Components of Information System at Woolworths Business - Assignment Example

COMPONENTS OF INFORMATION SYSTEM Name Date Institute Table of Contents 1- Executive Summery In organizations like that the retail industry where minimization of the cost is crucial, enhanced communication approaches through more proficient communication technologies as well as information systems are very important in eventually enhancing responsiveness to consumers and maximizing customer value. This report presents a detailed analysis of the information system technology components at Woolworth’s business. Here I will outline some important aspects regarding the IS technology components such as hardware, software, databases, internal data communication / networking, external data communication / networking, managerial consideration, security consideration and ethical consideration. 2- Introduction The Australian supermarket business is in its highly grown stage of life cycle with high rivalry along with the two main players in this marketplace; Coles and Woolworths. The business of the Woolworths was started in 1924 and presently established as a main marketplace leader by having over 40% of marketplace share. As viewing porter’s five forces model, the general business attractiveness is able to be considered low in conditions of fresh entrants as well as established corporation. Additionally, transformations in business technology, regulations and customer demographics have been the foremost moving forces in the business influencing competitiveness of corporation. In addition, the low cost arrangement, store locations, technology and client service have been important for the accomplishment of corporate in this business. Woolworths as an Australian supermarket business leader has been the main strength of new information technology based working and operational stature that is facilitating Woolworths to attain its basic economies of scale. However a main threat facing the corporation is the rising presence of global competitors in the marketplace. Additionally, low cost arrangement and brand equity can be observed as fundamental competencies of Woolworths Business. Also Woolworths has paid a heavy attention on the supply chain management intended for the well-organized management of its value chain and its low cost arrangement and brand equity have helped a lot in establishing sustainability of the business. In case of establishment of the new technology (IS) based structure at the business of the Woolworths has presented a lot of business advantages (Woodhead, 2008) & (Woolworths-1, 2010). In this scenario the business of Woolworths has attained a better competitive edge through web based supply chain and overall business IS and reporting systems. This report will present a detailed overview of the Woolworths business’s information technology components. 3- Woolworths Information Technology Systems Since the establishment of Woolworths the corporate has attained a lot of business achievements these can be attaining a high peak position in the market and establishment of more effective information technology arrangement. Woolworths, is continuously improving its overall business information technology systems. Woolworths's senior company manager, Ian McDonald, has stated that business data integrity is important to the achievement of the EANnet based supply-chain program for business. He highlighted that Woolworths has dedicated to start channels of communication with its customers and suppliers using a range of channels. Additionally, the customers and suppliers of business have to be aware about the correct business information that is very important to the feasibility of Woolworths' new business inventory management systems (Woolworths-1, 2010). Woolworth’s two main corporate strategies have been unrelated diversification and tactical acquisitions and focuses on corporate cost leadership as well as discrimination in terms of customers in store experience like its business level policy. Woolworths cannot able to attain these objectives without an appropriate business technology. The new ecommerce supported information technology arrangement of the Woolworths has offered the business a more enhanced facility to make the business more capable to attain these objectives in the long run (Woodhead, 2008) & (Woolworths-1, 2010). 4- Components of Woolworths Information System 4.1- Information system used The business of the Woolworths has established a very sophisticated business information technology based structure. In this scenario the business has completely transformed the traditional business management structure that will potentially offer AU$4.9 billion in savings at the end of its financial year, and better supply-chain enhancements that are made for serving the retailer in a more enhanced way. The chief executive officer of Woolworths, “Roger Corbett” stated that they have "significant" development in direction of establishing enhanced supply chain component of the 7year old project refresh program. The web based/ecommerce information technology arrangement and new supply chain are important to Woolworth’s business success. The high tech centralized information technology systems at the Woolworths are playing