Analysis and Recommendations

Strengths Of Wal-Mart

Management

Wal-Mart solicits feedback from all their employees, annually, regarding their opinions of their work experience and the company’s implementation of Wal-Mart’s basic beliefs and values. They provide training on working with people, leadership skills, equal employment opportunities, diversity and sexual harassment.

Marketing

Wal-Mart marketing is in its Everyday Low Price Campaign and the Rollback Campaign. When consumers shop, they are always looking for the best deal. Since Wal-Mart already offers low prices, when the roll back prices, they are able to out put all their competition.

The most important marketing aspect of Wal-Mart is they try and create the ideal one stop shopping experience. Wal-Mart stores contain groceries, clothes, healthcare products, toys, electronics, bedding and automotive etc.

Finance/ Accounting 

Since 2000, Wal-Mart revenue has constantly increased. In 2000, they had revenue of $165,013 billion and in 2002 their revenue had increased 24% to $217,799 billion.

Production/ Operations

The strongest aspect of Wal-Mart is in its access to distribution networks. They continuously delivering goods to warehouses where they are sorted and distributed to their stores within a day. This enables Wal-Mart to take advantage of economies of scale with shipping trucks with full loads. This allows Wal-Mart the ability to increase the speed of deliveries, a fast response to market demands and low inventory.

Computer Information System

Wal-Mart information is a strong in the aspect of productivity. The information allows Wal-Mart to manage their inventory in the most efficiency way.  It allows to Wal-Mart to fulfill employee’s needs and customer and have strong customer service. 

Weakness of Wal-Mart

Management

Wal-Mart does not have a formal mission statement. They have core values; they do not tell their consumers what their business is. This does not provide direction or definition but gives a company a statement on which to rely on to stay strong.

 Wal-Mart also lacks in Unions. Wal-Mart does not have any Unions involvement, which is a problem because of the perception of treating employees poorly. 

Marketing

Wal-Mart trying to expand into new markets. There are thousands of towns across the U.S that tried to block the introduction of Wal-Mart because of the economies impact that it has on small town stores and shop. It “forces” them out of business. 

Production/Operations

With the increase rate of Wal-Mart consumers, the slowing speed of checkout lines. This is a problem because it can and will cause people to choose other stores that are less congested. This causes Wal-Mart to lose sales (profit).

Research/ Development

They do not engage in any research and development. They approach local government and just build. 

Computer information System

There are rarely in any weakness in Wal-Mart computer information system. They keep up with the latest software and technologies. 

Recommendations 

Wal-Mart has plenty of strength as a company but it also has it weakness. Where there is weakness can always be improvement. Recommendations that I can offer 

Come up a system that will speed up checkout lines, have more telxons available in the store, get involve with research and development so they can find the best location for their stores.   Also Wal-Mart should be sensitive where they put their stores so small shop and store wont go out of business, their image associated with how they treat their employees needs to improve (have a better PR).

How Management Information Systems Lead Wal Mart to Become More Successful

Wal- Mart Value Chain

Information System

Information System

A Wal-Mart main area of information management is the inventory management system. Wal- Mart gained competitive with it’s up -to –date inventory management system. It was the first retailer to computerized inventory management and develop an integrated system which EDI, which place orders directly with the suppliers when stocks reach a certain level.  In order to mange Wal-Mart on going operations, Wal-Mart uses the latest version of Oracle® Warehouse management software. It is compatible with the radio frequency identification (RFID). This software allows Wal-Mart to increase effiency in its inventory management.

Oracle database and Wal-Mart come together to help Wal-Mart maximize the efficient of inventory management.The accomplish thus by using a hand held terminal called a telxon. The telxon was introduced 3-4 years ago and has helped the productivity of Wal-Mart stores. The telxon allows the associate to stock merchandise, change prices, update inventory, make associate badges, show merchandise prices, etc. The telxon is positive asset to fulfill customer service.

Hardware:  

Telxon Corporation is a world leader in the design, manufacture, integration, and marketing of portable and wireless tele-transaction computers and systems. The Akron-based company designs, develops, manufactures, markets, integrates, and services several types of portable microprocessors, associated software, and peripheral devices for on-site data collection processing and communications. Its systems can be found in a wide variety of business environments, including retail, wholesale, manufacturing, utility, service, transportation, and government. The company dominates the industry's supermarket niche; 24 of the top 25 grocery chains in America utilize Telxon portable tele-transaction computers and systems. Telxon maintains subsidiaries and branches in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Australia, Japan and Singapore, and distributors in other parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East. By 1993, over 7,000 companies in 47 countries utilized Telxon products.

