} look like without the guiding hand of CEO Steve Jobs at the helm? The question had been asked before, but it gained additional urgency following news Jobs would be taking a leave of absence from the company to focus on his…
Everything these days is smart. You’ve got your smart phone, smart grid, smart car, and now smart TV. The question is: Why? Consumers can get the same functionality with their Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, and gaming consoles. And my answer, like for most technology, is: Why not? There is no industry standard. There is no…