{"id":108256,"date":"2022-12-06T13:44:05","date_gmt":"2022-12-06T13:44:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/assignmenttutors.net\/blog\/virginia-bikes-case-study-ifsm-300-final-assessment-exam\/"},"modified":"2022-12-06T13:44:05","modified_gmt":"2022-12-06T13:44:05","slug":"virginia-bikes-case-study-ifsm-300-final-assessment-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assignmenttutors.net\/blog\/virginia-bikes-case-study-ifsm-300-final-assessment-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia bikes case study ifsm 300 final assessment exam"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

IFSM 300 Final Assessment Exam<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By my signature below, I confirm that the work contained here is my own, I have received no outside assistance and have properly cited and referenced any external research that has been incorporated in my answers.\u00a0 I have fully complied with UMUC’s Policy on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism (<\/span>Policy 150.25).\u00a0 <\/span>Failure to properly credit your research sources is a violation of this policy.<\/span><\/p>\n

_______________________________________<\/span><\/p>\n

(Typed signature represents actual signature)\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instructions:<\/span><\/p>\n

Use the Case Study presented here to answer the questions below.\u00a0 Your answers should be long enough to answer each question fully and completely and typed below the individual question in this document.\u00a0 Follow the instructions in the questions to determine the appropriate length of your responses.\u00a0 Your answers should demonstrate an understanding of the concept(s), should apply critical thinking, and should provide analysis of the Case Study in light of the concepts(s).\u00a0 You should not just re-iterate what has been presented in class, but integrate the information and relate it to the Case Study.\u00a0 Proper APA style must be used for any citations and references that you use.\u00a0 Your exam will be graded on the completeness and accuracy of your responses and whether you have appropriately tied your responses to the Case Study.\u00a0 Responses that do not mention the Case Study will receive very few points, if any.\u00a0 Each question is worth 10 points.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Virginia Bikes<\/span><\/p>\n

Case Study<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1985 Josh Miller took $6,000 of his savings, borrowed another $4,000 from his best friend, and opened a bike rental business in Vienna, VA.\u00a0 The rental shop is adjacent to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) that goes from Purcellville to Old Town Alexandria (45 miles), connects to the Mt Vernon Trail (18 miles) and ends at George Washington\u2019s Mt Vernon Estate.\u00a0 Josh, bought 10 bikes for his first store. The location has parking, and is near the historic Vienna Inn and a number of food and drink establishments.\u00a0 He has since opened stores in Old Town Alexandria and Reston, VA, where he sells, rents and repairs bicycles.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The Vienna store is now Josh\u2019s anchor store, and at 5,000 square feet, it is three to five times larger than his other stores.\u00a0 Josh estimates he sells around 3,000 new bikes a year. Because of the high use of the W&OD trail, especially on weekends, he also provides tune up and maintenance services at all of his stores for the many riders from up and down the trail.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2012, Josh leased a store in the heart of D.C., near the Smithsonian Museums and other tourist attractions.\u00a0 He uses this store to rent bikes to tourists and residents of the city, and does some repairs to his rental bicycle inventory in the back of the shop.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although he has always made money, or he would not be in business, Josh has seen a decline in bikes sales of about 20 percent since 2008.\u00a0 He attributes this to the downturn in the economy and the growth in Internet sales.\u00a0 However, his rental, tune up and repair business has increased dramatically.\u00a0 Over the past few years, he realized that he must be more aware of expenses and decrease them wherever practical in order to preserve profits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Josh thinks that the one of the most important factors is the weather, but has no data to support that thinking.\u00a0 On rainy days, there are few customers in the stores, while on sunny weekends all of his locations are extremely busy.\u00a0 From spring through fall, Josh keeps all his stores open seven days a week, while in the winter months he opens his stores on the weekend when the weather is good for riding.\u00a0 Through observation, Josh figures his highest sales occur in May, and that June and September are his best months for rentals.\u00a0 He also sells many bikes during the holiday season in December, but in January and February, he often wonders if he should close shop and go to Florida for a couple of months.<\/span><\/p>\n

Virginia Bikes grosses between $5 and $8 million annually and earns Josh a comfortable six-figure income.\u00a0 Each year, he leaves a considerable amount of cash in the business so that he does not have to borrow money to keep his business going.\u00a0 He sells a wide variety of bikes (from tricycles for toddlers to sophisticated racing bikes) and accessories such as helmets, speedometers, bike racks, repair kits, and clothing.\u00a0 Bicycle sales have decreased to account for 25 percent of revenues.\u00a0 Accessories such as helmets, bike racks, gloves, and locks amount to another 5 percent.\u00a0 Rentals make up about 35 percent, and repairs make up the remaining 35 percent. <\/span><\/p>\n

