...GREGG OUELLETTE IFSM 300 UMUC Haircuts Stage 1 UMUC HAIRCUTS STAGE 1 29 JUNE 16 I. INTRODUCTION Myra Morningstar is the owner of the small business, UMUC Haircuts. It is a small shop in the college campus area and Myra is looking to expand her business to meet the needs of customers. In order for her to be successful in her new adventure she will need to consider the needs of her customers, use of technology, and competition with the new local competitor. Barriers to entry in the Hair Care industry are very minimal. When it comes to barbershops and salons, there are a few already in the area with a couple more potentials. High customer volume creates much competition in the market. The only barrier to entry is licensing. Barbershops and salons must have a business license along with a few permits (Barbershop Business Guide, 2014). The fixed costs are minimal and no special products are needed. Loyalty to barbers and hair stylists is moderate and incentives to use a particular provider are almost non-existent. The market is close to saturated and this particular area will soon become highly competitive. Threats of substitutes for UMUC Haircuts are moderate to low. II. FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS FORCE | EXPLANATION(Minimum 2 good sentences) | IMPACT (POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, or NEUTRAL) | AFFECT STRATEGY? (YES/NO) | BUYER POWER | UMUC haircuts is high due to different barber shops and spas choices that the customers have around UMUC haircutsThe buyer power will...
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...Before you begin this assignment, be sure you: 1. Have completed all previously assigned readings, particularly those assigned in Week 2. 2. Re-read the “MUC HUaircuts Case Study" and the Stage 1 assignment, and review the “Walmart Example,” beginning with "Background for Stage 2" on page 3. 3. Review Instructor feedback from the Stage 1 assignment. 4. Carefully review the Example shown following the Assignment instructions below. Overview of Business Process Analysis and Functional Requirements for 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 of technology. In the Stage 2 assignment, you will identify the inputs, processing, and outputs of Myra's selected business process. Those inputs, processing, and outputs form the functional (business) requirements for an IT system to improve the process. The first step in identifying the functional or business requirements for an information system is to develop the high level requirements that establish the scope of the system. Myra has selected the Customer and Employee Scheduling Process for improvement using an IT solution, and together you have identified the following high level requirements. The system must: • Allow employees to enter their availability and desired days/times to work • Allow Myra to review the employee...
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...| Usability | High | The web application has to be easy to use because although customers may receive services without utilizing the new system, the employees and Myra will need to use it every day. The rating of High was given because while a customer may call in to schedule an appointment, someone from UMUC haircuts will still be inputting the appointment into the web application. | Maintainability | N/A | The Schedulicity web application is a third party hosted application and therefore all the maintenance and coding is performed by the third party. N/A was given as a rating because Myra, her employees, and customers do not have to maintain any of the system coding and all modifications would be performed by the third party. | Scalability | N/A | Scedulicity is a web-based application that is already used by many other businesses and many of which are much bigger in size than UMUC haircuts. There is a lot of room for growth using the application which will make the addition of more employees and managing of scheduling easy even if Myra’s business grows much larger or even if she were to open additional locations. | Reliability/ Availability | Low | UMUC haircuts will need the system to stay up and running for as long as possible in order for its customers to schedule appointments at any time during any day. Myra relies on the application to be up and running in case any schedule modifications are needed and for the manual addition of call in appointments. I gave the...
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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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...UMUC Haircuts Stage 1 Since the opening of UMUC Haircuts in 1995, Myra Morningstar has seen an increase in customers and competition from a variety of competitors. Myra would like to expand her business into the gift shop area next door. To remain competitive, Myra recognizes that she needs to improve her current management practices in combination with better scheduling of her employees and customers and management of her supplies. Myra has hired a System Analyst to help her with determining how she can improve her business. FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS FORCE EXPLANATION (Minimum 2 good sentences) IMPACT (POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, or NEUTRAL) AFFECT STRATEGY? (YES/NO) BUYER POWER Customers buyer power is neutral.. Customer have the option to go to another competitor in the area. Neutral No SUPPLIER POWER Supplier Power is high. Supplies are going up in price. Myra has no means of finding cheaper prices. Myra has no control over suppliers. Negative Yes THREAT OF SUBSTITUTE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES Threat is neutral. Customer can let hair grow or get someone else cut their hair. Neutral No THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS Several businesses have open and one more will open within a 5 mile radius, Barrier entry is high because Myra has no IS. Negative Yes RIVALRY AMONG EXISTING COMPETITORS Threat of substitute services is high, Myra has no means of contacting customers and has no promotions to offer. Rivalry offering same services as Myra’s business. Negative Yes Strategy...
