Assignment #6 Brady Corporation Questions

Assignment #6 Activity
Can Brady Corporation Redesign its Systems for Success?
October 10, 2010
CS460


1.Analyze the Brady Corporation using the competitive forces and value chain models.

Using the competitive forces model we can analyze Brady Corporation by saying that the tread of new entrants into the main market was the main pressure for the corporation to change its information systems. Many competitors were coming into the market and were more competitive because they were using the internet to gain more costumers, while the Brady Corporation was falling behind on technology. The pressure from the bargaining power of costumer was high because each location of the Brady Corporation had different prices and was offering different types of discounts to the costumers. By using the value chain model to analyze the Brady Corporation we can say that they decided to adventure on this project to become the low-cost producer, they wanted to differentiate their product. To realize all of this they highlighted specific activities in their Corporation where competitive strategies could best be applied, and decided where information systems were more likely to have a strategic impact. By using the value chain model, the Brady Corporation specified specific, critical leverage point where their corporation could use information technology most effectively to enhance its competitive position.

2.How well did Brady’s systems support its business model? What management, organization and technology factor were responsible for its problems?

Brady’s corporation supported its business model very well. The corporation was very well organized when doing all of the changes on the systems. The corporation had many factors that were responsible for all of its problems. The managements fail to develop a fast fashion strategy sooner. Also the organization of the entire corporation was not well done since any of the companies on Brady were not able to communicate with each other. On technology they were behind since they were not using up to date software.

3.Analyze the Internet as a source of problems and opportunity for Brady.

The Internet was a source of problems for Brady because the Internet is a very powerful tool that its competitors were using to attract more customers, while Brady was falling behind by not using this powerful tool. Also this brought a big problem of organization when they started using it. But it also brought Brady a huge opportunity to be competitive among the new competitors that entered its market.

4.Was SAP’s enterprise software package a good foundation for Brady’s new systems? Explain your answer.

SAP’s software package was a good foundation for Brady’s new systems because SAP had many experience with other companies and working with IBM consultation team. Also the Brady Corporation got to customize the SAP’s software according to its own needs.

5.Describe the management, organizational, and technology changes Brady was making by its Web-to-Workbench and Eclipse projects. How extensive were they? Why do you think Brady took so long to implement its changes?

The changes that Brady Corporation was making with the projects were many. The main change that they made on management was the development of a fast fashion strategy quickly. The organization managed to develop a design and production process that could help the company to be more competitive. The technology also managed to deploy the inventory and replenishment software necessary to bring Brady back to the top of its competitors. All of these changes were very extensive and it toke Brady some time to implement these changes because the Corporation had many problems and wanted to have all of the employees well trained to deal with the new technology.

6.How successful were Brady Corporation’s systems projects? Explain your answer.

Brady Corporation’s systems projects were very successful. With all of these projects Brady managed to use the internet on its favor. The Corporation started making online orders, getting more in touch with their costumers and also managed to get communication between all of its installations. These projects were also successful because the Corporation toke the time to train its employees well.