Technology Solution

A. Background

Trusty Carpet is a trusted community business in a strip mall area. The store is in a small town near a more prominent, expanding town. Trusty Carpet is owned and operated by Jerry Montgomery, who has provided carpet services to the community for 20 years. In addition, the local government has recently implemented massive changes to preserve unique architectural components, ameliorate existing properties, and take the initiative to protect the environment. The changes increased business, and Trusty Carpet vastly improved its profitability, and another success is apparent through the acquisition of Metro Carpet. Purchasing Metro Carpet has brought challenges, including differences in company culture and management styles. However, Trusty Carpet has worked to integrate the two businesses seamlessly, retaining the best aspects of each and creating a cohesive organization. The purchase was significant for Trusty Carpet, but we hope to address problems related to the growing business. From a technical perspective, it is an essential infrastructure within both companies, and there are no interconnections between Trusty and Metro Carpet. The opportunity to expand sales and increase profitability is apparent, and using an outdated process is not advantageous for the Trusty Carpet organization. A technological solution that supports the expansion of the business and assists in its management is a crucial part of the continued increase in profit and business sustainability.

B. Environmental Analysis

Environmentally, Trusty Carpet has already proposed to protect the environment as much as he embarks on his expansion plans. However, the disorganized nature of the newly acquired warehouse seems like a lot of costs. Still, the decision to promote recyclable carpets with the aid of the installers is undoubtedly going to help cut costs. Along with the more extensive warehouse that came with this expansion, the availability of more personnel from Metro will help give Jerry the space to pursue other marketing ventures. In addition, Jerry and Mike working together create an opportunity for Jerry to use Mike as a material point of advertisement as he is an installer and usually has a one-on-one with the customers. Mike conducts his business from home; however, with the partnership between Mike and Jerry becoming solidified, the paperwork and bookkeeping can no longer be handled separately. Additionally, Metro Carpet was disorganized; all sales and inventory were made manually through a paper process. In combination with the ineffective handling of customer records and inventory records, the increase in business demand presents an opportunity to expound on the basic information technology solution to a more advanced technological solution.

There is also an opportunity to reimagine the strategy used in marketing. Jerry has always advertised in the local paper. With the expansion of surrounding businesses and several competing interests both in the physical location and within the local paper, it is essential that marketing evolves as well. Transforming the business to include interior decorating services and installation services creates a more holistic business model. A revised marketing strategy focuses on reaching a targeted consumer group to support this change further. The growth of the surrounding area and the increase in homes being built presents a unique opportunity to market to this specific clientele. Research collected by The News Media Alliance (2021) asserts that the average age of print newspaper readers is 57.9, while CBS claims that the average age of a homebuyer in 2022 was 36. This research leads us to conclude many of Trusty Carpet's potential clientele will never see his advertisement because they do not read the local paper.

Opportunity or change to the Business Vision, Strategy, or Objectives

Trusty Carpets can trend towards sustainability and eco-friendliness in the preferences that consumers can appeal to. This will allow Trusty Carpets to market its products and services to environmentally conscious people. Trusty Carpets can offer eco-friendly carpet options while promoting an energy-efficient process by looking at the market and clients'' demands.

Business Processes or Technologies which are not Operating Efficiently

Implementing a modern software system that integrates Trusty Carpet's and Metro Carpet's operations could improve inventory management and sales processes, increasing efficiency and profitability. The new software could help the business manage inventory levels and orders more effectively, reduce manual data entry errors and provide real-time data on sales and stock levels. Additionally, integrating the sales data from both businesses could help identify trends and opportunities for cross-selling and up-selling. This can further increase revenue. This can help with helping reduce inefficiencies and increase profitability.

New or better products, technologies, or processes in use by competitors

Trusty Carpets is not a distinctive company; thus, it has many competitors. This issue implies that Jerry will have to retain a competitive advantage, which can be done by investing in an IT enterprise system. For example, many small enterprises have changed from paper bookkeeping to electronic payments, billing, invoicing, and stock management. These businesses have comprehended that implementing and automating these processes is more convenient and precise and saves money and resources. Companies have also realized that online advertising reaches more clients than any other.

