Party Plates Database Integration Proposal
As Party Plates continues to experience unprecedented growth, we realized that we must maximize the efficiency of our operation. In an effort to deliver the highest level of customer service, and remain competitive in the retail market, Party Plates sales and accounting team conducted an efficiency study of the operation and the systems that support it. As a result of this analysis, we found that there was a need to upgrade our current sales and inventory tracking system. We are proposing that we transition from our current Microsoft Excel database to relational database software, Microsoft Access. Additionally, we will need to integrate collaborative software such as Microsoft SharePoint in the near future to best maximize the effectiveness of our new database.
As you know, we currently use Microsoft Excel to track our inventory and sales. Excel has been an effective management tool in the past; our current needs demand a management system that can manage multiple tasks with multiple users. Currently, we have many spreadsheets that in general do not merge or allow us to produce appropriate reports and can only be used by one person at a time. As our business grows, so will our staff and we will need to have a system that is multifunctional for many users.
Microsoft Access is a relational database system, which is capable of managing customers, suppliers, products and orders. It also will also allow us to create a variety of forms, queries and reports that will allow us in depth study, in every aspect of our operation to ensure that we are delivering a high level of service to both our consumers and our employees. For example, by using Access, we will be able to streamline order processing for the consumer and provide summary reports for the sales team. Furthermore, Party Plates will be able to keep records of