EDUDORM ACADEMIC SERVICES

Social computing and media play a huge role in the business world. One major reason for this is that business media function as communication channels where other fashion-arena actors (e.g. consultants, gurus, and business school academics) can provide discourse related to concepts and ideas ( Madsen & Slatten, 2015). Until recently, social media had not been taken in to account when it comes to growing the business social computing and use of media, but now they have finally realized just how far these can take them. There is not a day that goes by where someone is not joining some fort of social media site, and companies finally realized how following these individuals using social commerce can help their business grow and be accessible to all.

Another form of technology that will be of great use to us is the use of wireless, mobile computing, and mobile commerce. Technology continues to advance, and as it does so to do the ways consumers do their shopping (Madsen & Slatten, 2015). With the ease of acquiring an internet connection almost anywhere, consumers have started to turn away from staying in one place, and gone to using all sorts of mobile electronics. Electronics such as tablets, smart phones, and laptops have made it even easier to acquire the things they want. These devices allow the consumer to shop on the go all with just one click of the mouse or touch of their finger.

Business Requirements

Objectives

This project will not only open up a completely new world of business for our company, but it will also give us a competitive edge against other vendors. By implementing the use of services such as social media, we can see how successful our company is doing with the customers, and have a regular constant flow of data coming in to help our business evolve. Our biggest objective is to not only increase sales, but to create a consumer friendly database that keeps them coming back.

Project Description

Our business will need to set aside a significant budget for the initial cost of obtaining the items to install for connecting to the online marketplace. Once obtained, we then will need to create a website and an online interface that will interact well with all users who access our page. This is relatively inexpensive to acquire, and there are services out there that can help with this. Design services such as Main Street Host. Main Street is a digital marketing company who specializes in helping small businesses like ours get our presence out there on the internet. They also help to develop our web services so they are mobile device friendly, which will help us to target a more widespread customer base.

Technology Requirements

The largest part of this project will require our company to have a very elaborate main web page that will attract the consumers’ attention, and one that can be used easily on any device they are on. Developing a mobile application would be a great place to being. Having an app will allow us to limit the amount of time it takes us to get this system going, and allows us to quickly implement updates to systems as needed with ease. This will also help to bring down our cost and maximize our profits.

Competitors and Technology

Macy’s, a well-known franchise, uses intelligent systems like this to not only increase sales, but to also allow for a more diverse inventory of the items that it offers. Macy’s uses a range of technologies to make how consumers shop and make it easy to do so. In an article inventory with Macy’s senior vice president of systems development and field services, Brian Leinbach states, “90% of our customers’ research online at least occasionally before purchasing a product in-store” (Giannopoulos, 2012). “Our best customers shop us online and in our stores,” he continued, noting that they are also twice as likely as other online buyers to have researched a product in its stores before purchasing online (Giannopoulos, 2012)..

Kohl’s, another consumer product franchise, has also implement smart technology and teams behind them to drive their business to new heights. From their humble beginnings Kohl’s’ had a mission to provide sales excellence to their customers, and they have done so with great results. Within the last couple of years, they have begun to use mobile tech and cloud services to broaden their customer base and improve sales in mobile devices. In a statement by EVP, Chief of technology Ratnakar Lavu he states, “From cloud migration to mobile artificial intelligence and chatbots, we’re driving the technologies that make a difference for our customers and our associates now and in the future” (Giannopoulos, 2012). This is a bold statement and very accurate statement.

Technology One

Wireless, mobile computing, and mobile commerce

Macy’s is a leader in the use of mobile computing and mobile commerce with its business. Macy’s takes the use of mobile technology and uses the opportunity it gives to acquire and sell more products than they can in their stores. By using mobile technology, they allow their online customers to view an array of products that often are not in the physical stores due to floor space (Jones, 2018). This also allows Macy’s keep in the stores items that they do not show in their online store. This in turn keeps the customers wanting to not only shop mobile, but also to keep coming to the physical stores to shop. They essentially double their business by doing this and is something I believe would be an excellent business opportunity for our store as well. “The ability to buy online and pick up items at an actual store is giving a boost to Macy's e-commerce business which saw double digit growth in the most recent quarter” (Jones, 2018). This added access to not only the product but also information from other customers make it easier for customers to make the purchase decision.