a main role in improved business management, effective business decision making and better business sales and supply chain support. In this scenario chief executive officer of the Woolworths has outlined that they have established Stocksmart forecast based replenishment system in its global distribution retailing centers as well as rolling out the AutostockR store forecast based replacement arrangement to its overall products sale stores. The business is establishing a technology that is foundational upon the rationalization program that is seeing the number of superstore distribution centers cut from thirty one to 9 regional centers as well as two nationwide products distribution centers (Ferguson, 2006) & (Woodhead, 2008). However in case of effective business management we will propose the new ERP, and business management decision support systems. These systems will effectively manage the business tasks and operations for the enhanced business performance. 4.2- Hardware In case of the Woolworths business I have carried out research and assessed that recent technology in computer is only Pentium IV computers with multi core processors. In this regard we are going to specify that this technology should be applied at Woolworths Corporation. For computer technology I have selected the Dell Company. The system selected is Dell Dimension 4600 Desktop has a 2.66 GHz Pentium 4 processor, a 2 GB RAM, 320 GB hard disk and 8x DVD+RW drive. Additionally, this system contains the “creative sound blaster Audigy 2” sound card produced by Dell 5850 5.1 sound speakers. There is another facility that is Intel 10/100 Ethernet and v.92 56Kbps Modem. The main facility is the one FireWire and eight USB 2.0 Ports. It is mid-range desktop computer that is able to be configured to satisfy approximately any type of working. This can be industrial and as well as personal usage. We can have better performance for the budding gamers, students, or the SOHO crowd. The price of this system is starting from $699; it presents additional alacrity and features than its price as compared to DELL Dimension 2400 near cousins of this technology. Here we have its top-end model that has the cost $2,000. The Dimension 4600 is able to handle a huge working load with the help of 2.66 GHz Pentium 4 processor, 2 GB of speedy RAM memory, a 320GB hard drive, and a high-end ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics card. We have DVD-RW drive for better user facility. It is a fast computer that just bought a faster system processing and interactive user response (Dell Dimension 4600, 2010) & (Kyrnin, 2009). Now I will talk about the new technology based flat panel LCD monitor for the Woolworths business. I have researched the web and came to know that the Dell E196FP 19-inch Flat Panel Monitor is suitable for Woolworths Corporation. This monitor is manufactured by the dell and offers brilliant color and picture quality that will be most appropriate for the business working of Woolworths. 4.3- Software Operating system: The business of Woolworths is operational through the Microsoft Windows Vista and network portioning system Windows Server 2008. Additionally, the Microsoft Windows Vista based working environment is similar to the old version of Windows. In addition, an IT professional with simple knowhow to system working can use this operating system easily. Here we have Microsoft Vista for the system up-gradation. This operating system requires extensive hardware support and power (Vista, 2009). 4.4- Databases Woolworth’s overall business data is stored in a centralized business database. The overall global business transactions are recorded into a centralized business database. In this scenario the web based business data is stored in a centralized business database. This data is located at the business central office. The physical business stores transactions are periodically updated at the central business data servers. These all data are joined to assess customer response and business decisions. 4.5- Internal data communication / networking In Woolworths Business, they have a client server network business internal communication network that manages and handles the overall business arrangement. Additionally, the client/server networking devices are normally PCs with network software applications established and working that demand and obtain information over the network. In addition, the mobile devices and desktop computers are able to mutually function as clients (Mitchell, 2009). The network structure at Woolworths Business can be as follows; Figure 2- Client/server networks Source: [http://fcit.usf.edu/Network/chap6/pics/clntserv.gif] Woolworths Business network will have some main network components through which it will work and carry out functions. Here I have outlined some important components like: Network nodes Network Interface Cards (NICs) Bridges Hubs Switches Routers Method of connecting Cable Wireless Technology Optical fibre Network Hardware Network Software Connecting tools Network cables Here we have UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable) at departmental level of the business. This UTP or unshielded twisted pair is the main and most popular cabling technology that can be used