Technology Solutions

The scope of the project will involve setting up an online strategy that will include a shopping platform, inventory management, order, and payment processing.  The project will also provide integration to the physical stores through customer records management and generating reports.

Technology One

Wireless and mobile computing technologies offer part of the technological platforms through which the system will run. These technologies will allow users to conduct e-commerce transactions, including tracking of orders.  Other than customer data management, businesses can leverage these technologies to access trends in mobile commerce purchases such as traffic and trends. Employees and senior managers can access this data quickly and implement appropriate inventory processes.

Wireless technology will allow employees to carry portable scanners and billing equipment used to process sales and track inventory accurately and efficiently. The use of mobile computing technologies in physical stores will also quicken access to information to customers.

Technology Two

According to Nobles, et al. (2014), big data offers businesses a tool for knowledge management that allows capture, storage, and querying of information in convenient forms that can be accessed by various employees in the organization. The report can be utilized in the future in creating market segments and target customers based on demographics and shopping behavior.

Wireless and mobile technologies offer customers and businesses ubiquitous access to information and business services. These technologies provide mobile convenience in e-commerce that allows the customer to order and pay for products far away from a physical store.

Big data and knowledge management offer solutions to the technological requirements of a business, with the exception of reporting. These technologies can be utilized to predict specific outcomes by exploiting internal and external data collected from the users. The data is securely and efficiently stored for further analysis and generating reports using knowledge management technologies. Collectively, these technologies provide platforms for customization of customer services while ensuring the security of user data.

Recommendations

Technology Solution

Big data, knowledge management, wireless, and mobile computing technologies offer an amalgamation of an online strategy that leverages mobile data, which can be improved continuously improved. The implementation of these technologies provides an efficient and cost-effective technological solution in the long-term. Integrating wireless technology, mobile computing, and big data knowledge management provides security and privacy of user data as well as easy management and processing. Strategic information will be available on-demand for both the employees and decision-makers. Big data and knowledge management offer tools to perform data processing, including searching, sorting, and analysis, which can be em in analyzing purchase behaviors. These reports can be employed to provide a tailored experience and improve customer satisfaction. The solutions require a reliable and dedicated wireless network with access points and sales equipment such as portable scanners in the physical stores. A dedicated database system will be connected to the point of sale software that will capture and store data. The system will require a trained workforce who will utilize technology and build new infrastructure.

The e-commerce platform will run via a website that will track orders and process payments. The website will be secured by Secure Socket Layer security certificate that will encrypt server-client communications and ensure the security of user data, including credit card information. The project setup is expected to increase the general productivity of the business. Improvement in customer satisfaction, the addition of online-based traffic, and sales are expected to increase revenues.

Overall Benefit

The proposed solution offers a platform that will influence the growth of sales in online stores as well as streamlining processes in brick-and-mortar stores. An e-commerce strategy that includes a website and mobile applications will be used to create a customer-centered process that will tailor services to customers based on their purchasing behaviors. The solutions are expected to attract repeat-purchasers and positive revers that will attract new customers. User reviews and recommendations are also a crucial model for the promotion of the business and products as well as allowing customers to send feedback.

The final solution offers customers customized and convenient services by leveraging big data and knowledge management technologies. The user data, including brand preferences and individual tastes, are collected, sorted, and processed to be used in the reward. The individualized services create a personalized channel for communication, which improves satisfaction and encourages employees to dedicate themselves to the customer. Big data, wireless technologies, and knowledge management platforms offer the business tool via which they can collect information, including contacts and purchase behavior, which can be used to send sales adverts and promotions.

Retailers can make use of big data to offer excellent customer experience through a reward system that tailors services to individual customers. Customers are registered and given reward cards through which they can be identified, their purchase behavior tracked, and their services customized based on purchase behavior. The platforms have the capability of identifying members to whom targeted advertisements, promotions, and coupons are sent based on their past purchases. The system will also allow customers to order products that are out of stock from the nearby stores. The system offers convenient services that are expected to increase customer satisfaction and sales.

References

Ireland, K. (n.d.). How Nordstrom Uses Technology to Manage Customers. Retrieved September 24, 2017, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/nordstrom-uses-technology-manage-customers-32287.html

Nobles, T. L., Mattison, B. L., Matsumura, E. M. (2014). Horngren’s financial and managerial accounting (4^th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, In