Huffman Trucking Knowledge Worker - Case Study Example

 Huffman Trucking Knowledge Worker Introduction Huffman Trucking is a logistic company founded by K. Huffman in 1936. Upon is establishment, The Second World War fueled its growth due to the increased need for good transportation in the U.S. Demand for carrier services led to Huffman's fleet to a size of 36 trailers and 16 tractors. The firm later made acquisitions of other carrier providers in the middle and eastern region of the U.S. Acquisition and close relationships with the U.S government has led to its growth as a privately owned firm. Huffman offers a range of transport and carrier services that are controlled in four major U.S towns. Its mission clearly states the business’ strategic plans to survive in the logistics market. It motivates employees from every department by reminding them that profit making and competitiveness are the core principles of the firm’s success. Huffman’s facilities have been strategically located to ensure that both services and corporate support have been tactically diversified. Thesis statement: Huffman has outsourced its infrastructure and networks. A knowledge worker through analyzing the systems will come up with different ideas to support the firm and vice versa (Davenport 2013). Huffman Trucking Information Systems Infrastructure Huffman has an information system that helps it in running operations between the four branches. The network has ensured the California, New Jersey, Missouri and Ohio facility are connected together. A remote backup site has also been set up to ensure communications between the four stations possible. Huffman offers logistical services meaning the need for constant communication with the fleet due to customer preferences. The information systems structure has made it possible for clients and staff to access information instantly when needed (Peterson and Davie 2012). Corporate communications from the corporate headquarters in Ohio are facilitated by the information systems infrastructure. It connects each and every department that include executive offices, marketing, sales, accounting and human resource. The administration at the corporate office has been provided with high-speed computers and printers depending on the number of employees in each department. The marketing department issues employees with mac-book computers, unlike others with HP to ensure class and a close connection to the public. Huffman’s computers have internal memories of one terabyte to ensure that vast information and data can be stored based on the size of the fleet. Other high-speed specs such as RAM and internal speeds have been emphasized ensuring efficiency and alacrity in the corporate office. A local area network connects the entire computers ensuring sharing of data in every department. The connections are later channeled to the information technology department that monitors every action. Printers are also distributed in the units depending on the number of employees. The upper levels have been allocated with one printer each. The accounting section has the highest number of printers due to the workflow. It issues receipts and contracts to clients hence the need for more printers. Trucking operations are held in three stations, California, New Jersey and Missouri. The fleet can be tracked remotely, and data accessed by any staff logged into Huffman’s operations network. The information technology department makes sure that the entire lot of trackers installed in the tractors and trailers are screened in real time. Infrastructure assessment Huffman’s infrastructure sectors range from communication to the information technology to assets in various facilities. They can be classified according to the branches due to their similarities. The headquarters hold the largest amount of infrastructure as compared to the other three branches. It has a total of 925 drivers and 425 personnel that have been connected through the network systems to work as one despite locations and job description. The corporate office at Cleveland consists of five independent departments. The diagram shows the administration procedures at the office. Communications originate from the executive's office to the departments and later to the other units. Office operations in the corporate sector are passed to the I.T department that connects the other external activities that involve field work as shown below. Information technology department Opportunities for supporting knowledge workers at Huffman Trucking Various opportunities are utilized by knowledge workers at the firm in which most departments have chances for learning and provision of more knowledge. The information systems and technology sectors have the highest chances for knowledge workers because they contribute a high percentage to the firm’s competition. The corporate sector has vulnerabilities to competitors hence knowledge workers will provide comprehensions of the strategies. How Huffman Trucking might use the current hardware, for knowledge worker support An analysis of the firm shows that its hardware systems not up to date leading to competition opportunities by other freight firms (Jemielniak 2011). Huffman has most of its computer hardware from the early 1990s and need a complete overhaul of its computer services. Despite the computers having one terabyte hard disks and 8GB rams, it should improve the storage space by creating a central storage space. With time, the hard disks are exhausted, and the firm needs to change them annually. The systems are slow compared to new technological upgrades in the market. The firm applies old fashioned trackers in fleet. With the help of knowledge workers, Huffman ca