British Home Plc: IT Systems for Business Objectives and Processes

This report analyzes the use of IT systems within British Home Plc, focusing on how these systems contribute to achieving business objectives across various departments like marketing, R&D, HR, and accounts. It details the distinct methods for data storage and processing, including block, file, and object storage, alongside the application of CRM systems. The report evaluates the role of IT in supporting value-added change and provides recommendations for further improvements in IT utilization. It highlights the contribution of IT in production and manufacturing management, including the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for integrating business processes and improving decision-making. The document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wide array of study tools and solved assignments for students.

Business IT Systems

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................1
Usage of IT systems in British Home Plc...................................................................................1
Contribution of IT for attaining objectives.................................................................................3
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................5
Distinct ways for storing & processing of data within British Home Plc...................................5
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................7
Evaluation of IT systems in supporting value added change......................................................7
Task 4...............................................................................................................................................8
Recommendations.......................................................................................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................10

Introduction
Information system denotes scrutiny of complementary networks of software as well as
people and organisation for collecting, filtering, processing, creating as well as distribution of
data. Businesses makes use of information technology for smoothen their overall operations so
that they can attain their goals in an enhanced manner (Becerra-Fernandez and Sabherwal, 2014).
This report is based on British Home Plc which are responsible for delivering their services in
distinct sectors, they include retail, consultancy, travel and property. They grew quickly but
served only exclusive group of individuals. The firm failed to innovate their operations but for
having improvised results centralised IT systems can be utilised. This report comprises of usage
of information technology in distinct functions, contributions, ways in which storage as well as
processing is carried out and supporting the value added change. Furthermore, recommendations
are given which will aid firm to make further improvements.
Task 1
Usage of IT systems in British Home Plc
The information technology systems denotes means for all computer as well as
communication systems which comprises of websites, software and hardware that is available for
firm or individuals. They implies interconnected components which works in an aggregation for
collecting, processing, storage as well as dissemination of information for supporting
coordination, visualisation, analysis and control within organisation (Bentley, 2012). For having
accurate working, British Home Plc can make use of IT systems. The role of these in the firm
have been explicated below: Marketing department: The process of interesting probable clients and customers within
services and products rendered by organisation is referred to as marketing. It is an
important aspect which creates an impact on operations which are being carried out by
organisation. An instance can be taken into consideration, if marketing is not carried out
in an appropriate manner, then people will not be aware about services which are being
delivered by British Home Plc. This creates a decline within sales of their products and
will create a pessimistic impact on all their organisation (Five IT Functions in an
Organisation, 2019). This implies that for increasing the profit margin, it is crucial that
individuals must be aware about services that are available within the market. For
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carrying out this, different methods can be utilised by marketing team of British Home
Plc. They include content creation (formulation of advertisement through usage of
graphics), online advertisements (social media can be used for posting advertisements as
at present time maximum users are connected with these platforms), e-commerce
(services can be sold by British Home Plc through online medium). This will lead to
creation of positive impact on overall sales along with enhanced opportunities
(Burrough and et. al, 2015). Research and development department: After furnishing marketing activities, the
details attained can be utilised by R&D department. The rationale behind this is to make
sure that needs of the market as well as there individuals can be accomplished in an
appropriate manner. Market analysis will furnish R&D with details about competitors
present within the market, services delivered by them, strategies used to grab their
customers and various other features will be analysed by them. Marketing department
needs to ensure that details attained by them are appropriate so that research and
development department can carry out their operations as well as analyse that whether
these are feasible or not. Along with this, simulation tools can be utilised for making sure
that products looks good and are furnished as per required standards. It will enable them
to meet the standards formulated by British Home Plc in an amplified manner. Human resource department: They acts as crucial assets within the firm who are liable
for recruiting as well as selecting workforce. It is important to ensure that effective
workforce is hired by British Home Plc so that they can deliver their services in an
efficacious manner and attain their goals within stipulated time frame (Hendriks, 2013).
For doing this, firm can make use of email (send messages to probable messages to make
them aware about interview as well as information can be shared with employees
working within), video conferencing (interviews can be carried out through this as it will
save time as well as cost associated, along with this for carrying out meetings it can be
used), collaboration software (will assist within working in same project in different
sections, meetings can be carried out virtually) and social media (for attracting
individuals towards vacancies which exist within British Home Plc).
