Utilisation of IT Systems in Arcadia Group

This report examines the utilization of IT systems within distinct functions of Arcadia Group, justifies how IT systems contribute to objective attainment, analyzes ways to respond to IT needs, evaluates IT systems for supporting value added change, and provides recommendations for addressing business problems. The report focuses on the role of IT in the finance, marketing, research & development, and human resource departments of Arcadia Group.

IT Business Systems

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
P1 Examine utilisation of IT systems within distinct functions of Arcadia Group....................3
P2 Justify how IT system contribute within objectives attainment.............................................6
P3 Analysis of ways for responding to IT needs of Arcadia Croup............................................9
P4 Evaluation of IT systems for supporting value added change.............................................10
P5 Recommendation for addressing business problems...........................................................12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................13
Introduction
Business system refers to segregation of equipments, policies and computer facilities for
coordinating with activities which takes place within the organisation. Information technology
refers to utilisation of computers for creating, storing as well as processing of information which
assist firms within effectual delivery of their services (Kim, 2015). Business firms are dependent

on technology for ensuring that their services are being delivered as per required standards and
carry out interaction with the customers. To acknowledge the concept of IT business system,
Arcadia Group is being taken into account. It is a British multinational retailing firm which owns
different clothing retailers such as Evans, Topman, Burton,Wallis and many others. This is a
private firm which is headquartered in London and their products include accessories, clothing
and shoes. This report comprises of usage of IT systems, its contribution, ways for handling data
and different assets have been illustrated here. Furthermore, role within value added change is
evaluated and recommendations will be given with respect to this.
P1 Examine utilisation of IT systems within distinct functions of Arcadia Group.
Information technology system refers to set of elements which work together for
managing data processing as well as its storage. It is liable for supporting key aspects that are
required for executing operations of firm like decision-making, record keeping, data analysis,
communication and various others (Cosenz, 2017). Arcadia Group can make use of information
for improvisation of operations as well as formulate strategic decisions which will enable them to
gain competitive advantage. Information technology refers to broad term which illustrate
enhancements which have been made in technologies. Firms depend of information system for
implementing their operations and gather data associated with competitors. As per the data which
has been gathered, Arcadia Group can alter their strategies and carry out operations. For
understanding this, an example can be considered, like the firm possess their own application
which enables their customers and look for services they need. Individuals can carry out their
online purchases and pay for this accordingly. Through the usage of technology, effective
marketing of services can be conducted which will enable them to captivate more number of
customers. With respect to Arcadia Group, they deliver diverse services this also implies that
they need to effectively make use of technology as this will make their operations smoother
(Hajiheydari and Zarei, 2013). This will also lead them to have accurate, efficient and authentic
results. There lies a different department within the Arcadia Group and each carry out their
operations in different ways. It has been illustrated beneath:
Finance department: This is important for every firm that their finance is appropriately
managed along with this it must made sure that any third person do not have the access to
information. The reason behind this is that even a single zero will lead to enhanced problem as in
this if a zero or any other digit is escaped then the complete figure will be altered and this will

create a huge blunder (Greasley, 2017). This implies that firm needs to make effective use of IT
so that such kind of mistakes can be avoided. When Arcadia Group utilises information
technology then when they will make use of software on regular basis and enters all the details
then the final outcome which will be attained will be precise. For this they can opt for utilisation
of transaction processing system as through this there will be minimised risk of errors which will
furnish appropriate results. Through this, all the information associated with transactions can be
acquired and accordingly decisions can be formulated. Through its utilisation, the finance
department will be able to accordingly formulate the budget and carry out all the operations
related with this.
Marketing department: This is the core facet which is related with activities that are
conducted by a organisation in an enhanced manner. With the advancement in technology,
utilisation of gadgets is also being increasing (Chan, 2015). It will act as an option which can be
utilised by Arcadia Group to captivate more number of people towards their services. Here, the
firm can effectively utilise the social media platform to make sure that maximum number of
people are aware about services which are offered by them. But this is only valid in case
effectual promotional activities are conducted with them. In context of Arcadia Group, they can
utilise information technology in the respective ways:
 Content creation: By making use of software like word processing, contents of
advertisement can be saved and cross checked as well as makes changes if required.
Along with this, through the utilisation of systems, marketing manager can view the
content of what others have given within their ads and accordingly develop their own
(Zhang and Wen, 2015). This will also provide them with a competitive edge as they will
be aware about how others are doing it. To have better results, Arcadia Group can make
use of online templates as this will lead them to grab ample population.
 E-commerce: Arcadia Group delivers their services in different segments as well as
different they are being delivered within different sections of UK. As they are growing
and to have enhanced profits, it is necessary that they also provide their services outside
United Kingdom. This can be carried out via utilisation of electronic commerce instead of
making use of traditional methods (Paul, Yeates and Cadle, 2014). It will lead them to
higher productivity along with profitability as people at present time are more open to
easy services rather than going to stores for searching and having them. This will also

