Business Information Technology Systems at Arcadia: An Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the implementation and impact of Information Technology (IT) systems within Arcadia, a leading international retail chain. The report begins by outlining the diverse applications of IT systems across different functions of Arcadia, including communication, data management, and marketing, and how these systems contribute to achieving business objectives. It explores the use of IT in process improvement, enterprise resource planning, and organizational structure. The analysis delves into how IT systems support Arcadia's goals, such as setting objectives, increasing productivity, and enhancing product quality. The report evaluates the application of IT systems in various organizational functions, assessing how they work together to achieve high performance. Furthermore, it critically evaluates the role and purpose of IT systems, examining their contribution to achieving organizational objectives and providing recommendations for further enhancement. The report also examines the advantages and disadvantages of IT systems, offering recommendations for their amplification and analysing the proposed solutions for effective system assessment, concluding with a discussion on the impact of IT on globalization and competitive advantage within the retail sector.

Business Information
Technology Systems

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
P1 Use of IT systems within different functions of Arcadia................................................1
P2 Explanation of how IT systems contribute to the achievement of objectives...................3
M1 Evaluation of how IT systems are applied in the different functions of an organisation
and how they work together to achieve high performance.....................................................4
D1 Critically evaluation of the role and purpose of IT systems in different functions of
organization and evaluating their contribution to achieving organisational objectives........5
P3 Aspects related with IT systems........................................................................................5
M2 Analysis of IT processes information..............................................................................7
D2 Illustrate unlike perspectives associated with IT systems................................................7
P4 Usage of IT to support value added change......................................................................7
M3 Evaluate advantage along with disadvantage associated with IT systems......................8
D3 Provide recommendations for amplification of IT system...............................................8
P5 Recommendations.............................................................................................................9
M4 Evaluate IT systems support solution..............................................................................9
D4 Analyse recommended solution to have effective assessment of system.......................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................11

Introduction
Information technology plays a critical role in both commercial practices and operational
efficiency. It is very essential for the firm to use fresh and novel technologies that will help the
organization to perform smoothly (Abrahams and Singh, 2019). There are different market
functions that are largely dependent on information technology and assistance the achievement
of the desired objectives and goals of the program. Information research is beneficial in the
storage or communication of data that can be used by the organization to carry out business
activities effectively. The correct use of new tech will help to solve business problems and
develop organizational activities properly.
This report is based on the organization Arcadia. Arcadia Group Ltd. is a leading
international retail chain headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It does own the high street
retail chains Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Top man, Top shop, Wallis and
Outfit, which tries to sell lines from other group chain stores. The portion of the country is
purchased by Taveta investment opportunities, itself operated by Tina Green, the wife of Sir
Philip Green, who really is the chairperson of the Arcadia Group. All through his professional
life, Philip Green had been involved in numerous of disputes, such as the reimbursement of
generosity dividend payments to Robert Caring, Tom Hunter and the family of Philip Green
before the death of BHS. This report will include the use of an Information Technology model
with various business operations. It consists of the involvement of the Information Technology
System in the achievement of business goals. In addition, there are several ways in which
information systems processes or frameworks can store or procedure important data for
knowledge management, customer contact, connectivity, and so on.
P1 Use of IT systems within different functions of Arcadia
Information system: It is defined as framework which is designed to collect, store, and
process distribute and represent information or data in effective way. It is social technique
system which is composed of 4 elements, task, structure, people and technique (AlBar and
Hoque, 2019). It is study of academic system which used combination of software and hardware
through which organization record their information and formulate effective statement to
represent this informant. Information system is useful in management as well as decision making
process. Information system requires, network, software, hard ware, communication people
1

information is passed from circle of theses elements. In present world business organization use
and adopted It system within their organization wherever they are small or large organization,, it
is the essential need , it will hell in running many organization functions. Manager of Arcadia
use this system in various function of their business which describe below:
Function of communication: In every business organization communication has been
play important role without effective communication program or system organization will not be
able to achieve success. With the changes of technologies the tools required for connection is
also changed and IT technologies take art. Only with the use of IT system manger cal able to
contact or communicate with their employers no matter where they stay in any place of the world
(Lohrke, Frownfelter-Lohrke and Ketchen Jr, 2016). Use tool of IT system through which they
can easily connected with their employers or customer to proved informs ion for this purpose
they use, emails, video conferencing, social media platform an collaboration software, all these
tolls use in circulating of essential information with this few time and it also useful for the
economy to take feedback and recognize problems of customers with the use of communication
tools of IT system.
Function of data management: With the changes of times and expansion of market
manger need to save their data in a place where their personal information of the organization is
secure and all the data is stored in effective management way (Basheer and et. al, 2019). With
the use of IT system manger of Arcadia store their large data in clouds, they use software, to
stock, manage or control data they also delete wastage information which is not reliable for the
organization.
Function of marketing: It system is help in managing the marketing function of
management. It is the core aspect of organization. With the raise of technologies marketing
program becomes more relevant to digital platform. With the use of IT system manager able to
find content creation they create effect and attractive contact through which they attract
customers in large area. Manager of Arcadia use attracts graphics with the help of their IT
department in order to attract large market on social medial or e – commerce platform. They s it
for online advertising, and analysis their rivalries strategies with the research they also use It
system show their different variety of clothes brand (Yeh, Lee and Pai, 2015).
Process improvement: It system also help in improvising the procedure of running
business activities. Business organizations can control their printing, communication cost and
2

with the use of It system, human resource manger also start training program through online
mode it gave time as well as cost. Manger of Arcadia use IT system in order to enhance their
procedure of business activities and effectively used scare monetary resource
Enterprise resource planning: In this planning process, organizations various system
link with each there to achieve the goal of the organization (Davis and Comeau, 2020). Manager
of Arcadia use It system software to build link between various function, organizing, accounting,
human resource planning manufacturing, marketing by implementing software.
Organizing: It system help in build structure of organization hierarchy through which
manager easily identify the area in which they allocate resources to run their business activities.
P2 Explanation of how IT systems contribute to the achievement of objectives
Information system is implemented with the business organization for improving
effectively and effective of the business organization with the use of Software and hardware use
in the system it is used by manger of Arcadia through which they can easily achieve their goals.
Setting up goals: It system useful in setting business objective and planning and
strategies with the use of environment scanning tools (Dehgani and Navimipour, 2019).
Increased output and productive: The IT system is developed through which manger
focuses on developing new product with the use of technologies they analysis its cost and design
structure and before launching in the market they ask the review and perception of customers
with the use of digital platform, it will help them to reduce their errors and increasing the
chances of success.
Decreased the time of decision making: Use of recommendations proved by experts
system, management department not take more time to take decision. It is most effective
outcome though which organization able to generate more profit and controlling their cost.
Increase the product quality: It will help in increasing the product quality and reduce
extra cost through which organization attain their task a t the predetermine time (Ogiela and
Ogiela, 2014).
Use of integrate with stakeholder: With providing customers services and social medial
Arcadia feedback and receive of their stakeholder’s review toward their products and services of
the organization, on the basis of that the change their strategies and work for their policies
through which they attain goals.
3

Increase sales: With effective marketing strategies their sales rate had been increase at it
will help in attain higher profitability rate.
Build strong goodwill: Social media is the best way to build strong goodwill by
advertising emotion ads or promote organization in effective way (Harris and et. al, 2019).
Manger of Arcadia Focus on controlling the cost of products by using software and also work
and connect with customers to maintain strong and positive goodwill among market .
Competitive advantages: By saving cost, product development and improvement of the
process organization able to achieve competitive business advantage. Arcadia able to gain
competitive advantage by providing cloth their product at lo comparably low cost and best
qualities of product and their services also in friendly nature with the customer thus they have
unite reputation in the market place.
Globalization: Business organization which run their business activities in higher
competitive market have financial and operation business flexibilities. Which help them to grow
internationally. It system is the base through which organization will b able to maintain their
position in international market also. With the uses of telecommunication and outscoring the
organization easily connects with the customer and also they supervise their market. For hiring
of best employer the design their web page and there to all the relevant job seeker from all over
the world. Manager of Arcadia Use IT system in order to identify the value of market, policies
and rules regulation of international market. Situation of market in other countries , receive of
foreign customer though which they change their policies regarding international market(Wagner
Beimborn and Weitzel, 2014).
M1 Evaluation of how IT systems are applied in the different functions of an organisation and
how they work together to achieve high performance.
Information system is essential part of the business organization. Managers this system in
many function of management though which they can easily run their business operations.
Manger of Arcadia use IT system in formulating business strategies regarding marketing they
use social medial platform , for representing their advertisement and product and services in
order to attract the customers, with the use of software of information system , data has been
recorded and safety secure in clouds (Kerr, Troth and Pickering, 2020). Manger use IT system
for making and organization resource of the organization they used it for recourse planning and
communicate the essential information regarding business to internal and external stakeholders
4

of the organization by using social medial platform or various tools of technologies. IT is the
best medium to represent organization in attractive way.
D1 Critically evaluation of the role and purpose of IT systems in different functions of
organization and evaluating their contribution to achieving organisational objectives.
IT system has been established with the organization in order to attain the goals of
business cooperation. With the use of hardware and software used in the system (Lohrke,
Frownfelter-Lohrke and Ketchen Jr, 2016). Mangers can record their data in systemic way, they
cut the cost of wastage activities and improve the quality of the products through which they
enhance the product by using enterprise resource planning. Manager of Arcadia increase sales
rate by effectively communicate with customer with the s of information technologies stools and
it will also useful in providing platform of digital marketing were they represent their product
and serve through which organization will be able to achieve their goals and also attain
sustainable competitive advantage in world market. Arcadia is one of the biggest corporation of
UK and they use this system because of managing all the resource and all the data of every
region and international trade business activities in effective way.
P3 Aspects related with IT systems
Data storage refers to collective methods and technologies that will be used to capture
along with retain digital information on silicon, electromagnetic and optical storage media. It is
being used for illustration of peculiar devices data that is associated with distinct input or output
operations that comprises of flash devices, hard disk and storage media. This involves both
hardware and software systems which are being used to capture, manage and prioritise data
(Ogiela and Ogiela, 2014). It contains information in database, data warehouse, applications,
archiving, cloud storage and backup appliances. Digital information is being written in target
storage media by making use of relevant software commands. The memory is being measured in
terms of unit bit that is 0 or 1. It is being used to record media through which data can be
attained via computers and electronic devices. Cloud storage is one of the most utilised spaces
that are being opted by Arcadia. The reason behind this is that firm can pay as per usage and can
also shrink as well as expand storage space as per requirements.
Customer relationship management illustrates approach that is accountable for
management of interaction with probable customers. This makes use of data analysis that is
associated with their consumers for enhancing overall business relationship (Owens, Wilson and
5

Abell, 2019). This leads to emphasise on relationship with customers that will lead them to retain
and drive in sales. In Arcadia, CRM is being utilised for building up technologies, practices and
strategies which are used for having analysis and management of lifecycle. They are accountable
to compile data of their consumers in distinct channels that comprises of direct mails, social
media, marketing materials, telephone and live chat. Arcadia can make use sales force
automation, location based services, geolocation technology or contact centre automation.
Knowledge management implies process associated with creating, sharing, using it along
with managing data with knowledge of organisation. It is a multidisciplinary approach that is
being utilised for achieving organisational goals by effectively using KM. This comprises of data
driven goals that involves business intelligence, business model and productivity. An example
can be taken into account; Arcadia can utilise time which is being rendered to employees while
they are working on any peculiar project (Tworek, Tworek and Rauscher, 2019). This refers to
organised aggregation of procedures, storage, people, sharing of knowledge, database and
devices. Knowledge management system will assist Arcadia to be in organised and being
updated in context of documentation of firm. This aids them within having effectual information
to people who attain this.
Communication management illustrates organised formulation of plans, tracking, and
revision along with monitoring of channels that are related with interaction in an organisation.
To be an effective manager, it is critical for Arcadia to formulate contingency approaches when
they communicate with employees. Generally, it involves kind of data that is being required for
transmission of data that will lead them to have access and format. It is liable for delivering
guidelines to management in this context.
Data management denotes database management system that is responsible for creating
and managing database. This furnishes programmers and users with organised ways related with
creating, retrieving, and update and manage data. It will allow Arcadia to make sure that they
have structured and accessible data (Venkatesan and Sridhar, 2019). This concept acts like an
interface between application programs and database. The critical element will lead to have
administrative procedures, security and concurrency. It will assist Arcadia for restarting,
recovering, auditing and formulation of automatic rollback.
6

M2 Analysis of IT processes information
Information technology renders option by which data is being stored either internally
such as hard disk that comes in system along with this external like usage of pen drives, hard
drive or other kind of mediums. It will allow Arcadia that they have relevant data when this is
needed. An instance can be taken into consideration that firm develop adequate software that will
enable them to have higher sales and after some years demand for each product enhances that
will assist them within maintaining records of ways through which services can be delivered on
time as per desired standards (Wagner, Beimborn and Weitzel, 2014). For this, it is critical that
knowledge along with communication is adequate for processing their stored data.
D2 Illustrate unlike perspectives associated with IT systems
Both external as well as internal mediums can be utilised for storing information. They
are being processed for attainment of knowledge through this. Through accumulation of raw
materials, it is being processed for attainment of information that will assist them within
development of knowledge. Internal storage is being restricted thus external sources can be
utilised for meeting the requirements of firm. In addition to this, communication have critical
role in firm within decision making and sharing of information (Westfall, 2019). It can be
attained by making use of relations among their probable consumers as well as suppliers.
P4 Usage of IT to support value added change
The software aids firm within carrying out relevant analysis of data that is referred to as
information system. It specifies that by utilising technology Arcadia will be able to convert data
within consequential information that will be further utilised for developing valuable decisions
through which growth attained with reference to future perspectives. Firms formulate relevant
decisions and make adequate efforts by which they can have competitive or leading edge within
the market place as per operations that are conducted by them irrespective of situations that
prevail in the country (Yeh, Lee and Pai, 2015). This will assist Arcadia to ensure that they can
attain objectives and goals within time through which they can have higher profitability. Some
essential aspects related with this have been mentioned below:
 Developing decisions: For maintenance of performance and sustainability of firm, if is
crucial that decisions are being made in precise manner. This implies that knowledge that
must be attained from stored data and must be used by Arcadia as per their requirements
7

so that an efficient conclusion can be attained. This will aid them in development of
adequate decisions by making sure that knowledge is being used in a precise manner.
 Information storage and analysis: In present scenario, organisations are not making use
of traditional methods for storing their data which are being manually stored on registers
or in any of the other formats like hard copy (Zheng, Zheng and Li, 2019). By making
use of information system organisation can have comprehensive and refined database
which comprises of essential aspects of data required by Arcadia. An instance is taken for
acknowledging this; firm can opt for services from cloud vendors for having platform,
applications or software and storage space. In addition to this, vendor will be responsible
for ensuring the security of data. It will enable Arcadia to make use of information as per
their usage and can also avail it accordingly.
It has been identified that IT will furnish amplified outcomes in terms of value added
services which will aid organisation to store as well as retrieve information whenever it is needed
and in an easy way (Abrahams and Singh, 2019). When management of Arcadia will be able to
manage information and extract knowledge they can formulate decisions through which success
can be ensured thereby, have sustainability within market.
M3 Evaluate advantage along with disadvantage associated with IT systems
Electronic commerce must be utilised by Arcadia that will enable them to furnish their
consumers with an opportunity to be aware of services delivered by them as well as opt for them
as per their requirements. The crucial asset that can be attained by Arcadia by making its use is
that a medium will be generated for people where they can have direct interaction with firm with
reference to their queries or availability of the services. It will also aid them to grab ample of
customers towards offerings offered by them (Harris and et. al, 2019). But this also have
disadvantage that is security concerns as credit card frauds are increasing or there is a possibility
that intruder that they may have access to services delivered by them for carrying out malicious
activities. Thus, it will be apt for firm to opt for information technology while delivering their
services. Though there are certain disadvantages but if it is adequately used then they can be
maintained by Arcadia.
D3 Provide recommendations for amplification of IT system
It is adequate that cloud storage is being utilised by firm and ecommerce the reason behind this is
that when ample of people will register within their application or website then there details have
8

to be stored and for this relevant space is needed to ensure that all the operations are carried out
in an appropriate way (AlBar and Hoque, 2019). Along with this, enhanced security features will
be delivered by cloud that will enable them to ensure that all the information is safe.
Furthermore, unnecessary cost will also be minimised like equipments, their maintenance, etc
(Basheer and et. al, 2019).
P5 Recommendations
With reference to Arcadia, it is suggested that firm must make use of information
technology as this will furnish them with adequate methods through which they can render their
functions in a precise way. Therefore, this will aid them within attainment of higher effectiveness
along with accuracy in offerings given by them. By making use of IT, organisation will have
high accuracy in finances and transactions that are being made by them through elimination of
probabilities of bugs within their operations. Firm also have to ensure that they can update their
systems in continuous manner as it will aid them within elimination of vulnerabilities which may
be present within their devices. For this reason they can make use of eXtensible business
reporting for carrying out financial operations. Apart from this, accounting software package are
responsible for recording as well as processing accounting transactions such as ledger, payroll
and various others. This will enable Arcadia group to have precise and accurate outcomes.
It is recommended that firm can make use of encryption algorithms through which
probability of risks associated with getting access to information can be decreased. Thus, it
becomes necessary to have adequate preventive measures. They can activate firewall, have
encryption software and also network must be monitored in order to track activities which are
being occurring on network. It will provide them an insight into operations conducted and will
also aid to acknowledge what is being done by whom. In addition to this, access must be
provided to employees on the basis of roles and responsibilities to prevent internal threats which
might occur. Apart from this, Arcadia must have services from cloud as it will reduce cost
associated with having their own infrastructure as by paying amount they can have services.
Information technology systems are computerised systems that benefits within carrying out
diverse operations.
M4 Evaluate IT systems support solution
The productivity along with sales of services that are being rendered by firm will be
amplified. For this an instance can be considered such as e-commerce will assist Arcadia Group
9

