In the past, manufacturer's representatives did not have real-time inventory data about the products they were selling. today, manufacturer's representatives are often provided online access to inventory data for the companies they represent. these online inventory systems allow companies to become more value driven by
sharing information across the organization.
balancing customers' benefits and costs. evaluating strategic competitive partnerships.
building relationships with government regulators of marketing institutions.
keeping prices below those charged by competitors.

Exercise 2-12 cost behavior; high-low method [lo2-3, lo2-4] speedy parcel service operates a fleet of delivery trucks in a large metropolitan area. a careful study by the company’s cost analyst has determined that if a truck is driven 120,000 miles during a year, the average operating cost is 11.6 cents per mile. if a truck is driven only 80,000 miles during a year, the average operating cost increases to 13.6 cents per mile. required: 1.& 2. using the high-low method, estimate the variable and fixed cost elements of the annual cost of truck operation. (round the "variable cost per mile" to 3 decimal places.)