Technology Two

Social Computing

Kohl’s has identified an excellent way to target consumers while they are online every day, and that is through their social media feeds. Popular social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook, and twitter are a few they have used to gain more customers. One such occasion Kohl’s took to social media to advertise their new handbag line to prospective customers. For example, Eva Amurri Martino, a professional blogger, would tweet out to all her followers, “today I will be at Grand Central Terminal celebrating the new Reed Krakoff Collection with kohl’s!” (Jaekel, n.d). This is an excellent way to drum up new business, and get potential customers to come check out the products you have to offer. Kohl’s took full advantage of it and our business could do the exact same thing. Simply placing an ad on Instagram could drive potential sales.

Benefits of Technology

Our company has a tremendous amount of revenue to gain with the implementation of making an online presence in the business world. With companies like Macy’s and Kohl’s making huge advances in business with the implementation of smart technology, and mobile communication there is no better time than now for us to the same (Jaekel, n.d). If we are to maintain the business we have and further our business in the future, then we must implement these changes. By I feel that the two key technologies I have identified will be the greatest help for us in getting our products out there, and bringing in new business.

Technology Solutions

The environment in which the company operates in currently has the opportunities that can be exploited to adapt to the use of modern forms of technology. The goal is not just to have the best forms of technology, but also settle on the ones that offer the greatest rewards possible without having a negative impact on the company budget (Jaekel, n.d). In an effort to help determine what areas are the most important to the company a decision matrix has been created that lists the seven technology requirements being sought out. With the aid of this matrix and much deliberation, it has been determined that social computing; and wireless, mobile computing, and mobile commerce technologies will aid our business the most. Therefore, the company is set to begin purchasing the needed equipment and recruit the proper installation crews to begin implementing these forms of technology.

Technology One

The first progressive technology I am going to recommend is wireless, mobile computing, and mobile commerce. Wireless technology is technology that is capable of being used no matter where you are. This type of technology enables not only those of us who operate the business daily to work from any location, but it also allows our customers to access and use our website with ease from any device they may be using (Jaekel, n.d). This is something we have not had before coming from a brick-and-mortar establishment, and having limited or outdated technology has also been a problem. In having a mobile computing capable platform, we can better perform our jobs and run the business to its full potential. Even if we must work from home we can still handle the things we need to in order to do our jobs efficiently (Li, & Du, 2019). Comparing the two technologies this one had the highest-ranking score, and therefore I would like to implement it first. By placing this technology into our business, we will can provide our customers with an online shopping experience that they have never had before with our business.

Also, we will be better equipped to manage our inventory efficiently and provide excellent services like shipping and returns at more satisfactory terms for our customers. Our customers will have total control of their purchases from start to finish, and we can even allow them to track their packages so they know exactly when it will arrive at their homes. With the use of mobile devices becoming more and more common we must institute functions that will accommodate such use. “With the rapid growth of wireless networks and smartphone, consumers have paid more attention to mobile commerce.” (Li, & Du, 2019). As our world continues to evolve, so to must the ways we do business, and that includes putting our presence out there in the mobile world.

Technology Two

The second technology to accommodate the first that we will be implement into our business is social computing. Social computing is defined as the interaction and collaboration between computer users. Social computing is quite frankly the future of the shopping industry. Thousands of consumers often rely on the opinions and feedback on items those they know buy and share about using social media to determine if they are willing to purchase an item or service (Rigby, 2014). These consumers include those who use social media sites such as Facebook, and Snapchat. The interaction between individuals within these sites when they talk about products and services they have had dealings with helps to create more sales, thus can put our business accessible to users within these social media sites gives us a competitive edge in our industry. Social computing can create a huge gain our presence and sales with numerous consumers.

A good example of just how well this can help is Amazon. Amazon had a return investment of 17% in just five years after implementing social computing into their business. (Rigby, 2014). This is proof that great things can come from using this technology. Often individuals feel it is too much of a chore to go to the physical stores to shop, and thus the world of online shopping becomes more and more widely used. Another great example of why social computing is so important is it helps to keep a steady availability of good workers (Rigby, 2014). The very tech savvy generation of today is so much more enabled to work with various forms of technology, and with having a technological platform that integrates social computing we can be better equipped to attain and keep valuable employees. These people expect high interpersonal connectivity and create solutions to problems from fragments of interaction (Howard, 2008). This can really help us to be much better at tackling our everyday problems and customer related issues in a much faster more efficient manner.

