McAfee makes a clear argument that strategic IT doesn't have to be advanced or sexy, using the Spanish clothing store Zara as an example. Its how you use the right tools that is the key.

Andrew McAfee

The IT that facilitates such tight synchronization, however, is simple to the point of being primitive. For example:

• Point-of-sale terminals in stores run on DOS and are not networked
• One terminal has a dial-up modem, which is used to transfer files (via the ftp protocol) to and from headquarters
• The same modem is used to transmit digital order forms to and from PDAs, which employees carry through the stores while deciding what to order
• Short-supply clothes are allocated to stores manually, not by an algorithm.
• Back-office activities (purchasing, manufacturing, distribution, accounting, etc.) are not supported by a comprehensive ERP system.

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