Prepared by Michael BrigginGolden Gate University ITM 225: SF1Term: Fall 2012

The Future of Seminole Solutions for Competitive Advantage

Seminole Background Current Issues and Departments Affected

› Most critical Issues› Addressing Minor Issues › Assessment of the Situation at Hand

IT Solutions to Improve Seminole Recommendations

› Hardware/Software Roll Out Plan & Next Step After Implementation

› The planning process and applicable software training› What happens after roll out plan is completed. What next?

Outcomes Sources

AGENDA

Background of Seminole

Company: Respected producer of complex fittings for construction machines

Industry: Supply Chain & Manufacturing

Headquarters: Silver Spring, MD

Head Count: 1,000 employees (North America, South America, Asia, and Europe)

Advanced data center facilities

Current Issues and Departments Affected

Most Critical Issues:

-->Operations Sluggish

-->Outdated, older IBM System/370-168 series mainframe with a network infrastructure in place needs to be replaced and modified

-->Data reporting methods are not streamlined and accommodating in order to assist management in meeting deadlines

-->Company has fallen behind in competition compared to other players in the supply chain & manufacturing industry

-->Costs across operations within company have risen and are currently not sustainable

Addressing Minor Issues:

-->Cannot be done until most critical issued are addressed.

Departments Affected:

-->IT, Software Development, Sales, Administrative, Marketing, Management

Major Stakeholders: CEO, CFO, VP of Marketing, VP of Operations, Director of International Development, Director of Domestic Development, Chairwoman of the Board

Proposed Solution (according to stakeholders): To shake-up Seminole’s operations

*Website and Web Outreach for Business and Marketing Purposes

*Business Intelligence for Strengthening

Competitive Advantage in Deeper

Understanding of Clients and Customers

*Updating Overall IT Infrastructure

*Customer Relationship Management System for Data Reporting and Business Development

*Security and Protection

IT Solutions to Improve Seminole

Updating Overall IT Infrastructure Using Cloud Technology

Solutions: Implement IBM Smart Cloud Enterprise IaaS

Affects: Data Center(s), network, Internet connection, All Departments

Reasons:o Less bulky IT infrastructureo Saves on energy costso Greater flexibility in storing data and expanding data storageo Significant upgrade in connection flexibility with DSL and Wi-Fi network

Points of Emphasis: o Cloud storageo Virtual Desktopo Backup and Recoveryo Managed Cloud Securityo All give a greater deal of control over data and structure in Seminole operations.

Companies/Organizations Which Technology is Adopted:o Sonus Networkso Bumbu Desa (Indonesian restaurant chain)o Newly Feds Foodso Ricoh Company Ltd. (global technology company)

Security and Protection

Solutions: IBM Smart Cloud Enterprise IaaS, Norton Anti-Virus, Spybot

Affects: Data Center(s), network, Internet connection, All Departments

Reasons:

IBM Smart Cloud

o Recovery time for data is fast and painless.o Keeps data secure and stored in the event of power outages and backups , whether you chose to

store data, internally or externally External data storage recommended in safe location in U.S., in the event of power outage, unusual data overflow or natural disaster.

o Security coverage is intensive, ranging across the network, servers, virtual servers, mainframes, and endpoints.

Norton Anti-Viruso Proactively monitors viruses, malware and other unnecessary computer or security bugs that are

often overlooked and fixes the errors.o Real-time monitoring of activity within the network and within the U.S. domestically and

internationally. o Automatic updates to software program without downloading manually. o Able to monitor computer CPU performance level in same anti-virus program.

Spyboto Able to scan malwareo Root Kitso iPhone data and other important computerized data for any riskso Fixes the problems promptly.

Points of Emphasiso Greater flexibility to protect data in worst case scenarioso Less worry about computers and networks being affected by bugso Greater protection for users in the long run as business increases in Seminole.o Cost reduction possible as much as 40%.

Companies/Organizations Which Technology is Adopted:IBM Smart Cloud – Sonus NetworksNorton Anti-Virus – McVey & Hurricane (Mail Security Solution)Spyboy – Freeware program that’s been used by many users, personal and businesses

Customer Relationship Management System for Business Development and Data Reporting

Solutions: o Salesforce Cloud applications (Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Salesforce Chatter)o Plug-in Rootstock Manufacturing & Supply Chain Applications for Salesforce

Affects: Departments in Business Development & Sales, Marketing, Administrative, Executive Management, IT

Reasons:

Salesforce Cloud applicationso Cloud technology for data management and reporting is fasto Can contain unlimited amounts of datao Reports can be pulled up within secondso Less infrastructure is required to support such applications.

Rootstock Manufacturing & Supply Chain Applicationo Data via dashboards and reports is pulled up quickly as far as sales order managemento Inventory controlo Purchase order trackingo Standard cost accountingo All are addressed on a ERP platform that enhances the process using Salesforce.

Points of Emphasis: o Data reporting is more efficient and managed in a timely manner.o Energy costs are also reduced significantly. o Whereas before data reporting was more sluggish, now it’s faster and quicker when you need it. o All departments applied to the license can utilize Salesforce. o Salesforce also is able to work on long-term supply chain and manufacturing solutions that can

help data reporting o become more efficient in any medium for decision makers.

Companies/Organizations Which Technology is Adopted:LivingSocial, Wells Fargo, GE, NBC Universal, Bayer, Fireclay Tile

Website and Web Outreach for Business and Marketing Purposes

Solutions: New website, Contract web designers and developers using Rivera Partners services, Web hosting via Rackspace Cloud, Web conferencing using Lync Web Conferencing, Online and Social Media Outreach using Salesforce Chatter

Affects: All departments at large, clients and customers

Reasons:

New website:

o Can contain unlimited amounts of data. o At least 65% of a company’s success is done by a client or customer viewing it’s website. o It needs to be present, searchable on the search engines. Yellow Pages alone are not enough.

