Technology-based implementation in the context of the small retail business - Research Paper Example

Management Information Systems Table of Contents Business Overview 2 Markets 2 Mission/Business Need 3 Problems with Current Information Processing 3 Proposed IT Strategy 5 Proposed Solution 5 Scope of new MIS at Bright Moon Store 5 Objectives of new technology at Bright Moon Store 6 Recommended database application 7 Hardware Resource Required 7 Acquisition 7 Conclusion 8 References 8 9 Introduction At the present, modern information technology tools and techniques have changed the ways business organizations carry out their daily tasks. Now they have more and more improved technology based solutions which help them run their business more effectively. These tools also help them to connect business operations and get success in the market. This paper presents an analysis of a technology based implementation in the context of my best friend’s small retail business that is located in Central Florida. In this project, the basic idea is to automate the traditional business practices and improve the overall capability and performance of corporation. Business Overview The scenario of the business is that my best friend has bought a small retail business in Central Florida and its name is Bright Moon Store. The business has been doing fairly well but my friend has just found out that the accounting system consists of cash and receipts in a shoe box and there are no reports of anything since everything was kept in the prior owner's head. So in this project, my friend has hired me as a consultant to help him get things organized. Markets The Bright Moon Store deals in general household products that are used in our daily lives. The basic intention of this store is to provide customers with more convenient and easy access to daily used products. Bright Moon Store has a long business history in the market and with the passage of time its overall reorganization has improved. As a result, Bright Moon Store wants to improve its overall market reorganization and performance. With the passage of time the business customers are increasing so the business needs to adopt some effective tools and techniques to deal with these growing requirements. Mission/Business Need In order to run its business effectively Bright Moon Store has to fulfill its basic business needs. The effective fulfillment of these needs will effectively support all business areas. In this scenario Bright Moon Store’s basic business needs are outlined below: (Laudon & Laudon, 1999; Turban, Leidner, McLean, & Wetherbe, 2005) Automated product management Rapid management and processing of business resources Staff management Effective supply chain management and automation Efficient and effective customer record management Back-office information management Purchasing management Data security Finance management Data sharing among all store areas like store, purchase counter, etc. Improved inventory management Timely and accurate business reporting Effective decision support HR management Problems with Current Information Processing Bright Moon Store is currently completing its business tasks using manual ways. In such scenario the overall workload and working style are more rigid, which ultimately causes less effective business performance. The present business data is paper based or semi automated. In this scenario problem is that the amount of data is huge and it cannot be handled without using an appropriate information system. According to (Hoffer, Prescott, & McFadden, 2007; Laudon & Laudon, 1999), “an information system is a collection of organized components that work collectively, process, store, and distribute information to a variety of departments with the purpose of supporting decision making and control in an organization”. Thus, in the absence of an information system we connect retrieve some valuable information from this data. This data is presently worthless because the extraction of the valuable facts and figures is much harder. In addition, business of Bright Moon Store flourished in early years however as the business grown its traditional business structure was not capable to handle business tasks. In fact, Bright Moon Store business is carrying out the majority of business activities through the paper system that cause a number of errors in resource handling. These are the main factors those lead towards the less effective management business operations. As a technology consultant I have assessed that Bright Moon Store needs an effective technology based solution (an information system). Given below are some of the major problems with the existing system: Traditional business practice and accounting Complex data handling Less effective information dealing No data sharing Improper customer database The more time required for searching More duplication of business data Complex management of the business operations No effective data for business decision Complex resource management Time consuming process of report generation Proposed IT Strategy For Bright Moon Store, we need to develop a new technology based solution. In this scenario, given below is the overall IT strategy for new technology based solution development. Proposed Solution In order to deal with above stated problems and issues Bright Moon Store needs to develop a database and information system. These will facilitate while developing and planning information for new assignment. In this scenario we have decided to develop a management information system for Bright Moon Store that has the capability to keep a huge volume of data and information and it will be more effective as compared to present data. The implementation of this modern system will allow Bright Moon Store to effectively deal with its business issues. In addition, Bright Moon Store wants to automate approximately all areas of the business. The main concentration is on establishment of computerized supply chain management. Scope of new MIS at Bright Moon Store The implementation of an MIS at Bright Moon Store will provide an excellent support for business management. In this scenario, MIS technology based environment at Bright Moon Store will allow the business to attain a number of business advantages. In addition, the implementation of the new system will help Bright Moon Store improve the following business areas: Better supply chain management Better products recording and management Easy data sharing among all store departments Customer record management Less conflicts among data formats Enhanced decision making Easy way of working Better data collection Easy management of the data Less or no dirty data Enhanced decision support Objectives of new technology at Bright Moon Store The main objective of implementing a new information system at Bright Moon Store is to facilitate all business areas. In this scenario, the main aim of the Bright Moon Store business is to increase business revenue. In fact, this information system will facilitate in producing better customer experience and satisfaction through quickly processing orders and managing demands. The new technology will also support regarding the business management decision making. Moreover, the information system will offer the following facilities: For the better customer management For customer experience improvement Improving business market position Store racks arrangement according to customer shopping needs Taking better competitive edge Better supply chain management Enhanced visibility of business operations Business resource management Recommended database application The proposed system will be based on an SQL Server based database that will facilitate the business staff members to effectively deal with business data. The main aim of this database is to capture and manage the business’s operational data and managing the incoming and outgoing business information. Here we will use the Crystal Reports for business reports generation and overall analysis of the business data. Hardware Resource Required Given below are the main resources that will be required for the implementation of this system: (Pressman, 2001; Sommerville, 2004) Software: Win XP, SQL Server 2005, PHP, Crystal Reports, CASE tools for system development Hardware: P-4 System will 512 RAM, and 20GB hard disk space Printer Scanner Acquisition For acquiring new technology based information system we will establish a proper contracting criteria regarding new technology based system. In this scenario, we will outsource the new technologies for the business to any external system development firm. In this regard we will get approval from management and other business stakeholders. Conclusion Without a doubt, modern tools and technologies are currently playing a significant role in the success of the businesses. They provide an excellent support for the business organizations to conduct their daily tasks. This paper has presented an analysis of the business strategy for Bright Moon Store that has recently decided to implement a new technology structure for their business. They hired me as a technology consultant and I have suggested them to implement an information system for their organization. This paper has discussed the problems with traditional approaches and suggested the most appropriate solutions that can help Bright Moon Store address these issues more effectively. References Hoffer, J. A., Prescott, M. B., & McFadden, F. R. (2007). Modern Database Management, Eighth Edition. Pearson Education, Inc. Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (1999). Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition (6th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Pressman, R. S. (2001). Software Engineering: A Practicioner's Approach, 5th Edition. London: McGraw Hill. Sommerville, I. (2004). Software Engineering, 7th Edition,. New York: Pearson Education (Addison Wesley). Turban, E., Leidner, D., McLean, E., & Wetherbe, J. (2005). Information Technology for Management: Transforming Organizations in the Digital Economy . New York: Wiley. Read More