Applying Operations Management Decisions to E-commerce Retail Business

This report examines the critical operations management decisions within an e-commerce retail context, specifically focusing on a business selling customized phone covers. It addresses ten key decision factors, including product and service design, quality management, process and capacity design, location strategy (online store via Shopify), layout strategy, human resource management (sole proprietorship), supply chain management (sourcing materials and equipment), inventory management, intermediate and short-term scheduling, and maintenance. The report details the choices made for each factor, such as using digital/UV printing for quality and cost-effectiveness, selecting suppliers based on ratings, and maintaining a buffer stock of phone cases. The long-term vision includes expanding to 3D printing for other merchandise. Desklib offers a variety of solved assignments and resources for students.

Introduction
For understanding the key decisions of operations manager, I shall assume the identity of operations
manager of an ecommerce retailer selling customized phone covers. The table below shows the ten key
decisions that I will have to take in this position.
Decision Factor Decision
Design of products and services We shall be selling customized mobile covers by setting up
an online retail store on Shopify. The products will be
handcrafter using digital printing and according to customer
demand.
Managing Quality Quality monitoring will be required both in design and
printing method. For printing method, high Quality
UV/digital printing will be used so as to give better designs
to the customers. Also suppliers have to be vetted properly
to check the quality of phone cases.
Process and Capacity design Digital/UV printing process will be used. It gives good
quality finish at a low cost. AUV phone case printer will be
required for the same
Location The location will be online store on Shopify. The business is
kept online as it saves a lot cost. Shopify provides number of
advantages like mobile app, easy to use dashboard, social
media support and analytical tool which helps startups to
understand customers and demand.
Layout strategy The shop layout will be selected from the templates
provided by Shopify. The selected template is provided
below. The layout will have payment options, return policy
and the window having basic information about business
along with lots of product photos.
Human resource management This section is not applicable as the business will be started
as a sole proprietorship and I shall be doing the work of
printing on my own and selling goods online
Supply chain management Printing equipment will be bought online. The suppliers will
be selected on the basis of their ratings on Ali Express. For
phone cases supply, quality standards have to be defined and

cheap materials have to be avoided. For designs, own photo
collection will be used initially as the external sources like
Dribble cause $80-$200 per hour which will increase our
cost.
Inventory, MRP, JIT The designs have to be itemized on the basis of each order.
Customers will be given a choice of around 50 designs
initially to choose from.
Intermediate and short term scheduling The business of phone case printing is not seasonal and not
many employees are needed in this case. The cases will be
ordered as per time and approximately 2 weeks’ stick will be
kept as buffer.
After establishing the business, we shall be shifting towards
3d printing of other merchandise as well, like mugs, T-shirts
etc.
Maintenance The supplier providing printing equipment will be
responsible for maintenance as per terms and conditions of
annual maintenance contract
Annexure – Shop layout