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...UMUC Haircuts Stage 1 University of Maryland University College 2016 I. Introduction Myra Morningstar the owner of UMUC Haircut’s has been in business since 1995. When Myra opened her salon in 1995 she had very few competitors in the area. Since opening UMUC Haircut Myra has seen a growth in competition from a variety of salons. There is also news that a Hair Cuttery may be opening five miles away from Myra’s salon. With the concern of growing competition in the area, Myra started to evaluate her existing environment and what could be done to help her to remain competitive. To help her to become more competitive and to grow her business Myra has hired a System Analyst. II. Five Forces Analysis FORCE | EXPLANATION(Minimum 2 good sentences) | IMPACT (POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, or NEUTRAL) | AFFECT STRATEGY? (YES/NO) | BUYER POWER | When the business is able to easily meet the needs of the buyer, the cost to serve the buyer is low. Buyers have a strong bargaining position when they have several options to choose from of the same product. Myra’s customers have several salons in the area that offered the same service as her salon. The buyer power has a negative impact on the business. The increase in options for her customers will affect her strategy because she will have to keep her prices low and spend more money on advertising. | Negative | yes | SUPPLIER POWER | Suppliers have a competitive advantage when they offer a product that very few suppliers offer...
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...300 UMUC Haircuts Stage 4 Click Link Below To Buy: http://hwaid.com/shop/ifsm-300-umuc-haircuts-stage-4/ Assignment: UMUC Haircuts Stage 4: Create a presentation that includes: I. An executive briefing in PowerPoint covering the following topics: (each bullet below should be represented by at least one slide) • Provide a title slide to introduce the project, including appropriate information about the ‘who, what, when and why’ of the presentation • Identify the Strategy for Competitive Advantage and the Business Process to be Improved • Identify the IT Solution you chose to improve the process and help UMUC Haircuts with their strategy for competitive advantage • Give an overview of IT solution components, IT Skills/Services & Business/Management Resources (NOTE: to obtain the most possible points in this area, a graphic representation of the solution is required – See Grading Rubric below) • State how the solution will improve the business process • Explain the business benefits of the solution (benefits in addition to improving the process itself) and how the solution will help achieve the strategy for competitive advantage • Review the IT considerations you determined to be most important in the Table in Stage 3. This would include any consideration that you ranked with high importance. Select up to 5 that you consider to be the MOST important. Briefly explain: o the impact on UMUC Haircuts – what...
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...Stage 1. Business Analysis UMUC I. Introduction In 1995, Myra Morningstar opened UMUC Haircuts, which was the only barbershop within a 10-mile radius. When she began her business in the strip mall by campus, she started with one barbers chair. UMUC Haircuts currently has three barbers chairs, three hair styling chairs, and a shampoo station. In order to continue to grow her store, Myra needs to get ahold of scheduling, supplies, customer info, and marketing. She currently is not using any kind of technology but is willing to start using it if it can be proven to be helpful for her business. II. Five Forces Analysis FORCE EXPLANATION (Minimum 2 good sentences) IMPACT (POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, or NEUTRAL) AFFECT STRATEGY? (YES/NO) BUYER POWER UMUC customers have a low switching cost, because they have options where they can get the same service, at relatively the same costs. This is an area that Myra needs to concentrate on to be sure to keep her clients. Negative Yes SUPPLIER POWER Supplier Power seems to be a low threat. This industry has many suppliers available so if the cost of supplies are rising it is time to seek out a new supplier who offers more competitive rates.. Positive yes THREAT OF SUBSTITUTE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES The threat of substitutes is strong. Customers can switch to other haircut chains, or home run services. Negative yes THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS Other business are opening in the area, which makes this...
