Impact of Information Technology on Business Operations of Marks and Spencer (GC01627)
Executive Summary
The term ‘Information Technology’ brings innovation to a business where innovation is a key way for the success of a business. Marks and Spencer (M&S) is the selected retail organization for this assignment which is a large and famous British multinational retailer mainly sells fresh food products and high-quality home products and clothing items. This assignment provides a literature review on where the role of IT in the retail industry, different types of networking technology, ethical and social issues of using technology and the importance of the internet and intranet in business are described. In addition, this assignment provides an analysis and discussion section where the role of IT in M&S, different types of information systems used in M&S, networking technologies used in M&S, ethical and social issues faced by M&S to use technology, the importance of both internet and intranet in M&S and different stages of SDLC are described.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction.
1.1 Purpose.
1.2 Background.
2.0 Literature Review.
2.1 Information technology and its role in retail
2.2 Different types of networking technology.
2.3 Ethical and social issues of using technology.
2.4 Importance of Intranet and Internet in business.
3.0 Analysis and Discussion.
3.1 Role of Information Technology in M&S.
3.2 Types of information systems used in M&S.
3.3 Networking technologies used in M&S.
3.4 Ethical and social issues faced by M&S to use technology.
3.5 Importance of Internet and Intranet in M&S.
3.6 List and explain different stages of the system development life cycle.
4.0 Conclusion.
5.0 References.
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
According to Joshi (2017), Information Technology (IT) means the study, implementation and development of the computer-based information system. The term ‘Information Technology’ brings innovation to a business where innovation is a key way for the success of a business (Senn, 2016). Marks and Spencer (M&S) is the selected retail organization for this assignment which is a large and famous British multinational retailer that mainly sells fresh food products and high-quality home products and clothing items (M&S Annual Report, 2017). Firstly, this assignment provides a literature review. In the literature review role of IT in the retail industry, different types of networking technology, ethical and social issues of using technology and the importance of the internet and intranet in business are described. Secondly, this assignment provides an analysis and discussion section where the role of IT in M&S, different types of information systems used in M&S, networking technologies used in M&S, ethical and social issues faced by M&S to use technology, the importance of both internet and intranet in M&S and different stages of SDLC are described.
1.2 Background
Marks and Spencer (M&S) is the leading multinational retailer with a unique and strong brand image and brand values where a number of skilled and experienced staff work for this retail organization to make its customers satisfied with good customer service and quality products (M&S, 2019). It is a large and famous British retailer that mainly sells fresh food products and high-quality home products and clothing items. Currently, M&S has about 959 stores in U.K. where about 615 stores just sell food products (M&S Annual Report, 2017). However, it was confirmed on 22 May 2018 that more than 100 stores of M&S will be closed by 2022 because of the “radical” plan. M&S has an IT department that manages all of the business operations smoothly by increasing business efficiency.
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Information technology and its role in retail
According to Jordan (2017), successful business organizations always belong to IT because the key role of IT is to facilitate creativity and success in a business. In addition, the business organizations that focus on computerized information or IT in terms of selling products, maintaining customers, billing products and others are known as technology businesses. IT has become a significant factor for retailers. According to Nirico (2018), nowadays retailers need IT for different purposes. First of all, retailers focus on IT because it increases the ability of a retail organization by enhancing business speed and flexibility. On the other hand, IT plays a key role in retail by analyzing and collecting customer data. In addition, retailers need a system working in their stores to ensure the effective use of inventory and stock by improving the business process. Thus, IT plays a significant role in the retail industry.
2.2 Different types of networking technology
According to Rackley (2017), networking technology is a kind of technology where two or more two computer systems are interconnected to communicate information with each other. Business organizations focus on different types of networking technologies to increases business speed and flexibility, and also make the business process effective. Business organizations have to share important files and information from one department to another department or from one store to another store through using networking technologies. According to Bourgeois (2016), most business organizations focus on LAN, WAN, MAN, SAN and VPN networking technologies. Organizations use LAN (Local Area Network) as it connects two or more two computers to share information. In addition, by using the routers LAN connects WAN (Wide Area Network) and this is also used by businesses to share business information safely (Bourgeois, 2016). MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) is the networking technology (larger than LAN and smaller than WAN) that is used by business organizations to cover the entire geographic area of an organization…………………….
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