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Chapter 551 The inventory collapsed again.

Just like Tony said, we should buy the top-of-the-line version.

Then, the IP address crashed.

This crash wasn't due to an IP system failure, but rather a double paralysis of both inventory management and the transportation network.

When placing orders with various supply chain manufacturers and assembly plants, AiTech's market research department, based on consumer survey data, concluded that the basic version had the greatest demand, while the top-of-the-line version had a limited audience.

After all, for most music lovers, a thousand songs are enough.

Even if that's not enough, the 10b can store two thousand songs, which is sufficient.

Many consumers say that the storage capacity of 4,000 songs is a complete waste.

Therefore, in the final production order allocation, the stock of the top-of-the-line version only accounts for 20% of the total capacity, and this part of the products is targeted at users who are not short of money.

However, the reality was that the highest version of the IP sold out and became the one with the highest shipment volume.

In the conference room of AiTech, all the senior executives gathered together, their expressions quite strange, one could say they were experiencing both pain and pleasure.

It's Thanksgiving holiday now, a time when most American corporate executives are spending time with their families and traveling. But Isotech's core management team received an urgent recall notice yesterday and flew back to their headquarters in Cupertino from all over the world.

Anyone would be unhappy if their wonderful holiday was interrupted.

Despite the huge sales of the IP, the excitement over the product's success is palpable.

This is related to their bonuses.

interest.

That is the only way.

"I admit it was my oversight." At the start of the meeting, Cook broke the silence and took responsibility.

At the same time, he cursed inwardly, feeling like he'd been screwed over, his voice filled with annoyance.

I work in the supply chain; that's my forte.

However, he has already suffered two major setbacks and stumbled twice in terms of IP.

The first time was okay, which can be attributed to the short preparation time for the first-generation IP. All the suppliers were selected on short notice, and the time was very tight. Even a miracle couldn't solve the problem.

This time is different. He has ample preparation time, his core suppliers have stabilized, and production capacity has already been negotiated. With just a command, all suppliers will prioritize supply from AIO Technology, and the entire industry chain will operate at full capacity.

But the result was a huge disappointment, and it still caused a production capacity crisis.

"The core of the problem undoubtedly lies in our misjudgment of user needs," Cook said emphatically. "Our product capacity planning was still based on the IP version presented at the time of the launch event."

"The rigid demand for storage capacity from the two new features, e-books and Google Video, has been overlooked. Consumers are no longer buying the second-generation iPhone just to listen to music, which means they need more storage capacity. This is the root cause of the severe shortage of the top-of-the-line version."

"This is my problem; I didn't consider this point."

"But what about you?" Cook's expression changed, and he slammed his hand heavily on the table. "Why couldn't anyone think of that? Are you all incompetent idiots?"

Everyone kept their heads down, listening to Cook's rant. No one dared to meet his gaze, afraid of becoming the one to stick their neck out.

Cook's anger subsided after a full three minutes of berating. He knew that now was not the time to assign blame; the immediate priority was to rapidly increase the production capacity of the top-of-the-line version.

After looking around, Cook made a decisive decision and issued the order: "My solution is for everyone to be responsible for a block of the supply chain, implement a supply chain block responsibility system, assign authority and responsibility to individuals, and resolve issues within a specified time."

"I personally oversee the battery supply and contract manufacturing in China." He looked at Billy Thompson, the supply chain manager. "Billy, you are responsible for coordinating the supply of Samsung's flash memory chips, displays, and GenTek's hard drive production."

Cook then called out several more names and assigned them to the supply chain vendors he was responsible for.

"I'm only giving you one week," Cook emphasized. "Seven days later, the IP supply must be resolved. Whoever is responsible for the problem will be held accountable, and I won't listen to any explanations." Finally, Cook's gaze fell on Wilson, the warehouse and transportation manager. "I know there are objective reasons for this transportation system collapse. Logistics capacity is already strained during the Thanksgiving holiday. The responsibility isn't entirely yours."

"But you failed to develop an emergency transportation plan in advance, which is your inescapable responsibility."

Cook's tone carried a hint of warning: "I'll give you another week. If the transportation process still can't keep up after the production capacity issue is resolved, I'll consider reassigning you to a different position."

Changing his position is no different from telling him to resign.

The other party gave a wry smile and assured him, "Don't worry, I can solve the transportation problem in three days."

