IT Impact on Business Operations: Retail Case Study - UOS IIT Project

This report examines the impact of information technology on business operations within the retail sector, focusing on Morrison as a case study. It discusses various types of software essential for business operations, ethical and social issues arising from technology use, and different networking technologies. The report also highlights the importance of artificial intelligence in enhancing business productivity and decision-making. Additionally, it covers the software development life cycle and analyzes the specific software and networking technologies used by Morrison, along with the ethical challenges it faces. The study concludes by summarizing the key findings and their implications for retail businesses.

BABS Foundation Year UOS IIT Project
Introduction to Information Technology Project
Impact of Information Technology
on business operations of a <Your
chosen business>
Student ID:<Your Student ID>
BA in Business Studies(Foundation Year)
Date of Submission:<Date of Submission>
Word Count:
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I declare that this project is all my own work and that I have acknowledged all materials
used from the published or unpublished works of other people. All references have been
duly cited.
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Abstract
The aim of the report was to explain different types of Software along with various
describing Ethics and social issues that cause hindrances in successful operations. Also, With
the help of Artificial intelligence, business can easily enhance productivity and improve
customer experience too. Not only this, it can also generate business insights in order to make
smart decisions which is beneficial for business success.
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Table of Contents
1.Introduction.....................................................................................................................4
2. Literature Review ...........................................................................................................5
2.1 Different types of Software in general....................................................................................5
2.2 Ethics and Social Issues of using technology in general...........................................................5
2.3 Networking Technology, different types in general.................................................................6
2.4 The Artificial Intelligence and its importance in general..........................................................6
2.5 Software Development Life Cycle............................................................................................6
3. Analysis and Discussion..................................................................................................7
3.1 Software and its types used in the <selected business>..........................................................7
3.2 Ethics and social issues in selected business............................................................................7
3.3 Types of Networking Technologies that used in the selected business ...................................7
3.4 The importance of Artificial Intelligence in the selected business...........................................7
4. Conclusions.....................................................................................................................8
5.References ......................................................................................................................8
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1.Introduction
Information technologies include the use of computers, networking and other physical
devices to creates, store and process certain amount of data and ensure that there is successful
exchange of information. Also, the present report is based on the Morison that is UK most
known retailer that is specialized in selling variety of goods in various markets. Furthermore,
the study will also explain different types of Software its use in any business and will analysis
various Ethics and social issues that cause hindrances in successful operations of the work.
Also, the study will highlight the various types of Networking Technologies along with
certain merits and demerits. Lastly, the report will describe in significance of the Artificial
Intelligence Morrison in reaching to greater height of success.
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2. Literature Review
2.1 Different types of Software in general
As per the view point of Kordov and Eminov, (2018) The different types if software
used in the businesses , as the payment processing software used in retail business as for
processing the payments from the consumers for creating the revenues of the businesses.
Also, the inventory management software is used by the retail business organization as for
managing and controlling all the raw materials for operating and manufacturing the products
for the retail business. As per the view point of retail ERP systems is used by the business as
for managing planning and operating all the business with handling is finances and supply
chain of the business. Also the point of sale systems are used by the businesses as for
handling all the processes by managing the inventory and physical stores by adding
consumers orders, reporting sales and accepting the payments. Further more business uses the
accounting systems for managing all the accounts as for handling the cash and making the
balance sheets for pertaining the profits being earned by the business. With using the payroll
software's helps in paying and managing the employees compensations and its pay slips
according to the fair performance.
2.2 Ethics and Social Issues of using technology in general
As per the view point of Margherita and Braccini, (2021) different ethical and social
issues faced by the business with using technologies as, misusing the peroneal information of
the employees with using the payroll software is the main ethical issue faced by the business.
Also the misinformation and the deep fakes hinders in violating and is disclosing the personal
data as of breaching the intellectual property rights. Further the deep fake mainly aids in
eroding the trust and damage the reputation of the company. Further more with using the AI
in the business ids in occurring the ethical and social issues to the businesses as this eliminate
the job opportunities ta large level and creates complicated job duties. According to the
preference of Maruschak, (2021) using technology it aids in leading to the biasses situation
while recognizing the facial recognition when used in the businesses. Further using this
technology aids in taking the business decisions which occurs alack of transparency and aid
in creating the discriminatory outcomes with inaccuracies. With using the information
technology in the business aids in arising the ethical issue with leading to the gender
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discrimination , while discriminating women. This leads in equality issues and arises the
ethical barriers with using the technologies in the business.
2.3 Networking Technology, different types in general
According to the Washington and Kuo, (2020) various networking technology which is
mainly used by the business while operating and building networks for achieving success .
The PAN technology is the type of network which is used for building relations while
operating small business with using wireless systems as the phones, computers. Further, LAN
the local area network is used for connecting the computers in the businesses at short distance
for sharing the information and the resource. Also, the WLAN is mainly relying on in using
the physical cable for building the networks for connecting the devices. The PAN is used for
the personal purposes as for connecting the tow devices mainly with Wi-Fi networks or the
Bluetooth for sharing the data. SAN is mainly used for connecting the large devices with
connecting to the different servers, this is mainly adopted for attaining high performance.
