CaseStudy2008Questions


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POINT OF SALE and BAR CODES ** ===1. Identify 2 types of processes done by the POS.  === Firstly the Product name and secondly the name of the company that made the product.

2. Describe how the bar code is used to determine the price.


The price is encrypted in the bar code, when the bar code is scanned it searches the computers database for the product and the information on the product.


The scanner and the touch screen are two input devises at the POS 


The reliability of the scanners can be an issue, first of all because maybe if the person working at the POS didn’t hear the beep, they would end up scanning it again which means that the customer has to pay double the price. There are different types of scanners and each type has different reliability, most shops use laser scanners, which use a beam of light to read bar codes, offer better scanning ability with the ability to scan at longer distances. Some laser scanners are "auto sensing," meaning they turn themselves on when an item is placed in front of them, scan the code, and then turn off again. Omni directional scanners send out 15 or 20 lasers simultaneously, letting you scan a bar code from any angle. And the top of the line are embedded scanners, which are Omni directional scanners that are installed below a counter, as is common in supermarkets. Touch screens are more intuitive to use than keyboards for many users. They also provide more flexibility in the user interface and programming. Most touch screens sold these days are based on flat-screen LCDs instead of traditional CRT monitors. They may become less reliable if they are dirty or old.    ===5. To what extent can the staff of La Vianda Supermarket be blamed for a pricing error? ===

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===<span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"> <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">6. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Identify two human errors associated with barcode reader === Not hearing the beep, not being able to scan the barcode, resulting in typing in the code, this means that there is possibility of a mistake in typing it, which results in the customer paying for a different item, which could be a space ship which means it would cost the customer a lot of money

<span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">7. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Discuss the issues related to the use of servers and barcode readers <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">8. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Identify two technologies for check-out in a super market. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">9. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Describe how a bar code reader works. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">10. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Compare how a bar code reader works differently form a POS Terminal. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">11. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Evaluate the EPOS/Bar codes. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">12. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Discuss whether express self service counters give customers a greater advantage than point of sales. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"> <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"> SMART CARDS, LOYALTY CARDS, BIOMETRICS and PRIVACY <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">13. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Describe how a smart card could be used for employees of La Vianda in terms of clocking in and out. What issues may arise from this use? What other ways could this card be used? <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">14. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Describe how a smart card could be used by the customers of La Vianda <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">15. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Compare the advantages and disadvantages, of using smart cards in supermarkets. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">16. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Explain how Supermarkets can get in more contact with customers. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">17. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Describe the advantages of Loyalty cards to the supermarkets and to the Consumer <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">18. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Describe how biometrics could be used by La Vianda customers. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">19. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Describe how biometrics can be used to reduce shoplifting. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">20. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">To what extent is privacy an issue when customers handout about themselves information to supermarkets? <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"> Click here to add and view the answers **<span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">21. Describe the purpose LAN in reference to La Vianda supermarket <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">22. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Define Electronic Data Interface (EDI) <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">23. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Describe how an EDI systems work. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">24. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Discuss and evaluate the advantages of EDI to the Supermarket? <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">25. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Evaluate the possible benefits to a supermarket of introducing RFID tags to their products. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">26. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Should La Vianda use UPC bar codes or move to RFID tags? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">27. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Discuss three possible social and/ or ethical issues raised by the use of RFID tags in supermarkets like the La Vianda. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">28. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Explain how smart shelves would benefit a supermarket like La Vianda <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">29. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of dynamic pricing for a supermarket like La Vianda <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"> THE FUTURE<span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">30. Describe and give reasons for two information systems that La Vianda supermarket might invest in for the future (not related to eCommerce). · <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">To what extent would these new technologies increase supermarket efficiency? · <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Analyze the issues related with the use of new technologies in supermarket. La Vianda could invest in RFID which would help them control their stocking of goods and transportation of the goods. This could help them to deal with cash flow problems, as they can re-order stock when it’s needed. RFID can also help them track transportation of their goods. This is important incase they need to recall some products due to bad quality.
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With RFID it is also easy to keep track of the goods in the warehouse. This can be done by running the goods through an RFID reader and recording it into a database. This avoids any mistakes and all re-ordering can be done electronically.

They can invest in a software system that would record the goods stored, bought and sold, and thus it would be able to re-order by itself.

eCOMMERCE ** <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">31. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Customers may want faster ways of buying goods. Describe the technology the supermarket can implement to achieve this. <span style="COLOR: #f20dca; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive">In a physical supermarket, the supermarket could introduce the technology of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags. There small circuits are able to store personal data, credit card details, purchase details, location details and much more. For products in the supermarket, the tags could include information such as the manufacturer, the best before date, the barcode, the stock details etc. With these RFID tags on the customers themselves, they can store details such as credit cards and accounts. With this technology, customers could do their shopping and walk through scanners, which would take the amount of money out of the bank account according to the details present on the RFID tags. Similar process to a cashier with barcodes and magnetic swipe reader, though this method, customers don’t have to wait in a queue as manually the process is slower. Though these RFID tags do cause an issue of privacy. The general public worry that this technology could result in a ‘big brother’ scenario as so much of their information is stored on just one tag. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'"><span style="COLOR: #f20dca; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'"><span style="COLOR: #f20dca; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive">Another use of technology in which a supermarket could implement would be to go online and become an eCommerce company. If the supermarket was to provide their services online, they could enter a whole new market of customers, such as those who are disabled or who have children; it is difficult for them to get out and go shopping on a regular basis. With this technology of the Internet, the supermarket is able to provide services to those who are unable to shop at the store; this could improve their brand image as well.
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<span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">32. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Explain the benefit to the supermarket of using online shopping. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'"><span style="COLOR: #e010d3; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive">There are many benefits to a supermarket to use the Internet as a form of their service. Online shopping has increased immensely over the past few years. With the use of online shopping, the supermarket could target customers who are unable to get out of the house easily, thus giving these customers the opportunity to do their shopping just as everyone else. Providing a delivery service is also crucial in order to feel that the customer is given full attention. Providing an online service could also reduce competition, as the customers are not walking past other supermarkets. There is also the possibility that customers would prefer to shop online, as they don’t have to waste time walking and looking through the isles to find what they need, this could make their trip more efficient and productive. It also allows customers from other countries to purchase gifts for relatives in the local area of the supermarket, extending the supermarket’s market percentage. Another benefit to online shopping would be that customers could order their goods in time for a special occasion, rather than arriving at the store and finding out that they are out of stock. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">

<span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">33. <span style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Ecommerce is a popular means for selling products over the Internet. Evaluate the impact this type of selling has had on the retail industry.

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