First incorporated in Texas in 1967 as Electronic Laboratories, Inc., the company went through several restructurings and was renamed Telxon Corporation in 1974. Telxon began to design order entry and inventory systems for retailers and wholesalers in the grocery, drug, and hardware industries in the early 1970s. Demand for these systems increased after 1973, when the universal product code (or UPC barcode) identification system was adopted as a standard in the grocery industry. Telxon's computer products also met a growing need for timely, accurate information, which helped reduce costs, improve productivity, and enhance service. These devices transmitted data through direct-connect (dedicated) telephone lines, thereby eliminating redundant and often erroneous data entry.

 

Software. 

Wal-Mart telxon runs on software called Window CE (Windows Consumer Electronics). Microsoft's version of Windows for handheld devices and embedded systems that use x86, ARM, MIPS and SuperH CPUs. Introduced in 1996, Windows CE was renamed "Windows Embedded CE" as of Version 6.0 in 2006 and then renamed "Windows Embedded Compact" in 2008. Nevertheless, most people refer to "Windows CE" or "WinCE."

Windows CE is an operating system developed and designed for small footprint devices or embedded systems. Windows CE is different from the Windows operating systems for desktops but they share similar application programming interfaces for a considerable number of classes. Some of the devices that run Windows CE include industrial controllers, point of sale terminals, cameras, Internet appliances, cable set-top boxes and communications hubs.

Data:

The way that the Oracle is used is key to the operating efficiency within the company. The company uses an Oracle database with networked infrastructure 

supplied by Cisco. The Oracle database which is fully sustainable and can cope with the large size operations delt with by Wal-Mart and numerous suppliers and thousands products. Oracle is a rational database, which can be queried in a number of ways in order to provide information for different purposes.

The database holds a high level of sensitive information and requires come security to protect that data integrity. Vendors will be able to access the same database through username and passwords. This way company (vendor) only sees information that is relevant to interaction with Wal-Mart.

Procedures .

There are standard procedures for different task. An example of procedures is stocking merchandise. Merchandise will be the AVG Internet Security Software.

Step 1:  Turn on telxon and select the SMART applications. 

Step 2:  After selecting the application SMART a screen will pop up asking you for your username and password. We are given our username and password when we are first hired.    

Step 3: Then you will scroll down and select the option PERPUTUAL INVENTORY. 

Step 4: Then select KEEP IT STOCKED.  A screen will pop up saying UPC and ITEM. At the bottom it will say ON HAND, IN TRANSIT, IN WHS, SHELF CAP. 

Step 5: Scan the UPC on the back of the merchandise and a screen will pop up with the UPC, ITEM NUMBER PRICE, ON HAND ETC.  Hit “alt f9” on the keyboard of the telxon and it will you tell you the item location. The item location will look like this (format) MOD: 0135-0001-0022 on the screen and on the price tag.   

 

STEP 6: When the item location on the telxon matches with the price tag, you put the merchandise in that spot. You have official stock merchandise.   

 

People:

Wal- Mart information system is used collective by:

Store Manger

Assistant Mangers

ZMS

CSM (Customer Service Manger)  

Department Mangers

Support Mangers

Sales Associate

Five Forces Model

Force	Wal-Mart Example	Force Strength
Bargaining power of customers	“This item cost to much”	Low
Threat of substitutions	“ I only shop at family own business”	High
Bargaining power of suppliers	“I will go to another retailer who would sell my product at a higher price”	Low
Threat of entrants	“I am going to the new Target, its closer”	Medium
Rivalry	“I will go on the internet, they have bargains that I never see in stores ”	High

Business Strategy

 Wal-mart business strategy is Cost Leadership. Offering their customers great quality service and products at a lower price than their competition. Overall Cost Leadership is defined as offering the same or better quality product or service at a price that is less than what any of the competition is able to do. In achieving this goal it relies on a Supply Chain Management, that ensures products are available to the customers when they it at a low cost possible. 

Wal-mart Mission Statement

“We save people money so they can live better.”

Wal-Mart Networking!

Wal-Mart Facebook Page

Wal-Mart Official Website

Wal-Mart Twitter

Wal-Mart Stock

Store Manger Interview

I was able to do a interview with the store manger of Piscataway Wal-Mart. Giovanni Ambrosio  was very happy to give an insight on Wal-Mart and the way information systems help productivity in his store.

1.HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH THE COMPANY?