 Accounts department: This is the other important aspect of organisation that is liable for
ensuring that services are being carried out in an appropriate manner. Like without
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appropriate budget firms will not be able to render their services in an appropriate way or
it will be impossible like production department cannot do anything if appropriate
budget is not available with them. Along with this, sales which are being carried out
must be maintained to identify what is required within inventory. British Home Plc can
make use of transaction processing system which will lead them to deliver their services
as per desired standards (Hitomi, 2017). Suppose there are 50 products and sales have
been occurred of 35 products, this denotes that there was a good result fro this. Thus,
inventory has to be updated. This can be done through usage of TPS.
The different functions of British Home Plc have been illustrated above along with the
ways in which IT can be utilised for delivering their functions. It is clear that information
technology will lead them to have amplified results in terms of profitability as well as
productivity.
Contribution of IT for attaining objectives
Information technology has made wider contribution within the ways firm deliver their
services. Apart from making processes smooth, easy and on time, it will also render preciseness
and accuracy in operations of firm. British Home Plc needs to understand that IT has important
contribution within activities that are carried out by them. It is illustrated below: Production management: Information technology aids within the way services and
products are being produced by organisation. This can be understood by taking an
example, like TPS can be used for managing inventory as well as purchasing of raw
materials (Jaques, 2017). For an instance, when products are manufactured and sold out,
there is a need of raw materials through which again production can be carried out. If
manually this process is carried out then it will be time consuming and there might be
problems related with accuracy as products have to be counted and there can be a mistake
in numbers when again and again same activities are carried out. Therefore, by making
use of information technology, inventory can be managed and accordingly operations can
be carried out in an enhanced manner. This will also lead to identification of what is
needed in terms of purchasing so that activities do not get hampered. This implies that
British Home Plc can render their services in a smooth manner (Laurillard, 2013).
 Manufacturing management: It implies the process associated with producing
merchandise through usage of machines, raw materials, labour, chemicals and other
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resources is referred to as manufacturing. For this, it is important for British Home Plc to
make use of material resource planning, finance and workforce. They acted as major
manufacturing resources. The plans can be formulated with respect to what has to be
done and how it can be carried out. Information technology can assist within formulation
of plans by making use of simulation tools. British Home Plc can have idea about how
the systems will work like in travelling industry of firm systems are utilised in such a way
that people can be shown what is being delivered to them in respect to services. In this
context, material resource planning which is a computer based inventory system and is
designed for assisting management within scheduling as well as placing orders for items
which possess dependent demand (Mohammed and Yusof, 2013). The inventory can be
managed by making use of certain software that will assist in acknowledging what is
required in inventory. Along with this, to ensure that it is done in an appropriate manner
adequate finance is required.
 Enterprise Resource Planning: (MRP) The modular software system that is being
designed for integration of functional areas of business processes within a unified system
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Illustration 1: Evolution of Information Technology

is defined as ERP. An enterprise resource planning comprises of core components of firm
which are often referred to as modules. In context of British Home Plc, they includes
accounting, finance, materials management, production along with customer relationship
management (Pearlson, Saunders and Galletta, 2016). This will provide British Home Plc
with a central database through which top level management can access information in an
amplified manner. It will lead organisation to make use of business intelligence that will
assist within conversion of raw materials into useful information that is liable for driving
profitable business actions. This will assist British Home Plc in formulation of decisions
in an appropriate manner. Along with this, e-commerce will lead them to have increase in
number of sales and manage their customers. Along with this, knowledge can also be
attained through this, it will also assist within developing decisions.
These are some contributions which are being made by Information Technology and to
have affirmative results British Home Plc can make its use.
Task 2
Distinct ways for storing & processing of data within British Home Plc
Data Storage refers to a way through which information can be within the memory of
system. This implies utilisation of recorded media through which data can be retained by making
appropriate use of devices or any other computation systems. Block, file and object storage is
widely used for carrying out these operations within diverse environment. In case of file storage,
data is stored as files within folders (Rainer and et. 2013). Within block storage, data is present
in evenly sized blocks which is less complex and scalable but it is very costly. This can be used
when information is needed frequently. In case of object storage, data is in the form of unique
identifiers and in the form of metadata. This is not very costly and is usually ideal for data which
needs not be modified. This implies collective methodology as well as technology that is liable
for capturing as well as retaining digital information within distinct storage media devices.
British Home Plc can opt for any of the storage according to requirements of an organisation and
the ways in which they want to access it.
Data Processing is defined as accumulation as well as manipulation of data information
through which meaningful information can be attained (Reichert and Weber, 2012). Employees
of British Home Plc makes use of data when it is gathered as well as transformed within usable
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information. Basically, here information attained is in raw format and is being converted into
readable format which is in the text form as well as can be utilised by their employees. This will
assist them within formulation of effective decisions through which their goals can be attained in
an affirmative manner. It will lead firm to yield a knowledge that can be used for rendering
services in an enhanced way.
Customer relationship management is defined as a technology that is used for
management of relationship as well as interaction in between their customers as well as probable
customers. It denotes aggregation of strategies, practices and technologies which are being by
firms for management as well as analysis of interactions within customer lifecycle by which
overall relations can be amplified (Schwalbe, 2015). British Home Plc can make use of CRM
systems for compiling data of customers around distinct channels like social media, marketing
materials, live chat and direct mail. There are different types of CRM systems, they are as: Operational CRM:It is liable for streamlining processes which comprises of service,
marketing and sales automation. The purpose of this is to generate leads, carry out
conversions with them, acquire details related with it and furnish services to them. The
major challenge related with this is that implementation cost is high. Analytical CRM:This assists top management, sales & support and marketing personnel
for determination of enhanced ways through which customers can be served in an
appropriate manner (Stair and Reynolds, 2013). IT will assist within formulation of
business methodology in context of sales, support and marketing. The major drawback is
that, it will eliminate or remove the human elements from company.
 Collaborative CRM:It enables firms within sharing of information of customers in
between distinct business units such as support, technical and marketing team. An
example can be taken with respect to this like support team can give feedback to
marketing department which has been attained from customers for enhancing overall
operations and carry out their operations accordingly. Its limitation is that, there exist
security issues as data is present within centralised location.
Data management refers to administrative process which comprises of acquisition,
validation, storage, processing as well as protecting data which is needed for ensuring timeliness,
reliability and accessibility of data for their users (Becerra-Fernandez and Sabherwal, 2014).
Effectual data management acts as an important asset within deployment of IT systems which are
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liable for executing business applications and render analytical information. This will assist
British Home Plc to attain strategic planning as well as decision-making so that end users can
have improvised results.
Communication management, denotes systematic planning, implementation,
monitoring as well as revision of communication channels in an organisation and also with other
firms. Through this, British Home Plc will be able to have information with respect to what
information is needed for completing project, who needs this as well as what kind of information
is required, what time is needed for gathering data, what kind it should be and who will be liable
for transmission of information (Bentley, 2012).
Task 3
Evaluation of IT systems in supporting value added change.
In today's time, information technology is consider as factor that is adopted by a company
in order to support value added change which enhance their future performance as well as
stability. For this it is essential for a manager of a company to have proper knowledge as well as
awareness of technology and technological change because that will help them in developing
effective decision. Technology is consider as quickest acquiring change in today's time by which
a company can develop strategies in order to attain long term advancement (Burrough and et. al,
2015). So it is necessary for a company to conduct proper analysis of market for gathering
information about the new technology which is effective for business operations and functions.
In respect of British Home Plc, they get numbers of opportunities by adopting
technological change at their workplace which help in enhancing business. For this it is essential
for respective company management to develop effective strategies and framework because that
will help them in utilising information system impressively which lead to increase in
productivity as well as profitability. Along with this it is also important for respective firm to
develop effective action plan related to the system change as it help in reducing wastage by
improving networking life cycle and procedure. This will also help them in conducting their
business procedure in effective manner by minimising cost through advance technology.
By adopting and implementing proper information system, British Home Plc can
successfully able to accomplish its goal by attaining short term objective along with long term
objective and advancement (Hendriks, 2013). In addition to this, respective firm management
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also able to improve their business operations and functions effectively and for this they may
conduct practices like evaluation of organization structure, management style, working
environment and many more. Moreover, it will also help respective firm in develop as well as
implementing proper strategies related to the technological change at the workplace.
With appropriate usage of information systems, firm can render services at lower cost and
will lead them to have high amount of profitability (Hitomi, 2017). By taking into consideration
British Home Plc can accomplish requirements of their top line management by attaining
objectives and goals by gaining competitive edge within the market. To make use of information
system in an efficacious manner, it is crucial that all the employees adapt to altering working
environment as it will make their work precise and accurate. This will act as an revolutionary
way that is liable for making its contribution in business in an enhanced way. It will lead British
Home Plc to have enhanced productivity along with profitability.
Task 4
Recommendations
It is recommended that firms update there systems on regular basis so that if any
vulnerability exist within their systems then it can be avoided. This will lead individuals to
prevent intruders from getting into British Home Plc systems. Along with this, new components
and features will be added through which results can be enhanced. Furthermore, accounting
consultancy regulatory systems can be used which imply structure that is liable for utilising
storage, processing, retrieving as well as reporting financial data that can be utilised by CFO,
consultants, tax agencies and even business analysts of British Home Plc. In this context
eXtensible business reporting language can be utilised which is a standardised software and was
developed for enhancing ways in which financial data can be interacted easily.
Furthermore, it is suggested that cloud services must be utilised so that services can be
delivered by internet whenever they are being needed by organisation. For this, British Home Plc
can make use of different services which are being rendered by cloud vendors such as software,
storage, servers and many other aspects (Jaques, 2017). On the basis of functionalities required
by them British Home Plc can make use of services. Apart from this, internet of things can be
used which imply extension within internet connectivity with the physical devices and rendering
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day to day activities. Along with this, firm can embed internet connectivity with other hardware
which is being utilised by them.
It is recommended to British Home Plc to make use of IT system as this will render an
enhanced way through which operations can be carried out and leads to improvised efficiency in
their processes. As firm delivers their services in different sectors, there has to be effective
communication in between them and this can be attained by making use of information
technology. Like transaction processing system can be utilised by them to manage their
transactions, inventory and other crucial assets related with firm (Laurillard, 2013). Apart from
this, they can make use information management systems to attain high rate to accuracy in the
way services are being delivered by them.
Conclusion
From above it can be concluded that, information technology is defined as storing,
processing and retrieving information from distinct sources. Firms can use IT systems for
enhancing overall activities and operations that are being rendered by them. Through this, they
will be able to improvise relation among their stakeholders by making use of effective
technologies. Furthermore, through usage of cloud storage, platform will be provided which will
lead them develop, manage, store and have security assets related with this. It will lead them to
extract information whenever it is being required by them.
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References
Books & Journals
Becerra-Fernandez, I. and Sabherwal, R., 2014. Knowledge management: Systems and
processes. Routledge.
Bentley, T., 2012. Learning beyond the classroom: Education for a changing world. Routledge.
Burrough, P. A.and et. al, 2015. Principles of geographical information systems. Oxford
university press.
Hendriks, C. J., 2013. Integrated Financial Management Information Systems: Guidelines for
effective implementation by the public sector of South Africa. South African Journal of
Information Management, 15(1), pp.1-9.
Hitomi, K., 2017. Manufacturing systems engineering: A unified approach to manufacturing
technology, production management and industrial economics. Routledge.
Jaques, E., 2017. Requisite organization: A total system for effective managerial organization
and managerial leadership for the 21st century. Routledge.
Laurillard, D., 2013. Rethinking university teaching: A conversational framework for the
effective use of learning technologies. Routledge.
Mohammed, S. A. and Yusof, M. M., 2013. Towards an evaluation framework for information
quality management (IQM) practices for health information systems–evaluation criteria
for effective IQM practices. Journal of evaluation in clinical practice, 19(2), pp.379-387.
Pearlson, K. E., Saunders, C. S. and Galletta, D. F., 2016. Managing and using information
systems, binder ready version: a strategic approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Rainer, R. K. and et. 2013. Introduction to information systems: Supporting and transforming
business. John Wiley & Sons.
Reichert, M. and Weber, B., 2012. Enabling flexibility in process-aware information systems:
challenges, methods, technologies. Springer Science & Business Media.
Schwalbe, K., 2015. Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Stair, R. and Reynolds, G., 2013. Principles of information systems. Cengage Learning.
Online
Five IT Functions in an Organisation. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://smallbusiness.chron.com/five-functions-organization-34002.html>.
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