Rackspace Cloud o For the website of Seminole, the idea is to have the web host support it in a cloud technology environment. o Data from the website will also be preserved and protected proactively.

Contract Web Designers & Developerso Initially there will be web designers and developers coming in on a contract basiso Outsourcing the recruiting efforts to Riviera Partners, a reputable technical recruiting agency that specializes in o finding top talent in the tech industry.

Lync Web Conferencingo Web conferencing is enabled but is made more efficient through the process of e-mailing and instant messaging, in addition

to regular phone lines. o Communication via web conferencing can be done inside or outside Seminole no matter the location (domestically or

internationally).

Salesforce Chattero It’s important that while the website is a vital tool for Seminole’s survival, it alone cannot solve all the problems. o Proactive outreach to new and existing customers through Salesforce Chatter is a good way to go. o This applies to any kind of technology utilized, whether via cloud, social media, iPad or mobile technology.

Points of Emphasis: o Website and Web Technology will help Seminole maintain and increase its presence in the manufacturing and supply chain

industry. o Such technology has potential in furthering Seminole’s growth in the long run, not just the short run.

Companies/Organizations Which Technology is Adopted:

Backspace Cloud - Digital Reactor, Freshbooks, iBox SecurityRiviera Partners – Airbnb, Dropbox, Groupon, LinkedIn, PInterest, Twitter, ZendeskLync Web Conferencing – 013 Netvision (based in Israel), A.T. Kearney, Boeing, Dell Canada, Dow Corning Salesforce Chatter – BMC Software, Concur, Blackboard Inc.

Business Intelligence for Strengthening Competitive Advantage in Deeper Understanding of Clients and Customers

Solution: Implement Microstrategy’s Business Intelligence, Mobile Intelligence and Cloud Intelligence products

Affects: IT, Marketing and Business Development & Sales Departments, Executive Management

Reasons:

Business Intelligence

o Enables greater insight and depth into data, trends, and business forecasting opportunities.o This enables a perfect opportunity for Seminole to understand the client and customer base

on a deeper level while enabling the business development and marketing departments greater leverage in developing ways of outreach to new and existing clients.

Mobile Intelligence

o Same process here as with the Business Intelligence product except there’s a a greater emphasis on business and communication being done in the mobile technology area.

o Mobile campaigning and outreach is highly recommended for Seminole because more companies in industries across the board are using mobile technology as a key driver for business.

Cloud Intelligence

o Same process here as in the Business Intelligence and Mobile Intelligence products except there’s more focus on the cloud technology medium.

o Considering most companies nowadays use Salesforce (and that more are using it by the week), a key driver for success is the cloud technology medium.

o Reaching out to customers via the cloud computing technology is the next generation for many companies, especially sales organizations.

o Understanding data at a deeper level with cloud intelligence gives more insight into how to conduct business development and marketing initiatives in the cloud computing medium.

Points of Emphasiso Analytical intelligence products, as developed by Microstrategy, are an important tool for

companies that want to remain competitive in the ever-changing, global economy. o Understanding the client and customer at all levels is important. Being proactive on this

front is ideal.

Companies/Organizations Which Technology is Adopted:

Business Intelligence: GT Nexus, Lowe’s Companies, Hallmark Cards, Inc., eBayMobile Intelligence: eHarmony, Guess U.S.A., Sonic Automotive, Whole Foods MarketCloud Intelligence: Amgen, DeRoyal, Johnson & Johnson, Wintrust

PHASE I

PHASE II

PHASE III

•Secure backup of all data, confidential and vital information.•Replace old Mainframe and implement IBM Smart Cloud Enterprise IaaS. UpgradeSeminole data centers.•Link up all servers and network wiring necessary•Set up workstations and notebook computers (no desktops) in cubicles•Train IT personnel on new IT implementations•Put server online, power up network infrastructure, connect computers•Restore data and information to Seminole’s data centers

•Install and set up security implementations on computers and infrastructure•Run test scan to check for bugs and viruses and clean up any present.•Install CRM Cloud Technology•Install and set up web technology and applications•Hire and train web designers and developers. Get test website up and running.

•Install Salesforce intelligence (Business, Mobile, Cloud) programs•Executive regular training sessions with all staff across the board (in all office locations) on new software•Gather any reports of problems and address with vendors to fix problems right away•Officially launch Seminole website•Provide IT department with websites and phone numbers of all vendors

Significantly Improved Operations Faster and more efficient data reporting Greater likelihood of Competitive Advantage Stronger flexibility for decision making More capabilities of attracting new customers and retaining

existing customers Greater control over costs Management more able to think of ways to increase revenue

End Result

References

1) http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/en/cloud-enterprise/2) http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/en/cloud-enterprise/3) http://us.norton.com/antivirus/4) http://www.safer-networking.org/business/5) http://appexchange.salesforce.com/listingDetai?listingId=a0N30000005uSuCEAU/6) http://www.rootstock.com/30aug11-rootstock-software(R)-introduces’the-manufacturing-suite’-on-

salesforce.com’s-platform/#more-431/7) http://rivierapartners.com/services/8) http://www.rackspace.com/cloud/public/9) http://lync.microsoft.com/en-us/what-is-lync/Pages/what-is-lync/Pages/what-is-lync.aspx?Title

=video-conferencing&tablD=1&itemID=5/10) http://www.salesforce.com/chatter/overview/11) http://www.microstrategy.com/software/business-intelligence/12) http://www.microstrategy.com/cloud/13) http://www.microstrategy.com/mobile/