Having finally reached this position, and with a thriving and rapidly developing potential unicorn company, he's determined to solve this problem, even if it means personally handling the deliveries.

The emergency meeting at iTech is still ongoing, while the market enthusiasm for the second generation of IPs has already swept the globe.

Thanks to the immense popularity of the first-generation IPs, the tech media has already shown considerable interest in the second-generation IPs.

The repeated delays in the product's release have further amplified its popularity.

When popularity meets innovation.

With a loud bang.

It was like a volcanic eruption. Within just one day of its release, the new e-book function and Google Video service in the second-generation IP became the focus of the global tech community.

The New York Times published a front-page headline the following day titled "The Crossover Revolution of IP: From Music Players to Mobile Entertainment Hubs," providing a detailed analysis of the changes brought about by e-book functionality and Google Video service.

Google Video's explosive popularity has led to another surge in Google's valuation, which is currently on a roadshow.

Barnes & Noble's stock price surged 5% at the open and continues to rise steadily.

Don't be fooled by Barnes & Noble's low growth rate. It's important to know that the company responsible for operating Barnes & Noble's e-books is an independent joint venture between Barnes & Noble and Bertelsmann. It has its own independent financing channels and operating system, and it doesn't have much direct connection with Barnes & Noble's listed retail entity.

Barnes & Noble holds only a small stake in this independent company, yet it has already benefited from the popularity of e-books.

Of course, the most popular thing is still the IP itself.

When Victor walked out of Best Buy in Los Angeles, he looked dejected.

"Wasn't it supposed to be a limit of three purchases per person per transaction? How come it changed in just one day?"

Victor was somewhat indignant. If he could only buy one a day and make a profit of twenty or thirty dollars, it wasn't worth queuing up before dawn.

"How can such a large company go back on its word so easily?"

"That's right, we should boycott this IP and unite to not buy its products." A similarly resentful voice came from the side. Victor looked over; the face seemed familiar. After a moment's thought, he realized—wasn't this the person who had been behind him in line earlier?

"Then you..." Victor's eyes fell on the paper bag with the AI ​​Technology logo printed on it in the other person's hand.

"We've already queued up, we can't just waste the time, can we?" the other person laughed it off. "But this is the last time, we'll resolutely boycott AiTech's products from now on."

The other party said earnestly, "We must unite and teach A.K. a lesson, and show them that the consumer is king."

This guy spoke with great passion, and people around him stopped to watch, with many shouting in support.

This is America—too many people who are bored out of their minds and looking for trouble.

However, with so many people responding, his emotions inevitably got stirred up.

When Victor saw the man walk towards the familiar scarred, burly man in the distance, he spat on the ground.

"That's so damn sneaky! So all this righteous indignation is just a pretext to prevent others from buying, and you're still going to keep queuing up, right?"

However, some people at the door didn't actually go in; they just left.

Believe it or not, it actually works.

But that was none of his business anymore. One phone a day wasn't enough to make him profitable; it wasn't worth coming at six o'clock to act as a middleman. Approaching the burly man, the man glanced at the highest-spec model he was holding and quickly said, "Add one hundred dollars. No objections, let's make the deal."

"Okay." Viktor nodded subconsciously, then suddenly realized what he was doing and his voice cracked into a hoarse, hoarse tone, "How much?"

The burly man thought he was complaining about the low price. "One hundred dollars, that's the price now, it doesn't matter who buys it."

"If you think the price is too low, you can keep it for now; it might go up in a couple of days."

"But once AI Technology solves the production capacity problem, you know what will happen." The other person shrugged.

And what about Viktor?

Without saying a word, he handed the machine to the other party, received the money, and silently turned around and walked back into the mall.

Upon arriving at the sales area of ​​AiTech, the long queue stretched as far as the eye could see, and security guards were maintaining order, which was quite a novelty.

This is Best Buy, a one-stop shopping mall.

Logically speaking, whoever grabs it first gets to keep it.

"This is unprecedented, isn't it?" Victor muttered.

"Exactly, that's what happens when these things are so sought after," the man in front of him replied. "There's no way around it. Each one costs an extra hundred dollars, which is more than many people's daily wage. If people let them buy them freely, they'll be on the news tomorrow, the 'IP Murder Case.'" Victor nodded, looked up at the other man, and then his eyes widened. "It's you?"

Isn't that the angry young man at the door just now?