Further more accordion to the Josbert and et.al., (2021) POLAN networking technology used
for supporting the traditional networking applications by splitting and connecting from one
strands to another as for serving various user and devices. Further more the EPN is used by
the businesses as for connecting the private networks at the different location of an enterprise
with securing the computer devices.
2.4 The Artificial Intelligence and its importance in general
According to Zhang and Lu, (2021)Artificial Intelligence is one that helped most of
the business to carry out certain work in smart manner. Also, it consists of machines that
exhibits the similar traits as that of human and are capable enough for solving various
complex problems. Furthermore, Vaishya and et.al., (2020)stated that AI helps organization
to make effective decisions and improve the core business so that strategic advantage might
be gained. However, Amisha, Pathania and Rathaur, (2019) argued that these machines are
not capable enough in bringing creativity within the business and hence machines could be
smarter but not productive as human labour. Moreover, artificial intelligence has created as
era where all work now of the business is been carried out digitally and not manually.
Furthermore, it has helped the business in conducting repetitive jobs without getting
exhausted or bored over the period. Moreover, the artificial intelligence is very good for
every type of business whether big or small as machines are able to take complex risk unlike
humans that resist in taking challenging task in the future. Also, through the artificial
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intelligence humans are able to store and the review most of the information immediately
through the storage of facility. However, Haenlein and Kaplan, (2019) argued that artificial
intelligence has brought positive changes within the society and business but even though n it
has reduced the job opportunities within the country by to being machine intensive. Thus, as
such it has limited the growth of the country in long run.
2.5 Software Development Life Cycle
According to Al-Saqqa and et.al., (2020)Software Development Cycle is the process
that is used by software companies to design, develop and test high quality software during
certain period. Also, it provided the complete guidance on how particular software might en
maintained, replaced or develop within the working of any business. Moreover, Curcio and
et.al., (2018) stated that it is been followed through certain steps that included planning,
defining, designing, building, testing and deployment so that things are carried out in right
manner. Also, there are various popular models that are used by the company depending upon
the objectives it wishes to fulfill during certain time frame. For instance: waterfall model,
spiral, big bang, v model etc. Furthermore,Tam and et.al., (2020) stated that major benefits of
such development cycle is that it helps in establishing better control over entire development
of the project. Also, it helps in transparency and visibility of all processes so that better
control decision might be established in the future. Although Pereira and de FSM Russo,
(2018) critically argued that it is bad choice for the small projects as users are not able
review intermediate products and evaluate whether any given product meet the business
requirement or not. Also, the documentation s is quite expensive and also time-consuming
which is not possible for the small business that have lot of other activities to be carried out
within the business. Also, this programs flows the stiff implementation and does not allow
enough creativity that makes it quite ineffective
3. Analysis and Discussion
3.1 Software and its types used in the <selected business>
The different types of software sued by the Morrisons as it is recognize for serving
large number of consumers for Selling wide range of food and non-food products in the
dynamic market. The company is using retail retailix store line POS software's use for
maintaining the point if ale and managing the overall operations and fast moving the
products which is being manufactures in the business. Also Morrison is using the QSR
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software as for serving quickly with minimal preparing time by producing products to large
number of consumers in the dynamic market. With using the self checkout system software
as of taking the RFID helps in reducing the checkout time by scanning the stage of all the
products in the company by serving rage number of consumers with food and non food
products and services. Thus with using the retailx system software in the company helps in
managing the and scaling the company by flexibly supporting the store products with varying
sizes and diversifying its features this helps in enhancing the shopping experience of the
consumers while arriving at stores for purchasing. Thus also helps the company for meeting
its neds as it is capable off delivering all the products with proper functionality by serving
with most efficient and scaleable solutions which helps in meeting future business
requirements.
3.2 Ethics and social issues in selected business
Various issue faced by the Morrisons related to serving the food products to large
suppliers by maintaining ethics. Issues and loopholes which hinders in operating the retail
business into the dynamic market are as the company is not able to give equality and violates
the supply chain practices . It fails In protecting the worker rights which results in hindering
the working in its operations. As due to lack of responsibility of the company aids in
impaction and reducing its performance. Further more the poor management of the company
results in social practices issues,as the company faced and recognized for Selling the alcohol
beverages to the minor individuals. For his the company was criticised and this aids in
impacting the operations and retaining consumers in the dynamic markets for operating the
business as for serving the food and non food products. Also the ethical issue faced by the
company as for not protecting the data of employees which are working in the company and
disclosing in front of various individual which is violating in nature as for not protecting the
personal data of employees which are working and serving the company by constantly
working.
3.3 Types of Networking Technologies that used in the selected business
For the company like Morrison that is specialized in selling large variety of goods in vast
areas some network technologies that are used are been described as follows:
WAN(Wide area network)
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It is type of network where all the devices are joint through networking device route
thus forming large network. Moreover, there are two types of WAN such as public and
private WAN. Also, public is handled through government divisions while the private is
expanded through departments.