In recent years, he has noted that customers are less likely to purchase the high-end road and triathlon bikes, and are purchasing bikes in the range of $400 to $1,000.\u00a0 The lower-priced bikes are also easier to sell and to keep the inventory moving.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the rental business is concentrated in the downtown D.C. and Alexandria stores, due to the tourists and university students located near those stores.\u00a0 Josh is excited about rentals, as they have a huge profit margin.\u00a0 He can charge as much as $50 a day, which means the bikes pay for themselves after just a few rentals.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Josh\u2019s expenses include such costs as new bikes, parts and accessories, rent and payroll.\u00a0 He negotiates leases for all his locations except the Alexandria store, which he owns outright.\u00a0 Josh has 15 full-time employees and usually hires another 15 part-time employees during the busy months and weekends.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Until two years ago, he was spending about $30,000 a year on advertising in local papers.\u00a0 Now he uses a simple website and has links on many of the local biking trail sites to provide information about his various locations, and his advertising budget is close to zero.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the late 1990s, Josh over-expanded to six stores, including a store in Purcellville, VA, and one in Bethesda, MD.\u00a0 The expansion necessitated a warehouse in Springfield, VA, the hiring of a general manager and considerable overhead expenses.\u00a0 In a subsequent cost-reduction effort, Josh closed the Bethesda store, gave up the warehouse and moved his inventory to the Vienna store, and let the general manager go.\u00a0 Now, he handles all the general management tasks himself, which affects the time that he has available to plan and develop strategies.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Josh further reduces his expenses by working in the Vienna store two days a week.\u00a0 Since he has only one staff person in some of his stores, he has to make special arrangements if that person does not come to work, or takes a day (or week) off.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

He is trying to expand the bicycle repair work, especially on the weekends, so he will be able to increase revenue from this profitable aspect of his business.\u00a0 He needs to have repair capability at each store to maintain the rentals, prepare the new bikes for sale, and perform the periodic maintenance for the bikes that he has sold, as well as provide the breakdown repairs and adjustments for the riders on the trail.<\/span><\/p>\n

In an effort to increase profits, Josh tries to get good deals from his suppliers so he can realize a good margin on bike and accessory sales and repairs.\u00a0 He looks for situations where suppliers have more bikes in a line than they need and buys those bikes at a discount for rentals and low-end sales, while maintaining a rapport with high-end suppliers so that he can offer his customers the best at reasonable prices.\u00a0 By doing so, he can sell bikes at a lower retail price with on-the-spot delivery while still realizing a nice profit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Josh has no bank debt and has long since repaid the $4,000 he borrowed from his friend to start the business.\u00a0 He feels that, because he has a diverse business strategy that addresses the many different aspects of the local bike business, he will do well in the many different economic climates as long as he is able to manage his varied business.\u00a0 He also feels that he is insulated from \u201csubstitutes\u201d from the electronic world, due to the rental and repair aspects of his business.<\/span><\/p>\n

Josh is seeking your help to analyze his business and identify areas where information systems could help him better manage and grow his business.<\/span><\/p>\n

Questions:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Analyze the Virginia Bikes business using Porter’s <\/span>Five Forces Analysis<\/span> to complete the table below.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

FORCE<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

List Porter’s Five Forces<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

IMPACT<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>(POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, or NEUTRAL<\/span>)<\/span><\/p>\n

This must have an entry<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

JUSTIFICATION<\/span><\/span> of your selected impact<\/span><\/p>\n

Minimum 2 good sentences that explain the impact of the force on Virginia Bikes to demonstrate understanding of the force.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Refer to specific details from the business in the case study to support your explanations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Identify which of Porter’s Generic Strategies<\/span><\/span> is most appropriate<\/span>to Virginia Bikes and explain why you selected it in light of your Five Forces Analysis.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Josh uses the three business processes listed below, and each of them could be improved using technology.\u00a0 Explain in general how an information technology system solution could improve each one of the processes without naming a specific solution. <\/span><\/p>\n

Selling bicycles – how technology could improve the process:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Repairing bicycles – how technology could improve the process:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Managing inventory – how technology could improve the process:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Using the three business processes listed in question #3, <\/span>list one input and<\/span>one output<\/span> that would be part of that process.\u00a0 (These are for the entire process, and are not limited to any particular step in the process.)\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Process <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Input <\/span><\/p>\n

