...Before you begin this assignment, be sure you: 1. Have completed all previously assigned readings, particularly those assigned in Weeks 3 and 4 of the class. 2. Re-read the “UMUC Haircuts Case Study" and the Stage 1, 2 & 3 assignments, and review the “Walmart Example.” 3. Purpose of this Assignment This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply the concepts of this course to address the selection, planning, development, implementation and on-going management of a technology solution for the UMUC Haircuts business. This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcome to enable you to: * identify and plan IT solutions that meet business objectives Purpose of this Assignment This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply the concepts of this course to address the selection, planning, development, implementation and on-going management of a technology solution for the UMUC Haircuts business. This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcome to enable you to: * identify and plan IT solutions that meet business objectives Review Instructor feedback from previous assignment submissions. Overview of IT Solution and Next Steps for UMUC Haircuts For your Case Study Stage 1 assignment, you performed a Five Forces Analysis and justified Myra's chosen generic strategy for competitive advantage and the business process that she would like to improve through the application of technology. For your Stage 2 assignment...
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...Insert Name Insert Date CASE STUDY Business Strategy for Competitive Advantage for UMUC – differentiation – on operational process As a result of increased competition within the market, UMUC must develop competitive strategies that will ensure that it remains competitive within its market. UMUC can use any of the following porter’s generic strategies for competitive advantages of lower cost, differentiation or focus. These generic approaches are applicable to products or services in all industries and to different sizes of organizations. Porter’s generic strategies are methods of gaining competitive advantage or developing competitive edge that enables the company to increase sales (Ehmke, 2008). The Cost Leadership strategy will be applied if UMUC is able to increase profits by reducing costs while at the same time charge the industry average price. This will help increase the market share due to offering lower prices while at the same making reasonable profits. The use of focus strategy is where the company concentrates on a selected niche market. This is by understanding its dynamics and unique needs of the customers and developing products or services that exceeds expectations. This will create an aspect of customer loyalty and will lead to increased sales and profits. Differentiation strategy refers to the strategies manufacturers, retailers and service industries use to distinguish their products or services from...
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...UMUC Haircuts Case Study In 1995, UMUC Haircuts was opened by Myra Morningstar in a strip mall near the College campus. UMUC Haircuts started as a barbershop with one chair. Over the years, Myra has expanded her business to include hair styling for both men and women. Her business has grown to three barber chairs, three hair styling stations, and a shampoo station. In response to her customers’ requests, Myra would like to further expand her business by adding two stations for manicures. The small gift shop next door to her has recently come up for sale, and she is thinking about acquiring that area for manicures. When UMUC Haircuts first opened, it was the only barbershop within a ten-mile radius. It was one of the first businesses to open in the strip mall where it is located, and the number of customers has increased each year. Over the years a couple of other barbershops have opened around the area, and there is news that a Hair Cuttery (offering men’s and women’s haircuts and styling only) will open about 5 miles away. In the shopping center across the street, an expensive spa has now opened where hair styling is offered along with manicures. Just around the corner from UMUC Haircuts is a home with a sign offering manicures. While UMUC Haircuts continues to grow and profits are increasing, Myra is sure that she could improve her operation in the areas of scheduling, supply ordering, inventory management, collecting customer information, and marketing. Customer...
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...Before you begin this assignment, be sure you: 1. Have completed all previously assigned readings, particularly those assigned in Weeks 3 and 4 of the class. 2. Re-read the “UMUC Haircuts Case Study" and the Stage 1 & 2 assignments, and review the “Walmart Example.” 3. Review Instructor feedback from previous assignment submissions. Purpose of this Assignment This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge of the course concepts to develop IT requirements for a technology solution. This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes to enable you to: * analyze internal and external business processes to identify information systems requirements * identify and plan IT solutions that meet business objectives Purpose of this Assignment This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge of the course concepts to develop IT requirements for a technology solution. This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes to enable you to: * analyze internal and external business processes to identify information systems requirements * identify and plan IT solutions that meet business objectives Overview of IT Requirements for a System to Improve the Process at UMUC Haircuts For your Case Study Stage 1 assignment, you performed a Five Forces Analysis and justified Myra's chosen strategy for competitive advantage and the business process that she would like to improve through the application...
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...STAGE 1, UMUC HAIRCUTS CASE STUDY Professor Diana Hill University of Maryland, University College I. Introduction Myra Morningstar has been operating her expansive business, UMUC Haircuts, for nearly two decades. The business started as a barbershop, but grew into a full-scale hair salon. Recently, there has been a request for UMUC Haircuts to provide additional services from loyal customers, while businesses that could threaten Myra’s shop have been popping up in the local area. As a Systems Analyst, a look will be taken to determine how Myra can improve her business, improve business processes and allow UMUC Haircuts to maintain a competitive advantage over local rivalries. II. Five Forces Analysis a. Buyer Power i. The power that a customer and buyer has is high because without customers there is no business. It is strong when the customer has many options for services they are looking to receive. When the buyer power is low, the customer doesn’t have many option s and will pay what the current price is for the product. Right now buyer power is medium for UMUC haircuts since there is beginning to be competition in the area. With new competition opening up in the area, this could affect the competitive advantage in buyer’s power for UMUC Haircuts. If not addressed, it can have a negative impact on UMUC Haircuts and should affect Myra’s Cost Leadership strategy. b. Supplier Power ii. This is an extremely important aspect of the...
