Retail system management can be an exhausting and daunting task. However, successfully evaluating the efficiency of an organization’s operating system is necessary to ensure a smooth and efficient operating stance for any venturing company. In this example, I will discuss the evaluation of RadioShack’s current operating system—Windows 98.
It seems unbelievable to imagine a company with a reputation for embracing technology to be found running archaic operating systems like Windows 98, but it is true. An e-commerce relic operates Radioshack’s entire point-of-sale and backroom functions. However, if you take into consideration the size of Radioshack’s organization numbering over 8000 stores, it becomes clear as to their motives. An operating system upgrade would be expensive, time-consuming, and risky. In spite of any potential benefits gained, RadioShack has opted to not fix what is not broke.
RadioShack, as mentioned previously, utilizes Microsoft Windows 98 on all store terminals. Consequently, there are a myriad of applications necessary to maintain store accounting, inventory, and appearance. These applications include an internally developed program call Tag Wizard, an inventory control program, an enterprise solution named ACRWin and RadioShack Online. All of these components are essential to contributing and maintaining the store’s profitability. One element in the decision to not upgrade operating systems is the potential incompatibility of these programs with a newer system. Even one hour of downtime nationwide incurred by such an upgrade could potentially cripple RadioShack's profitability.
Despite this risky conclusion, RadioShack could benefit from the investment of newer technology in a variety of ways.
First, a newer operating system can deliver better access to input and output devices. With barcode scanners, inventory guns, computer demonstrators, and order processes all running as separate entities, a system such as Windows 2000 could integrate the entire package. The days of using one terminal to enter a customer sale, and yet another to create merchandise tags and still yet another to reconcile inventory could be over.
Secondly, an improvement in controlled access to files is needed and a new operating system could deliver this function. Currently, when a RadioShack user logs in to an ACRWin terminal, they have free and complete access to all information. Windows 98 and ACRWin’s inability to mesh with each other allows a user to create the same transaction as a manager. This creates an unacceptable problem. There is little security provided from an unruly employee.
Lastly, RadioShack’s current operating system lacks adequate error detection and response.
Upgrade of the Trust’s old legacy mainframes systems to convert to a more efficient software system called “Access Plus”, an asset management system developed by Select One.
Home Depot to Implement Cornerstone's Java Technology-based Point-of-Sale Software. (1999, Jan). Retrieved Feb 19, 2005, from http://www.360commerce.com/article.php?article=342§ion=1&tid=77
It has come to my attention that the functionality of my computer system is quite limited for the company’s day-to-day actions. It gives me great honor to propose, a new set of systems that will replace the dated systems that I currently use to complete my job. I am confident that these machines will allow me to think of new creative, ideas that will create new innovative marketing strategies for the company.
The first step will be to address the need and scalability that Kathy Kudler is looking for in the company. There is a growing need it increase and standardize their network structure in the way of wired and wireless network. The network infrastructure has become a global on demand in all business. Technological advances require a responsive network infrastructure that is designed to control costs and reduce risks to a business, while enabling new business opportunities. The first Kudler's operations will have to be centrally linked tighter one server that can be accessed at all location. This will elevate the database which is presently used and has to be updated continuously at each store. The new system will accomplish the need to the entire operations. The heads of each location will be called upon for a meeting, the CEO, Kathy Kudler will have be aware of the global changes that will take place and effect the organization. Establishing a central database management system will keep track information from each facility and there location. Being able to access this information from any location can support the supply chain management system that Kudler is also looking for. The information in a database that can be linked to all three stores, this way the information of gathering these resources can be deploy and optimize the network infrastructure with proper management. With a system that can be integrated between these facilities can be all run virtually regardless of the complex organization's size, achieving business viability and maintain a competitive edge will be a paramount concern at Kindler's.
The entire chain of McDonalds delivers on such tight lead time with such high quality products by successfully integrating IT capabilities throughout the chain. Suppliers are using SAP while Distribution Centers manage through RAMCO Marshall ERP with Cobra software. These systems not only assist in day to day functions of the store like tracking sales, but also enable restaurants to schedule staff and send forecast orders to DCs.
One particular digital electronics company stuck out above the rest, and that was Sony. With Sony’s recent release of the Play Station 4 and its already successful Play Station 3 model, Sony seemed like the ideal company to invest in for the coming years. With Sony’s wide range of electronic products, including stereos, DVD players, and televisions, and with new technology being developed close to every week, all sorts of new jobs are beginning to open up. Sony happens to be one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for consumer and professional markets, and in 2013 they had employed over 145,000 people and the number is still increasing with new job fields opening up weekly and more specialists being required to keep up with the changing technology. Their increasing technological ability will also lead to a bigger and brighter future for the American and global economy. With the creation of more jobs the unemployment rate will decrease, and products will become more accessible to families and individu...