VPN (virtual private network)
It is network that is used by the Morrison in transmitting the data from sender to receiver and
also helps in communicating through public network. Furthermore, this network uses lot of
protocols for encrypting and decrypting the data
Advantages Disadvantages
 It is extremely flexible
 Easy sharing of the files
 Cost is minimum
 It needs the effective operator
 It creates security difficulties
 It needs exclusive set up
Thus through use of such networking technologies it is able to carry out various work and is
able to expand into various region in most effective manner. Furthermore, these technologies
allow the firm to have the best of working and also employees are able to deliver the best of
outcome within short period
3.4 The importance of Artificial Intelligence in the selected business
In today's business environment, artificial intelligence plays a vital role as it helps company
to gain insight through data analysis. By using artificial intelligence, Morrisons will be able
to engage with employees of the firm and customers too.
Increase customer base
Frankly speaking, nowadays companies who use artificial intelligence can attract
more customers as compared to those companies who cannot use artificial intelligence while
operating business. With the help of artificial intelligence, help company to find out
connections and understand human language with machine learning technology (Zhang and
Lu, 2021). The positive impact of Artificial intelligence is that it improve the customer
experience and increase the profitability of the firm. For example- by using Al- driven
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chatbots the company can easily provide customer care service 24/7. By using this they can
automate communication via online chats, emails and also through phone calls which can
attract customers as customer feel more valued. If Morrisons wants to enhance customer
interactions then they must use tool such as OracleCMS which can deliver the best customer
management solutions.
Save time and money
When we talk about working in the company, machines are more efficient than human
beings of-course. When employees want to work they can make use of machine. With the
help of artificial intelligence machines the company can analyse large amount of important
data within a few seconds which saves time (Vaishya and et.al., 2020). When everything
done with the help of technology and machinery then the company will take less time to
make important decisions.
4. Conclusions
From the above report it can be concluded that technologies are important aspect and tool
that helps the business to grow on the vast level. Moreover, with use of effective technologies
the firm is able to reduce the stress and also create the positive working environment for its
employees. Furthermore, the present report had provided the literature review of different
type of software's that had been sued in the business to achieve certain goals. Moreover, the
ethical and social issues had also been covered in report in detail. Furthermore, different type
of network technologies like WAN and VPN used within Morrison had also been explained.
Lastly, the study had analysis in detail about the artificial intelligence that is used within the
cited business and alps explained how it had made the working of the business effective for
long run.
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5.References
Al-Saqqa, S. and et.al., 2020. Agile Software Development: Methodologies and
Trends. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies.14(11).
Amisha, P. M., Pathania, M. and Rathaur, V. K., 2019. Overview of artificial intelligence in
medicine. Journal of family medicine and primary care. 8(7). p.2328.
Curcio, K. and et.al., 2018. Requirements engineering: A systematic mapping study in agile
software development. Journal of Systems and Software. 139. pp.32-50.
Haenlein, M. and Kaplan, A., 2019. A brief history of artificial intelligence: On the past,
present, and future of artificial intelligence. California management review. 61(4).
pp.5-14.
Josbert, N.N., and et.al., 2021. A Framework for Managing Dynamic Routing in Industrial
Networks Driven by Software-Defined Networking Technology. IEEE Access. 9.
pp.74343-74359.
Kordov, K. and Eminov, D., 2018. Applied software for managing a small
business. Mathematical and Software Engineering.s 4(1). pp.12-17.
Margherita, E. G. and Braccini, A. M., 2021. Managing industry 4.0 automation for fair
ethical business development: A single case study. Technological Forecasting and
Social Change. 172. p.121048.
Maruschak, L., 2021. Accounting software in modern business. Advances in Science,
Technology and Engineering Systems. 6(1). p.863.
Pereira, J. C. and de FSM Russo, R., 2018. Design thinking integrated in agile software
development: A systematic literature review. Procedia computer science. 138. pp.775-
782.
Tam, C. and et.al., 2020. The factors influencing the success of on-going agile software
development projects. International Journal of Project Management. 38(3). pp.165-
176.
Vaishya, R. and et.al., 2020. Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications for COVID-19
pandemic. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. 14(4).
pp.337-339.
Vaishya, R. and et.al., 2020. Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications for COVID-19
pandemic. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. 14(4).
pp.337-339.
Washington, A. L. and Kuo, R., 2020, January. Whose side are ethics codes on? Power,
responsibility and the social good. In Proceedings of the 2020 Conference on
Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency (pp. 230-240).
Zhang, C. and Lu, Y., 2021. Study on artificial intelligence: The state of the art and future
prospects. Journal of Industrial Information Integration. 23. p.100224.
Zhang, C. and Lu, Y., 2021. Study on artificial intelligence: The state of the art and future
prospects. Journal of Industrial Information Integration. 23. p.100224.
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