SWOT Analysis of Coles Katoomba

 

SWOT Analysis of Coles KatoombaOrganisation:  Coles KatoombaDate: 29/03/2014
Coles’s Store Inventory Management (SIM); is a system in place that allows employees to monitor stock, waste, markdowns, sales and ordering. This system is in place across the business and is accessible in all stores, via there private intranet.
STRENGTHS Allows users to monitor a range of different buisness acticites in relative real-time Produces reports which are easy to read and understand, these reports can be filtered to show very specific information Allows employees to create custom orders. Is accessible wirelessly through out the building. Also remotely Interfaces with our automated ordering system. User count ‘problem lines’ and random lines to check if they are accurate and this information is then transmitted into SIM then is passed on to the ordering system.	WEAKNESSES Outdated and very slow and prone to crashing and faults The system has not been planned, this evident as the company has added other applications to interface with SIM, but aren’t actually apart of SIM, which makes it confusing for users. A tack-on-tack system The system cant be updated in real-time and must be shut down for days at a time sometimes. No system alternatives if the SIM is down. Poor backup techniques, this was evident when we had a power outage and the stores generators malfunctioned and all of the days sale data was lost.
OPPORTUNITIES Upgrade and create a more unified system. Increase Functionality Allow for Real-time updates Allow individual stores more control of there SIM data so they can control what gets delivered depending on the community and there customer buying habits.	THREATS SIM becoming out-dated and obsolete. Competitors creating better systems which drive sales. Becomes unusable.
Summary and Recommendations:Coles’s Store Inventory Management system is becoming increasingly less relevant in the technological landscape due to the increase need for ITC to be more customizable and changeable for each individual store. Also the amount of data that is not being used, which the company has access too.I would recommend a full overhaul of the system and start from the ground up. I would incorporate all the different systems which are currently running concurrently, to be all on one platform. Also include more mobile and virtualization technology to allow employees, especially mangers the freedom to work from home and monitor what is occurring in stores at all times.I would also recommend that the system would benefit being a web application, as it could then be run and ported easily to many different platforms. Also increase training regimes for staff, so they know and understand how the system works thoroughly.Short Term (Now)Preform feasibility tests and figure out what technical requirements are needed to enable the new system. Analyse the cost effectiveness of implementing the new system and determine whether it will increase business productivity.Mid Term (next 12 months)Depending on the findings of the short term objectives, the project would need to determine the best what to implement the new system. Investigate the new training requirements of the new system. Most likely begin implementing the system in stages, firstly implementing new hardware and then software. Start by building a basic system that accomplishes a small amount of the functionality that the original system has, then gradually implement more functionality and decommission portions of SIM that are no longer being used. Long Term (next 3 to 5 year Completely eliminate SIM and replaced with the new system. Also create a developers platform for more future customizing and freedom to upgrade easier. Keep the system current and up to date and in-line with industry trends. Begin more complex and obscure data analysis to try and gain a competitive advantage. Incorporate all aspects of the business into one centralised system, that is on the back end, to allow for more continuity and efficiency business wide. Remove outsourcing for ITC and create a more synergized business environment, that has both business and IT on the same page.