However, social computing does have limits, and we have to be aware of those as well. For example, social computing does not take into account the managing process of our business. This is where our other technology will take the load and help us manage everything properly (Rigby, 2014). Social computing will allow us to create and maintain a better relationship with our customers and enable us to learn what items they like or want to buy. Such factors can play a huge part with the development and launching of new products. It can better aid us on which customers to target with information on such items as well.

Recommendations

Wireless, mobile computing, and mobile commerce is better suited for the company in that, it creates more exposure for the company and its products. Since wireless technology is not limited by physical barriers, the company can reach people from different geographic regions and present its products and services. It is however recommended that the company engage in activities that will make it easier to make its products and services easily available to customers’ in different locations. One approach would be to invest in good supply chain management which will ensure that customers can get the company products and services regardless of where they make the order from.

Technology Solution

Choosing a technology that can fulfill most if not all our companies’ requirements has been a very hard task, but I feel that my research has shown just what we need. Wireless, mobile computing, and mobile commerce is the best solution for the company because it creates a platform that makes it easy to not only engage with customers and employees but also helps the company to get constructive feedback. Through wireless technology, customers are able to engage with one another and discuss about the company’s products and services and how they impacted their shopping experience (Rigby, 2014). Employees on the other hand can use the same technology to communicate among themselves and also reach top management. Through wireless technology, a company becomes more engaging with its people and the relationship created makes it easier to identify areas that cause problems and also identify opportunities that can be exploited (Rigby, 2014). Such exposure is ideal for the company in that it makes it easier to resolve conflicts before they cause any permanent damage because customers and employees have the means to reach the relevant people within the company.

Other than assisting in conflict resolution, wireless, mobile computing, and mobile commerce makes it easier to reach the target audience and inform them about new products and services in the market. Since the company operates in a world dominated by technology, adopting wireless technology will help create better lines of communication that can be utilized to the benefit of the company (Rigby, 2014). The technology can be used to market new products, inform customers about changes in old products and also encourage the target audience to choose the company’s products over others in the market.

Overall Benefit

The overall benefit for introducing wireless, mobile computing, and mobile commerce in the company is seen through the exposure it creates for the company. Since technology is intended to help make life easier, it has been incorporated into most aspects of people’s daily activities. The use of wireless technology will therefore increase the number of people that the company is able to reach especially due to the introduction of features such as social media (Howard, 2008). The company will not only have better access to its target audience, it will also have a tailored tool to best meet their needs. Social media will enable the company to engage with customers, find out what opinions they have of the company and this information can be used to determine the best approach to take and achieve the most desired results. There is also the benefit of improved communication within the company (Howard, 2008). Interdepartmental and one on one communication will be enhanced by the technology and this will greatly enhance the quality of work done. The technology will provide employees with the tools needed to not only get the message but also discuss it among colleagues such that each individual knows what is expected when performing their duties. Having employees on the same page will enhance efficiency and improve the quality of production.

A move online will also position the company for future growth especially through the reach created by wireless, mobile computing, and mobile commerce. The technology will enable the company to reach customers across different geographic regions as it is not limited by physical barriers (Rigby, 2014). Customers from different parts of the world can access the company website or social media page and request its products or services. Rather than being limited to only customers that visit the business premises, the company will be able to offer its products and services online and have them delivered to the customers’ doorstep and this will further promote growth.

Basic Security Considerations

Security Features

A major precaution that the company should take to enhance security is to install firewalls to prevent hacking. With the qdoption of wireless technology, sensitive information stored is at a high risk as it can be stolen by hackers and used in ways that may affect the company and it's customers (Khosrowpour, 2004). To prevent such occurrences, it is recommended that the company invests in appropriate software meant to prevent outsiders from access in data stored on company servers. Since the aim is to increase efficiency, the technology should be safeguarded by antisoyware software and multiple firewalls that make it near impossible to access the data. Professionals should also be hired to ensure that the firewalls and anti-virus software are working properly and that they are effective in preventing unwanted access.

