Table of Contents INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1 LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................1 1. Information technology and its role in retail business in general...........................................1 2. Different type of networking technologies.............................................................................1 3. Ethical and social issue of using technology in general..........................................................2 4. Importance of Internet and Intranet in business in general.....................................................2 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...................................................................................................3 Role of Information technology in Marks and Spencer..............................................................3 Types of networking technologies that used in M&S.................................................................4 Ethical and social issue in the selected business.........................................................................4 Importance of Intranet and Internet in Marks and Spencer.........................................................4 Various stages of system development life cycle.......................................................................5 CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6 REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
INTRODUCTION Information technology refers to the information system to store, find, convey and influence information or data. IT has become central requirement for any major that includes an apprehension of digital devices, multimedia and networking system that are crucial part of IT curriculum. This individual report aims to evaluate use of information technology and covers how this contributes to retail businesses in UK, specifically Marks and Spencer. The study will investigate role of IT and ethical and social issues associated with the use of technology. Along with it, study will summarise importance of intranet and internet with different stages of system development. LITERATURE REVIEW 1. Information technology and its role in retail business in general (Lloyd, 2017) defined Information technology as a learning, scheming, development, Implement, assist and manage software application or information system that is computer based. Retail sector is one of the fastest and powerfully growing market in the world. IT passes necessary information to the part of society as well it helps the retail businesses to identify consumer's need, wants and demands effectively to provide them excellent services that enhance consumers experience. Furthermore, (Lunnay and et. al., 2015) stated that it enhance flexibility and ability of the company it responds to the developing marketplace as information and technology enable companies to speed up their process. Information technology also improve the warehouse management system. Various kind of technology in retail business are employed in order to achieve maximum output. (Mason, 2017) present their view as technology have to led to enhance in the speed of production as well as accuracy. Also, it enables companies in retail sector to gather real time information of potential consumers. According to (Rajaraman, 2018) IT has a great role to play in marketing the products and services and changes the in-store experience of customers from traditional to modern technological services. 2. Different type of networking technologies Networking technology defined by (Van de Poel, 2016) as the use of connected systems through wireless connections, satellite and optic cable to handing over various information or data, resources and communications across the world. Generally following are the kinds of networking technologies; 1
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(Waser and et. al., 2016) the very first and basic networking technology is PAN that also called as personal area network that organised in a single building through wireless modem. According to (Lloyd, 2017) second type is LAN stands for Local area network that is wider and bigger than PAN. LAN able to connect computers through Ethernet cables within two or more buildings. The third type of networking technology is MAN (Metropolitan area network) that connects wide area from LAN and connect two more devices or computers that are apart but resides in the same city or different cities. Wireless local area network is similar to the LAN in terms of application and able to connect devices without relying on physical cables. Fifth one is WAN that defined by (Lunnay and et. al., 2015) Wide area network inhabits wider geographical area that covers the whole world. Wide area network incorporate multiple smaller networks involving MAN, LAN, WLAN, etc. 3. Ethical and social issue of using technology in general According to (Rajaraman, 2018) ethic is the basic principle of provide an understanding to the individual what is right and wrong in terms of making decisions and taking actions to guide the behaviour. (Van de Poel, 2016) stated that ethics related to technology called as techno-ethics that is interdisciplinary area of research that is focused on all the ethical and moral element of technology in businesses and society. The biggest issue raise in technological utilisation in general is misuse of technology, chances of breaking privacy and confidentiality of the information of a person, ethical issues, etc. Use of technology is very sensitive action and businesses are required to take care that it directly or indirectly do not harm social values and norms. Another issue mentioned by (Mason, 2017) is that, business face issue in striking balance between economical, technological, ethical and social consideration. Some major issues present by (Waser and et. al., 2016) that associated in using technology are; Cyber crime, Non violation of associated rights and privacy amidst information excavation under information technology, issueinIntellectualpropertyrights,legalissuesintechnologies.Technologycanaffect employees or consumer's personal privacy, hacking issue and data access issue is also a common issue in using technology. 4. Importance of Internet and Intranet in business in general In simple words, Intranet defined by (An article on information technology,2019) as an internal application of technologies that is developed from Internet. Intranet is kind of warehouse for storage and retrieval of the information in business that is significant and vital for the 2
organisation.Themainaimofintranetinbusinessistoshareinformationwithinthe organisational structure and computing among staff. It is effective and important in changing the internal communication way within the business and promoting; video conferencing, online electronic forms, telecommunication, etc. Intranet is more private and restricted that can be access by authorised employees only. On the other hand, Internet is defined by (Waser and et. al., 2016) as global and public communication network that offer direct connectivity to any person over LAN. Internet enables business to expand their operations and functions through online store and expand the reach of company towards the potential consumers. Along with it, (Van de Poel, 2016) also mentioned that Internet is important in enhancing consumer experience and services by the businesses. Internet serves business through developing opportunities for networking, marketing and sales. Internet helps business in gathering information and interact with consumers. Internet also bring changes in marketing techniques and tools in business and provide a platform of social media or digital marketing to market and promote the products and services. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION Role of Information technology in Marks and Spencer Marks and Spencer is the largest retailer in UK with over 20 million consumers. The business is one of the most technological advanced retail sector. RFID technology utilise by the company that has drawn a great deal of attention. This technology allow company to enable barcode and counting of products automatically (Lunnay and et. al., 2015). M&S utilise information technology and management across a wide array of activities thereby responding to changing requirement of consumers. Information technology enable company to unveiled new technological transformation programme that aims to turn high street unit store into an online store or e-commerce store. Electronic point of sale link the store to the distribution network through adjusting inventory, recording sales and provide information that influence purchasing decision of consumers. Information technology role in Marks and Spencer is to enhance consumer experience and the way through which company operates in the domestic as well as in theglobalmarketplace(MARKS&SPENCERANNOUNCESTECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMATIONPROGRAMME,2019).Alongwithit,theprocessfromwarehouse stocking to delivering it end-users made easier through information technology. Another role of 3
IT in M&S is to increase in-store experience of consumers. Company also introduced mobile application for their potential consumer from where they can make purchase from anywhere and anytime. Types of networking technologies that used in M&S As discussed above various types of networking technologies such as LAN, WAN, WLAN, PAN. Marks and Spencer generally utilise their day to day operations within the organisation through Local area network that connects various store in the city (Rajaraman, 2018). Along with it, the company operates through wide area network under single network infrastructure.ThenetworkingtechnologiesboostproductivityofMarksandSpencerby standardization key finance and human resource across oversees operations. M&S also utilise computer based information system for planning, controlling, decision making, controlling and problem solving. Ethical and social issue in the selected business There are many factors and issues face by Marks and Spencer in terms of ethical and social term. The issues affect the company how they operate in domestic and at global market. The technological utilisation brings many challenges toward the company to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of employees and consumers. One of the issue faced by company is contact less payment issue, in which consumer claimed that contactless payment chain take money from cards without intended for payments, M&S investigate the security and on which levelthisissueishappenedandresolvedsuccessfullyafterintegratingarobustsystem (Rajaraman, 2018). Company also faces breach of data contract between two parties that lead the company towards legal issues. Importance of Intranet and Internet in Marks and Spencer M&S utilise various tools of internet that assist the business to become digital-first business and deliver an improvement in consumer experience. Internet also designed to develop a faster, agile and commercial technology that foster the growth of business. Intranet improved the communication process in the business that enhance the coordination of various departmental function. Through internet, Marks and Spencer shifted to online shopping that also associated with various online sites such as ASOS (Van de Poel, 2016). The internet improves high street retailing experience and intranet provide better shop window. Along with it, the technology also 4
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enable M&S to identify the market and consumer need and track the changing behaviour of clients that assist them in developing strategies. It also enables business to serve the consumers 24*7 that enhance brand loyalty and engagement. Intranet allow Marks and Spencer to connect within-storestaffandenhanceinternalcommunicationthroughstaffnews,memos, announcements,etc.ThroughInternet,M&Slaunchedtheirofficialwebsite www.marksandspencer.com. Along with it, Internet also enable company to market through high profile media campaigns that raise the profile of company (Mason, 2017). Intranet and Internet provide the business a competitive edge that positioned Marks and Spencer on the top from its competitive rivalry. Various stages of system development life cycle System development phenomena refers to various phases that applies to a range of hardware and software constellation. Following are the stages that implies in Marks and Spencer during development of any software system or application; Planning-In the system planning stage, the developer of M&S outlines the plan of development of application or system. It is also essential to consider the strength, weakness, threat and security of software or system. Analysis-After planning, system developer of M&S analyse feasibility of software according to the requirement of end-user and also required to have an understanding of the need of business and process (Lunnay and et. al., 2015). Design-After analysing the need, designing process is done with considering architecture and aspects of the software/application/system, security level, consumer's requirement. Implementation and Development-The development stage actually and practically starts from this stage after having illustrated and complete design for the system. In the present stage design implement through coding into source code. Integration and Testing-In this stage all components and subsystem of the system brings together to develop whole integrated system. Through testing developer of M&S ensure that the system met the satisfaction level of customers. The process of testing can be done through end users of the system or application or by the specialized personnel team. Maintenance-The development stage is not just end at the final development, developer of Marks and Spencer is required to do periodic maintenance check so that they can 5
ensurethatthesystemwillnotbecomeobsolete(Lloyd,2017).Alongwithit, periodically updates and upgrades are also essential to maintain the standard. CONCLUSION From the above study it has been identified that IT is a crucial part of retail business. Marks and Spencer is renowned technological advanced retail business in UK. But they are required to identified social and ethical issues that are associated with using technology. It also has been analysed that development life cycle of software system is essential to consider while developing new application of software. Marks and Spencer gain competitive advantage through information technology. 6
REFERENCES Books and Journals Lloyd, I. J., 2017.Information technology law. Oxford University Press. Lunnay,B.andet.al.,2015.Ethicaluseofsocialmediatofacilitatequalitative research.Qualitative Health Research.25(1). pp.99-109. Mason, R. O., 2017. Four ethical issues of the information age. InComputer Ethics.(pp. 41-48). Routledge. Rajaraman, V., 2018.Introduction to Information Technology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.. Van de Poel, I., 2016. An ethical framework for evaluating experimental technology.Science and engineering ethics.22(3). pp.667-686. Waser,R.andet.al.,2016.Introductiontonanoionicelementsforinformation technology.Resistive Switching: From Fundamentals of Nanoionic Redox Processes to Memristive Device Applications.pp.1-30. Online MARKS & SPENCER ANNOUNCES TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:<https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/media/press- releases/2018/marks-and-spencer-announces-technology-transformation-programme>. Anarticleoninformationtechnology.2019.[Online].Available Through:<http://uokirkuk.edu.iq/en/index.php/component/k2/item/324-an-article-on- information-technology>. 7