to have adequate people that will aid them within minimisation of cost that is related with
reviews, videos and customer testimonials for promoting (Davis and Comeau, 2020). From
employee’s perspective, IT system will assist them within making activities easier like
transaction processing system can be utilised for managing warehouse and inventory system.
Similarly, HR can send emails to relevant candidates instead of spending cost within having pool
drives to acquire probable candidates. This clearly illustrates that information technology will
provide an organisation with amplified solution through which they can conduct their operations
in smooth manner.
D4 Analyse recommended solution to have effective assessment of system
Arcadia can make use of cloud storage as it will allow them to have metered a service
which denotes that they need to make payments as per services that have been used by them. In
case if peculiar service is not required by them then they can communicate same with the
vendors and in case they need to expand their space then this can also be attained by this
(Dehgani and Navimipour, 2019). But there might be a security risk but this can be eradicated if
firm makes use of encryption algorithms before storing their data within cloud as it will lead to
ensure that they have taken up adequate steps through which risks can be eradicated up to some
extent.
Conclusion
From the above report, it can be concluded that the information technology system will
have a great impact on the performance and effectiveness of the employee. In the absence of
proper implementation of information technology system, this can become complex for
companies to sustain in competitive environment. Report concludes about role of information
technology system for chosen entity as well as for other companies for better customer service. It
is essential for the organization to use a fresh and novel new tech system to enhance its operation
and consumer experience. The information system will lead to an increase in the process of
information and help to make quick and better choices that lead to the development of the firm.
Businesses will be able to appropriate presentation and sustainable business expansion through
the use of an efficient information system in business activities.
10

References
Books & Journals
Abrahams, A.S. and Singh, T., 2019. An active, reflective learning cycle for e-commerce classes:
Learning about e-commerce by doing and teaching. Journal of Information Systems
Education, 21(4), p.6.
AlBar, A.M. and Hoque, M.R., 2019. Factors affecting the adoption of information and
communication technology in small and medium enterprises: A perspective from rural
Saudi Arabia. Information Technology for Development, 25(4), pp.715-738.
Basheer, M. and et. al, 2019. Exploring the role of TQM and supply chain practices for firm
supply performance in the presence of information technology capabilities and supply
chain technology adoption: A case of textile firms in Pakistan. Uncertain Supply Chain
Management, 7(2), pp.275-288.
Davis, C.H. and Comeau, J., 2020. Enterprise integration in business education: Design and
outcomes of a capstone ERP-based undergraduate e-business management
course. Journal of Information Systems Education, 15(3), p.8.
Dehgani, R. and Navimipour, N.J., 2019. The impact of information technology and
communication systems on the agility of supply chain management systems. Kybernetes.
Harris, A.L. and et. al, 2019. Incorporating ethics and social responsibility in IS
education. Journal of Information Systems Education, 22(3), p.1.
Kerr, D., Troth, A. and Pickering, A., 2020. The use of role-playing to help students understand
information systems case studies. Journal of Information Systems Education, 14(2), p.6.
Lohrke, F. T., Frownfelter-Lohrke, C. and Ketchen Jr, D.J., 2016. The role of information
technology systems in the performance of mergers and acquisitions. Business
Horizons, 59(1), pp.7-12.
Ogiela, L. and Ogiela, M .R., 2014. Cognitive systems for intelligent business information
management in cognitive economy. International Journal of Information
Management, 34(6), pp.751-760.
Owens, I., Wilson, T. and Abell, A., 2019. Information and Business Performance: A Study of
Information Systems and Services in High-Performing Companies. Walter de Gruyter
GmbH & Co KG.
Tworek, K., Tworek and Rauscher, 2019. Aligning IT and Business. Springer International
Publishing.
Venkatesan, D. and Sridhar, S., 2019. A rationale for the choice of enterprise architecture
method and software technology in a software driven enterprise. International Journal of
Business Information Systems, 32(3), pp.272-311.
Wagner, H. T., Beimborn, D. and Weitzel, T., 2014. How social capital among information
technology and business units drives operational alignment and IT business
value. Journal of Management Information Systems, 31(1), pp.241-272.
Westfall, R.D., 2019. An employment-oriented definition of the information systems field: An
educator's view. Journal of Information Systems Education, 23(1), p.6.
Yeh, C .H., Lee, G .G. and Pai, J .C., 2015. Using a technology-organization-environment
framework to investigate the factors influencing e-business information technology
capabilities. Information Development, 31(5), pp.435-450.
Zheng, G., Zheng, C. and Li, L., 2019. Bringing business intelligence to health information
technology curriculum. Journal of Information Systems Education, 25(4), p.6.
11

12