Stately Furniture and Decor, Research Paper Example

What are the business objectives and visions of this company? What are the primary issues the company faces in remaining competitive in the current market?

The objectives of the business are to beat their competition while maintaining their value. They want to continue to produce high quality furniture. The vision is to continue producing a quality product, but at the same time efficiently processing customer orders. The current issues with remaining competitive are the numerous competitors entering the market. Competitors that are able to provide a lower cost product more quickly, but also at a lower quality. Using an information system, such as a POS would help with these current issues. Information systems track, store, and utilize data (Information Systems, 2013).

Describe the current customer order process.  What are the weaknesses and strengths of the current process? How do you think the current customer order process supports the company’s mission and strategy?

The current order process starts when the customer places an order with the marketing department in person or over the telephone. The marketing manager draws a blueprint of the product based on customer specifications. This blueprint is then approved by the customer and they can also select colors and fabrics at this time. Then an order agreement is drawn up for the customer. The agreement is sent to the accounting department, where copies are distributed to the necessary departments. The production is then initiated. There are seven copies of the order sent to various departments. (Antonucci, 2013)

The strengths are that it is done face to face which can sometimes be more beneficial to the consumer. There are however many weaknesses in this process. It is time consuming for the company and the customer with the multiple approvals. Also, these copies of the order that are distributed could be lost, which could produce delayed delivery dates, incorrect orders, or orders not being completed at all. It is important to use the technology that is available to the company. If a company falls behind technologically, it can be very difficult to catch up to the competitors. With so many information systems available, that cater to a number of specific businesses or that can be designed specifically for a business it is important to utilize one. It helps a company to stay on top of all important aspects of a business. Though some companies still try to use outdated businesses practices due to a fear of change.

This supports the mission in that each piece of furniture is custom made to the customer’s specifications. It allows the customer to help decision their ideal piece. But the process could be done more efficiently.

What role can information technology play in enabling the company’s business strategy?

Information technology could help a great deal with the business strategy. An information strategy could allow for all of the information to placed within a system that could keep track of what needs to be done, what specifications are needed, what production activities are needed and also accounting information that is necessary. This could all be wrapped into a single system, rather than be handed out to the various department heads; it could be delivered via a computer system that will track all information for the orders. This would greatly improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.

From a process perspective, how can the company improve or redesign the customer order process with information technology in mind?

The order process could be redesigned with efficiency in mind. It could make electronic orders available so that it would be more convenient for the consumer. If orders were placed electronically, the information could also be passed electronically to all necessary departments, keeping these departments on the same page at all times. It would be less likely that mistakes would be made or that information would be lost. An information system is the combination of information technology and the activities of people to execute operations, which is exactly what will make processes more efficient (What is Information System, 2011).

One type of information technology that is very helpful with processing customer orders is a POS or point of sale system. These systems track accounting information, sales information, inventory information, labor information, and order information (Important Points about using Pos Systems, 2013).

With appoint of sale system all accounting activities can be done through this type of system (Important Points about using Pos Systems, 2013). Accounting activities such as payroll information and processing can be done. Also sales information such as present day, prior day, year to date, or even last year’s sales can be tracked through this type of system. This can help the company to track sales, reach sales goals, and also compare sales if needed.

Inventory can also be tracked. Production can be followed with these systems (Important Points about using Pos Systems, 2013). This can keep track of materials on hand and available. Materials that presently being used. What materials need to be ordered for future orders are stored. Pricing for materials can also be stored in the system so that a budget can be maintained for all necessary materials.

Labor information is also available on this system (Important Points about using Pos Systems, 2013). It will keep track of employee productivity based on sales. It can generate labor reports based on sales. It will tell you what percentage of sales is being spent on labor so that the company can determine if they have enough labor or too much at selected times.

A great function of this type of system is the ordering process (Important Points about using Pos Systems, 2013). This system can be used to create a type of menu for the customer, in which they can choose everything that want for their ideal piece of furniture. It can list color selections, fabric selections, basic material selections, as well as different styles of furniture. There can also be a selection for custom so that a customer could type in something that is not a selection in the system.

These systems are amazing and can be helpful for any business. They can help with a number of business operations. They can help to create efficiency if it is lacking.

Of course, along with a system such as this, it is also important to have an IT manager. Someone who is responsible for the system and any glitches that may arise. Also this person would have the ability to train employees to use the facets of the system that they need to use in order for it to be productive.

Information technology systems are useful, but only if the people who use them are trained properly. The system is only as good as the person who is using. Poor training or a misunderstanding of any information system will be detrimental to the company.

Works Cited

Antonucci, Y. &. (2013). Stately Furniture and Decor: Strategic Integration Through Information Technology.

Important Points about using Pos Systems. (2013). Retrieved April 23, 2013, from Articlesbase: http://www.articlesbase.com

Information Systems. (2013). Retrieved April 23, 2013, from Encyclopedia Brittanica: http://www.britannica.com

What is Information System. (2011). Retrieved April 23, 2013, from http://www.whatisinformationsystem.com