adopt new tracking technologies that provide more data on the location, speed and fuel levels of the tractors and trailers. The move will help prevent malicious actions by the staff through embezzlement of Huffman’s funds. Huffman’s current hardware needs digitization so that it increases chances of market competition. Paper records are replaced by electronic filing and data entry systems. It will improve efficiency and accountability of client goods that are being ferried. The hardware and warehouse management departments should seek knowledge workers that will change most of the operating systems. Dispatch of the fleet should happen electronically and due to the presence of computer networks the headquarters in Ohio are able to monitor employee actions in every branch. It will prevent cases of mishandling of goods and transportation to the wrong locations. Classification of goods electronically helps in the identification of goods that need special handling. How Huffman Trucking might use the current network, for knowledge worker support Huffman’s current computer and operation’s network rated as satisfactory have helped in its growth. Knowledge worker support proves important in the sectors by improving computer networks. An analysis of the computer networks shows that the firms need to adopt cost effective modern technologies. Technological setbacks caused by the current mainframe computer that has a slow speed as compared to the number of departments that it serves are found in the firm’s network analysis. With a ram of 32GB, one might commend it for its speed but after a close scrutiny of the units that it serves, it shows signs of weaknesses due to slowness as compared to what competitors have installed. It serves each and every department in the four locations. Huffman needs to install a mainframe computer that has a high capability. The firm's objective is to make more profits through acquiring a larger market. A better mainframe computer will support the firm's workload while at its peak. An opportunity for a knowledge worker in the computer network sector will also help in improving Huffman's telephone connections. The VoIP that is currently installed at the firm provides system capabilities such as call forwarding, caller I.D and voicemail features (Ryan and Jones 2012). The presence of different branches calls for a private telephone and computer network that suits the preferences of an individual branch. A network that provides a wide area network later connects the four computer networks. Cloud computing utilized to store electronic data in remote locations, shows that failure of individual computer mainframes does not have any effect (Mahmood 2011). The knowledge worker can analyze the computer networks and come up with efficient alternatives for an upgrade. The sales agents are issued with the latest i-phones due to the improved features as compared to the 4s phones. It will increase competition strategies since the agents can access the firm’s network, and make data entries on new customers as well as access existing ones (Pearson 2013). The agents are trained to make sure that the firm does not incur costs on purchasing expensive phones and laptops for the staff without equal inputs. How Huffman Trucking might use the current systems for knowledge worker support Digitized connection between facilities displays capacities of held by goods before they are distributed to their clients. The presence of only one facility to handle repairs and preventive maintenance may slow down operations. The fleet has to move to the Ohio facility for maintenance. A knowledge worker may provide light on the need for local repair facilities that will simplify workloads and save time. The firm should also present a collective driver training facility to ensure competency and uniqueness. Huffman currently has a market system that needs expansion and incorporation of new ideas. Its operations have been limited to four branches within a period of more than 65 years. There need for expansion to increase operations and profits. A knowledge worker may learn that the firm has accumulated a large capital base depending on the assets but has not expanded to the Northern markets. Its corporate structure can change to accommodate diversified marketing and sales departments. The firm has the government as one of its precious customers but has not taken advantage of this chance to expand its business. The government has its operations countrywide but Huffman’s current operations are limited. The location of its facilities also limits its chances for expansion. Huffman's clients include those in the automotive, electronics and manufacturing departments. Scrutiny of its market shows that many freight companies have infiltrated the sector. It should get involved in the food market that does not frequently fluctuate. Additionally, the market shows signs of proneness to economic factors such as meltdowns and inflation. References Davenport, T. (2013). Thinking for a Living: How to Get Better Performances And Results from Knowledge Workers. Cambridge: Harvard Business Press. Jemielniak, D. (2011). The new knowledge workers. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. Mahmood, Z. (2011). Cloud computing for enterprise architectures. London: Springer. Pearson, S. (2013). Privacy and security for cloud computing. London: Springer. Peterson, L. L., & Davie, B. S. (2012). Computer networks a systems approach (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Morgan Kaufmann. Ryan, D., & Jones, C. (2012). Understanding digital marketing: marketing strategies for engaging the digital generation (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page. Read More