PACCAR System Lab Essay

1. Why did PACCAR commit such a large amount of resources to electronic systems during the recession? PACCAR decided to commit such a large amount of resources to electronic systems during the recession because they knew it was something they needed to introduce in their company to stay competitive. It also would help their staff with smart technology as it relates to navigation and engine performance. PACCAR knew that with these upgraded systems they could both have better intelligence for their customers as well as better navigation and output readings for their drivers. Even though it was during a recession, PACCAR saw this as an opportunity to do some in house improvements. 2. What are the beneï ¬ ts of PACCAR’s new navigation system and diagnostic system to truck drivers? The benefits of PACCAR’s new navigation system and diagnostic system to truck drivers are abundant. With the new diagnostic system drivers can keep an eye on anything wrong with their truck and with new software updates to only add gauges, it seems like drivers will be able to see a small problem and fix it before it becomes a bigger problem. The new navigation system shows drivers heights of bridges, weight limits on bridges, rest stops, weigh stations, and anything else a driver may need. As we all know it is hard navigating somewhere you’ve never been before. With this navigation system the driver doesn’t have to worry about any height or weight issues because the system knows any restrictions. 3. What are the beneï ¬ ts to PACCAR of collaborating with outside companies in building new systems? Some benefits to PACCAR collaborating with outside companies in building new systems are that they have an already knowledgeable group working on the new systems and that they, in turn, get taught that knowledge and can take on  the responsibility of upkeep and updating the system after it has been integrated. When you are not an expertise in software development and things like that, trying to just do everything in house can be just as, if not more expensive as getting someone to do it that knows what they are doing. Not only that, but if you mess something up, you may not even realize it until it is way too late, causing more problems. Also what better way to learn then from watching and working with someone that is an expert in the field. By gaining all of that experience and know how, PACCAR can now create updates and fix issues on their own without having to outside consult anymore, unless it is necessary. 1. Describe the reasons that Hilton decided to collaborate with IT partners rather than develop its own information systems in house. Hilton decided to collaborate with IT partners rather than develop its own information systems in house because they knew what a huge undertaking developing its own information systems would be. Hilton had different business it needed to deal with and it had no real knowledge of the IT world, so it needed some help. We know it was a huge undertaking because they asked five different companies to run five different parts of their IT. This leaves Hilton the ability to run its business and not have to worry about things like IT. 2. What are the problems associated with collaborating with ï ¬ ve large strategic IT partners? Provide speciï ¬ c examples to support your answer. Some problems associated with collaborating with five large strategic IT partners would be each company has its own strategy. For example, IBM and Microsoft do a lot of the same things, so how does Hilton decide who runs what, or who has power to adjust things over the other. Does IBM run all the data collection and storage with its server knowledge or does Microsoft because Hilton is using their software. At the same time, all of this is done wirelessly, so when there is a problem, who do we contact? The network provider, who is AT&T, or the server provider IBM. It can get tricky, but I am sure Hilton has a team that sorts these type of problems out.