Consider a supermarket chain and the use they may make of information systems in the running of their business. Some of the objectives they are...

      

Consider a supermarket chain and the use they may make of information systems in the
running of their business. Some of the objectives they are faced with are: -
a. Easy product identification;
b. Fast customer processing at the cash tills;
c. Extremely efficient stock control;
d. Rapid bulk replacement of goods from suppliers.
Describe in detail how Information Systems can help supermarket chains with these specific
objectives. Your answer should outline the systems involved, the hardware that might be
required and an indication of how the various systems might interact with each other.

  

Answers


gregory
Supermarket use of IS
a. Product ID:- The development and agreement on a universal product codes has
broughtabout the wide range of applications for product identification. The associated
optical bar code reader in conjunction with bar codes has led to the adoption of this system
in many applications, notably supermarkets.
b. POS: - The use of bar codes and optical bar code readers has meant that customers in
asupermarket can have the contents of their shopping basket scanned and using the bar
code product identification, the local computer can then provide a price and product
description which is printed out at the POS position. A bill with totals and sales messages
can then be given to the customer for checking purposes. This speeds up the payment
process and is more reliable and faster than the check-in person keying in the data. In some
supermarkets, an individual bar-code reader is incorporated into a small hand-held computer
allowing the customer to carry out the scanning themselves and providing a running total of
the goods purchased in a small screen.. This is downloaded at the POS check-out making
the process even quicker.
c. Stock Control: - Using the POS system, a running total of stock levels is
immediatelyavailable, if required, as goods are sold through the POS system reflecting the
stock level at a given point in time.
d. Stock Replacement: - As stock levels are obtained on-line, it is possible to make
theselevels available to a supermarket‘s warehouse, or a product supplier. Setting minimum
and maximum stock levels could automatically trigger orders for replacement products
replacements. Often a batch system of overnight replacement is implemented from a
supermarkets local warehouse or supplier to reduce logistical costs.
Theoretically, with a known starting stock level, a known through-put of products, the stock
level at any instant in time should be available which could be used to place stock
replenishment orders. However in practice considerations of breakages, pilfering, errors,
sudden changes in weather affecting the sale of certain products, shortage of supply causing
panic buying can affect the theoretical system.
gregorymasila answered the question on February 15, 2018 at 15:50


Next: Discuss law of demand
Previous: The development of powerful desktop computers coupled to telecommunication networks has revolutionized the way organizations may carry out their business. The following are some alternatives for...

View More Computer Science Questions and Answers | Return to Questions Index


Exams With Marking Schemes

Related Questions