save unnecessary cost which is associated with having a space and employees. It will
assist Arcadia Group to reach maximum number of individuals around the different
locations.
Research & Development department: Marketing team is liable for gathering
information related with what customers are looking for, from the organisation. This data will be
utilised by R&D department to check whether things are practically feasible or not. It enables
them to have an entire view of market as well as will able to analyse needs of their potential
customers (Blunden, Michael-Tsabari and Algarin, 2013). Through this Arcadia Group will have
a scope for growth as they have identified things and can accordingly work within the market. It
also aids them within identification of what their competitors are bringing within the market for
having the loyalty of customers towards them. By this they can develop their operations to
ensure that they can have competitive advantage within the marketplace by utilisation of
simulation tools. An example can be taken to understand this, as through simulation tool they can
figure the way in which they will present their store and accordingly make alterations, same goes
with designing of their products.
Human resource department: This section of the firm is responsible for carrying out
operations like recruitment and selection of individuals which will make it easier for them to
carry out operations effectively. This is essential for HR of Arcadia Group to make use of
technologies as relevant choices can be made for screening the appropriate candidates (Winnard
and et. al., 2014). Via its utilisation overall performance of individuals will be improvised
through digitization. Through this, firm will be able to have enhanced productivity as they will
possess efficacious workforce and this is only possible by the appropriate usage of technology.
The timely results will be attained & quality will not be compromised. The functions of HR via
utilisation of technology have been mentioned beneath:
 Online advertisements: Technology will provide Arcadia Group with an opportunity
that can be utilised by them for grabbing attention of wide number of individuals who are
looking for job. At present scenario, most of the people are addicted to usage of smart
devices and are also active on different social media platforms (Anttila and Jussila,
2013). HR manager of Arcadia Group can make use of this option as via offline medium
they might not be able to do so. It do not implies that offline mediums must be avoided
but both must be used. Firm need to make some investment while giving the

advertisement but it will enable them to have CV via online medium and screen them by
making use of software (again time will be wasted if manual method is used). Arcadia
Group will be able to have effectual workforce who are most apt for specified job profile.
 Email: This will enable individuals have information related with vacancies which have
been occurred within specific firm as message will be sent to potential professionals who
are looking for a job (Jarillo, 2013). Human resource manager of Arcadia Group can
make use of online job portals as they are enhanced source of having an appropriate
candidate. This will also eliminate the cost associated with management of interview
when crowd will come as they have already screened the potential individuals for
peculiar job role.
P2 Justify how IT system contribute within objectives attainment.
Information technology has made huge endeavour in each industry as it provides them
with appropriate software which will smooth-en their work. It will assist them within rendering
services in an amplified manner as higher accuracy will be attained through which affirmative
results can be yielded. Information technology is necessary to be used by Arcadia Group for
ensuring that they attain their objectives within specified time duration. They are mentioned
below:
 Product Development: IT assists firms to pace up with the conditions within the market
as it will amplify the way in which products as well as services are being delivered in an
appropriate manner. Arcadia Group can understand needs by the use of proprietary as
well as marketing intelligence. For this, they can make use of CAD designing and other
manufacturing software as through these decisions can be improvised (Filser, Kraus and
Märk, 2013). Along with this, collaborative technologies must be used as firm will carry
out their operations as a single unit and each activity will be carried out in different sub-
sections according to that. Information technology aids within handling of customers
needs which alters quickly. With respect to Arcadia Group, it can be used for developing
and designing of products & services as per requirements of customers. It will enable
them to build up decisions with reference to this.
 Process improvisation: ERP is used by management for having review of sales which
occurs while carrying out day to day operations. In addition to this, cost related with
unified software platform and operating metrics must be used by Arcadia Group for

