Tools, Concepts and Ideas in Formulating the IT - Van Morrison Supermarkets - Coursework Example

?Van Morrison Supermarkets Writing a Report Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Tools, Concepts and Ideas in Formulating the IT and Information IS With Respect To the Retail Sector 4 Approaches to IS/IT Strategy Development 7 The Objectives Of the IS and the IT Strategy 8 Application of Tools, Concepts and Ideas With Respect To the IS and IT within Van Morrison Supermarkets 9 Prioritisation of the Proposed IS/IT Strategy 11 Conclusion 13 References 15 Introduction In accordance with the retail industries, it can be observed that one of the sole reasons behind the industry’s rapid growth in the modern competitive scenario has been the successful integration and the performance of advanced and modern tools of IT. The reasons for the use of IT in the retail companies majorly comprises of aggregating and analysing the customer data for the enhancement of differentiation as well as to increase the ability of the companies so that it can respond rapidly with the changing market place environment through improved flexibility and speed. IT application is also found to be effective for operations to develop one system to be used across the stores for an effective utilization of the stock with the purpose of enhancing the business process. In accordance with the company, Van Morrison Supermarkets, which is operating within the national and international market place as a retail supermarket chain can be observed as facing problems with regard to IT and IS. The problems that are currently being faced by the company includes its infrastructure related to the IS/IT, with high dependency on Microsoft software as well as the operating systems using technology of low standards within the workstations. As a consequence, the staff working within the company is often dissatisfied due to the poor performances of IT/IS software often being down which causes delay in dealing with the customers as well as the suppliers causing massive damage to the customer satisfaction prospects of the organisation. Emphasising on this particular aspect, the objective of the study will be to suggest remedies for better applications of tools and concepts used in the modern IT/IS integration frameworks in Van Morrison to counter the identified problems. Tools, Concepts and Ideas in Formulating the IT and Information IS With Respect To the Retail Sector In the modern day scenario, the companies are viewing new dimensions for the use as well as the application of the Information Systems (IS) and the Information Technologies (IT) used as a means to obtain better operational efficiencies. In this context, for the companies to sustain and develop these added dimensions of the IS and the IT, act as a competitive as well as a strategic weapon too, to combat industrial complexities and obstacles effectively. The three aspects with respect to the IT applied in organisational settings, which are often argued to be responsible for the success of the companies, comprises of the presence of strong IT staff within the organisation, the presence of a firm technology base that can be reused and a consensus partnership between the IT staff as well as the management. In the modern day scenario, the global economy and the use of the internet facilities has been growing rapidly. In accordance with the field of e-commerce, the process and the manner through which the companies tend to utilize its IT applications have often been argued to result in the success of the company (Multimedia University, 2011). The strategies with regard to the IT and IS applications commonly include the incorporation of the computer as well as the manual systems, computer telecommunication and computer technology. The IT and IS strategies also involve the various aspects of management of the organisation. The objectives as well as the aim of the organisations adopting the IS and IT strategies further include, aligning the business strategies with that of the strategies of the IS and IT so as to determine the prioritised field with regard to the investment. In this context, it can further include the competitive advantages with regard to the business opportunities that have been created with the use of the IS and the IT applications. The IS as well as the IT strategies also help organisations in framing a cost –effective technology infrastructure where flexibility also holds an important position to reward overall organisational operations efficiency. The strategies with respect to the IS and IT applications, the development of the appropriate resources as well as the competencies to position the IS and the IT strategies successfully within the organisation can be identified to be highly crucial. These aspects and the strategies with regard to the IT and the IS are also applicable within the retail sector as well (Explaining Computers, 2012). In accordance with the IS and IT strategies there involve five stages of the strategy formulation which includes the focus with regard to the planning of delivering the technology at the first stage. Correspondingly, during the last stage the emphasis is laid upon the assessment of the competitive impact with respect to the IS and the IT. At the final stage, it also ensure the proper and channelled alignment between the retail business strategies and the IT as well as the IS strategies and the requisite investment amount (Explaining Computers, 2012). The stages with respect to the strategy formulation of the IT and IS initially involves the planning framed by the IT department with respect to the interface between all the applications that have been developed separately with a view to apply the developed strategies effectively as well as efficiently. In the modern day context, the understanding of the management with relation to the increase in the dependency of the retail business on IT and IS programmes. In accordance with the retail sector, the IT and IS applications follow the same frame line in a business oriented manner. In the following stage it deals with management’s awareness with regard to the effective application of IT and IS. The management is taking necessary measures to initiate review of its IT and IS applications from top to bottom of its organisational process. In this context it can be further revealed that the application of the IS and IT, is based on the priority as to ensure the effective and efficient work of the systems implemented (Explaining Computers, 2012). Accordingly, in the third stage, it revolves around the detail planning with respect to the IT and IS applications which would result in determining the advanced applications and the supporting technologies and as per the requirements, suggest re-implementation of the existing IT and IS technologies with respect to appropriateness and cost-effectiveness. In this context, an ‘Application Support Centre’ as well as ‘Help Desk’ systems are implemented by retail organisations with respect to the support systems as well as the