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...UMUC Haircuts Stage 1 ISFM 300 Abstract A strategy for competitive advantage and improving a business strategy are fundamental for improving a business overall, as competition, customers’ expectations, technology, type, and quality of products and services are changing in time. This paper is analyzing UMUC Haircuts’ cost leadership strategy and improvement of customer and employee scheduling process, following Porter’s Five Forces Model. UMUC Haircuts Stage 1 I. Introduction The paper is a business environment analysis for UMUC Haircuts, at the request of Mrs. Myra Morningstar. UMUC Haircuts has been in business since 1995, and the news that a Hair Cuttery will open five miles away is concerning for Mrs. Morningstar, as she is trying to find ways to remain competitive in this changing environment. Mrs. Morningstar already selected a strategy for competitive advantage, using a cost leadership strategy. The business process that Mrs. Morningstar stated needs improvement is her customer and employee scheduling. The following pages will provide solid justification for Mrs. Morningstar’s strategy, for competitive advantage and the business process that she selected. Additionally it will help UMUC Haircuts enter the 21st Century standards, and able to survive in this competitive type of business. II. Five Forces Analysis Porter’s five forces analysis is a model that helps any business to understand “how competitive an industry is and to analyze its strengths...
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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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...UMUC Haircuts Stage 3 The implementation of a new scheduling web-based application, Schedulicity, will bring customer scheduling into the 21st century. The web based program will simply require internet service and a computer in order to access the online application from within the store. From the store computer, call in customers can be manually entered into the online scheduling application or the customer may schedule themselves from their own personal computer or mobile phone application. This technology system was specifically chosen for UMUC Haircuts because the cost for implementation and maintenance is very low and requires minimal resources aside from a computer and local internet connection. Myra will finally have customer scheduling linked to her employees schedules via the Schedulicity calendar her business will utilize for customer appointment times. This calendar will display the times Mya’s employees will be working in order for customers to select their desires hairstylist and time. Generic Strategy: Differentiation Strategic business area: Operations Management Process to be improved: Customer and employee scheduling | High/Medium/Low Importance or Relevance or Not Applicable (N/A) | Explanation for Ranking(minimum 2 sentences for each, linked to specific technology solution proposed) | Usability | High | The web application has to be easy to use because although customers may receive services without utilizing the new system, the employees and...
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...UMUC Haircuts Stage One Wesley Mantlo University Maryland University College Information Systems in Organizations (IFSM 300) UMUC Haircuts Stage One This report is based on gaining intellectual technology knowledge from a business standpoint. The Porters 5 Forces Analysis will be used as the beginning stage into this continuing project. UMUC Haircuts will be used as the background story to gain real world experience through creating solutions around Porters 5 Forces Analysis. This report is written in stages with gradual information given as is required. Stage II, minimally explains the forces, how they are relevant to the UMUC Haircuts, Impact and whether or not it will impact the strategy. Porters Five Forces are: Buyer Power, Supplier Power, Threat of Substitute Products or Services, Threat of New Entrants, and Rivalry among Existing Competitors. Buyer Power is the force that the buyer has on a product. UMUC Haircuts will want to bring in the most amounts of customers to gain the financial footstep in the Haircut industry. This is a positive impact and can affect the strategy. Supplier Power is big in the Haircut industry, especially as it pertains to personal hygiene. This is a positive impact and will affect the strategy. The threat of Substitutes in this industry is high with a neutral impact and does not affect the strategy. Generally, people who cut other peoples hair are personal friends or a fad and there is always months of opportunities where...
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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 & 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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...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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...UMUC Haircuts Business Analysis University of Maryland Abstract UMUC Haircuts is a struggling business near the university campus. Myra Morningstar has expanded her business over the last 20 years to men’s and women’s hair and currently operates the three chair salon while employing seven part time employees. This outdated business suffers from a lack of organization amongst employees, lack of supply coordination, inventory management, lacks marketing and customer relations. New business within the area could potentially take clients away from UMUC Haircuts without proper change. Concerns UMUC Haircuts has a steady customer return with scheduled appointments and many walk-ins. Due to scheduling conflicts with part-time employees the walk-in clients are often turned away. These clients can then go to one of the hair care places in the local area and this issue will dramatically increase once a the new Hair Cuttery opens up potentially taking clients away. Inventory management is non-existent with employees using supplies when needed and orders only happening on a “remembered” basis. If inventory of hair care supplies is depleted, employees will not be able to satisfy the consumer thus ensuring their return. Supply chain management is also in need of assistance. Due to UMUC Haircuts sporadic ordering habits and often under pressure orders, the lowest price is not always attained. UMUC Haircuts has no marketing plan in place and customer’s information is not...
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