analysing real time scenarios (Lim, 2017). Distinct legacy systems can be used for
finance, marketing and other functional areas will be regenerated through this and it will
render efficacious system. Arcadia Group can utilise enterprise resource planning
systems for ensuring that operations are being carried out in an accurate, precise and
quickly in comparison to traditional methods. This assists them within having amplifying
outcomes.
 Cost efficiency: Within the initial stage, implementation of IT can be costly and results
attained by this will render them with long term benefits in terms of cost savings. This
implies that it is worth making investments within the firm in context of information
technology (No, An and Park, 2015). It will decline the number of errors which will
occur while processing data whether its for finance department or any other of Arcadia
Group. The reason behind this is that via graphical representation it becomes easy to
understand overall performance of firm and accordingly strategies can be formulated.
Through this amplified results can be attained by elimination of wastage. An instance can
be taken for understanding this like while designing their clothes instead of practically
implementation it on raw materials, this can be carried out within simulation tools. This
implies that unnecessary cost as well as wastage will be reduced thereby leads to save
cost which can be utilised in some other activities. From here, it is clear that it will
provide Arcadia Group with long lasting performance.
 Competitive edge: Quick evolution of services or products will enhance the existing
systems along with processes which are being carried out. It leads firm to achieve
competitive edge within the market (Labaki, Michael-Tsabari and Zachary, 2013). An
example can be taken to understand this aspect like Arcadia Group can bring in their own
application and provide potential customers with all the relevant options that are required
for carrying out entire process through which online shopping can be carried out like all
the products are displayed, can be added into cart, online payment can be made through
secured channels and many other options. This will make their app easy to use and by
having simpler field name any individual can carry out their shopping from Arcadia
Group. Through this, strong competitive position can be created within the market (Goel,
2013). By this they can captivate large number of customers toward their services. Apart
from simulation tools, Arcadia Group can opt for TPS (transaction processing system), e-

commerce, rapid prototyping and many other tools can be used. This will enhance overall
productivity of Arcadia Group.
 Globalization: By managing operational flexibility in the competitive environment,
Arcadia Group will be able to sustain within the evolving environment and can acquire
financial stability. Through this, firm will be able to affirmative growth and can stay
strong within the agonistic market. The products of Arcadia Group comprises of clothes,
accessories and shoes, it is necessary that they deliver their services within different parts
of the globe. This implies that firm will have higher profit rate but along with this certain
challenges will be faced (Müller and Pfleger, 2014). For instance, certain software which
is being used by Arcadia Group might be banned in other countries. Therefore, it is
important that firm ensure that in which country they see probable growth. This can be
carried out by making use of information technology as it will enable to ensure that the
methodology they are being using is feasible and will lead to growth. But for
communicating within different parts of countries technical team of Arcadia Group can
make of networking technologies like video conferencing.
By carrying out analysis, it is clear that information technology has strong contribution
within the ways firm carry out their operations. Furthermore, it will enable them to render their
functions quickly and in a precise manner through which goals as well as objectives can be
attained within stipulated time duration.
P3 Analysis of ways for responding to IT needs of Arcadia Croup.
Data storage is defined as process of possession of information via the utilisation of
technology which is being designed for keeping and accessing it as per requirements of an
individual. Data can be stored in the form of blocks, files and objects (Saleem and et. al., 2019).
In other words, it illustrates piece of technology which is used for keeping in information either
temporarily or permanently within an organised format. In this context, structure refers to
manner by which it becomes simpler for having data. There is diverse kind of storage, they are
shown below:
Dynamic storage: It illustrates that power is needed for maintenance of data. To
understand this example can be taken, random access memory illustrates internal storage space
which is being provided by each system and space vary accordingly (Kim, 2015).