Information\/data item entered into the system as part of this process<\/span><\/p>\n

(input needed for the system)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Processing<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Processing or action the system must perform for this process<\/span><\/p>\n

(what the system will do with the input)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Output<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Information\/data item displayed or printed out for the user in this process<\/span><\/p>\n

(what the system will output\/display)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Selling Bikes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Repairing Bikes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Managing Inventory<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Josh has decided to use technology to improve one of business processes identified in question #4 above.\u00a0 Select one of the processes and <\/span>analyze the IT requirements<\/span> as they apply to that process using the table below.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Name the business process<\/span> that you selected from #4 here: __________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IT<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Requirement<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Importance\/<\/span><\/p>\n

Relevance<\/span><\/p>\n

High,<\/span><\/p>\n

Medium,<\/span><\/p>\n

Low, or Not Applicable (N\/A)<\/span><\/p>\n

(each must have a ranking)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Explanation for Ranking<\/span><\/p>\n

(Write a minimum of 3 good sentences<\/span> for each.\u00a0 Use the name of the business and the selected process in each answer.\u00a0 Identify the data or type of data used in your explanation, where it applies.)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Usability<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Information Quality<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Database<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Reliability\/ Availability<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Security<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>List and briefly explain three specific quantifiable (measurable) business<\/span> benefits<\/span> that Virginia Bikes would get from using a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution. Your explanations should include references to the Virginia Bikes business in the case study. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Business Benefit #1 and explanation:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Business Benefit #2 and explanation:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Business Benefit #3 and explanation:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Josh has decided to implement a cloud-based SaaS solution to improve the bike repair process for his business.\u00a0 <\/span>Identify<\/span>one<\/span>important activity<\/span> that Josh would need to do during each of the following <\/span>phases of the system development life cycle <\/span>to implement his solution (an example answer is provided for the Programming phase):<\/span><\/p>\n

a.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Planning:<\/span><\/p>\n

b.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Analysis and Design:<\/span><\/p>\n

c.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Programming:\u00a0 Since the system has already been developed by the SaaS vendor, Josh is not required to take any action regarding the Programming Phase.<\/span><\/p>\n

d.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Configuration:<\/span><\/p>\n

e.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Testing:<\/span><\/p>\n

f.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Implementation and Use:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Josh would like to increase repair work and rentals as they are the highest profit aspects of his business.\u00a0 He wants to analyze the data he will be collecting in his new information system to help him do this.\u00a0 <\/span>Identify three questions<\/span> that Josh would want answers to in order to determine ways to increase repairs and rentals.\u00a0 Then, <\/span>identify what information <\/span>Josh would need to answer each question.\u00a0 Finally, <\/span>explain how that information<\/span> and the answers to the questions would help Josh increase repair work and rentals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Question, information and explanation #1:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Question, information and explanation #2:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Question, information and explanation #3:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Josh has set up a website with information about his stores, and he wants to expand this website to conduct e-commerce.\u00a0 <\/span>Identify two<\/span> different <\/span>categories of e-commerce<\/span> (as defined in the Week 2 Learning Resource “Categories of Electronic Commerce”) that Josh could use to improve his business.\u00a0 <\/span>Explain <\/span>how each e-commerce category would be used.\u00a0 Your explanations should include the name of Josh’s business and demonstrate your understanding of each of the two e-commerce categories.<\/span><\/p>\n

E-Commerce category #1 and how it would be used:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

E-Commerce category #2 and how it would be used:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

10.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Explain<\/span> how each of the following could <\/span>benefit<\/span> Josh’s Virginia Bikes business.\u00a0 Use 2-3 sentences for each and be sure your explanations mention Virginia Bikes and show that you <\/span>understand<\/span> each of the types of systems. <\/span><\/p>\n

a.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Supply Chain Management System<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

b.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Customer Relationship Management System<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

c.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Enterprise Resource Planning System<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

IFSM 300 Final Assessment Exam \u00a0 By my signature below, I confirm that the work contained here is my own, I have received no outside assistance and have properly cited and referenced any external research that has been incorporated in my answers.\u00a0 I have fully complied with UMUC’s Policy on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism (Policy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-108256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-education"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/assignmenttutors.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/assignmenttutors.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/assignmenttutors.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/assignmenttutors.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/assignmenttutors.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108256"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/assignmenttutors.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108256\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/assignmenttutors.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/assignmenttutors.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=108256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/assignmenttutors.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=108256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}