IT 210 Milestone One Guidelines And Rubric Overview

IT 210 Milestone One Guidelines And Rubric Overview

This assignment is the first milestone that you will complete for your final project. In this milestone, you will address the following: • Begin drafting parts of your final project, focusing on your business requirements, competitors, and technology.• Create a draft to receive feedback from your instructor to improve your final submission.• The rubric emphasizes this as a practice opportunity; prioritize including necessary information rather than perfection.• This milestone aligns with sections I, II, and III of your final project. Use the provided questions as a guide.• You may work in the Final Project Template or a separate document. Using the template is recommended to ensure coverage of required items.• The decision matrix is not required for this milestone but will be submitted in Milestone Two. It is recommended to use the provided template to narrow technology choices.

Paper For Above instruction

Developing a comprehensive business systems analysis is essential for small businesses aiming to expand into e-commerce. For this assignment, I will focus on a small brick-and-mortar business specializing in designer clothing, shoes, and handbags, that is seeking to establish an online presence to increase revenue and competitiveness. The owner recognizes that integrating new technology is critical but requires careful planning and analysis.

Introduction

The core issue faced by the business is its limited reach and inability to compete effectively with larger e-commerce retailers. Currently, the business only maintains a basic website with a small product list, and customers are required to visit in person to make purchases. This significantly limits growth potential and customer engagement. The owner intends to transition from a purely physical store to a hybrid model incorporating online sales channels. To do this effectively, the business must address the technological gaps that hinder its online expansion.

The two technologies selected for research within this systems analysis are cloud computing and social computing. Cloud computing offers scalable, secure storage and processing power vital for e-commerce operations. Social computing tools, from social media integrations to customer engagement platforms, are crucial for marketing and building a community around the brand. Analyzing how competitors leverage these technologies can inform effective adoption strategies.

Business Requirements

The primary objective of this project is to enable the business to operate an efficient, secure, and customer-friendly online platform that complements its physical store. The project should accomplish several goals: streamline inventory and order management, facilitate online payments, enhance customer engagement through social media, provide comprehensive reporting, and ensure data security. These enhancements will support the core goal of increasing revenue and market presence.

The project purpose involves creating a seamless online shopping experience that reflects the quality and customer service standards of the physical store. Achieving this requires integrating functionalities such as product listings, real-time order tracking, secure payment processing, and effective communication channels with customers and suppliers. The end goal is a robust, scalable e-commerce platform that can adapt as the business grows, fostering long-term success and competitiveness.

Implementing new technology is critically important for the business owner because it allows for broader market reach, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced data-driven decision-making. Digital tools reduce manual processes, minimize errors, and provide insights that can improve customer satisfaction and profitability. Furthermore, embracing current technological trends positions the business as a modern, responsive retailer aligned with consumer expectations.

Technological Requirements

The key technological requirements for any new system include: • Integration with online shopping platforms for a user-friendly interface.• Inventory management systems capable of real-time updates to prevent stock discrepancies.• Secure payment gateways supporting multiple payment options.• Customer relationship management features to track preferences, contacts, and order history.• Reporting tools for sales, inventory, and customer data analysis.• Data security measures to protect customer information and comply with privacy standards.• Collaboration tools for internal staff and external stakeholders such as suppliers and customers.• Scalability to accommodate future growth and additional features.

Competitors and Technology

Technology One: Cloud Computing

Nordstrom Rack employs cloud computing to support its e-commerce operations. Nordstrom leverages cloud services for scalable storage solutions, enabling high availability and rapid access to product data, customer information, and transaction records. Cloud infrastructure allows Nordstrom to handle fluctuating traffic volumes during sales events efficiently. For example, Nordstrom uses cloud-based platforms for inventory management, synchronization across physical and online stores, and customer data analytics, which enhances its ability to respond promptly to market demands.

Technology Two: Social Computing

Nordstrom Rack also actively utilizes social computing platforms, integrating social media marketing and customer engagement tools. Through Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, Nordstrom promotes new collections, shares promotions, and interacts directly with customers. Social media analytics help Nordstrom understand customer preferences and feedback, leading to targeted marketing campaigns. Such social engagement strategies contribute heavily to brand loyalty and customer retention.

Benefits and Potential for Adoption

Nordstrom's successful application of cloud computing demonstrates tangible benefits such as operational flexibility, cost savings, and improved data management, which directly translate into enhanced customer service. Adopting a similar approach would enable my business to efficiently manage its online store, reduce downtime, and provide a seamless shopping experience. The ability to scale infrastructure according to demand would accommodate growth without significant upfront investment, making cloud computing an ideal solution.

Furthermore, the use of social computing for marketing and customer interactions helps foster a loyal customer base and drive sales. Implementing similar tools in my business could enhance brand visibility, facilitate direct communication, and collect valuable customer insights, all of which are essential for successful e-commerce expansion.

Conclusion

By analyzing the technological strategies employed by industry leaders like Nordstrom Rack in cloud computing and social computing, my small business can identify effective methods to strengthen its online presence. Achieving integration of these technologies aligns with the business's objectives of growth, improved customer engagement, and operational efficiency. Careful consideration of technological requirements and adoption of proven strategies will position the business favorably in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

References

  • Chen, J., & Popovich, K. (2003). Understanding customer relationship management (CRM): People, process and technology. Business Process Management Journal, 9(5), 672-688.
  • Gartner. (2020). The Future of Cloud Computing: Trends and Predictions. Gartner Research.
  • Huang, M.-H., & Rust, R. T. (2021). Engaged to a Robot? The Role of Job Design and Technology in Consumer Interactions with AI. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 49(1), 138-155.
  • Kauffman, R. J., & Walden, E. A. (2001). Economics and Electronic Commerce: Survey and Directions for Research. International Journal of Electronic Commerce, 5(4), 5-116.
  • McKinsey & Company. (2019). How Social Commerce Is Shaping the Future of Retail. McKinsey Insights.
  • Nguyen, B., & Simkin, L. (2017). The dark side of digital personalization: The effect of social media on consumers’ privacy concerns. Journal of Business Research, 79, 273-283.
  • Porter, M. E., & Heppelmann, J. E. (2014). How smart, Connected Products Are Transforming Competition. Harvard Business Review, 92(11), 64-88.
  • Sharma, A., & Bag, S. (2022). Cloud Computing in Small and Medium Enterprises: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Cloud Computing, 11, 14.
  • Westerman, G., Bonnet, D., & McAfee, A. (2014). Leading Digital: Turning Technology into Business Transformation. Harvard Business Review Press.
  • Zeng, D., Guo, H., & Chen, Z. (2020). Social Commerce: From Theory to Practice. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 67(4), 973-985.

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