Static storage: Such kind of device is liable for maintaining data when power is off. It
involves distinct options and they are specified below:
 Optical storage: It can be utilised by Arcadia Group for storing information temporarily
such as data that is linked with peculiar task. An example of optical storage includes DVD's, Blu-
rays and CD's. Such kind of methods makes use of bumps along with lasers for encoding
information.
 Flash storage: in this context, technologies are making use of electronics like flash
memory in which data is present within both the forms, i.e. writeable and readable along with
this it can be kept up even when power is turned off (Cosenz, 2017). Through this, information is
in encoded form and involves memory sticks and solid state drives (SSD).
 Magnetic storage: Such kind of storage devices are hardly utilised by firms as they
makes use small metals things and magnetism which is being merged with plastic films. This is
being carried out for encoding of the information and involves DAT tapes, cassettes, floppy disks
and hard disks.
 Cloud storage: It illustrates remote variations of types that are illustrated in the above
sections. The example of such kind of storage is Amazon's AWS and Microsoft's Azure. Arcadia
Group can make use of cloud services like storage and it will also render security features. An
example can be taken into consideration, firm can opt for features depending upon their
requirements and pay to them accordingly (Hajiheydari and Zarei, 2013). In this case, if they
need to expand or shrink the storage space then they can opt for it easily.
Data management: Arcadia Group can make use of cloud storage because it renders
with intensified security options as per data needs and can have access to information as per
requirements of organisation. Along with this, cost will be saved as they need not to make any
additional payments for storage, security and maintenance.
Knowledge management: The process associated within creating, sharing, using and
managing information in firm is defined as knowledge management. It denotes a
multidisciplinary approach which can be used for attaining objectives of organisation by having
prior utilisation of knowledge (Greasley, 2017). This must be opted by Arcadia Group for
creating values and addressing overall tactical & strategic needs of firm. It will enable them
within retrieval of knowledge from data which is present within the database.

Communication management: This is defined as organized planning, execution,
observance and analysis of all the channels by which interaction occurs in the firm. When
information and knowledge is managed it will become easy to communicate with others like
valid points must be provided. Through this, firm will be able to create a strong influence on
stakeholders & projects which are being carried out by Arcadia Group.
Customer relationship management: By utilisation of information technology,
amplified relations will be developed with customers as they have wide options through which
interaction can be carried out. They includes emails, text messages or via online mediums (Chan,
2015). This implies that Arcadia Group needs to have different team which is liable to handle
conflicts or differences and answer to queries which are being raised by individuals. It can be
done by offline or online mediums.
P4 Evaluation of IT systems for supporting value added change.
Information system is defined as software which aids in analysis as well as organisation of
data. It implies that through the utilisation of technology Arcadia Group can convert raw data
within consequential information which might be used for developing valuable decisions that
will assist them to growth with respect to future perspectives. Firms work harder so that they can
be a leader in the market irrespective of situations which prevailed such as improvised
antagonism, inflationary, recession rate and many other factors (Zhang and Wen, 2015). This
will enable firm to ensure that their goals do not get impacted which will lead to gain
competitive advantage. In this context some factors have been depicted below with respect to
Arcadia Group:
 Information storage & analysis: In present context, firms do not make use traditional
methods of storage in which data is stored manually on registers or in any hard copy
format. Through the utilisation of information system firms can opt for sophisticated and
comprehensive database which involves the important data which is needed by Arcadia
Group. An example can be taken to understand this, firm can make use of cloud
computing and services rendered by the cloud vendors in context of storage. This aids
them within having access to the data from anywhere and whenever it is being required.
 Formulation of decisions: The performance and sustainability of firm completely
depends on the ways which assists within formulation of decisions (Paul, Yeates and
Cadle, 2014). This implies that knowledge must be extracted from data and must be

utilised by Arcadia Group whenever it is being required. This will also assist within
building up of decisions by acknowledging the information acquired from KMS
(Knowledge management system)
It is observed that, information technology will provide enhanced results in context of value
added services as this will assist firms within storing and retrieving information when it is being
needed (Blunden, Michael-Tsabari and Algarin, 2013). Along with this, when management of
Arcadia Group will be able develop timely decisions then it will automatically lead ensure that
services will be rendered on time and thereby attain sustainability.
P5 Recommendation for addressing business problems.
Information technology systems must be used by Arcadia Group for ensuring that they
sustain within the market for longer time frame and acknowledge the needs of marketplace in an
appropriate manner by acquiring maximum number of customers. For this, it is necessary that
firm make use of latest technology which is being used by their major competitors. POS can be
utilised by them enhance their sales margin. Along with this, TPS will provide with an
appropriate framework which will smoothen their process of carrying out transactions.
Furthermore, an application can be developed so that maximum number of people can reach
them. This will enable them to deliver their services via electronic medium and will also save
unnecessary cost involved within maintenance of stores along with employees cost. This will
enable them to deliver their services through inventory directly.
Conclusion
From above it can be concluded that, within the present context information technology has
wide role in the ways firm deliver their services. Through utilisation of IT firms will be able
gather information from different sources which then can be utilised for formulation of strategies
as per the demand of market and firm. Along with this, it will also provide with enhanced results
because firms will be able to make timely delivery of services. Moreover, depending upon the
requirement firm can have access to the information whenever it is required irrespective of their
physical location.

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