Green Systems, Inc.
Mobile sales tablet proposal
Charles Brooks, Willy Almazan, Nathan Gass, Christian Hawkins, Matthew Chau
University of Phoenix
CIS/207
11/06/2012

The Mobile sales tablet by Green Systems Inc is an amazing solution to the retail experience. By putting the mobility in employees’ hands to walk around and spend the entire experience with the customer it creates more of a bond that that customer will remember the next time they want to purchase. Employees can look up a multitude of things with the mobile devices and save time from having to do price checks, stock checks, and looking for product information. Employees are freed up to do other tasks they might not have been able to accomplish if they were stuck to a register. And the devices have many more applications for use than just that. Mobile device payment offers a way to inexpensively change the way your business develops. By removing the costly register systems and switching everything over to mobile units you free up space in the store that otherwise would have been taken up by registers, lines, and “in a hurry” Customers. Now we go to them. They don’t have to come to us. We bring not only our own knowledge in our heads, but so much more. With a few other additions to this system we can change the way retail is done. Not a moment is wasted to build an excellent customer relationship that keeps that customer coming back every time. Welcome to The Mobile Sales Tablet. In This proposal we will be discussing the following points: * A full description of the new system, a description of its components, and the benefit it will provide to Riordan * A discussion of the business requirements driving the need for the system * A discussion of the information used in the system * A discussion of any information security and ethical concerns with the system * A diagram of the information flow and any elements controlling proper access to the information it uses * A description of any proposed business process changes for the system along with flow diagrams * A specific discussion on any Internet and mobile access components of the system * A description of how specific business requirement would drive the project’s creation and use * A high-level discussion of how the system will be acquired and maintained * A discussion of the strategic role the system will play in the company * An executive summary of the project, succinctly summarizing the rest of the material in the paper
The conceptual design of a mobile sales tablet is to be ergonomic, eye appeasing and have the ability to establish a fast, effective customer experience when it comes to retail sales of a product. This device will have the ability to design custom home theater systems, car audio, and computer systems from the tablet then sent to the back of the store to be bundled together or installed/put together for an additional fee. The ability to check inventory and price check the competition is another added feature on the device. Since most are using “plastic” type payment systems the device will have a built in credit card slide reader as well as a “Google wallet” chip for those who are using Google wallet. While some still use the good ole fashioned cash a cash drawer is designed as a base for the tablet for those paying with cash. Unfortunately check will not be accepted. All purchase receipts will be sent via email to the purchaser as well as any rewards points earned in the transaction. All receipts will have a BCC to the corporate offices for safeguarding and warranty confirmation if needed in the future. This device will allow stores more room for their products by having less computer cash registers and more one on one sale with the customers.
With the iPad mini release as of November 2nd, this is the mobile device we have chosen to use for our proposal. The reason this device is more suitable to the environment is because of its lightweight design and its affordability. The iPad mini is cheaper and easy to hold and maneuver with less risk of dropping and damaging the device. There are a number of accessories for the device that allow the user to strap the device to their wrist and hold a stylus in order to streamline any number of processes and free up ones hands for other tasks such as grabbing items off the shelf. We will also offer a wireless headset that can, not only connect to the P.A. system of the store but allows employees to communicate with each other. Moreover, management would be able monitor the surveillance potential threat of theft to the nearest employee or ask for assistance with any problem or concern that may arise. Headsets at critical positions like the front door or any other areas where customers will need to be directed to can help identify the correct person to talk to for further assistance. Information can be passed efficiently between employees to speed up customer traffic and eliminate confusion, which could slow down the store.

Hardware Specifications for the iPad are as follows:
Hardware: The "Apple - iPad Mini - Technical Specifications" (2012) website * 7.9-inch LED-backlit Multi-touch display * 1024-by-768 resolution * Fingerprint-resistant oleo phobic coating * Dual-core A5 processor

The devices home button has been reconfigured to access the menu of any given window instead of moving to the home screen. This will prevent loss of information when the employee is connected into a secure program that allows you to take payments wirelessly for example.
Software will either be developed internally or acquired externally, to be determined during the first or second week of implementation.
Software:
* POS Software to be either created internally or contracted out depending on cost and which is more sufficient. * Time management software for employees to view schedule and see when breaks and lunches are scheduled. * Document viewing software to see product information, such as Pages by Apple. * Language, keyboard, dictionary, Siri support for a multitude of languages. * Other software to be implemented as need arises after implementation of mobilepay system into stores.

