Nuts & Bolts Fasteners: A Fictional Case Study

About NBF

Nuts & Bolts Fasteners (NBF) is a family owned business based in Adelaide Australia. About NBF business.The business was borne out of a family passion in engineering.NBF began in 2013 with humble beginnings in a single garage. Starting as manufacturers of a limited number of products, they are now also resellers of local and imported products.The limited liability company has 3 wholesale outlets in Adelaide, mostly serving south Australia.The business requires sales representatives to manage the customer relationships and sales. Currently there a three sales reps operating for the company.

These roles play a vital part in maintaining continuity of supply of products for all the industries NBF serve. Along with quality products, service and relationships are a big part of the business focus. NBF service builders, marine, engineers, manufacturers, trades and other B2B customers throughout the region. At NBF, the goal is to provide the same consistent quality products and services to an extended customer base. To do so, the inventory is fully computerised, enabling a fast, reliable and efficient sales and dispatch service. Trade online store and payments Like most of their competitors, NBF operates a store that is open to the public, however, NBF are set up more for trade sales and are seeking to change this.

The retail side of the industry is growing alongside the growth of DIY. The local retail market is saturated and well serviced. There is no rebate or rewards for customers as NBF believe outstanding products and service – i.e. going the extra mile, is more rewarding for customers. This belief has been evidenced by a growing customer database. There is however a matrix pricing structure in place – high to low value customers receiving pricing accordingly. Vendor Managed Inventory System NBF pride themselves on their value added Vendor Managed Inventory System.

This system manages all supplies for trade customers. The automated system increases stock turnaround and reduces stock-outs, while providing analytics on stock required, accurate stock levels and predictive budget forecasting. This is, in part, collaborative e commerce, where information is shared from NBF suppliers to NBF customers and supported by automated systems. Department of Enterprise and Digital Innovation NBF organisational structure A managing director governs NBF, along with two other board members. There are four SBU managers – one each for hardware, tools, adhesives and a retail manager. Each SBU has sales reps, category management – with different staff for each market (marine etc) and administration.

E-commerce and Business Model

Shared functions across the SBUs are marketing, HR and information technology. There is currently 25 staff members. Suppliers NBF only partner with professional suppliers who share the same commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Reputation in the industry is a huge asset to doing business. This occurs over time and with a high, outstanding approach to all business activities. NBF seek long term relationships with reliable & expert suppliers. This also goes for NBF’s other suppliers who support NBF operations such as, accounting, packaging and utility services

All tasks must be answered as they relate to NBF.

(a) From the list below, suggest and examine the type/s of e commerce that will assist NBF to achieve their business goals on page 4.

· Business-to-Consumer (B2C)

· Business-to-Business (B2B)

· Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)

· Mobile e commerce (M-commerce)

· Social e commerce · Local e commerce 

(b) Choose one (1) of your suggested e commerce types from task 1 (a) and discuss a relevant value proposition for NBF that would enable the company to compete in the relevant market. 

(a) Identify and evaluate one (1) suitable e commerce business model for NBF to achieve their business goals on page 4. The evaluation will need to include the business model advantages and limitations for NBF. 

(b) Recommend a suitable website domain name for NBF. Provide evidence of the availability of the URL (uniform resource locator) by conducting a domain name search. Below are suggested domain name search websites. 

(c) Identify and justify two (2) online revenue models for NBF that are suitable for the e commerce business model you have identified in task 2 (a). 

(d) Outline the organisational development needed for the e commerce business model you have identified in task 1 a.

(a) Briefly explain the role of a private industrial network (PIN) might have for NBF. The company is new to e business so ensure you apply the PIN to NBF for their understanding, and describe its features. 

(b) Analyse for NBF how a private industrial network (PIN) increases buying and selling efficiency in a supply chain. 

(c) Discuss three (3) features of collaborative e commerce, excluding a private industrial network (PIN), which would enhance relationships for NBF in supply chain activities. 

Is it required that the final document handed in for marking must have professional presentation, including correct New Zealand English spelling and grammar and adherence to APA referencing in your portfolio.