Changes to statutory, legislative, or other environmental requirements

Environmental laws and regulations are continually amended as data evolves. To better safeguard the climate, the government can modify policies. These policies often guide businesses to regulate their practices. It is vital for Jerry to constantly make sure that the company is acquainted with the recently introduced regulations, which will allow him to change the procedures and meets the prerequisites of the authorities. Trusty Carpets should enforce a Compliance Management System (CMS). A CMS helps to manage risk associated with legislation on marketplace developments. CMS facilitates organizations to understand their responsibilities, incorporate requirements into business processes, review operations to ensure requirements are adhered to, take corrective action, and update materials (Division of Depositor and consumer protection, 2017).

New technology trends or opportunities resulting from new technologies

The development of new technologies facilitates a competitive business environment. Several benefits can be achieved with the help of modern technology, including improved customer service, greater consistency, more reliable product delivery, and enhanced security, among others. Further, modern technology solutions facilitate the alignment of managerial authority within an organization. This strategy aims to ensure the company is future-proofed for continuous growth by aligning the business with management. Along with existing technological resources, Trusty Carpets utilizes computers, tablets, printers, scanners, online storage, and electronic documents in its current operating environment. Basic internet capabilities have been implemented as part of the organization's IT infrastructure. As a result, a chain network and cloud-based services can be implemented by Trusty Carpets because of this approach. Utilizing cloud-based services allows the organization to manage its operations more effectively and generate increased revenue volume. ''SaaS offers organizations several advantages, namely flexibility and savings. When SaaS vendors manage tedious tasks like installing, managing, and updating software, employees can focus on other priorities (What Is SaaS - Advantages and Disadvantages | Cloud Computing | CompTIA, 2023). Using SaaS, businesses can maximize their spending and increase revenue by combining existing hardware. Utilizing cloud computing technology allows employees and management to work remotely from anywhere, maintaining a team-oriented working environment.

Commercial or operational trends

Today's market requires businesses to adapt to new technology to remain competitive. Online sales and marketing have become increasingly important to small businesses in recent years. It is becoming increasingly evident that small businesses need to participate in online shopping. ''Small businesses should consider shifting to a model that prioritizes e-commerce sales to maximize profits and provide customers with an enhanced level of convenience'' (10 Small Business Trends to Watch out for in 2023, 2023). Since the market strives to provide more user-friendly services, online commerce is vital to the company's success. Marketing your business and its products and services through social media accounts is an effective way to reach a broad audience. Using these accounts, you can display this information for free. Having better customer service should be your primary focus as a small business. Nowadays, many companies provide e-commerce ordering with curbside pickup to give customers more personalized service. For a company to thrive, people need empathy and the ability to communicate personally. Incorporating this strategy into your business will provide another level of differentiation. Personalized customer engagement can strengthen your company and help you retain customers. This can be accomplished in person, via telephone, or online.

Trusty Carpet's a thriving business in the carpet industry; however, significant technological shortcomings prevent the company from succeeding in the Information Technology (IT) space. The major problem for Trusty Carpet is the limitation of its technology. Trusty Carpet has a basic IT infrastructure with an internet connection, a computer, two tablets, and a multipurpose printer. In addition, a wireless router provided by Trusty Carpet's internet service provider is connected wirelessly to the two salesman's tablets. The problem exists because Trusty Carpet's owner has a minimal IT background, making the most novice IT experience go with the simplest IT infrastructure. In addition, one of the employees set up the technology six months ago, and Trusty Carpet has been in business for 20 years. Trusty Carpet's business strategy is increasing its overall profit margin; however, with antiquated technology, it is difficult for profit to increase when there are technological snags. For example, the order forms and inventory are managed through Google Cloud. However, Google Cloud is not business specific. For the purpose used and the business strategy adopted by Trusty Carpets, managing and tracking inventory becomes troublesome with increased workload and user-specific result orientation. This can prove cumbersome for the system because the tracking of material can quickly become mismanaged due to the limited capabilities of the current technology, reducing productivity throughout the entire Trusty Carpet organization.