Just started my 13th year

2.DO YOU ENJOY WORKING FOR THIS COMPANY/ WHY?

Yes, Not only is it a good career but Wal-Mart has a lot to offer and everyday is a different challenge.

3.HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE POSITION YOU ARE IN NOW?

A lot of hard work and dedication.

Never giving up and always doing my best to exceed at any assignment.

4. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES YOU SEE WITH EMPLOYEES REGARDING PRODUCTIVITY?

Not having a routine or trying to accomplish too much at one time

5. IF AN EMPLOYEE CAME TO YOU WANTING TO KNOW HOW TO ADVANCE IN THIS COMPANY WHAT ADVICE COULD YOU OFFER?

Stay dedicated and never be afraid to learn something new. The More you know the easier it will be to advance with the company

6. HOW CAN AN EMPLOYEE IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY.

Creating a routine and prioritize their day then set deadlines for each assignment given

7.WHAT INFORMATION SYSTEMS DOES WALMART USE TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.

A handheld terminal (telxon)

8. DOES OUR INFORMATION'S SYSTEMS HELP INCREASE SALES AND/OR PRODUCTIVITY.

Yes, the telxon is connected to a inventory management system (IMS) as a product sells it will connect to the telxon forcing the IMS team to restock the item so we do not miss out on sales. It also tells the associate exactly where to put the item on the shelf so they're not wasting time search for the items home.

9. HOW OFTEN DO NEW PROGRAMS COME INTO OUR INFORMATION SYSTEMS?

Not often, everything in our information systems have been part of our daily routine for years. The newest program is the IMS process that was implemented 4 years ago.

10. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE ABOUT OUR SYSTEM, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE IF HAD THE CHANCE TO?

No, these programs have made Wal-Mart successful so far. I would never change anything that's not broken.

Wal-Mart #2633

 

Wal-Mart #2633 is located at 1303 Centennial Ave, Piscataway Nj. I am electronic sales assiocate that works 

 at this Wal-Mart. Everyday we use information systems that help the productivity of our sales,inventory 

and customer service.  Wal- Mart uses different information systems  for different causes. For  example: a cash 

register for customer service  or for inventory we use a handheld terminal called a telxon. As an electronic sales 

we are constantly have to keep up with high customer demand and the demand to keep our area stock

In electronics we use the telxon to keep positive productivity in sales and stocking merchandise 

Awards

 

For 50 years, Walmart has strived to lead their industry in finding innovative solutions, meeting community needs, offering great service and providing great jobs to their associates. They are proud that their work has been recognized, with the support of their customers, their associates and the communities they serve. Here are some of the categories Wal-Mart has won under!

Leadership, Innovation and Corporate Responsibility

Diversity & Inclusion

Environment & Sustainability

Community Giving

The Employee

 



Walmart was founded on three basic beliefs: service to our customers, respect for the individual and striving for excellence. Our adherence to these principles has created a unique work culture at Walmart. No matter where you go — to any of our stores and offices in any of our brands around the world — our associates live these values.

1.Service to our customers

2.Respect for the individual

3.Striving for excellence

Wal-Mart Stores

Walmart serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week. They serve them in the ways they want to be served – in retail outlets, online and on mobile devices. Walmart operates under 69 different banners in 27 countries. With fiscal year 2012 sales of approximately $444 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. 

Wal-Mart History

  Retail and discount stores originated in the United States, in the early 1950s. The concept of retail stores grew extremely popular in the United States. Sam Walton who was convinced that the American consumers wanted something more than retail shops, opened his own discount and retail shop in Rogers, Arkansas. Walton had traveled all across the United States, and had gained a lot of experience pertaining to discount shops. In 1962, he started the Wal-Mart phenomenon by opening the first store. In the next five years and a lot of hard work later, Walton was able to open 24 stores in Arkansas itself. The 24 stores played a highly instrumental role in helping Wal-Mart achieve a landmark turnover of $ 12.6 million. In 1968, Wal-Mart hired its first commercial pilot for speedy logistics. On October 31, 1969, Wal-Mart stores changed from an establishment to an official incorporated company under the name, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.   

Walton's ideas and efforts have made it one of the organizations that have changed the world. The idea of retail shops, discount stores and super shops have changed the world of shoppers and consumers. Today the organization employs more than 2.1 million associates and direct employees. The stores of Wal-Mart serve more than 176 million consumers world wide, annually.

Sam Walton and Wal-Mart have been successful in setting an example before the world about maintaining values and also managing the never-ending growth and success.