Implementing a transaction processing system at Byrd Limousine

Byrd Limousine

Benefits to the Organization

Milestone 1 -- Company Background

Milestone

Technology Used to Augment Project

Value of the Approach

Business Process Change

Milestone

Technology or business practice

High Level Implementation Plan

Project Summation

The Byrd Limousine Company is an organization that has provided specialized limousine services to Southern California clients for over two decades. BL is owned and operated by Shelonda Byrd Hale, and has seven full time drivers, five male and two female. The company caters to individuals who want stylish or specialized transportation using a driver and a larger, more luxurious automobile. The market that provides these types of services is very competitive and continues to evolve as new models of limousines become available. At present, Byrd Limousine processes data for clients, services, and internal information manually. The enclosed Proposal of Transaction Processing Systems will allow BL to use a more automated, and streamlined, way to keep track of their daily organizational activities.

Problem

The current manual system used by BL is inadequate because it is time consuming, inefficient, and modeled by needing manual (slow) input from staff. The processing of data manually often leads to human errors that continue to reduce profit. Thus, there is a need to increase the quality within the organization. The Transaction Processing System offers several benefits to BL:

Less time consuming

Improved accuracy

Provides more data to management

Allows for a competitive edge within the limousine market (Byrd Limousine, 2012)

Benefits to the Organization

The proposed transaction processing system will be used to keep all the transaction within the organization such as sales records, receipts, cash deposits, payroll, credit transactions, and marketing expenses. This will drastically improve the functionality and streamline the business, improve the relationship between the business and customers (effeciencey), reduce human error, and generate needed information functionality automatically. Benefits include:

Reduction of human error

Imrpove effeciency and thus relations between BL and its client base

Generate needed functionality automatically

Maintain and exceed the demands of the industry

Give the company a competitive edge by increasing the professional look and feel of the organization

This improved information system will automate many steps in BL's business process that were formally manual. This process will change the flow of information, making it possible for BL to keep up with the competitive demands within the industry. Simultaneously, management will be able to make better, quicker, and more accurate decisions. This will allow BL to grow the business based on accurate data, changing the manner in which the business paradigm operates (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).

Milestone 2

There has been a large and increased demand for limousine services, particularly in Southern California due to the rising number of higher-income households. Weddings, parties, proms, and special events have increased. Corporate events, charities, civic groups, and catered events have all increased using off-premise events. International travel has blossomed, allowing for airport pick ups and deliveries, and organizations and individuals both wish to build their image and increase their own presence in the community -- travelling by limousine does all this.

Technology used to Augment New Process

With the advent of the more inexpensive SmartPhone approach, synching of data between remote phones and a server, and the manner in which electronic and credit card transactions can be captured remotely, the time and expense for a new system at BL is long past. Simple database algorithms can be constructed to preinput client information based on the reservation call, and if a credit card is used to book the service, that information can be stored and used, or a new credit card may be processed using a small device hooked to the SmartPhone. Trip logs can easily be made to capture detailed and important information, with GPS services tied in to track progress and/or trip details automatically. The trip log might resemble:

Information

Data

Value

Client

Name or Number

Personalization

Speical Needs

Mineral water, soda, snacks, smoking, etc.

Personalization

Payment

CC or Corporate Account

Streamline and Personalization

Start Trip

Miles

Data

End Trip

Miles

Data

Employee

Number

Manages Payroll

Route

GPS info

Manages information and flow of traffic

Value of the approach

Technological forces also have a major impact on any new business. In today's business environment, technology is being perceived as a critical source of competitive advantage. For the limousine business, we will need to deploy technology in various processes, be it accounting or supply chain or even an e-commerce website for marketing and distribution. To take advantage of advanced technology, we will need to take a close look at the technologies being deployed by our customers for reducing costs and gaining competitive advantage and regularly upgrade ourselves with such technology. Further, we will really need to be proactive and innovative and take advantage of new technologies available in the marketplace. For example, we can deploy new technologies for e-marketing to a wide range of target audience for boosting our brand. Technology is also vital to touch the customer, whether that is with frequent purchaser cards, e-zines, newsletters, or even tracking purchases and rewarding top clients. Additionally, the ability to track and respond to real-time sales is crucial to remain competitive (Cram, 2006).

Even with a small limousine business, the role of technology can play an immense part of future success. Email and keyword marketing using Google AdWords, for instance, could be targeted to local audiences for a small investment (e.g. limousine in ourtown, parties in ourtown, etc.). The real power, though, will be in capturing clients and using those lists to keep in touch via email, using programs like Constant Contact. Additionally, DTP (Desktop publishing) has become so inexpensive that with a very small investment, one can produce professional quality menus, brochures, and promotional material that can easily be changed to reflect specials or seasonal product.

Taking technology a step further, it will be necessary to break the bounds of current "thinking" and think outside the box. Innovation will be quite critical for us to sustain competitive threats and establish presence in such a competitive industry dominated by both established players (franchises) and other small entrepreneurial ventures. In order to create our own niche and distinct image and win back market share, we will need to spend on research and development and promote a culture that fosters creativity and innovation. We will constantly need to come out with innovative limousine varieties and beverages to establish a mark for ourselves in the marketplace. This may include new ways of employee reward and educational programs; new ways to track and reward customers; new and innovative promotions and advertising methods, and a niche that, from the very moment of