OSCM 3001: Home

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About this guide

This guide was written for Professor Jeff Brand's OSCM 3001 courses in spring 2024.

Off campus access methods (authentication)

Brief description of 3 authentication methods:

  1. New Library Login (OpenAthens):  Many library resources use this method for logging in; requires no setup. When prompted, select "Marquette University Libraries (AZURE)" and then sign in using your Marquette email/password.  
  2. Library Login (legacy version):  This method is quick and requires no setup.  Just login before clicking on library database links or when prompted to do so. A few library databases will not work with it. 
  3. VPN (virtual private network): The VPN requires you to download an app on both your mobile device and your computer. A few library databases require it for off-campus access. Outline of the steps required for the VPN:
    1. Follow these setup instructions for the free Microsoft Authenticator app.
    2. Download the free FortiClient VPN on your computer using instructions for Windows setup or macOS setup.

Finding company information

Google, obviously!  And the company's own website.

But I hope that the resources below will provide different kinds of information, and access to information that may be paywalled if you only use Google. 

Company profiles:

Here I mean profiles from independent entities, not from the company itself. 

Important note:

The resources below will work primarily for public companies only!

Mergent Online:

Company financial information and more. An academic competitor to FactSet, LSEG Workspace (formerly Refinitiv), Bloomberg ...

About Mergent Online:

Search for your company, then look in the green tabs for the following items. 

Annual Reports:

There are actually two types of annual reports:  the ARS (Annual Report to Shareholders) and the 10-K.  (Yes, they are often also available on the company's investor webpages, too.) 

The ARS and 10-K are now sometimes lumped together, but originally the ARS was written for current and potential shareholders/investors, while the 10-K was written for the SEC.

Sections to look for ...
  • ARS:  CEO Letter to Shareholders
  • 10-K:  Part 1, item 1 - Description. This is the company's own description of their business.
  • 10-K:  Part 1, item 1A - Risk factors that must be disclosed and discussed. 
  • 10-K:  Part 1, item 2 - Properties
  • 10-K:  Part 2, item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A).  This is the company executive team's discussion of what they perceive as currently important issues for the company.  
Supply Chain module: 

It has the following very useful features/sections:

  • Lists of suppliers, customers, partners, competitors
  • Lists of brands, tradenames and sometimes, products

Company history: