Business Information Technology Systems Analysis and Recommendations

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of business information technology (BIT) systems, focusing on their application within Marks and Spencer (M&S). It begins by analyzing how IT systems are used across different organizational functions, such as marketing, sales, and human resources, highlighting data management's importance. The report then explains how IT contributes to achieving specific objectives, including product development and cost efficiency, offering a detailed look at data storage and processing methods. Furthermore, it evaluates how IT can support value-added change to improve business operations, performance, and sustainability. Finally, the report recommends practical IT solutions for M&S to address common business problems and improve overall efficiency. The report emphasizes the significance of IT in enhancing productivity, reducing costs, and achieving a competitive advantage in the retail market.

Business
Information
Technology Systems
Table of Contents
1

Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1. Analyse the use of IT systems within different functions of an organisation.......................3
P2. Explain how IT systems contribute to the achievement of objectives in a specific
organisational context..................................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P3. Analyse the different ways information technology store and process data for various
function of organisation...............................................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P4. Evaluate how IT systems can be used to support value-added change for improving
business operations, performance and sustainability...................................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P5. Recommend practical IT solutions for organisational context that cover a range of
common business problems experienced in the workplace.........................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
2

INTRODUCTION
Information technology is making use of any storage, computers, networking, other
physical devices infrastructure and procedures to create, process, store, secure and exchange full
form of electronic information. Information technology includes several layer of physical
equipment’s such as hardware, visualisations, automation tool, operating systems and software or
applications which are used to perform particular essential functions (Towell, 2020). For
acknowledging and understanding different aspect of Information technology Marks and Spencer
is considered which is operating in Retail industry in the United Kingdom. The company was
founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. Marks and Spencer is abbreviated as
M&S which offers its services and offerings in worldwide markets but in England, UK. The
report comprises of numerous ways in which a firm can utilise information technology along
with the contribution made by information technology. Moreover, the support it technology
provides to the value chain for improving operations and profitability of the company is also
analysed. At the end few recommendations are provided by which company can deliver all its
offerings and services in the most efficient and according to the desired standards.
TASK 1
P1. Analyse the use of IT systems within different functions of an organisation.
Information technology refers to the different techniques and tools used by organisations
for sorting transmitting manipulating and retrieving all different types of data and information. In
organisations either small or large two types of information technology tools are used hardware
and software. These IT tools allowed company to manage and operate a range of different
business processes and functions. A large organisation like Marks and Spencer make use of
information technology that adds to enhance their services as well as meet the specific market
demands. The company can make use of Information technology systems in two different
activities and operations such as marketing, sales, human resource and other departments also
(Tworek, Tworek and Rauscher, 2019). By utilising Information technology it is easy to monitor and
analyse the performance of each department along with identifying different activities and areas
which can be improved for enhancing the overall performance of Marks and Spencer. The most
specific areas and operations in which Marks and Spencer can make use of information
technology is illustrated below:
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 Information technology department- Data management is considered as one of the
most critical aspect of each organisation which is operating in the market as the
increasing use of technologies and associated risk with it. Data management is very
indispensable and a complex activity which is very difficult to perform manually.
Therefore, Marks and Spencer can make use of different data management tools in order
to process information in several formats such as graphics, in text, audio and in visual
form. Marks and Spencer to run the operations effectively and work according to the
current scenario use and changing business environment is very essential and necessary
for the firm to store the data in proper format which can be used in present as well as in
future for the advantages of the company (Pearlson, Saunders and Galletta, 2019). IT
Department of Marks and Spencer is responsible for collecting and storing the data in the
most favourable for mad which will enable different units of the company to have access
to it as per their requirements and as per their authenticity.
 Marketing operations- Another crucial but very important operation of company is the
marketing function. Marketing is considered as the most important activities which an
organisation is undertaking and it should undertake for spreading awareness about its
offering in the public and in the targeted audience. Digitalization and information
technology is also becoming the vital tools for conducting different actions related to
marketing. Therefore it is another very important operational unit of Marks and Spencer
where Information technology can be utilised in the most efficient and in the most
potential manage. The marketing unit off Marks and Spencer can make use of different
social media platforms for conducting promotional activities and for acknowledging what
are the expectations in need of customers from the company and from its offerings. These
social media platforms and other digital tools can be made accessible to it with the help
of digital and information technologies. Along with it with the help of Information
technology and storing all the data Marks and Spencer’s marketing unit can easily
conduct their market research and it will allow them to analyse the past present and future
trends of the people and the market in which they are dealing (Azeroual and Abuosba, 2019).
 Improvising and inducting in all different departments- For organisations and
specifically for retail companies like Marks and Spencer it is very important to enhance
their processes and efficiency by increasing the productivity of their performances for or
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eliminating any unnecessary cost and expenses from the operations and making the most
out of the resources available to it. This is because of the regularly changing market and
dynamic macro conditions present in the external environment of the company. The
information technology is one of the biggest solution for Marks and Spencer as it can
help in reducing cost and enhancing the speed of data transmission and communication
channels the company that will allow it to make rapid decisions which are most beneficial
and appropriate for the form. More over video conferencing and virtual collaboration is
also helpful for the company for bringing all the people from different departments and
even from different regions together within few minutes and I just few clicks. It is helpful
for the Human resource Department of Marks and Spencer as well because the unit can
make use of information technology for recording and keeping a track record of
employees and their performances also for providing them training with the help of
technology is very beneficial and cost saving (Davis and Comeau, 2020).
In such ways IT all information technology is helpful and can be used by Marks and
Spencer for providing support and enhancing productivity standards of each department and their
activities in an affirmative way. Moreover, the results or the outcome of appropriate use of
Information technology can also be predicted and accomplished which will lead to increase
productivity and profitability.
P2. Explain how IT systems contribute to the achievement of objectives in a specific
organisational context.
Information technology is as discussed a very essential and important tool nowadays for
organisations irrespective of their size and scope. Information technology has a significant
impact on enhancing the productivity and profitability of company as it improves the offerings
and operations. Therefore it has been a wide contribution of Information technology within every
industry and in all the different businesses operating in it on several levels and of separate sizes.
The information technology aids Marks and Spencer to render there offerings and other related
services to the customers in an accurate and in the most potential way building their desired
objectives and outcomes. Information technology is utilised and should be continuously be used
by Marks and Spencer in future as well by keeping the operations and IT tools updated according
to the market and advancement in technology is taking place. The contribution of information
technology is in several areas of Marks and Spencer which are elaborated underneath:
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 Product development- The new technologies and digital tools that are regularly been
provided by information technology to companies will pace up the methods and
techniques used by Marks and Spencer through which products are produced and other
services are rendered to the market and to the respective targeted audience. Marks and
Spencer can easily exemplify their needs with the help of marketing intelligence
information technologies. Along with head manufacturing software’s such as CAD that is
computer aided design will also assist Marks and Spencer for taking appropriate
decisions on the correct time that will bring the best result for the company. Along with it
product development is also in hands with the help of Information technology as the
company can easily track or procure information about the market and more specifically
about the expectation of targeted audience from the company through which it allows
them to develop the most efficient products for the respective audience and keep them
satisfied (Mola and et. al., 2020).
 Cost efficiency- There are several activities and processes which are very complex and
difficult to execute manually involving huge amount of investment and expenses which
increases the cost of operations for businesses. But Information technologies provide an
opportunity for organisations large organisation like Marks and Spencer to save cost of
operations and make use of the money in other efficient investments. The best example
for search activity is of data collection and storage that is data management. Information
technology provides most flexible and comfortable solution Marks and Spencer in order
to manage the information and data of company. The foremost feature and vital role
which and information technology technique or tool performs is of sorting and storing
data in the best and the easiest manner allowing the company to transmit it whenever
required and from wherever. Therefore the information technologies and different tools
allows and contributes in saving a lot of cost and other expenses of Marks and Spencer
specifically in conducting data management activities and market research (Tonnison and
Tonnison, 2019).
The contribution of information technology in different areas and different operations of
Marks and Spencer allows the company to enhance their product development operations along
with save a lot of cost and other related expenses which can be used by the firm in separate
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investments which are beneficial as well. All the contribution and utilisation of information
technology in Marks and Spencer will allow the complete also attend competitive advantage in
the market as the functions are quickly performed the cost is reduced and the satisfaction level of
customers is enhanced. therefore it is been analysed that Information technology plays a vital
role and contributes a significant portion in other aspects of Marks and Spencer as well for
keeping it one step ahead of other rivals in the marketplace (Harris and et. al., 2019).
TASK 2
P3. Analyse the different ways information technology store and process data for various
function of organisation.
Data storage and processing is a term which is used for depositing of data in an electro
magnetic and other format with the help of computer devices and other information technologies.
There are numerous distinct options available for sorting and processing information that
includes hard data storage and cloud computing as well. Data storage and processing also
involves applications, archiving, data warehouses, backup appliances and cloud data storage. The
data processing and storing can be done in different manners and in specific areas. It is necessary
for Marks and Spencer to extract and process information as per the requirements of the
company and as per the predetermined objectives in order to fulfil the activities accordingly and
run the business smoothly. So data is an important aspect for the company information sorting
and processing is required in several context. These are elaborated below:
 Knowledge management- Storing data and its revitalisation have a significant impact on
enhancing the collaboration of different information which is liable for locating
appropriate resources to which the expected outcome can be accomplished. This will
assist Marks and Spencer to mine knowledge from different resources and information
systems as per the requirement of the company. Such as the current retail trends can be
identified and the knowledge can be utilised for furnishing the products and services
accordingly (Castro, Pistoia and Ponzo, 2019).
 Customer relationship management- The customer relationship management process is
of combining strategies technologies and practices for appropriately evaluating the
communication of customers with the company in the life cycle through which it is easy
for the brand to provide better improvised services and which is referred as customer
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relationship management. This will allow Marks and Spencer to improve their
relationship with the targeted audience along with their employees and other individual
associated with the company.
 Communication management- Conversations and interactions acts as an important
aspect of company allowing it to ensure that the project will be completed in time and
according to the anticipated standards without any mistakes or difficulties (Khan and Wuest,
2019). Therefore data sorting and processing allows and implies Marks and Spencer in
providing their employees with the appropriate information that is it necessary for them
to know in order to deliver their services and fulfilled assigned duties in the most
potential manner.
TASK 3
P4. Evaluate how IT systems can be used to support value-added change for improving business
operations, performance and sustainability.
Every organisation or firm wishes to provide their activities and of rings in the market to
the customers in the most improvised way which will help them to maintain their position in the
market and become the leader irrespective of the market condition and the situations prevailing
in it (Flitcroft and et. al., 2020). Marks and Spencer as well it is important to attend a competitive
edge for which company can make appropriate use of information technologies as it will assist
them to formulate proper plans for prominent utilisation of the data held by them along with the
information technologies that are invested in the company. The information technology and the
most efficient use of data will imply revolutionary methods in company by the of making the
business most effective and improved in respect with profitability and sustainability of it in the
respective marketplace and in the specific targeted audience’s mind-set. Therefore, Information
technology systems are very helpful and can be utilised by Marks and Spencer to support value-
added changes in the business for improving its operations performances and sustainability
criteria. There are several acid which are important and which will lead Marks and Spencer to
attain their goals of best performing and sustainable organisation. These Information technology
systems are elaborated and illustrated below:
 Assistance in decision making- In current business scenarios it is very important for
organisation to stay in in the market and perform in the most beneficial way. the
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sustainability and performances of the company is entirely dependent on plans and
strategies devised. Therefore collection of rod heater its processing and transforming it
into a useful information is the most important resource for Marks and Spencer which
help it in formulating appropriate decisions according to the database collected and
analysed. the plants and strategies which are devised by the top level management will be
according to the information gathered and therefore the sustainability and performance
criteria is served and supported by the information technology and the use of it where it is
assisting the company in converting the data in the most efficient way and making it used
for the growth and success of the business (Roelens, Steenacker and Poels, 2019).
 Analysis of stored information- Data storage systems are also involved with the
revolution and evolution that took place in in the technology world and in information
technology segment. In present scenario all organisation ideas small or bigmake use of
updated technologies and modern techniques to store their information rather than other
traditional methods as they are costly and time consuming. Marks and Spencer is also
benefited and supported by the information technology as it allows the company for
removing any delays in decision making and informing the task according to the
requirement which is very important for the firm to sustain and perform their best for
keeping up with the requirements and expectations of the customers.
TASK 4
P5. Recommend practical IT solutions for organisational context that cover a range of common
business problems experienced in the workplace.
There are several solutions which are present in the market and which are recommended
to the top level management of Marks and Spencer in relation with improvement taking place at
the workplace for reducing and resolving organisational problems. The recommended IT
solutions with allowed the company to achieve wider and higher revenue standards along with
improved profitability as well (Haberfellner and et. al., 2019). Therefore few recommendations are as
follows in context of Marks and Spencer:
 Training and development- As Marks and Spencer is dealing in large market and which
is aggressively becoming competitive there is a huge amount of sensitive information in
the company which is needed to be protected by it. In order to store the data in the most
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secure and the safest manner it is important for Marks and Spencer to make use of cloud
storage so that the information can only be accessed by those who are holding the
authority to it can be accessed by them anywhere in the world and at anytime. It is very
important and therefore recommended to Marks and Spencer that the top level
management should provide appropriate training and development sessions for
employees that will able them to make proper decisions and appropriately use the new
technologies which is in favour of the company rather than hinder its objectives.
 Use of 5G- Another suggestion for Marks and Spencer is the utilisation of 5G networks.
This is because 5G is the next generation of internet providing unlimited benefits and
security two Marks and Spencer. the organisation can and will be able to use better more
faster and reliable internet speed connections and networks that will allow them to work
and perform their activities in the most efficient way and in the most fastest speed. Also
the security measures which are being provided by 5G technology to the company are
also very efficient and that will enhance the authenticity and security of the important and
sensitive data of the company which is helpful for it to attain the competitive advantage
and perform in the specific manner according to the expectations of the people and
targeted audience (Binsawad, Sohaib and Hawryszkiewycz, 2019).
CONCLUSION
The discussion in the above report summarises that information technology or IT, has
played a vital role in organisation and the ways in which the company deliver their services and
operate the different functions. Information technology allows the company to enlarge the results
that is the focus and desired objective. Along with information technology also assist the
organisation in operating their functions in the most efficient way by providing appropriate it
support in different departments. Moreover there are different options available which can be
used by forms for ensuring that their data or information is stored and secured appropriately
along with managing them in the most efficient manner so that the company did not face any
hindrances in their performances and the smooth running of the business. Basically Information
technology provides ease and comfort to organisations in relation with managing and securing
their information along with allowing them to access the data from anywhere and at anytime
helping in enhancing the speed and performance standards of the operations and overall of the
company.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Azeroual, O. and Abuosba, M., 2019. Improving the data quality in the research information systems. arXiv preprint
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provenance information in distributed data systems. U.S. Patent 10,218,587.
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Flitcroft, D. I. and et. al., 2020. Business-to-business commerce using financial transaction numbers. U.S. Patent
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Haberfellner, R. and et. al., 2019. Systems engineering. Springer International Publishing.
Harris, A. L. and et. al., 2019. Incorporating ethics and social responsibility in IS education. Journal of Information
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Mola, L. and et. al., 2020. Business intelligence system design and its consequences for knowledge sharing,
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