Company E designs and manufactures very high-quality ergonomic office chairs. They have evolved into an innovative design company that bases its products on purpose and function. This has allowed them to expand beyond the office chair to design, manufacture and distribute office environments, especially suited to efficient work. This has also allowed Company E to address the particular needs of other difficult industries in terms of ergonomics, specifically healthcare and hospitality.

Company E will distribute through many channels, making the customer relationship management an important factor in the overall management of the organization.

Manufacturing to the most stringent standards is absolutely key to this company. The innovative designs must translate into chairs and accessories that provide users with a high level of comfort. The company's reputation for consistent quality is important in the competitive environment where similar products coming from all over the world compete for large contracts for furniture.

Procurement and warehousing, as is the case in most manufacturing environments can play a significant role in ensuring orders are delivered on time and according to specifications. Relationships with suppliers are close and strictly evaluated for on-time performance and for delivery of consistent quality raw materials needed to manufacture and package the furniture. Warehousing of such large but light products require a lot or room and allows shelving in high towers. The management of these facilities with a large number of different models, colors etc. require highly automated resources that provide quick and especially consistent movement into the raw material, in and out of the manufacturing facilities and finally out the shipping doors.

Given the importance place on subjective element such as esthetics, comfort, adaptability etc. requires that a particular company culture be created and maintained to ensure compliance to the philosophy or the company. For this reason, the human resources management aspect of the organization has taken a very important role and, for this reason, requires a high priority in the effectiveness of the recruitment, training and retention of key employees and their compensation.

About the above case identify:

1. Sector 2. Current challenges 3. Products produced 4. Software needs