Reference no: EM132988709

Using the following guidelines, discuss the operations management aspects of Apple Inc.  followed by your recommendations for improvement.

1. Identify the inputs and outputs of the company.
2. Who are the customers and suppliers of the company? (don't name specific ones, just name the general types of customers)
3. How can customer value be measured for their customers?
4. What is the mission of the company? What implications does this mission have for their strategic operations management decisions (e.g., workforce, capacity, scheduling...)
5. Explain the TQM principles that are being applied in the company.
6. Name some decision criteria the company might use in selecting a location or layout (your choice) for any one of their facilities. Which ones are the most critical? Note: if the company is retail, focus on the facility that is closest to the customer in the supply chain.
7. Describe the supply chain of the company? If multiple product lines exist, choose the most profitable one.
8. How is JIT (just-in-time) applied in your chosen company? If not applied, how might it be applied?
9. Name one way in which this company is "out of the box" in its thinking, if applicable. How does this set them apart from their competition and how does it make a difference?
10. If you were brought in as the wise consultant to fix or improve the company, name at least FIVE thing you would recommend and why. It could be in regards to their metrics, their processes, their quality, their supply chain or just about anything that would help to bring them toward their goal of making money.