As a result, this limitation in the technology hurt Trusty Carpet financially by incurring more costs to repair the occurred due to mismanagement and the revamping of the business. In addition, Trusty Carpet cannot track its inventory, invoices, and prices, which does not set the company up to be competitive in customer relations and retention. For example, if customers are charged the incorrect price, they would not feel inclined to return their business. The element created here would be the lack of process and technology to properly align the company to its strategy and goals, thus, profit realization in which customer retention is a prominent proponent. Therefore, innovative technology must be implemented to align the business with its strategy and improve business processes. With this, an original approach following compatible business-specific technology would need to be established to ensure that all employees adhere to the technology regarding inventory management, customer management, invoice management, and payroll management. Technology limitations are a severe problem that must be addressed within six months, solely based on available resources and funding. However, technological advancement and new processes can be enacted within the time limit.

The limitation of technology was chosen because technology has a massive impact on an organization, and identifying the problems with the technology will aid the business's overall success. Having such minimal technology makes it difficult for an organization to thrive. A company that grows and can quickly achieve its objectives can do so when it adopts technology specific to its processes and aligns itself with its strategies. For example, the company may be getting by with tracking prices and inventory through Google Cloud, but with a lot of time in technology, a company will outgrow itself. Therefore, Trusty Carpet has the foresight to see that the technology limitation will prevent that growth, lowering the company's profitability. Trusty Carpet needs to be proactive and address these technological concerns. A business should never put itself where its technology is holding them back. Addressing these problems is essential, and it makes the most sense to be a problem area that is tackled as soon as possible.

III. Proposed Solution

The recommendation for Trusty's Carpets is the SaaS solution Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS). This SaaS will offer Trusty Carpet an effortless way to handle daily procedures, incorporate his new partner's document systems, and help his employees quickly and smoothly access all systems and resources. According to CDMS, "CDMS Software was developed by flooring retailers for flooring retailers. It gives instant access to any area of your business at any given time and is designed to handle multiple stores easily." The fact that this software was developed with carpet dealers as a target helps to meet all compliance conditions and proposes to Trusty Carpets a key solution ready to assume all factors of carpet and installation operations without the need to be concerned about extra tool management.

Some of the key features of CDMS are its ability to manage all aspects of the flooring business process. The software is a comprehensive system that encompasses all the accounting components, works inventory (including barcoding), scheduling, and service requests; has purchasing abilities, point of sale, invoicing, and payroll; and provides insight into purchase trends and sales analysis (LinkedIn, n.d.). These features will directly on the way Trusty Carpets operates and strategically support the expansion of the business by providing solutions that meet the company's specific needs.

Accounting is currently handled manually, and because several different business components are joining for the first time, the way accounting and customer records are dealt with must be standardized and streamlined, and documents must be contained in an accessible, central location. The inventory purchasing and tracking abilities are crucial in supporting the organization of the newly acquired former Metro Carpet warehouse. Additionally, scheduling and appointment management is essential with two fully functioning warehouses and the intention to maintain two installation teams. Efforts to find ways to be more eco-friendly will be supported with more intentional, consolidated routes and schedules. Finally, the day-to-day functionality and input are handled in-house. Still, it is essential to note that a benefit of using CDMS is the world-class application and technical support available to assist with any issues that may arise.

Approach to Developing

Implementing a SaaS solution developed by carpet retailers provides most of the prerequisites to incorporate the varying company needs successfully. The fact of the matter is there is little effort necessary for integration. The critical factor that needs addressing is that every person with an administrative role must have computer or smart device access with internet connectivity. Providing access via ISP or cell provider is a minor hurdle that can easily be overcome with little installation and low cost. CDMS also includes training and customer support in the event any issues arise, so Mr. Montgomery is also gaining the comfort of knowing he has another staff that will focus on resolving them. The most tedious task will be uploading all the manual documents, transferring data from Google Drive, and cataloging inventory.