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...ISFM 300 Case Study, Stage 1 Business Environment Analysis Click Link Below To Buy: http://hwaid.com/shop/isfm-300-case-study-stage-1-business-environment-analysis/ Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the “UMUC Haircuts Case Study” and be sure to take a look at the “Walmart Example.” Overview of Business Environment Analysis for UMUC Haircuts UMUC Haircuts has been in business since 1995 and has seen an increase in competition from a variety of competitors, as described in the Case Study. With the news that a Hair Cuttery is likely to open only five miles away, Myra, the owner of UMUC Haircuts, is concerned and has begun analyzing her situation and what could be done to remain competitive in this changing environment. She has recognized that scheduling her employees and her customers is causing her problems, and she thinks she should focus on that first, as it is fundamental to her business. Myra also believes that there must be a technology solution that could help her run her salon, but she has no idea where to start. You are a Systems Analyst, and Myra has asked you to help her with determining how she can improve her business. Myra has requested, specifically, that youverify and provide added support to her own analysis that has resulted in the identification of a Strategy for Competitive Advantage and a Business Process for Improvement. This will be the basis for defining business and systems requirements for an IT solution.This Strategy...
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...UMUC Haircuts By Miriam Wright IFSM 300 23 January 2016 Introduction UMUC Haircuts has been in business since 1955 and has been doing well over the years due to the lack of competition in the area the salon is located in. Recently, there has been an increase in competition. A salon called the Hair Cuttery will be opening five miles from the salon and an upscale spa has opened in close proximity to UMUC Haircuts. Due to the recent influx of competition there is a major concern for the salon owner Myra Morningstar that her business will not be able to compete. It is imperative that Myra analyzes the facts presented to determine the best course of action that benefits the business and the customers. Porter’s Five Forces Competition in the industry UMUC faces competition from many rival enterprises including the expensive spa and Hair Cuttery (UMUC, 2015). Competitors are other entities in the same line of business as UMUC Haircuts. Rival competitors pose a negative impact to the business. Potential of new entrants into industry The threat of new entrants into the hair cutting business is real. The entry of an expensive spa is proof of new market entry. Additionally, knowing that a new hair cutting business will soon open also confirms market entry threats. This alerts Myra that there is urgent need to stop any new market entrants through the application of business strategies (Porter, 2008). New entrants will lower the...
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...Vernet 3/1/2014 Case Study Stage 5: UMUC Haircuts * Ms. Morningstar and her establishment are on the road to better. In my previous case studies, I proposed the implementation of two systems that would drastically change the work flow of UMUC haircuts for the better. The two systems I proposed were Setser which will be used for making appointments and Shift Planner which will be used for making the schedules for the employees. Basically what is needed is a computer , Smartphone or tablet so that it can be used. Both systems can be used with cloud computing so that both can be accessed for anywhere with Wi-Fi. Project Management Important that the supervision always keeps an eye on all schedules to make sure that all appointments are made correctly. All finances should be run through Ms. Morningstar at the end of the day for confirmations System Development Life Cycle Finding out what the problem area lies is the first step When analyzing the problem next step is to then find the solution, which here is scheduling and appointment making The two systems must be chosen by a series of comparisons. Which of the systems can do they work smoothly and efficiently from wherever (cloud computing) The next step is to train the people who will use the system so that they can use the systems efficiently. Next step is to implement the systems and document the increase in sales. Change Management When the systems are implemented into UMUC Haircuts, it is best to keep the...
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...Name: Assignment Due Date: UMUC Haircuts Case Study Annotated Outline of Next Steps (Stage 5) I. Proposed Technology Solution A. Utilize the TouchSuite to manage products B. Utilize Bar scanning of each product to check out and to in-process inventory C. Utilize employee ID’s, to track usage of products by employees D. Utilize TouchSuite notification services to notify management when inventory is below 5 items for a supply. II. Project Management A. Project team 1. Project Manager: UMUC Haircuts Shift Manager 2. Executive Sponsor: Myra Morningstar 3. Project Team Members: UMUC Haircuts Staff\Employees, 4. Supplementary Staff, as and when needed. B. Schedule 1. A detailed Schedule will be established by the Project Manager for TouchSuite implementation, based on planning that will be completed by the development team. 2. The schedule will include all required activities that will lead to project success. 3. It will include the detailed actions required by the steps of the SDLC and identify deliverables and dates that they must be completed. C. Resources 1. Monetary resource has been provided by UMUC Haircuts management. 2. Initial installation of the TouchSuite hardware and software will be installed by TouchSuite staff. 3. Based on the schedule and the tasks required at various times the project team will need augmentation from the UMUC Haircuts Staff for verification proof-of-concept ...
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...Case Study Stage 4: IT Solution and Next Steps By Deepak Jacobi University of Maryland University College ISFM-300 3710 I. INTRODUCTION UMUC Haircuts has asked for a technical analysis to be conducted on the business processes being used and how it can be improved via technical solutions. The requested business process to be examined and improved is customer and employee scheduling. UMUC Haircuts has chosen the Cost Leadership Strategy for Competitive Advantage. In the following paragraphs, a proposed solution will be discussed as well as the specifications, requirements, and use of the solution. II. PROPOSED IT SOLUTION The best solution for UMUC Haircuts to help manage customer and employee scheduling is Customer Appointment Manager by Atlas Business Solutions. Customer Appointment Manager is a system which allows a user to input and edit dates, times, and availabilities of employees in the salon. The user interface is easy to follow and understand, as well as, helpful to an individual whom has never used such software. This system is superior to other similar systems because in terms of IT requirements this system meets necessary needs. Customer Appointment Manager meets usability requirements in that it is easy to use for employees, scheduling of customer appointments can be done in a matter of seconds, and employee scheduling is quicker and easier. This system can handle high volume of usage, in the event of needed changes this system is extensible, and helps...
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