Play Around Toys, Hardware, And Software Pricing Comparison

Sheet1play Around Toys Hardware And Software Pricing Comparsionprices

Sheet1 play Around Toys Hardware and Software Pricing Comparsion prices

Sheet1 Play Around Toys Hardware and Software Pricing Comparison Prices Computer Item Minimum Specs Vendor 1 Vendor 2 Vendor 3 Model No. Processor 2GHz Hard Drive 80GB RAM 512MB CD-ROM 48 speed Monitor 17 inches Cost/Unit x 20 Units Color Printer Item Minimum Specs Vendor 1 Vendor 2 Vendor 3 Model No. Print Speed 25 ppm Print Quality 600 x 600 dpi Network Ready? Yes Memory 128 MB Maximum Price/Unit $1,000 Cost/Unit x 5 Units Black and White Printer Item Minimum Specs Vendor 1 Vendor 2 Vendor 3 Model No. Print Speed 12 ppm Print Quality 600 x 600 dpi Network Ready? Yes Maximum Price/Unit $500 Cost/Unit x 5 Units Software Vendor 1 Vendor 2 Vendor 3 Software Version Cost/Unit x 20 Units Best Choice Hardware/Software Vendor Name Cost/Unit Computer Color Printer Blank and White Printer Office Productivity Software

Sheet3 Choosing Hardware and Software Play Around Toys Inc. has decided to open a small distribution center to expand its online shopping business. This center will need 20 computers and software licenses. The center will also need five black and white and five color printers.

Task:

1. Research the Internet to obtain prices of the required products.

2. Complete the spreadsheet to determine which vendors will provide the best cost per worker. Identify information systems to support a business strategy.

Introduction:

Play Around Toys Inc. operates stores in different regions of the country. The senior management of Play Around Toys Inc. has decided to tailor the merchandise selection for each store based on its sales patterns. How could information systems help management implement this strategy? Utilize the ITT Tech Virtual library to recognize:

- What types of data are other retail stores currently collecting?

- What types of data should Play Around Toys Inc. stores collect to make merchandising decisions that support this strategy?

Submission Requirements:

- Submit your answers, not exceeding 300 words, in an MS Word document.

- Cite sources in APA format.

- Font: Arial; 12-point

- Line Spacing: Double

Paper For Above instruction

In an increasingly competitive retail environment, effective utilization of information systems (IS) is crucial for businesses like Play Around Toys Inc. to tailor their merchandising strategies and operate efficiently. This paper explores how information systems can support the company's strategic aim of customizing merchandise based on regional sales data and provides recommendations on the data collection necessary for informed decision-making.

Information systems facilitate the collection, analysis, and application of data, enabling management to make precise, data-driven decisions. For Play Around Toys Inc., implementing an integrated retail information system allows the collection of a wide array of data, including sales figures, customer preferences, inventory levels, and regional purchasing trends. Currently, many retail stores track basic sales data, customer foot traffic, and inventory turnover through point-of-sale (POS) systems. These systems provide real-time insights into product performance in different locations, helping retailers optimize stock levels and identify popular products.

For Play Around Toys Inc., it is essential to extend data collection beyond basic sales metrics. The company should gather detailed demographic data, customer purchasing patterns, and regional preferences to dynamically adjust its inventory and product offerings. For example, analyzing regional sales data can reveal which toy categories or brands are most popular in specific locations, guiding targeted marketing and stocking decisions. Additionally, tracking promotional response rates can help refine marketing strategies tailored to regional preferences.

Moreover, implementing customer relationship management (CRM) systems in conjunction with POS data can enhance understanding of customer loyalty and preferences, further supporting personalized marketing campaigns. Inventory management systems equipped with geographic data can facilitate just-in-time inventory replenishment, reducing stockouts and overstock scenarios.

In conclusion, information systems are vital for supporting Play Around Toys Inc.’s strategic goal to customize store offerings. By integrating advanced data collection and analysis tools such as POS, CRM, and inventory management systems, the company can dynamically adapt to regional market demands, improve customer satisfaction, and maintain competitiveness in the retail toy industry.

References

  • Laudon, K. C., & Traver, C. G. (2020). E-commerce 2020: business, technology, society. Pearson.
  • O’Brien, J. A., & Marakas, G. M. (2019). Management Information Systems. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Turban, E., Pollard, C., & Wood, G. (2018). Information Technology for Management: Digital Strategies for Design, Execution, and Management. Wiley.
  • Rainer, R. K., & Prince, B. (2018). Introduction to Information Systems. Wiley.
  • Chen, H., & Popovich, K. (2003). Understanding customer relationship management (CRM): People, process and technology. Business Process Management Journal, 9(5), 672-688.
  • Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The second machine age: Work, progress, and prosperity in a time of brilliant technologies. W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Shopify. (2023). Retail Data Collection and Analytics Strategies. Retrieved from https://www.shopify.com/blog/retail-data
  • Grewal, D., & Levy, M. (2019). Customer experience management in retailing: How technology influences shopping. Journal of Retailing, 96(2), 147-161.
  • Montgomery, A. (2018). Retail analytics: The future of data-driven merchandising. Harvard Business Review.
  • Castellina, M., Merlino, S., & La Rocca, R. (2020). Big data analytics in retail: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Business Research, 121, 581-595.

Related Assignments