A. Explain the objectives of undertaking this project to integrate new technology. In others words, what should the project accomplish, and how does it support the goal of your business?

B. Provide a project description that explains the purpose of the project. Be sure to address the following:

i. What does your business need to do to satisfy the objectives?

ii. What are the desired results at the end of the project?

iii. Why is it important for your business owner to consider implementing new technology?

For this project, imagine that you work for a small brick-and-mortar business specializing in designer clothing, shoes, and handbags. Your business offers discounted designer clothing and accessories for men and women. There are two full-time employees and three part-time employees. Currently, the store only has a basic website with a list of a few products, and customers can only purchase items instore. This is a problem because the business is not able to reach customers as easily as its competitors. The business owner has identified the following companies as its primary e-business competitors:

Zappos Kohl's Macy's HauteLook Nordstrom Rack Lyst

The ultimate goal of the business is to promote growth with an online presence and become more customer-focused. The business owner wants to streamline the business processes involved in integrating a brick-and-mortar business with an e-business. She is aware that there will be some potential consumer privacy and security concerns associated with this change, and she wants to ensure that company data is protected internally. She also wants to be confident that the business's suppliers and technology vendors do the same.

The business owner is looking for a technology solution that will meet the following key technology requirements: integrating online shopping, managing inventory and shipping, providing order status and online payment processing, facilitating collaboration internally and externally (with staff and customers), managing customer contacts, providing reporting, and being able to use the new technology to manage the current brick-and-mortar processes (sales, payments, inventory, and customer contact). Currently, the physical location struggles with managing customer information and does not have a reporting tool to help management make informed decisions.