IT Systems Analysis, Contribution, and Recommendations for Morrison

This report provides an analysis of IT systems used by Morrison Supermarkets, exploring their application across various business functions such as marketing, R&D, and finance. It examines how IT contributes to achieving Morrison's objectives, including product development, process improvement, and cost efficiency, ultimately providing a competitive edge. The report delves into data storage and processing methods, including object, block, and file storage, as well as cloud storage and knowledge management systems (KMS). Furthermore, it assesses IT systems' role in supporting value-added changes for business sustainability and performance, including data communication and customer relationship management (CRM). The report concludes with recommendations for IT solutions tailored to Morrison's needs, emphasizing the importance of IT in modern business operations.

IT Systems

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
P1 Analysis of usage of IT systems within Morrison.................................................................1
P2 Justify ways in which IT system contributes within attainment of objectives of Morrison.. 2
P3 Analysis of ways via which IT systems can store as well as process data............................4
P4 Assessment of IT systems for supporting value added change for improvisation of business
sustainability, sustainability and performance............................................................................5
P5 Recommendations of IT solutions for Morrisons. ................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................6
References........................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
A system that comprises of computers and people which interprets or processes data is
referred to as information system. Basically, this is unified set of components that is being
utilised for collection, storage as well as processing of data for rendering information related
with products and services that are being delivered (Azar and Vaidyanathan, 2015). To
understand the concept of IT Systems, Morrison Supermarkets plc has been taken into
consideration. This is the fourth largest supermarket which was founded in 1899 by William
Morrison. They deals in clothing, food & drink, etc. They have there stores in around 500
locations (Company History, 2019). This report comprises of utilisation of IT systems their
contribution within firm, ways for storing and processing data. Moreover, usage of IT for
rendering value added change and recommendations for the same will be illustrated.
P1 Analysis of usage of IT systems within different functions of Morrison.
The aggregation of diverse pieces of equipment which involves transmission of
information is referred to as IT systems. Software, hardware, computer system information and
connection, users, etc. are the part of information systems. This assist within facilitation of
planning, coordination, control as well as decision making. Morrison can make use of IS to
render there services as per required standards so that data can be processed as well as precise
results can be attained. Their usage have been illustrated beneath:
 Analysis of business trends: Through the usage of information system marketing as well
as R&D department of Morrison can identify latest trends which prevails within the
market as well as acknowledge expectations of individuals. This can be done by the
usage of Information system for an instance, social media can be utilised for carrying out
analysis related with products they are giving to their customers as well as what they will
be providing in future along with expectations of customers (Burrough and et. al, 2015).
It will assist both the departments to furnish the information accordingly to
manufacturing department or any other so that they can carry out their operations
respectively. This denotes that information system will yield them affirmative results by
taking consideration what their clients expect from them. Here, management of Morrison
is responsible for preparation of forecasts with respect to budgets as well as strategic
planning. Along with this, details of firm related with sales, customer services and
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production will also assist other departments to carry out their operations like information
related with expenses, investments and revenue are broken into different elements. If
Morrison have worked on similar projects then information will provide better solution to
problems which were incurred previously.
 Informing business decisions: Validity of decision that are being taken entirely depends
on information that has been attained. Information system is liable for improvisation
within decision-making as it renders accurate, complete and timely data. Finance
department can have decisions with respect to previous year budgets as well as allot the
budget as per that (Cassidy, 2016). This will lead to eliminate wastage of money and
utilise it in an appropriate manner. Cross-checking and self-checking options are being
provided by MIS for reduction within errors as well as design systems for offering a
entire picture of situations which prevails. Morrison can make use of MIS for making
sure that managers work on information that is being derived so that decisions can be
carried out with respect to identical information.
 Examination of strategies & scenarios: Information and trends display the changing
trends within firm. Management of Morrison can measure diverse possibilities as well as
examine scenarios prevailing. This will assist top management as well as managers to
decide strategies for the firm. Through MIS, they will be able to find out best strategies as
it will provide management with operational data and also comes with analysis, query
and modelling system. for themselves by which they can carry out their operations in an
appropriate manner.
 Virtual collaboration: This denotes collaboration in between virtual teams which can be
done by making use of technology. It can be carried out by Morrison for ensuring that
tasks can be carried out in an appropriate manner. IT will aid firm to carry out online
meetings and have face to face interaction by the utilisation of holography.
P2 Justify ways in which IT system contributes within attainment of objectives of Morrison.