and employed at the Woolworths Business network. The quality of unshielded twisted pair can differ from simple telephone grade wire to very high-speed cable for the Woolworths Business network. In case of distant access we will use the internet for the establishment of overall communication (Nash, 2000; Forouzan & Fegan, 2006). Network Servers In case of Woolworths, network is basically using the network sever in order to handle, manage and control the business, corporate and IT based data and information. These servers are used to store and transfer the corporate information over the business network for the effective business handling and operational management. There are different types of server those are established by Woolworths Business regarding the network traffic management and handling: (Forouzan & Fegan, 2006; Nash, 2000) Web servers Proxy servers FTP servers Data server File Server 4.6- External data communication The business of the Woolworths has a web based platform that is offering the business online commerce facilitate. This web based platform is also offering a huge number of other business facilities like that: Online marketing Online store locator Business information New promotions Business marketing Online products profile Online dealing and sale The online business platform of the Woolworths is accessible throughout the world and offering huge business facilities and support to business sales, promotions and supply chain management. 4.8- Managerial consideration The management of the Woolworths desires to enhance overall business ROI (return on investment). In this scenario they more concentrate on the business information. The development of the customer profile offers a great deal information regarding the customer buying behavior, which leads to effective business management and decision making. The business management also desires to attract people towards the web based business deals and offer better services to customer at a single place. 4.9- Security consideration Security is one of the main considerations in today’s online businesses. The business of the Woolworths is operating as a web based business that is having online transaction procedure. In this scenario they can face some security and hacking problems. On the other hand the business network can face security attacks from inside as well as outside environment. These attacks can be illegal business information theft, data hacking, system physical damage, virus attack or spamming. 4.10- Ethical consideration The business of Woolworths is building a huge customer database that is for the effective analysis and investigation of the business customers buying behavior analysis. In scenario of any information leakage regarding customer, the business can have a huge ethical problems. The business personnel can also make wrong use of such information. 5- Conclusion This report has presented a detailed analysis of the Woolworths business and its overall information system components. Here I have tried to present a detailed insight into the Woolworths business information system and its main components. The IS based business support for the Woolworths is offering a lot of business advantages and competitive edge to business. Bibliography Dell Dimension 4600, 2010. Dell Dimension 4600 for Home (Pentium 4 2.80GHz, 512MB, 80GB) (discontinued). [Online] Available at: http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/dell-dimension-4600-for/1707-3118_7-30529709.html [Accessed 28 May 2010]. Ferguson, I., 2006. Woolworths tackles supply-chain ICT. [Online] Available at: http://www.zdnet.com.au/woolworths-tackles-supply-chain-ict-139240326.htm [Accessed 25 May 2010]. Forouzan, B. & Fegan, S.C., 2006. Data Communications and Networking, 4th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Kyrnin, M., 2009. Dell Dimension 4600. [Online] Available at: http://compreviews.about.com/cs/desktops/gr/aaprDellDim4600.htm [Accessed 28 May 2010]. Mitchell, B., 2009. Introduction to Client Server Networks. [Online] Available at: http://compnetworking.about.com/od/basicnetworkingfaqs/a/client-server.htm [Accessed 25 May 2010]. Nash, J., 2000. Networking Essentials, MCSE Study Guide. California: IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. Vista, 2009. The Right Windows Vista for Your Organization. [Online] Available at: http://www.microsoft.com/india/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/chooseforyourbusiness.mspx [Accessed 26 May 2010]. Woodhead, B., 2008. Supply chain drives Woolies. [Online] Available at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/supply-chain-drives-woolies/story-e6frgamo-1111115648148 [Accessed 25 May 2010]. Woolworths-1, 2010. Our Story: Just how did Woolworths become an Australian household name? [Online] Available at: http://www.woolworths.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/website/woolworths/about-us/our-story/006our+story [Accessed 25 May 2010]. wowlink, 2009. Woolworths Online Shop. [Online] Available at: http://wowlink.woolworths.com.au/wps/portal/topic_centre?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/cmgt/wcm/connect/Content%20Library%20-%20WOWLink/WOWLink/Topic%20Centre/BuyingMarketing/WWonline [Accessed 25 May 2010]. Read More