Conclusion

If you take a step back and look at the Wal-Mart organization, you find several interesting and impressive feats that the company has achieved over the years. The low price strategy has catapulted them to the top of the industry and made them the number one U.S retailer. But low pricing is not the only reason Wal-Mart has achieved the status that they have today. Being the overall cost leader and price setter is very important in that industry, but what goes on behind the scenes with management's set up of the company, and the technology used to do it, is what really keeps Wal-Mart ahead of the curve. Their superior supply chain management system coupled with the advanced hardware and software used to run it already allow them for fast communication with the warehouses to have new inventory coming on a daily basis, and have Wal-Mart’s competitors at a loss. But what really puts them over the top is their superior logistics, and inventory management control. Wal-Mart's computer system is able to interface with their suppliers within a matter of minutes to replenish sold stock to the store, what makes it more advanced is the fact that a phone call, fax, or e-mail is never sent to place orders, everything is done strictly from computer to computer in order to get things done quicker. Sending security encrypted messages with orders between Wal-Mart and their suppliers to make it easy and convenient for Wal-Mart, their suppliers, and the end user, who is the consumer to get, and be satisfied.

When you look a any industry leader, whether it be retail, food, automotive, aviation, or any other, the leader of that industry may have a great product, a low price, or a great reputation, but what happens behind what the consumers see is what really drives a business. Management and the technology they use to support their organization make the difference between the industry leader and the company that comes in second place.