GPS will be needed for tracking in case devices go out of the store. IPad mini already has find my iPad for this purpose. Charging stations will be given to each store for overnight keep and recharging. Numbers will be assigned to each device and the inventory team on site will be responsible for theft or loss and accountability. Implementation of an example procedure could be number count every night before closing to ensure all devices are in store and put away properly. A check in and checkout procedure will be established for additional security.

As Modern retail stores become busier and busier, the need to find a new way to deal with this demand is required. The traditional register system has become outdated. Customers waiting in line can become annoyed and aggravated at the wait. The register does not allow the employee to answer all the customers’ questions and provide them with an amazing shopping experience. There is an opportunity and a need to redesign this system. Mobile devices have become the answer to that need. Instead of customers coming to employees, employees now go to them. The customer can drive the experience and get the information they need right in front of the products they are interested in. In an ever busier store mobile devices still keep interactions personal. Customers feel the employee is with them the whole way and that they have a connection with this person, which in turn leads the customer feeling as if they have a connection with the store. Employees in turn are able to speed up their work as well. They are no longer tied down to a register. They can do other tasks if necessary when not working with customers. They can educate themselves using the devices in their hands about the products they are selling. Information becomes much more easy to disseminate to all employees with our system. Time management is better. Employees have time right in their hands and can see their schedules and breaks. As found in nature there is no “register” in a beehive. Every bee works for the good and efficiency of the whole. Every bee is mobile and can perform a multitude of tasks. They have amazing ways to share information to the whole and not one by one. Our new system will mirror this efficient system and bring more profitability and efficiency to Best buy.
The information used in the system will be employee based, product based, and customer based. Employee based information will include logins for security and schedule based information. A database will be composed of product information that employees can use to look up anything concerning questions customers might have. This database can be updated as products change to keep employees having the most current information. The last part of information in the system will be customer based. This will include customer’s names and previous purchases and emails.
The need for security on any network is apparent. The prevention of eavesdropping and the desire for authentication is the focus of all networks. However, the problem that already exists is compounded when you add wireless networking to the equation. As wireless networking becomes more popular, the flawed security of most of those networks becomes more apparent. Our customers must be able to trust that their personal information cannot and will not be accessible by those that wish to extract privileged and safe guarded information. The mobile tablet device used for transactions involving customers is susceptible to third party hacking. That is why the essential focus of any company that utilizes this technology must recognize the need for security. The most important goal must be the complete anonymity of the potential customers during the transaction. That is why specific measures will be taken into account when implementing the new streamlining technology. Measures will be administered to prevent he leak of vital information so as to create trust between retailer and consumer. These measures include simple and complex means. First, the simple, disguise the network to avoid inadvertent traffic. Change the Service Set ID (SSID) of your wireless access point. A default SSID signals a potential open access point and attackers will typically start their wireless attack on those systems. Select an SSID that has little meaning to someone on the outside. Do not use an SSID that creates the perception of something sensitive or important. For example, an SSID named Bank AP is an open invitation to hackers that you have bank or cash related information on your network. Secondly, utilize the latest and greatest encryption tools. There are many companies out there devoted entirely to maintaining security of user’s devices, whether it is home PC or mobile device. Lastly, Turn off "Ad-Hoc" networking. This feature allows an intruder to access the network by going through your PC and your wireless connection. By maintaining profound security, the organization will be able to not only ensure continual positive customer feedback but also continue to grow the business.
Even the simplest implementation of wireless networking security must be taken into account. By changing the wireless network identification to reflect something as vague as a set of numbers rather than a complete identification of what that wireless network entails will deter potential thieves. Meaning that, an identification of Best Buy mobile purchasing is more likely to be hacked than that of a set of arbitrary number codes. This should virtually eliminate any potential passers by trying to obtain a wireless network to intrude upon customer’s personal information. This is the first step to creating a secure network used for conducting business. It may seem a little inane in nature but is crucial to maintaining overall security throughout the network. Additionally, enable the highest level of WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) supported by your hardware. Although WEP is not completely secure, it shall provide another hurdle for the intruder to overcome. This is accomplished by enabling WEP on the Access Point (AP) and your Tablet PC.
Encrypting of the network is the most important of the security features because it is designed to deter the more seasoned hacker. One particular piece of software that can be used is Becrypt DISK. According to Becrypt DISK’s description of the software, “Becrypt’s DISK Protect full disk encryption software has been developed to protect all information and data stored on tablet devices. Highly sensitive data can now be protected in the event of loss or theft delivering peace of mind for users.” (Becrypt, 2012). Becrypt also states that “DISK Protect software is compatible with a variety of tablet form factors and operating systems, allowing federal and state governments, healthcare providers, the defense sector and corporations to deploy the latest tablet with confidence. The Becrypt tablet solution provides an onscreen touch keyboard, to allow authentication without the need to attach an external keyboard.” This means that the software has proven capabilities across many different applications.
The Ad-Hoc enabled function content has the ability to allow the user to access almost all of the content upon the tablet device. The prevention for this is merely applying a setting to the tablet itself. Turn off "Ad-Hoc" networking. This feature allows an intruder to access the network by going through your PC and your wireless connection. If you need to use "Ad-Hoc" networking, only enable it when you need it and be sure to turn it off when done. This does not apply to the proposed usage of the mobile tablet device. The remedy for this is to install a time out feature, which automatically disables this content from anything other than a central IT department trying to access the tablet. When dealing with customers who value their personal information above all else it is imperative to adhere to this request. By maintaining a positive relationship with our customers and consistently abiding to a specific guideline, ensures that this movement of mobile purchasing equipment can continue to thrive and be the next wave in consumer practices.