Information technology have important role in a firm for ensuring that objectives can be
attained within specified time duration. Through this operations can be conducted in specified
way. The contribution of IT within Morrison have been illustrated below:
Product Development: Information technology assists firm to reach within market at
high speed. Through the usage of proprietary data and marketing intelligence Morrison will be
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able to document needs of their product (Corrado, 2019). Via manufacturing software along with
computer aided design (CAD) firm will be able to speed up their decisions as they can visualise
what their services will look alike. For this collaborative technologies can be used so that
simultaneously work can be carried out on different sections. Through this firm will be able to
respond to randomly changing requirements of their customers. The decisions can be formulated
by Morrison in an effective manner if IT is being utilised within development of the products.
Process improvisation: Enterprise resource planning (ERP) assist management to have
sales review which have been occurred, cost associated with that and operating metrics in a real
time environment with utilisation of operating metrics (Cresswell, Bates and Sheikh, 2016). ERP
system of Morrison is liable for regeneration of different legacy systems for functional areas like
human resources, finance, etc. Through this internal processes can be made cost-effective along
with higher efficiency. Through this, management of Morrison can have easier, accurate and
quick results as well as decisions can be made with respect to that.
Cost efficiency: At initial stage, implementation cost of IT systems is costly but that cost
is worth it, as long term benefits that will be yielded by this. This also denotes that there will be
minimisation in transactions and processes associated with their implementation in an enhanced
way (Tanenbaum and Bos, 2015). Productivity solutions related with IT spans from normal
formulation of word processing to email. Via this cost can be saved with respect to duplication
of information and quality of services will also be enhanced. This will assist Morrison to possess
effective systems but the cost associated is high. For an instance if finance department furnish
their responsibilities in a manual work then there are high chances that errors may occur but if IT
systems (like transaction processing system (TPS), decision support, system (DSS), collaboration
systems, etc.) are being utilised then the results will be minimised. For an instance by making
use of TPS financial transactions can be carried out in an appropriate manner as in case of
manual processing there are higher chances of errors but when TPS will be used then errors
associated with transactions can be eliminated. This will lead them to carry out their services in
quick manner thereby leads to enhancement within their sales ratio and objectives can also be
attained by this.
Competitive edge: Enhanced product development, improvisation in processes and cost
savings in existent processes assists firm to acquire and maintain higher level of competitive
edge in a market (Darnton and Giacoletto, 2018). For an example, if Morrison develops
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application for smart phones then there competitors will also look forward to have such kind of
enhancements so that they will be also able to grab attention of new and existent customers.
Morrison can utilise simulation tool with respect to how they will be presented in their
Supermarket. Like by using them real-world problems can be solved efficiently by utilising
simulation tools the appearance of Supermarket can be adjusted, it is just in virtually and on
results attained from that it can be carried out practically. Along with this, transaction processing
systems will aid them to furnish the results in specified and given time duration. By TPS
calculations as well as formulation of budgets will become easy as a single zero leads to a huge
difference.
From above it has been observed that IT has made wider contribution for conducting the
operations of Morrison or any other organisation. This will assist them in attainment of goals in
timely way and in an appropriate manner.
P3 Analysis of ways via which IT systems can store as well as process data.
Data storage is defined as a process of storage of data in any storage media. This is one
of the general function of systems (What is data storage, 2019). Basically, it denotes utilisation
of recording media through which data can be retained by utilisation of computer. Object, Block
and file storage objects are used widely for carrying out processes (Devaney, 2018). Within
Object storage, data is present in the form of objects as well as they have unique identifiers and
metadata. They are not expensive as well as utilised in case of PDF's where data needs not to be
edited. This is collected method and technology that is liable for capturing and retaining digital
information present on electromagnetic, optical and silicon-dependent storage devices. In block
storage, data is present in an equal sized blocks. There is hardly any scalability as well as are
complex and they are also expensive. It can be utilised when information is rarely edited or
accessed. File storage is inexpensive in which data can be stored in files as well as folders. They
are generally found within hard drives. In addition to this, Morrison can make use of Cloud
storage where they can pay as per services required by them.
Knowledge illustrates understanding and awareness related with information along with
ways where they are required for carrying out tasks and developing decisions (Negele, 2018).
For an instance, Morrison, can utilise information that they have received and it can be provided
to employees so that timely services can be delivered to individuals. After collecting data, it is
processed by which information is received and after passage of certain time, knowledge can be
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developed. KMS (Knowledge Management System) are defined as structured accumulation of
devices, software, database, procedures for creating, storing, shoring and using knowledge
acquired by firm. For an instance, Morrison can analyse their previous year budget and also their
expenditure, through this knowledge will be developed which will assist them to develop their
budget with respect to latest projects they are working on (Hitomi, 2017).
Data communication refers to exchange of data in between receiver as well as source
within transmission medium such as wired media. LAN can be utilised if interaction is carried
out within same building. Mail is an affirmative way for carrying out communication, it
comprises of sender and receiver. Data communication aims at transferring data as well as
ensuring that confidentiality and integrity is maintained.
