COMPUTER AND BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

Computer Application and Business Technology

Computer Application And Business Technology

Executive Summary

In Information Age, selection and use computer hardware and software technology can have a profound influence on business performance. In this report, Barnes & Noble.com will be chosen to discussion. Computer software and hardware applications are essential for business success. Our conclusion that uses computer software and hardware applications is very important for company's operation success. Managers should have a basic understanding of the role of software and hardware in the company's information infrastructure so that they can make technology decisions that promote company's performance and productivity.

Introduction

Today, in the Information Age, application and use computer hardware and software technology can have a profound influence on business performance. Software “is the general term of a set of instructions that controls a computer or a communications network, while perform a particular action or solve a problem” (Senn 1998, p.60). Meanwhile, hardware “is the general term of the machines or called devices that carry out the activities of computing, storing, and communicating data” (Senn 1998, p.49). Company I am researching is Barnes & Noble.com that it is using a Widest-Assortment Model and it has achieved great success in business arena. The purpose of this report is to discuss the computer software and hardware applications how to impact on the company's operation.

In this paper, by study deeply and literature review, combined with refer to relevant books, journals, search useful information from internet and my personal idea, first, the company's profile will be showed. Followed by computer software and hardware how to impact on company's business operation will be discuss. Finally, an overall conclusion is presented.

2.0 Company Profile: Barnes & Noble.com“Barnes & Noble.com is a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc., a publicly traded company listed on the NYSE under the symbol "BKS." Barnes & Noble's online channel, Barnes & Noble.com, offers the largest in-stock selection of in-print book titles with access to approximately one million titles for immediate delivery, supplemented by more than 30 million listings from its nationwide network of out-of-print, rare and used book dealers. Barnes & Noble.com offers its customers fast delivery, easy and secure ordering, and rich editorial content” (Official Website of Barnes&Noble.com).

Software Application in B&N.com

The most important technology tool set is software. Software contains the instructions that computer hardware executes to perform an information-processing task. Managers should understand which software tools are appropriate for their company's objectives. Enterprise software consists of a set of interdependent software modules that support basic internal business processes for supply chain management, customer relationship, manufacturing and production and so on. B&N Company is using these software to achieve business success.

Supply Chain Management Systems

Today's competitive business environment calls for companies to pay more attention to how they manage their supply chain. In essence, supply chain software can be classified as either software to help businesses plan their supply chains or software to help them execute the supply chain steps.

Supply chain planning system enable the company to generate demand forecast for a product ...