By the 1980s, just before the rise of Wal-Mart, Kmart had become complacent. It believed it would be the king of discount retailing, now and forever. It didn't perform an accurate SWOT analysis, but to be fair, who could have seen the rise of Wal-Mart to the position of the world's number-one retailer? Still, as Wal-Mart built new stores in town after town, supported by cutthroat pricing and solid logistics, Kmart's complacency would cost them. Part of the problem was that as Wal-Mart was pouring money into information technology (IT), Kmart's IT budget continued to shrink – not just once, but several years in a row. While Wal-Mart's logistics and supply chain management got sharper, Kmart's stagnated. And while Wal-Mart was able to squeeze more value out of its stores and its systems, Kmart lost ground. By the time Kmart had finally decided to start devoting more resources to IT, it was so far behind Wal-Mart that catching up would have been a near-impossible task without the recession in the early part of this decade. With the effects of the recession taken into account, Kmart instead was consigned to also-ran status among discount retailers.
Hardware, software, support and maintenance costs grow each year with multiple systems in each local region running different types of software and hardware. The application and hardware support teams are larger than could be possible with one integrated solution.
Wal-Mart’s collaboration with Cisco Systems allows suppliers to log onto Wal-Mart’s database for real-time ...
Microsoft was able in the OS segment to double their revenue per PC when Windows 3.x emerged which still needed MS-DOS to run. Most of the sales Microsoft made were to OEMs who would take the additional step of installing Windows on a computer’s hard drive. This strategy was effective in that the cost of production was relatively low, as an OEM may only need a single master copy to do the installation. The costs to Microsoft would largely be bore in R&D expense rather than production. As part of the Microsoft business model for this segment, Microsoft designed their OS to need periodic upgrades. The upgrades did come at a cost, and in essence, Microsoft was able to create an “annuity” stream for the Microsoft OS segment. In this segment, Microsoft had a monopolistic structure that allowed them to realize huge returns, especially during such a period of technological growth and rapid obsol...
The standardized quality of MS Windows98 has really made the PC market as a whole take a rocket boost from the past. Most people who oppose this stance would say that standardizing a product wouldn’t cause anything but a monopoly. This is fiction because people choose products that are simply reliable and of good quality. The success of Microsoft’s operating system hasn’t been used to cause a monopoly in the browser marker, but to increase the quality of their software. A statement from Bill Gates on the 7th of December stating “ I am proud of the work our people have done to bring the benefits of the Internet to consumers, and I am confident that the courts ultimately will uphold the importance of the freedom to innovate.” The intensity of the Internet lies in it openness, freedom and incredible reach. It is physically impossible for any individual or company to be its controlling switch, as the number of Internet users continue to grow by easy access due to Internet technologies being added to quality operating systems such as Windows. Internet user will constantly demand high quality and maximum choice, and will travel to wherever they receive the best value for the money and time. As consumer interest in the Internet continues to grow, Microsoft’s role will be what it always has been. Aimed to provide the software building blocks for a rich computing experience and to build into that software all of the open Internet standards, protocols and platforms services which enable developers to write great applications. Even though Microsoft has included Internet capabilities in its Windows operating system since the launch of Windows 95, the Windows platform also provides excellent support for other leading browsers besides Microsoft’s own Internet Explorer.
"Technology is like fish. The longer it stays on the shelf, the less desirable it becomes." (1) Since the dawn of computers, there has always been a want for a faster, better technology. These needs can be provided for quickly, but become obsolete even quicker. In 1981, the first "true portable computer", the Osborne 1 was introduced by the Osborne Computer Corporation. (2) This computer revolutionized the way that computers were used and introduced a brand new working opportunity.
Sadly, many people refuse to face the onslaught of computer technology. A 1994 survey conducted by Dell Computers indicated the 55% of Americans are phobic or resistant to computers (Column). In addition, many important people, including CEOÕs of major companies, are rumored to be computer illiterate (Column). The former CEO of IBM even admitted to never using a computer (Column). Fortunately, PC’s are becoming more and more user friendly as the technology improves. Fewer errors, less maintenance and quicker functioning should encourage many reluctant people to finally step into the new era.
Barcodes are used everywhere around us. They are used to track products through shipment, track products at a store and speed up and enhance the checkout process, as well as allowing faster access to information. Barcodes began to be used heavily in the 1970’s. This began a great movement in the consumer industry, speeding up the checkout process and allowing easier inventory tracking. However, just like all technologies, barcodes have been enhanced many times over and are being replaced by better, more efficient systems (Bonsor).
Technology can displace numerous examples of workers in service industries. Shop fronts such as banking, real estate, travel and many more, are disappearing. Small retail food outlets continue to collapse, with the growing supermarkets and food chains organized around computer technology, and on- line shopping from home. An even completely automated home-computerized service such as a hardware and software package called “Jeeves” is now available. Business management and company directors are finding voice activated lap top computer secretaries far more reliable and efficient than the human