Final answer:
A manager should use an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) information system to understand the impact on production schedules if sales doubled. The system would help forecast the necessary adjustments in production to meet increased demand and facilitate more efficient operations.
Step-by-step explanation:
A manager looking to understand the impact on production schedules if sales doubled in November should use an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) information system. This system integrates various functions needed to run a company, including sales forecasting, inventory management, and production planning, which is pivotal for assessing changes to production schedules based on sales forecasts. By inputting the hypothetical scenario of doubled sales into the ERP system, the manager can analyze the adjustments needed in production schedules to meet the increased demand. Changes might include expanding production capabilities, adjusting labor shifts, or acquiring additional resources such as machinery.
Additionally, to operate more efficiently in response to a long-term increase in demand, the firm could consider investments in better technology, as suggested by acquiring two more PCs in the provided reference information. This case illustrates how scaling up with additional resources can create a new production function, potentially leading to more efficient production processes.