MIS used in AppleWebGDVApple's WebGDV is the web counterpart to GDV (Global Demand Visibility), Apple's EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) system. For those resellers that may not have the resources at hand to transmit sell-through and inventory data electronically, WebGDV provides a means to meet Apple's reporting requirements. WebGDV requires only an Internet connection, a web browser (Safari browser versions 1.2.x and Microsoft Internet Explorer browser versions 5.x and above are supported) and an AppleConnect ID. No special set-up is required for either browser and the AppleConnect ID is provided by Apple (Apple Inc., 2007).WebMethods Integration PlatformAs the leading independent provider of integration software, webMethods, Inc. delivers the industry's most comprehensive platform for enterprise-wide integration, including complete support for Enterprise Web Services. The webMethods Integration Platform allows customers to achieve quantifiable R.O.I. by linking business processes, enterprise and legacy applications, databases, Web services and workflows both within and across enterprises. Through this seamless flow of information, companies can reduce costs, create new revenue opportunities, strengthen relationships with customers, substantially increase supply chain efficiencies and streamline internal business processes (Goliath, 2003). Refer Appendix 1Macintosh and WindowsApple Computer is famous for its easy to use computers. Apple developed the first successful personal computer and the first GUI-based operating system which used a mouse the Macintosh. Years later, the Macintosh OS was copied by Microsoft and called Windows. The Macintosh OS was better than the Windows interface but Windows eventually outsold the Macintosh because the Macintosh operating system could only run on a Macintosh machine which was much more expensive than the machines which would run Windows (Dutoce, 2009). Refer Appendix 2Build to SuitIn the last ten to fifteen years, U.S. manufacturers have adopted a series of production models that have proven revolutionary: "Just in Time" and, more recently, "Right on Time." By using information technologies to create "feedback loops" between a production line and a supply channel, manufacturers fine-tuned production schedules to reduce inventories, speed up time-to market, and enhance product life cycles. This sea change in production and distribution has enhanced the competitiveness of American industry: nearly all the productivity gains in the U.S. economy over the past decade have come from the manufacturing sector. "Build to Suit" represents a new variation on "Right on Time" production. In the "Build to Suit" approach, orders taken over the telephone or the Internet cue the production line: when an order comes in, an electronic form containing the data goes to the line and the machine is assembled and prepared for shipping. Apple is currently exploring this approach and it is already being used by Dell and Power Computing (Texas Business Review, 1997).eWorldeWorld is a commercial world-wide network launched by Apple Corporation to compete with Interchange, CompuServe, Prodigy, and America Online. Key features of eWorld include its ease of use and graphical interface. The major limitation is that its use is restricted to Mac operating systems. A second drawback according is that eWorld uses older technology revised from America Online (Translation Directory, 2009).