Virtual Presence: eCommerce Analysis & Recommendations

Expanding Virtual Presence Through eCommerce

Instructions

Your instructor will be available to answer any clarification questions.On page 3 of this document, you will find business scenarios looking to expand their virtual presence in the market by leveraging information systems.For each business model, you are expected to review the provided scenario and perform necessary research to answer the following questions in the form of a well-structured memo to the owners and senior management:

1. Articulate the goal of the organization and the role of information systems in clear and concise manner;

2. Analyze the industry and competitive marketplace as well as identify the best competitive strategy to pursue given the company’s strengths and weaknesses;

3. Compare and contrast the top two eCommerce business models (advantage and disadvantages) that may suit the overall objective identified in #1 above and recommend the best eCommerce business model based on your analysis (See Appendix A for an overview of the various eCommerce business models);

4. Describe the nature, type, and role of each of the five components of information systems in supporting your recommended eCommerce business model to help the organization achieve its overall objectives; and

5. Recommend specific types of hardware, data storage, and networking requirements / technologies to support the effective deployment of the recommended eCommerce business model.


Excellent research with clearly documented associations between problems or questions from the case study scenarios; key concepts covered in the course; and good (3 or more) use of corroborating sources.	Good research and documented associations between problems or questions from the case study scenarios; key concepts covered in the course; and some (2 or more) use of corroborating sources.	Limited research and associations between the problems or questions from the case study scenarios; key course concepts; and little (1 or more) use of corroborating sources.	Incomplete research and associations between the problems or questions in the case study scenarios; key course concepts; and no use of corroborating sources.
The student identified and understood all primary aspects and challenges provided in the case study scenarios.	The student identified and understood most of the primary aspects and challenges provided in the case study scenarios.	The student identified and understood some of the primary aspects and challenges provided in the case study scenarios.	The student identified and understood only few of the primary aspects and challenges provided in the case study scenarios.
Insightful and thorough analysis of all key issues from the case study scenarios is provided.	Insightful and thorough analysis of most of the key issues from the case study scenarios is provided.	Insightful and thorough analysis of some of the key issues from the case study scenarios is provided.	Incomplete and/or flawed analysis of select key issues from the case study scenarios is provided.
The student provided well-reasoned, logical, relevant observations and developed feasible recommendations on effective solutions to most of the problems / issues.	The student presented solid, well-thought out observations and developed recommendations on effective solutions to address many of the problems / issues.	The student presented shallow observations and formed limited recommendations on effective solutions to address some of the problems / issues.	The student presented superficial observations and formed limited recommendations on effective solutions to address a few of the problems / issues.

As more and more people are turning to Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home projects and repairs, the market for tools of all kinds for home use has grown rapidly. A standard homeowner has thousands of tools to choose from, and hence, the search can be time-consuming as well as ineffective in identifying the cheapest price for such tools.

Tools-R-Us was founded to capitalize on this trend. The founder initially opened a small store in Cambridge, Ontario and soon thereafter, established a catalog to try to expand the business.

Currently, Tools-R-Us uses a toll-free 1-800 number to take orders as well as to answer potential and existing customers’ technical and product questions. The company solicits new customers through advertisements in magazines read by home repair and projects enthusiasts.

The company owner now wants to make better use of Internet and cloud computing services to reach out to new customers, expand sales base, and provide an aggregation service for searching, drilling down, and finding the right tools at the right price for most expedited delivery. This should facilitate both reduction in cost per sale as well as improved service quality.

At the heart of this business model, is a database listing several thousand tools and the tasks for which they are most commonly used.

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