Different departments have their own IT groups, each with about 10 people. Applied has about 80 IT staffers, and reporting structures vary depending on whether they're involved in a functional or direct IT position. Industries such as concrete aggregate manufacturers, corrugated cardboard suppliers, and poultry account for much of Applied's customer base. These customers demand high-quality services and support. At the core of Applied's systems is a Tandem mainframe that drives 5,000 terminals and handles about 2 million screens a day in about 400 locations.
Web applications are a top priority across the board.
Customers want data, support, and services delivered quickly and in ways they can use. The unit also is moving beyond traditional electronic data interchange and File Transfer Protocol to using the Internet and the Extensible Markup Language for sharing information, Hopper says. For Hopper, one of the most exciting things about the shift in responsibilities is the IT department's direct and intimate relationship with customers. Ariba Inc. By managing the E-commerce channel, Applied's IT department has shifted from its traditional role as a cost center to that of a revenue contributor, a decision Hopper initiated. The department also upgraded the company's mainframe system, buying updated Tandem systems.