As one of the systems analysts who is part of Sylva Foxx’s firm, suggest some ways that Sam Pelt can use software on the PC he has to adequately sample the opinions of his customers, store managers, buyers, and any others you feel will be instrumental in making the strategic decision regarding the stocking of fake furs in what has always been a real fur store. Suggest a type of sample for each group and justify it. The constraints you are subject to include the need to act quickly so as to remain competitive, the need to retain a low profile so that competing furriers are unaware of your fact gathering, and the need to keep costs of data gathering to a reasonable level.

“Real or fake? Fake or real? Who would have thought it, even five years ago?” howls Sam Pelt, a furrier who owns stores in New York; Washington, D.C.; Beverly Hills; and Copenhagen. Sylva Foxx, a systems analyst with her own consulting firm, is talking with Sam for the first time. Currently, P & P, Ltd. (which stands for Pelt and Pelt’s son) is using a PC that supports package software for a select customer mailing list, accounts payable and accounts receivable, and payroll.