System Analysis Development Strategy

As the team investigated a development strategy for Glamping World, it is important to consider all potential developmental options including Custom Development, a Packaged system, or Outsourcing. When considering custom development, it is apparent that this method would not the most beneficial option for Glamping World. Glamping World’s demand is not uncommon, and there are no current employees with the technical expertise to design and generate a system. While Glamping World does have the capabilities to form these skills, there is no experienced project manager or strategies to work on this internal development. There is also a time aspect, implementation of a Custom Development system would take too long, therefore it is not a viable option. The final option the team examined for Glamping World was outsourcing the software.

Glamping World’s core need is improving customer relationships, inventory management, and a basic ordering system to effectively capitalize sales and minimize expenses. Glamping World only has a seasonal customer basis therefore it only needs seasonal project skills during the busy seasons. While Outsourcing is a reasonable option due to the system development process, the team decided that the best developmental option for Glamping World is to implement a packaged system. Glamping World’s business needs are common to those of many companies in several industries, therefore a horizontal application would be ideal. The office manager would be able to coordinate with the suppliers of the package system, ensuring that it will be implemented over a short time frame. The package system is the most ideal solution for Glamping World.

System Platform

Along with the development strategy, the team evaluated the various systems platform that Glamping World could potentially chose to help operate their business, ultimately narrowing it down to Web-based Systems and Windows-based Systems. With the Windows-based system, there are many benefits such as data security due to the internal system and server, and low operational costs. Also, internet access is a large problem for many companies which the for the Windows-based system is not an issue. While a Windows-based system has advantages in many areas, there are several disadvantages of this platform.

Due to software and hardware requirements, there is a reigning compatibility issue. Windows-based Systems requires a large amount of computer capability, resources, and hardware. With this platform, it is also more susceptible to loss of data because of limited backup options. With Glamping World’s operations and needs, a web-based system would be best suited due to easy online access, decreased need for high computer capabilities and necessity of resources. Web-based systems are common, therefore there is a possibility, it is dependable due to the testing by past users. Glamping World would benefit from the web-based system because of the scalable capabilities for the peak seasons. To run a Web-based system, both internet and computer security are necessary which could be challenge for Glamping World.

There must be trusting relationship with the supplier to protect any information that Glamping World may have about their customers. Web-based systems will also have a continuous cost for accessibility and constrained flexibility. Due to the Web-based system’s value adding and essential capabilities, the team advocates that Glamping World implements this system platform. Type of SystemThe system type, that Glamping World is requesting, is vital to the choice of implementation software chosen. Vertical and horizontal applications are the two system types that were analyzed. Vertical applications are developed to handle information requirements for a specific type of business. Horizontal application can be used by many different types of organizations. Vertical applications can be beneficial because increased efficiency and allows a smaller number of users. It allows a company to have a competitive edge because of the customizable capabilities that can be change and tailored to the organization’s needs.

With Glamping World’s current and future operations, it is not necessary to have such a specific system design when horizontal cover’s all its business needs. Vertical systems have many disadvantages including integration difficulties, requiring further updates and IT services, and high implementation costs. Having a broad scope of software, horizontal applications are more applicable for small business, like Glamping World, because of pricing, compatibility, and reliability. A disadvantage of horizontal application is the common platform which would not be specific for Glamping World’s type of business. Glamping World has the potential to take advantage of the horizontal application and use all the capabilities that it offers. The team concluded that a horizontal application would be the most beneficial for Glamping World.

Technical Analysis

From the beginning, Glamping World technical operations were flawed and inefficient. Currently transactions are recorded on an Excel document, which is cross-referenced when updating inventory. If this Excel document is inaccurate, Glamping World is unable to properly forecast. Glamping World has difficulty maintaining daily operations, which delegates no times for strategic planning. In performing a technical analysis, the team must consider the risks involved with the current operations and select an information system (IS) that can help mitigate those risks and expand opportunity. The risks associated with the current hardware, software, and network factors will allow the team to choose the best system.

Glamping World’s seasonal tourism/retail business would require a system that would be quickly implemented to avoid disrupting seasonal sales. The team has decided the horizontal application of a packaged software system would provide these capabilities. Glamping World would benefit from the short implementation time, and business management potential of this application. After assessing Glamping World’s requirements, the team recommends ERPAG, a cloud-based ERP system. Glamping World’s technical requirements include inventory management, transaction (sales) management, and, most importantly, customer relationship management. ERPAG will allow inventory management process to be efficient and accurate. Inventory will be recorded Just in Time (JIT), or nearly the same moment that it has been processed, avoiding stock outs. With accurate inventory recording, purchasers can better look at trends and manage their supply accordingly.

