Two Hardware Houses have decided to merge their business.
Mitre 9 is a full service hardware store servicing 23 locations in Australia. They pride themselves for their love of hardware, and are serious about giving fast, friendly and knowledgeable service their customer deserves.
They've got music playing, bright lighting, professional merchandising, multimedia sales displays, funky mannequins and a huge plasma screen in their front window. Maters Home Improvement (MHI) is a low-cost hardware store servicing 20 locations.
Its strengths include low priced installations and on time service. MHI takes advantage of late hour store closure (Up to 9pm every day). Its online special orders service booking system for small jobs (less than $1000) is excellent, capable of handling detailed questions on measurements of hundreds of specific indoor and outdoor items/projects that could minimise the time between order and installation due to the decreased number of home visits for measure and quote.
Senior management has finalised on the following decisions: The combined company Hardware-r-us will retain all existing all staff, product types, supply and install. Mitre 9's aging system is to be merged into the Mater advanced system. Hardware-r-us will begin service as a premium based low-cost hardware house providing good quality, large product range and do-it-yourself tips
Special order bookings for small jobs (less than $1000) is available primarily online with a service charge of 15% if booked in-store. It will become a very hi-tech connected company with 24 hour, 7 day telephone and web support.
Write a business report outlining the above case, stating assumptions you make at the beginning of your report.
Provide critique into the management decisions substantiating with reference to literature.
In your report, make the difference between Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT) issues and how it will affect customer choice, continued patronage, brand loyalty, etc.
Suggest how to attract new customers (from competitors) and any other new business opportunities that may arise with such a set up (eg. Trade services). All these should be substantiated with references to IS and IT literature.
2250 words
4 APA references.