application packages. In this respect, the third stage can be utilised by the management with regard to the budgeting of all the IT resources (Explaining Computers, 2012). In this context, the initial, second and the following third stages reflects the evolution of the application with respect to the retail organisation efficiency driven towards integrated effectiveness. As accessed, it has been further revealed that the stages between the first and the third step of the IT/IS implementation process, helps the management to find out the problems related to the application of the systems within the organisational setting (Smith & et. al., 2007). In accordance with the above described third stage, the fourth stage deals with the user interface within the organisation with respect to the formulation of the strategies. In accordance with the formulation of the strategies, the effectiveness of the strategy is detailed as well as the innovations are accepted with regard to the IT and IS strategy. The final stage links the IT and the IS strategies with the business strategies of the retail organisations. In this context, the different methodologies are verified to adapt the effective and the efficient strategies which might further differ from one organisation to another (Explaining Computers, 2012). Approaches to IS/IT Strategy Development An organisation, in accordance with the planning approaches, tends to identify the types of the planning strategies that are needed to integrate the planning of the IT and IS applications, in alliance with the business planning. In this context, it can be further revealed that to satisfy the short term move, appropriate approaches need to be adapted to achieve the determined goal (Explaining Computers, 2012). The business led approach, IT specialists frame the IS and the IT plans in accordance with the investment in the current as well as the advanced business strategies. In this regard, IS integration strategies are often acknowledged as a resource, comprising the strategies with a view that business strategies are to lead the IT strategies. The method-driven approach reflects the application of the technique in identifying the need of the IS by analysing the business process which is further based upon the analysis of the information from top to bottom of the retail organisational structure. Technological approach deals with the application of the process with respect to the IT and IS planning. In accordance with the technological approach, the IS professionals attempt to apply analytical models and tools to innovate the IS plan. The approach related to the administrative segment reflects the establishment of the IT capital as well as the resource plan with respect to the achievement of the IS applications that has been approved in this context (Explaining Computers, 2012). Consequently, in the modern day market scenario, the dependency of the organisation and the management upon the application of the modern and advanced IT and IS integration strategies, are explained with the help of a diagram below. Source: (Explaining Computers, 2012) The Objectives Of the IS and the IT Strategy The objectives with respect to the planning and development of the IS strategy are derived in accordance with the business objectives as well as the chauffeurs for change. Contextually, a list of objectives with regard to development and planning of the IS strategy includes, identification of the current as well as the future information requisites with respect to the organisation that reflects the alignment of the business as well as its IT and IS integration strategies. The strategies related to the IT and IS integration also tend to create a significant influence on the functions of the overall organisational policies with regard to the rapidly changing business environment which ultimately helps the organisation to meet the urgent requirements of its targeted customers. It also helps the management in determining the policies of the management as well as the creation, control, maintenance and the accessibility with respect to the information resource of the corporation. The IS and the IT strategies also play a major role to ensure proper adaptation and application of the IS. The objective of the IS and the IT strategies have also been argued to ensure that high degree of acceptance prevail with regard to the shared responsibilities between the employees and the IT and IS integration framework applied within the retail organisation (Smith & et. al., 2007). Application of Tools, Concepts and Ideas With Respect To the IS and IT within Van Morrison Supermarkets The problems that are currently being faced by Van Morrison is related to the infrastructure of its IS/IT integration which is currently observed to be relying upon Microsoft software. Apart from its high dependency on a particular service provider, the company also possesses the limitation of poor technology assistance for below standard performance of its workstations. The strategies and the process involved with respect to the IT and IS within the company are of traditional approach which often results in the failure of the system that is ultimately effecting the working efficiencies and the enthusiasm of the employees (Smith & et. al., 2007). The process involved in formulating the strategy for an effective application of the IS and IT needs to be taken into account in accordance with the several dimensions of such integration procedures. Based on such aspects, it can be affirmed that the future application of the IS and IT in Van Morrison need advanced and planned perspectives so as to mitigate challenges and obtain greater benefits (Smith & et. al., 2007). Correspondingly, the strategies that can be followed by the company shall include the following. In accordance with the gradual evaluation of the IT and IS strategy applications, it can be apparently observed that the proper alignment of the systems strategy with that of the business strategy is a crucial determinant to define the success factors of an organisation similar to Van Morrison. In this context, the focus will gradually shift from technology–based towards the business based integration of IT/IS application. The problem that Van Morrison is facing can be thus related to its technology base approach, which has been ultimately affecting its business goals at large (Smith & et. al., 2007). The next level of the IT/IS integration approach that Van Morrison can take into account to sustain within the competitive scenario with respect to the retail industries, shall involve the attainment of management understanding (Rittenberg & Martens, 2012). In the modern day scenario, the management of the organisations attempt to acquire minimum awareness with respect to the capacity of the application of the IT and the IS frameworks within the organisation. It is worth mentioning in this context that the most important aspect with regard to the approaches is determining the prioritised areas with respect to the allocation of the budget as well as the