Customer data relationship management denotes strategies for managing relationship
and communication in between their probable customers. This system assist firm to remain in
connection (like automatic response will be given to general queries that are being asked by
customers) as well as streamline their processes, enhance profitability and remain in connection
with their existent & probable customers (Laudon and Laudon, 2015). For this, there exist certain
CRM tools (Zoho, Pipedrive, vCita, etc.) that can be utilised by Morrison for ensuring high sales,
productivity, management of contact and various others. Its goal is to improvise overall
relationship in between businesses.
P4 Assessment of IT systems for supporting value added change for improvisation of business
sustainability, sustainability and performance.
Within rapidly growing era, information technology can be used in a trenchant manner so
that stability of performance can be attained by firms. With respect to this, it is necessary for
firms to have absolute knowledge as well as awareness related with advancements in technology
(Schnoll, 2015). IT has wider contribution within firms, this makes it necessary for firms like
Morrison to identify information systems that can be utilised by them to yield affirmative results
rather than pessimistic. This will lead them to have wider opportunities for growth. It denotes
that there is need to develop strategies accordingly so that information systems can be utilised in
an appropriate manner so that productivity can be enhanced. This is important for firm to possess
cognition related with knowledge based system so that network life cycle can be minimised and
new networks must be brought in for satisfaction of their customers in a required manner.
Through the assistance as well as utilisation of IT systems, organisation will be able to attain
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long term advancements in their processes. By this, Morrison will be able to enhance their
productivity and carry out their operations in an effectual manner. In addition to this, there is
requirement to analyse organisation structure as well as management style for gaining
enhancement within their operations.
With the appropriate usage of information systems, Morrison will be able to deliver the
services in high quality, timely as well as accurate results. Decision making systems can be used
by them for this so that by analysing all the details and prevailing situations effective decisions
can be made. Through this they will be able to accomplish their goals as well as objectives which
will lead them to have competitive edge in market (Madon and Krishna, 2018). But it is not
effective until employees accepts the new working standards and works on them (Information
system). Information system facilitates within enhancement of productivity as well as
performance levels of individuals. As Morrison render their services in around 500 locations then
meetings can be conducted via video conferencing and important information can be shared
through the usage of emails. It leads them for collaboration within their working systems for
ensuring that processes are carried out in a smooth manner. By execution of information systems
in an effective manner, improvised benefits will be provided in terms of performance and will
also lead to satisfaction of customers in terms of products & services (Laudon and Traver, 2016).
Information systems like customer relationship system will aid them to have feedback from
customers (like queries and suggestions can be given by customers depending upon services
delivered to them) and accordingly products can be made available within the supermarket. It
will lead Morrison to gain loyalty of their customers which will have affirmative results in
market with respect to their competitors.
P5 Recommendations of IT solutions for Morrisons.
Morrison was going through issues such as delay in services and generation of bills was
not accurate. It is suggested to Morrison, to make use of information technology system, as this
renders them with an easier way for carrying out their operations in specified manner and
improvise efficiency of overall operations. They possess stores in different locations which
denotes that there is higher possibility that their customer base is also stronger but still they can
amplify there ways by making effective use of IT in there processes. Management of Morrison
can opt for usage of m-commerce as at present scenario, this is the method by which more
number of customers can be attracted towards services rendered by them. For this, Morrison can
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develop their application so that requirements of customers can be accomplished by just few
clicks.
In addition to this, Morrison must update their systems on continuous basis so that any
kind of loophole do not occur by which third person can not have access to their systems. There
also exist some features which they cannot have otherwise. Furthermore, services from cloud can
be utilised by them so that extra expenses for having platform for developing application and
storage of data. They can pay as per their requirements as well as services can be accessed from
anywhere.
Conclusion
From above it can be concluded, that process for storing, gathering, analysing and
retrieving information from assorted sources is defined as information technology. Firms can
utilise information systems for enhancing the ways in operations are being carried out. This leads
firm to formulate enhanced relationship among their customers as by opting for cloud storage
information can be retrieved from anywhere. In addition to this, cost related with this can also be
eliminated for development of applications.
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References
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Devaney, R., 2018. An introduction to chaotic dynamical systems. CRC Press.
Hitomi, K., 2017. Manufacturing systems engineering: A unified approach to manufacturing
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Madon, S. and Krishna, S., 2018. The Digital Challenge: Information Technology in the
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Negele, J. W., 2018. Quantum many-particle systems. CRC Press.
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Tanenbaum, A. S. and Bos, H., 2015. Modern operating systems. Pearson.
Online
Company History. 2019. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.morrisons-corporate.com/about-us/company-history/>.
What is data storage. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.hpe.com/in/en/what-is/data-storage.html>.
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