Computer Information System Brief

Operations management is essential for the survival and success of any organization. According to Heizer & Render (2011), operations management (OM) is the set of activities that creates value in the form of goods and services by transforming inputs into outputs. Operations managers today contend with competition, globalization, inflation, consumer demand, and consistent change in technology. Managers must focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of processes such as cost, dependability, distribution, flexibility, and speed. The intent of this paper is to discuss the processes and operations management of the Kroger Company.

convey the information to the sales and marketing division to provide an opportunity to plan future marketing strategy. The ability for Kudler Fine Food to expand its business is part of the successful implementation plan with the potential of adding software and hardware as the need arises.

Although Kudler Fine Foods has chosen two very specific markets to target, a more thorough understanding of those target markets is needed to deliver what they want. One of KFF’s target markets is gourmands. KFF’s research focus in this area has been primarily on the supply side: Kathy monitors what products the competition is offering, what products are advertised in gourmet magazines, and what products are shown at gourmet conventions and websites. To discover what gourmands want, KFF also needs to research the demand side. Mining on-line blogs and gourmet food forums are two ways KFF can increase its understanding of what gourmands want. Customer surveys, such as the ones KFF currently uses in-store, can also be revised and used both in-store and on-line. Specific areas to be researched include:

Kudler Fine Foods would need to first analyze their current situation. This would need to incorporate the owner and managers to get an accurate analysis. Some of the items that might want to be evaluated are financial statements, strengths and weaknesses of products, major competitors, outside threats (demographics, economic trends, and customers), and any other items that may present themselves (MacVicar, 1996).

By implementing such a system opportunities are vast. Kudler’s will have more time to spend with their customers, they will

In 1998 Kathy Kudler, who specializes in gourmet foods, founded Kudler Fine Foods; opening the first location in La Jolla California. Later Kathy opened two additional locations; in 2000 Del Mar and in 2003 Encinitas, California. Kathy had an idea to offer a shopping atmosphere for those people who cook gourmet style. Kudler Fine Foods would carry a variety of seafood, meats, produce, dairy, cheeses, and wines. For the convenience to the customers, Kudler Fine Foods has separate departments; meat and seafood, bakery, produce, cheese and dairy, and wine. Each department

Kudler Fine Foods should upgrade to a system that has bar-coding and is linked to inventory. This system would be beneficial for any business in stocking food, clothes or any other inventory item. The barcodes on each item will keep your inventory records, starting from the point they are received into inventory and the moment they are purchased. With the bar-coding there is a set price for each item and will be automatically linked to the software used by Finance and Accounting. This system could get rid of the excel sheet tracker for inventory and can get rid of any potential transpost errors made by manually entering inventory. Major grocery stores are equipped with systems such as bar-coding and inventory control.

If reports indicate that customers are purchasing a greater variety of products per customer, Kudler can grow their market by selling more products to the existing customer base and has achieved greater customer loyalty and satisfaction. Another success measure would be reports indicating greater customer shopping frequency.

Kudler needs additional market research in the control, monitoring, feedback to evaluate the plan. The marketing strategy will prove success if the company finds new ways for consumers to think of Kudler first when it comes to gourmet and fine foods. Kudler’s products have to stand apart from its competitors to appeal to people. The right price, placement and promotions for the gourmet grocery store will give the stores an advantage over its competition.

Implementing a customer relationship management (CRM) program should fulfill each aspect of expanding Kudler Fine Food’s services, which should increase the company’s revenues and customer base. With the increase in the customer base, implementing a consumer database is necessary.

Strategic decisions are characterized by uncertainty and unstructured decision. These areas will include budgets, target markets, policies, and business objectives. Cuban Pete’s needs to implement automated systems that provide data in real-time on food items ordered and comparisons of weekly sales totals versus food costs, allowing planning for tighter

Kudler Fine Foods is an upscale food store specializing in the very best imported and domestic fare. They currently have three locations in the San Diego area: La Jolla, Encinitas, and Del Mar. Each store is located in a high profile area with stores up to 8,000 square feet. Kudler at each location carries bakery and pastry products, fresh produce, fresh meat & seafood, condiments and packaged foods, and cheese and specialty dairy products. Kudler’s mission is to offer the customer a pleasing and delightful shopping experience. Kudler’s Fine Food’s “shops the world” and only purchases the finest quality of products. Kudler Fine Foods is the purveyor of choice for customers aspiring to purchase the

Kudler Fine Foods is an upscale / specialty gourmet grocery food store catering to high end clientele who are seeking the finer things in life. They opened their doors in June of 1998 and currently have three locations in the San Diego area (La Jolla, Del Mar and Encinitas). Each is about the same size with approximately 8,000 square feet of retail space, each providing the same products. Kudler’s is more expensive than a traditional grocery store, but plan to service a more refined customer found in more upscale areas. They specialize in (All of which are special that Kudler’s uniquely provides):

“Kudler Fine Foods was established in 1998 when Kathy Kudler fulfilled her vision of establishing her own gourmet food store. The La Jolla store continues to grow while the Del Mar store has been having some difficulties. The store in Encinitas has just opened, but sales seem brisk.” (Apollo, 2011, Strategic Plan, p. 3) The owner works 7 days a week and performs many jobs from purchasing to stocking shelves. Kudler Fine Foods sees itself outside of competition.

Furthermore, the solution to the entire problem such as delay of orders, defrosted pies, and expired date pies can be solved based on what we recommended in the report. However, the issue on SCM is that the system isn’t conscious enough as employees does not know the importance of SCM. Thus, training must be given to them so that they understand the importance of it. This is because the SCM is really beneficial as it help to reduce the cost and prevent overload of products.