requirements of the resources on a continuous basis. Correspondingly, it shall be feasible for Van Morrison to prioritise the plan with regards to the problems that it has been facing in relation to the integration of IT/IS. For instance, the use of traditional IT/IS application systems has been affecting the business proceedings of Van Morrison in its recent performances. Therefore, the prioritised area for the company must be to implement new innovative techniques or to enhance the existing IT and IS systems to encourage the capabilities of its operational processes (Smith & et. al., 2007). Prioritisation of the Proposed IS/IT Strategy The systems and the processes with respect to the IS and IT integration strategies within the company have been apparently based on traditional methods which has been restricting its competitive growth in terms of customer satisfaction and time as well as cost efficient service deliverance system. Thus, advanced and modern IT and IS strategies might be implemented within the organisation to use the modern strategies as a major success driver to gain competitive advantages over its major competitors within the competitive scenario (Smith & et. al., 2007). The approaches that the company might follow with regard to the use of modern strategies and applications must include certain approaches that can be implemented at an early stage by the company to recover from the currently observed IS and IT problems (Smith & et. al., 2007). Notably, Van Morrison has been facing massive problems with respect to the IS and IT system, owing to which it must consider the various aspects on the basis of the information that are relevant in accordance with the global context of retail industry. In this context, the information gathered will provide an integrated and consistent resource to mitigate the problems witnessed in the IT/IS application methods. Accordingly, as the recommendation suggests, the formulation of the IS and the IT strategies involves both the formal as well as the informal strategies. The formal techniques in Van Morrison shall include the measures that involve prioritised application of the framed strategies, whereas the informal techniques are used to capture the innovative ideas which ultimately help the organisation to grow in the short as well as in the long term (Smith & et. al., 2007). It is worth mentioning in this context that Van Morrison needs to ensure the information related to the use of the modern and advanced IT and IS strategies formulation are authentic and reliable prior to its ultimate implementation. The use of the new techniques can therefore help the company to enhance their capabilities and the application of the modern IT and the IS strategies which further enhances the business process or workings with regard to the customers, suppliers and the stakeholders within the organisation (Smith & et. al., 2007). Van Morrison is using the strategies and the infrastructure which relies upon the low standard operating systems offered by Microsoft software systems. The IT and the IS software that are being used by the company are also reported to create inevitable hazards owing to its failure due to the use of low standard operating systems. Thus, it can be affirmed that the internal environment with respect to the IS and IT used within the company is not up to the modern and advanced standard which ultimately is hampering the stakeholders, suppliers and the customers of Van Morrison. The company must therefore take into account the contributions made by the existing strategies with respect to its business process requirements simultaneously lessening its dependency on Microsoft systems (Papulova, & Papulova, 2006). Van Morrison, being a retail sector company, faces immense pressure from an increasingly competitive market. Therefore, to sustain within the scenario, the company needs to gather information with respect to the external environment and the modern techniques prior to its designing and implementation of a modern IT framework. It is highly important in this context that the company must implement the advanced standard of software with respect to the Microsoft operating system and other operating systems, redefining the integration strategies from a critical and innovative perspective. The company must also take advantages of the external business opportunities with respect to the IS and the IT strategies to prosper and to grow within the competitive scenario. The alignment of the IT and the IS strategies with the business objectives in Van Morrison shall further reward the scope for the company to attain the business goals by using advanced and modern techniques. The company must also provide necessary knowledge with respect to the IS and IT to the employees working within the organisation on a prioritised basis. The knowledge gap with regard to the IS and IT integration, between the employees of the organisation can further create drastic hindrances in the growth of the company. Hence, the company must take measures to align its corporate units, business units and the IS and IT units (Papulova & Papulova, 2006). Conclusion As accessed through the study, the modern and advanced techniques with respect to the IT and IS application in a retail company like Van Morrison, it can be affirmed that such systems are currently playing a vital role in the 21st century business scenario. Taking into account a similar notion, Van Morrison has also been using the low standard operating systems which have further been raising certain inevitable hurdles in its growth prospects. One of the major limitations witnessed in this regard was the lack of alignment between the IS and the IT strategies with the business objectives of Van Morrison. Integration and high dependency on a poor performing operating system further increased the limitations of the IT/IS application within Van Morrison. The strategy implementation with regard to the IS and IT must involve the participation of the employees as well as the top management which shall ultimately result in the mitigation of the problems identified. References Explaining Computers, 2012. Potential Computing-Related Disorders. Computing Health and Safety. [Online] Available at: http://www.explainingcomputers.com/dse.html [Accessed April 19, 2013]. Multimedia University, 2011. Developing an IS/IT Strategy: Establishing Effective Processes. Readings, Iss. 3, pp. 118-177. Papulova, E. & Papulova, Z., 2006. Competitive Strategy and Competitive Advantages of Small and Midsized Manufacturing Enterprises in Slovakia. E-Leader. Rittenberg, L. & Martens, F., 2012. Understanding and Communicating Risk Appetite. Enterprise Risk Management. [Online] Available at: http://www.coso.org/documents/ERM-Understanding%20%20Communicating%20Risk%20Appetite-WEB_FINAL_r9.pdf [Accessed April 19, 2013]. Smith, H. A. & et. al., 2007. Developing Information Technology Strategy for Business Value. Journal of Information Technology Management, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 1042-1319. Read More