Under the current customer transactional and relationship processes, Glamping World is unable to manage the amount of traffic and will not be able to expand under these conditions. As opposed to one employee processing all transactions, ERPAG can be better managed within the office or via mobile device with the sale management system. Currently, Glamping World attracts customers primarily on a return or referral basis. The CRM system will categorize and manage the current customer base and aid the expansion of clientele. The team suggests using the CRM’s customer portal to advertise services and promote vision. A website will give awareness to potential purchases by monitoring high traffic on the website.ERPAG can be accessed on mobile devices anywhere in the world, which will be useful if the computer is being used. This software is also pairable with Google applications, including calendar, mail, drive, and more. Any potential software or hardware crash will be backed up by the cloud-based system automatically. However, as ERPAG is a web-based application, the team recommends that Glamping World has access to high speed internet for best results.

Economic analysis

The ERPAG system is recommended to address the operational issues within Glamping World. There are several, tangible and intangible, costs and benefits that the system can bring to the company’s operation economically. Firstly, ERPAG will bring many benefits, Glamping World is seeking. A benefit of the new system is, it can accept orders from customers after 5 pm closing time with its Sales management feature. The customers experience will be enhanced since it will be more convenient to place an order at any time. Moreover, when customers place an order request, the ERPAG can automatically check inventory and apply discounts for low-sale products and the loyalty customers. The system can fulfill the requirement of a “lean and mean” order process by decreasing the need to hire more employees, cutting down on hiring and overtime costs.

Another benefit that ERPAG will bring is a database of customers and inventory that is easy to access, manipulate, and import data from existing excel files. By having a customer database, the ERPAG enables Glamping World to create a loyalty program. For example, there would be an automatic percentage off for any customer who spend over a certain amount. Moreover, the Purchase suggestions feature also suggests additional products based on the items in the shopping cart and recommends a list of products based on past purchases. These two functions would increase possible purchasing and boost sales for Glamping World. Also, by having the Shipping feature, the system allows shipping to be an option and electronically forward the shipping information to the third-party freight company. An online gateway payment, which allows several credit card types, would create convenience for customers by having different payment methods. Additionally, the Inventory feature would solve various information integrity problems.

The information system automatically updates the inventory level and have a low-inventory alert when the level drops below a set number. There is an optional Automatic Purchasing Order Creation feature, in which the system will reorder items when the current inventory is below a selected value. Also, the Glamping World could increase its ability to monitor its suppliers by the Multiple-suppliers feature. This feature has a built-in logic, which performs AHP analysis to consider multiple attributes and costs of each supplier. Finally, with the new information system in place, the company can receive and record customer invoices automatically and electrically.

Although the benefits are significant to Glamping World, it is important to consider the costs of implementing this system. The system requires an installation and development cost as well as new software licensing and fees. Moreover, there will be a training cost so employees use the system properly. In the future, when the operations grow, it is important to consider the scalability cost. The cost can vary from $79 per month to $149 per month depending on number of users. During the period of implementation, the company will stop operations and will not be generating revenue. It is important choose a slower season to start the implementation. Some of the intangible cost could be frustration in learning and customizing the new system. Overall, considering the costs and benefits of ERPAG, the system is a suitable option that will leverage the operation of the Glamping World.

Organizational Analysis Glamping

World has traditionally been unorganized in handling the day-to-day process of the business, currently having an inadequate design in the overall operations of the company. The team has determined that by implementing the cloud-based ERP System, ERPAG, Glamping World will be able to more efficiently and effectively manage their business operations. Firstly, ERPAG will allow Glamping World to customize modules to the specifications of the company. This system is straightforward to operate, once employees receive basic training over the system. ERPAG is available in three different deployment forms: Cloud, SaaS, and Web. It is imperative that Glamping World adjust their current handling of operations, if the company wishes to expand their business.

The current system of manually recording business transactions by using excel can be done far more efficiently with the application. This system will impact Glamping World as it creates structure within the organization and makes the day-to-day operations much easier. ERPAG will allow the company to get information to their clients more efficiently and make sales operations for the corporation more effective. It is recommended that Glamping World implements and provides basic training services to its employees to maximize the ERPAG system.