Web-Based Business Management Applications - Essay Example

Table of contents I. Overview ……………………………………………………………….. 2 a). Provide a snapshot of the market as it exists ………………. 2 b). Show the market fit proposed for the product/service …….... 3 c). Objectives: for product or services ……………………………… 3 II Strategic plan ……………………………………………………… 4 a). The management team ……………………………………………… 4 b). Value for satisfying end customers ……………………………… 4 c). Targeted segments and positioning ……………………………… 5 d). Product/service analyses ……………………………………… 5 e). Present design offer distribution plan and communication ……… 6 III. Implementation: marketing mix ……………………………… 6 a). Specific product/service ……………………………………… 6 b). Pricing option including promotion/discounts ……………………… 6 c). Distribution tier ………………………………………………………. 7 d). Integrated communication with specific media ……………….. 7 e). Customer relationship management plan to manage both customer and acquisition and retention ………………..…….. 7 f). Marketing information system plan to monitor progress ………. 7 IV Plan Evaluation: Identify key performance metrics ……………… 8 References …………………………………………………………,,….. 9 I. Overview Buzweb Inc. will start operations on 20th April 2010 and the physical location will be at Los Angels, USA. It will offer web based business management applications named Online Office Manager. This application will be available for twenty four hours in seven days. The users will access online office manager application through monthly, bi-annual or annual subscription to the Buzweb Inc. Buzweb Inc. will offer the following e-products; word processing, inventory management software, database management, customised data analysis application, loan calculators, accounting applications, desktop publishing and graphic designs. a). Provide a snapshot of the market as it exists Computer software industry is booming and has the highest growth rate as compared to other industries. According to Commander (215) global soft ware market is worth $370 billion. Soft ware industry in the USA exceeded $ 261 billion in 2007. The annual growth rate was 14% in 2007. The annual growth rate has been above 15% since 1990. This indicates that the market is large and always growing. Application software programs perform actual business and industry roles. As a result, most businesses find it useful to analyse their company information. Soft ware application tools are becoming popular. They comprise of data access and retrieval, data management, data manipulation, program design and development software. The application software will be developed by highly competent and experience soft ware engineers who will be employed by Buzweb Inc. b). Show the market fit proposed for the product/service According to Stair and Reynolds (168) businesses use e-products to improve the operations of the business enterprises. Word processing, inventory management software, database management, customized data analysis application, loan calculators, accounting applications, desktop publishing and graphic designs are part of the online office manager that are gaining world wide acceptance in the business world. Help managers and other workers to analyse company information. Information analyzed using the online office manager speed up decision making and conclusions in the business enterprises. Baldauf and Stair (421) asserts that e-products save company’s time and money. Therefore, there is a wide market for the online office manager application. c). Objectives: for product or services The first objective of Buzweb Inc. is to develop user friendly office management applications that have various uses. The second objective is to ensure that the office management applications retain their effectiveness at all times. The third objective is to improve on the existing office applications. The fourth objective is to develop affordable office applications for all business enterprises. II. Strategic Plan a). The management team The management philosophy of Buzweb Inc. is pegged on responsibility, respect, creativity, innovation and competence. Mr. John Werber is the founder and Chief executive officer of Buzweb Inc. He has five years extensive experience in different office application soft ware. Furthermore, he holds bachelors degree in soft ware engineering from Devry institute of technology. He has experience in information systems, software design and installation. Mr. Austin Maxwell is the vice managing director. He holds bachelors degree in computer science and has acquired extensive experience from Computer world in the networking department where he acquired network setting and maintenance skills. In addition, he has worked for Compaq, Intel, APC and HP. b). Value for satisfying end customers Office Management Web application allow the clients to collaborate and work on similar document from different locations at the same time. The document can corrected and polished concurrently using the application programme. Therefore, it saves customers’ time because the document does not need to be sent forth and back between communicating parties of clients. The second advantage to the customer is that communication between client’s members is enhanced (McKeever 253). This is because the client and its workers can work real time in their business even when they are distant apart. Consequently, it allows the users to make real time decisions and conclusions on their operations. The third advantage