Do you dislike waiting in line? supermarket chain kroger has used computer simulation and information technology to reduce the average waiting time for customers at stores. using a new system called quevision, which allows kroger to better predict when shoppers will be checking out, the company was able to decrease average customer waiting time to just seconds (informationweek website and the wall street journal website, january , ).

Lillypad toys is a manufacturer of educational toys for children. six months ago, the company's research and development division came up with an idea for a unique touchscreen device that can be used to introduce children to a number of foreign languages. three months ago, the company produced a working prototype, and last month the company successfully launched its new device on the commercial market. what should lillypad's managers prepare for next? a. increased competition from imitators b. a prolonged period of uncontested success c. a sharp decline in demand for the product d. a difficult struggle to move from invention to innovation