The beginning of implementation will begin with server setup. A central database will compile all of the information we wish to have in the system and we will see what requirements are necessary to support our system. This will include things like software requirements, hardware requirements, supporting web pages and applications, etc. We will see how much is necessary to backup our information for security. We will also begin to see what security requirements are needed to keep our customers information secure. After the main server is done we will break down areas into smaller servers to speed up the process of getting information. We will use a “thirds model.” The United States will be divided between East Coast, West Coast, and Central areas. Each area will have a server between them and the main server so data can be accessed faster. We will begin the security checks on these as well. During this phase, we will be looking at what changes we may have to make to ensure these points of entry are compatible with already existing databases at each of the stores. The point of this part is to move seamlessly from these points into the store servers with little need for changes. The next part is store setup. Here is where we will connect the “thirds” servers with all the stores in their area. Each wireless network will be encrypted with a high level protocol that maximizes speed as well as safety. Employees will be given a login with a password to access the store server. Each device will be locked with a pass code not to be given out and to be changed periodically to protect security. Employees will change passwords periodically as well. Each password will have to meet the standards of “strong” to include one uppercase letter, one lower case letter, one number and no shorter than ten digits. The business process changes diagram outlines how we will plan to implement this process in a period of six weeks. Week one will begin with server setup. We will also begin the Applications development team to create the software on the mobile devices necessary to operate the system. The network setup team will work on computer components to include software and hardware for our system. In week two we will finish the servers and begin testing the network for security. The applications team will still be working on implementing all of the concepts we would like to include in our new system. Week three we will deliver the equipment to the stores. In this week we will also rewire the stores to support our new system. Changes will be made to things like points of sale, wireless encryption and support, and in store servers. Week four is soft launch for flagship stores. In this week we will address and correct the most immediate flaws and concerns and prepare the system for all stores. While this is happening our network team will be testing security all the way up and down the systems paths. Week five will have the applications team back for app fixes. We will take the feedback from the flagship stores and attempt to implement this into the system to improve it as a whole. We will do a final check of networks and servers to ensure they can support the volume of an all store launch. Week six will be the launch.
The Internet components will be logins for store employees charged with operating the system on their level. We will need an intranet system to check information and monitor security and other components. Staff will be at each server location with an intranet to monitor events there as well. Each store will have access to this for management in case more information is needed than can be viewed on a mobile device.
Green System’s mobile sales tablet is a technological advancement of its time. Utilizing the sales tablet’s functions, capabilities and applications contained within the hardware will improve and enhance the quality of life for the user and customer. We also want to let the consumer know our security implemented with the system are always up to date so no personal information will be stolen and not only the consumer but the customers as well. The relationship this will develop towards customers is a better interactive way to see their needs. Showing how much we care about clients, employee and customers is what we want to fulfill with this new concept of sales. We want them to enjoy the new experience so that they can keep coming back for more. We believe it will solve more problems for our consumers, employees and customers that utilize this product in their system. Everyone should be entertained and express interest in this product because it holds advantages for the future, there should be no limit to what you can do with the Green System’s mobile sales tablet.