it offers to the client and its workers is good management of client’s database and information. The office application allows the client to keep, retrieve, view, correct and sent the document and information of the client at any time. The client can also develop and maintain their filing system online. The fourth benefit is the ability of the client to communicate. The office application has online chat features. The office application provides a virtual office and allows users to follow their daily projects. Buzweb Inc. website will include business profiles of all its clients and will help advertise client’s services and products. Finally, the office application have advance security features to protect clients information from hackers and other online threats. c). Targeted segments and positioning Buzweb Inc. products targets both small and large businesses globally. The office management application will be affordable and high in quality. The businesses will pay less for more services. In addition, the clients will have three subscription options (monthly, bi-annually and annually). The office management application appeals to all businesses because it is affordable. Buzweb Inc. will provide business profiles of all its clients’ businesses in its website. d). Product/service analyses Office management application is a widely used and acceptable e- product. It provides office management tools used to manage client’s business operations. It simplifies and enhances database management, help in data analysis, report preparation, voucher development. In addition, Buzweb Inc. will also help company’s market their products. Buzweb Inc. products have variety of uses and are able to attract various business enterprises. The company has adequate competent and friendly employees who are trained to offer quality service to all its clients. However, there are many challenges that come along with Buzweb Inc. e-product. It requires employees to work hard and longer hours. e). Present design offer (including price) distribution plan and communication Buzweb Inc. e-product is competitive. The prices are slightly lower than those of competitors in the industry. Companies that make annual subscriptions pay total of $300 annually, bi-annual subscribers pay $372 annually and monthly pay $500. The company will market and provide it service online in its website. III. Implementation: marketing mix a). Specific product/service Quality has to be consistent with other elements of marketing mix. The company’s e-product will be constantly monitored and the quality control department will ensure the product meet laid down quality standards. b). Pricing option including promotion/discounts Users will have three payment choices: monthly ($41.7), six-month ($186) and annual ($300). The above prices are slightly lower than the companies close competitors. The company will collaborate with vibrant communications to market it e-product. c). Distribution tier The company will collaborate with Vibrant Communication Solutions to supply and distribute its services through outsourcing. As a result, the company will take advantage of Vibrant Communication Solutions market dominance to get and maintain clients. d). Integrated communication with specific media Vibrant communication solutions will help Buzweb Inc. to advertise its products. It will use internet, public relations, trade shows, industry conferences and seminars. In addition, it will use print advertising through creative loafing publications and buck head local paper. e). Customer relationship management plan to manage both customer and acquisition and retention Buzweb Inc. will invest in its clients. The company will get detailed client information that will be kept in the customer database. Each customer will be treated with respect and receive quick services from the company. The company’s customer relationship charter will contact customers through the phone, chat and emails. f). Marketing information system plan to monitor progress Buzweb Inc. will develop and improve its market information system. The market information system will have the following key performance areas. Customer’s profiles, prospects, competitor’s profile, markets, e-product specifications, industry policies, revenues from sales and cost incurred in marketing activities. The marketing monitoring system will be endorsed and supported by the managing director at all levels. Evaluation on all marketing activities will be done quarterly. IV Plan Evaluation: Identify key performance metrics The key performance metrics to be evaluated will include Customer’s profiles, prospects, competitor’s profile, markets, e-product specifications, industry policies, company’s revenues and costs, quality customer service, employee turnover, company’s goals and objectives (Filipe and Cordeiro 168).   References Baldauf, K and Stair, R. Succeeding with Technology: Computer System Concepts for Real Life. 3rd ed. USA: Cengage Learning, 2008 432- 500. Commander, S. The software industry in emerging markets. London: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005. Filipe, J. and Cordeiro, J. Enterprise Information Systems: 11th International Conference, ICEIS 2009, Milan, Italy, May 6-10, 2009, Proceeding. USA: Springer, 2009. McKeever, M. How to write a business plan. 9th ed. USA: Nolo, 2008. Stair, R. and Reynolds, G. Principles of Information Systems. 9th ed. USA: Cengage Learning, 2009. Read More