Club_It,_Part_Two

Club IT, Part Two Eduardo Cruz Business Information Systems/BIS 219 December 21, 2010 Syed Ameen Abstract Over the last few months, I have visited Club IT in order to learn and comprehend the business style of owners Ruben Keys and Lisa Tejada. Club IT is an establishment that has passed the beginning stages of any new business. It has been running well enough to build clientele, make a profit and keep the business ignited. The owners have asked me to evaluate the club and provide an assessment of their current information systems as well as recommending upgrades and ideas for improving their information management capabilities. In the following essay, we will discuss the problem areas that have kept Club IT from advancing to become a more prosperous establishment. We will also discuss the ideas I have come up with in order to help the Club take advantage of the technology that will produce more customers, suppliers and employers. Club IT, Part Two Club IT is a flourishing nightclub that with the right technological backbone, has the potential of growth and popularity which can make this club one of the hottest spots in the city. After observing the clientele and evaluating the operations of the club, there are several upgrades and ideas that will help contribute to the success of Club IT. In the general view, the company is in need of a system that will provide ERP(enterprise resource planning), CRM(customer relationship management) and SCM(supply chain management) in order to reach its goals. Problems There are several problems that are holding Club IT from reaching optimum success. The main problem is that the company does not take advantage of technological resources that can help increase clientele, sales and overall revenue. Another problem that supports the main problem is the lack of e-business solutions offered, which holds back promotion and ultimately sales. A third problem is that the club does not have a system that can integrate all of the important business aspects, such as human resources, inventory and sales. Evaluation After a complete analysis of the resources, customers, and supply chain, it is evident that Club IT needs to make several changes to expand their business. Resources Club IT has a limited number of resources such as one computer with internet access, one credit card machine that uses a phone line to connect and no human resources department. These limited resources make it difficult to speed up work flow, accountability and customer service. Customers Club IT’s customers are mostly young individuals that vary between 21-35 years of age. They are mostly net generation that uses modern technology for business, networking and everyday use. This includes banking, shopping, school and web surfing via laptops and mobile devices. Supply Chain Currently, there are several suppliers and vendors associated with Club IT and its operation. Some of these suppliers include food and beverage providers as well as general supplies. The ordering process is time-consuming due to the manual orders that are made by phone or the few that are made online. The ordering process should be more streamlined and automated by using e-business solutions. Solutions There are optimal solutions that will address and help resolve the problems existing at Club IT. In order to provide IT solutions, it is important to incorporate ERP, CRM, and SCM. ERP Implementing an ERP system into Club IT’s business solution will tremendously rectify problems and help the company gain a major competitive advantage. Club IT will benefit from this system by being able to manage different internal business functions like human resources, finances, marketing, and sales in one single system. The system will provide the company easier access and tracking of product orders and purchasing. ERP will help automate the day to day business processes while making information always available to every system all of the time, in order to obtain highly accurate real-time information (Bruderlin, J.). ERP will help Club IT become more proficient in streamlining their business operations and increasing revenue. CRM Customer relationship management is a vital element that allows the company to keep a database on existing and prospective customers. CRM enables Club IT to build a more direct relationship with the customer by sending emails for different promotions and events. By implementing this system, Club IT can also be notified of customers’ birthdays by using previously obtained data. Furthermore, Club IT can send birthday cards making the customer feel appreciated. “Recognizing that service is an important factor in attracting and retaining customers, organizations are increasingly turning to technology to help them improve their clients’ experience while aiming to increase efficiency and minimize costs” (Wikipedia.com). SCM By using a SCM system, Club IT can facilitate the ordering process between their suppliers. Mainly this system will help improve communication and decrease transaction costs. Supply chain management will reduce paper use by not having to fill out extensive product documentation, but rather relying on electronic transactions. Club IT as well as the supplier will know what supplies are needed to be ordered and at what time. The SCM system also enables both parties to keep track of which orders have been made and which orders are due. SCM in Club IT will help reduce cost and provide an easier and more efficient way of controlling its suppliers. Conclusion By implementing the ERP, CRM, and SCM systems, the owners of Club IT will be able to improve their internal and external business functions. Club IT will use ERP for human resources to manage its employees. CRM will help retain and build its clientele through strong customer relations. Finally, SCM will help build the relationship between Club IT and its suppliers, making ordering less time consuming and easier. Integrating these systems will provide Club IT with the tools and options to gain a competitive advantage and ultimately allowing it to reach its goals and expand in the future. References http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/software-services-applications-information/9567335-1.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer_relationship_management