* References * * Apple - iPad mini - Technical specifications. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/specs/ * * Becrypt DISK Protect. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.becrypt.com/assets/files/Becrypt_Tablet_Global

* Rainer, R. K., Jr., & Cegielski, C. G. (2012). Introduction to information systems:Supporting and transforming business (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

* Turban, E., & Volonino, L. (2011). Information technology for management: Improving strategic and operational performance (8th ed.). Hoboken, NJ:John Wiley & Sons.

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* Executive Summary * Overview
Mobile Pay System is a mobile payment method and device that frees up employees to interact and engage customers in a more dynamic way. By utilizing mobility with things like product knowledge, customer interactions, and employee stationing Mobile pay system changes the face of retail sales and creates a much more efficient atmosphere. * Problem
As large retail stores have increasingly higher traffic in store, POS systems increasingly become the impediment in efficiency for business. Registers keep employees tied down to one spot without being able to assist customers with products and perform other tasks in the store. Information is hard to disseminate on a large scale, clock in and out devices slow down employees coming on and off for work. Hardware is hard to keep up to date because of all the different ways to do things. Mobile pay system streamlines all of these processes while freeing up employees to be mobile, accomplish more, and be more efficient. * Solution
Mobile Pay system integrates the POS system, Punch clock, and product information into one single device. It streamlines a company by eliminating different systems and creating one easy to use, easy to update, easy to manage system that tackles all of these areas. * Opportunity
As retailer is being redefined by other companies with similar systems to Mobile Pay System, they are seeing ways in which mobile payment systems are cutting costs on hardware costs. Profitability is increased due to the nature of customers getting more attention where they are purchasing. Employees are moving more efficiently due to the mobile nature of their business. * Competitive Advantages * Ease of integration: Any merchant can use Mobile Pay System’s tools to quickly integrate the mobile technology into their retail stores and increase volume significantly. * Streamlining all processes: All processes from clocking in and out to registers and even distributing product information are now under one system that is easy to manage, easy to change, and less costly. Written Assignment Feedback Student/Group Name(s) Course CIS/207 | Date Assignment | Subject Matter: 20% * Key elements of assignments covered * Content is comprehensive/accurate/persuasive * Displays an understanding of relevant theory * Major points supported by specific details/examples * Research is adequate/timely * Writer has gone beyond textbook for resources | | Higher-Order Thinking: 20% * Writer compares/contrasts/integrates theory/subject matter with work environment/experience * At an appropriate level, the writer analyzes and synthesizes theory/practice to develop new ideas and ways of conceptualizing and performing | | Content/Development Organization Organization: 20% * The introduction provides a sufficient background on the topic and previews major points * Central theme/purpose is immediately clear * Structure is clear, logical, and easy to follow * Subsequent sections develop/support the central theme * Conclusion/recommendations follow logically from the body of the paper | | Style/Mechanics Format--10% * Citations/reference page follow guidelines * Properly cites ideas/info from other sources * Paper is laid out effectively--uses, heading and other reader-friendly tools * Paper is neat/shows attention to detailGrammar/Punctuation/Spelling--20% * Rules of grammar, usage, punctuation are followed * Spelling is correctReadability/Style--10% * Sentences are complete, clear, and concise * Sentences are well-constructed with consistently strong, varied structure * Transitions between sentences/paragraphs/sections help maintain the flow of thought * Words used are precise and unambiguous * The tone is appropriate to the audience, content, and assignment | |
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