Third-Party Vendors

Even though data protection is crucial to the company, it's implementation should also have a positive impact and at the most affordable cost. It is therefore recommended that the company relies on data protection companies rather than having it in-house (Khosropour, 2004). Renting out the services is the most applicable approach as it reduces the cost of employing individuals to monitor the firewalls throughout. An external body will have better results as it specializes in the monitoring and maintaining firewalls. The experience and professionals hired by the data security firms will be of great benefit as they will be aware of what to look out for, signs of a possible data hack and how to go about recoveringnin the case a hacker manages to get access to the data

Internal Safeguards

Even though data protection is crucial to the company, it's implementation should also have a positive impact and at the most affordable cost. It is therefore recommended that the company relies on data protection companies rather than having it in-house. Renting out the services is the most applicable approach as it reduces the cost of employing individuals to monitor the firewalls throughout (Khosropour, 2004). An external body will have better results as it specializes in the monitoring and maintaining firewalls. The experience and professionals hired by the data security firms will be of great benefit as they will be aware of what to look out for, signs of a possible data hack and how to go about recoveringnin the case a hacker manages to get access to the data

References

Admin. (n.d.). Technology Fueled Retail at Kohl's. Retrieved from: https://corporate.kohls.com/news/archive-/2018/march/technology-fueled-retail-at-kohls-

Giannopoulos, N. (2012, May 15). Macy's Takes the Lead in Tech-Enhanced Shopping. Retrieved from: https://risnews.com/macys-takes-lead-tech-enhanced-shopping

Howard, C. (2008, April 11). Why social computing is good for your business. Retrieved from: https://www.computerworld.com/article/2536454/why-social-computing-is-good-for-your-business.html

Jaekel, B. (n.d.). Kohl's taps trendy social media content to drive handbag sales. Retrieved from: https://www.retaildive.com/ex/mobilecommercedaily/kohls-taps-trendy-social-media-content-to-drive-collaboration-sales

Jones, C. (2018, November 14). Macy's doubles down on tech, stores and it pays off with higher sales. Retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/11/14/macys-sales-rise-invests-both-online-and-stores/1997530002/

Khosrowpour, M., & Information Resources Management Association. (2004). Innovations through information technology: 2004 Information Resources Management Association International Conference, New Orleans, USA, May 23 - 26, 2004. Hershey, Pa: Idea.

Li, H., & Du, S. (2019, March 15). The Knowledge Mapping of Mobile Commerce Research: A Visual Analysis Based on I-Model. Retrieved from: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/6/1580/htm

Madsen, D. O., & Slatten, K. (2015, December 15). Retrieved from: https://www.cogentoa.com/article/10.1080/23311975.2015.1122256

Mains Street Web Design https://www.mainstreethost.com/web-design-services/

Osman, M. (2017, May 01). 5 Business Benefits of Social Commerce. Retrieved from: https://www.pixlee.com/blog/5-business-benefits-of-social-commerce/

Rigby, D. K. (2014, October 08). The Future of Shopping. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2011/12/the-future-of-shopping

Small Business Technology, Data and Cloud Solutions: SAP SME. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.sap.com/products/sme-business-software/technology-platforms.html#overview

What is Social Computing (SoC)? - Definition from Techopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/13852/social-computing-soc

Decision Matrix

Technological Requirement 4: Facilitate collaboration internally and externally (with staff and customers)	Technological Requirement 5: Manage customer contacts	Technological Requirement 6: Provide reporting	Technological Requirement 7: Manage the current brick-and-mortar processes (sales, payments, inventory, and customer contact)	Overall benefits of this technology to the company
	Yes	Yes	Yes	This allows the information the business to be more capable of organizing the data that flows in. It will also Make things easier to keep up with the inventory, as well as being more capable to handle oncoming orders efficiently.
Yes	Yes	Yes		The entire available products and services will be available to anyone who would like to view and purchase them. This gives the customer base a much more diverse range to choose from than what they could possibly find in a physical store. Customers can also have a much easier shopping experience from start until it arrives at their door.
Yes				This will allow for a much broader range of getting our products and services out there to the public. Consumers will display and talk about our products with anyone on their social feeds, which will in turn generate more customers.
Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Cloud computing will allow for mangers to track the business information from anywhere they may be. We can track all our in and outflowing data from multiple locations, and cloud computing will allow for much more file and data storage than just your average system can handle.
	Yes	Yes	Yes	This will be very useful in helping us to easily and efficiently analyze our data, and be more professional in producing reports for management. It will also play a big role in helping to keep track of our stock levels, and when we need to replenish or replace items.
	Yes	Yes	Yes	Having an intelligent system will make running the business that much easier. This type of system can help with keeping our reports properly managed, keep up with our customer contacts, and compile data tracking customer reports on our products.

4269 Words 15 Pages

. Changes in business environment

Two Technologies