Following the implementation of the Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) software solution, the company is expected to experience substantial growth. The Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) will be available as a cloud service. Using CDMS as a cloud-based solution, Trusty Carpets can immediately benefit from the software's features. This software presents several benefits, both in terms of financial and non-financial gain. Jerry and his team will organize and manage financial information for customers using Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) cloud software. The result will be the elimination of customers entering their data manually. As a result, inventory and budgets can be controlled more effectively.

Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) cloud software will also assist in developing long-term relationships between the company and its clients, which will facilitate the development of long-term relationships between the company and its clients. It is also possible to conduct effective marketing campaigns with the program's help. Using Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) cloud software, the organization can engage with its clients more smoothly and quickly. Additionally, they may be able to use it to target their messages based on the type of customer they wish to reach or in any other way deemed appropriate by the company.

Financial Benefits

Trusty Carpets is expected to achieve financial success by improving inventory management, reducing labor costs, reducing paper waste, and automating the invoicing and payment administration processes. In addition, the proposed approach may increase revenue by generating leads online and establishing a virtual customer base.

Non-financial Benefits

Some of the non-financial benefits of the decision-making process include improving customer satisfaction, simplifying business processes, managing inventories, and storing documents safely and securely. Providing direct access to the manufacturer's inventory and improving communication can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of order processing. For example, a sales representative will benefit from real-time stock availability updates and be motivated and more confident in their ability to sell products. Furthermore, the system will facilitate remote collaboration and data access for employees.

What other value might the organization gain from this solution?

To maximize the value of the organization's resources, the organization should streamline its interactions with partners, suppliers, customers, and employees. Using appropriate resources, their streamlining aims to improve and increase the efficiency of stakeholder interaction. Furthermore, the proposed solution increases business value while facilitating collaboration between IT and business processes, organizational structure, and strategy. The Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) solution provides many benefits to the company and its ability to benefit the whole organization. As part of the sale transaction, date and time stamping technology allow problems to be detected and corrected quickly. In addition, the Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) will also provide information to the sales team and benefit both parties. An organization's sales activities can be centrally managed through a CDMS. A member of the sales department will be able to see the number of products ordered by a client and the billing method used by the client. Moreover, sales personnel can access valuable customer information when they contact potential customers.

There are several ways to approach implementing a technological solution, and it is imperative to understand the available options to choose the most appropriate solution. The intended outcome will be pivotal in what solution will be the best. Below, the following technological solutions will be proposed. The first is the status quo which would entail continued utilization of current technical solutions and procedures. The second is the Carpet Dealer Management Solution (CDMS) software, which specializes in managing business aspects for companies that deal with operations surrounding carpets. The next area that will be discussed is Brightpearl. This solution provides a different technological solution that may meet the needs of the business. Finally, the overall process change will be addressed. With the company's expansion and acquisition of an additional warehouse and staff, procedural changes must occur to ensure the business receives the support necessary to continue functioning and drive further growth.

V. Status Quo

The term status quo refers to the current processing and technological solutions used. The technical solution currently in place involves manual research of product availability and pricing (using two tablets/salespeople). In addition, the sales staff functioned as a liaison for installation scheduling and shared Google Cloud storage and order forms employing a simple Google form (these are also shared with the installer/accountant). These functions are supported through an onsite router and internet connection to connect to the office computer, printer, and salespeople's tablets. Additionally, the acquisition of Metro Carpets brought on the current processes of poor organization, poor warehouse utilization, and a general lack of technological solutions. Customer records and inventory are contained in paper and handwritten ledgers. Finally, there are two installation teams, and the owner's spouse performs the manual bookkeeping processes.

Several manual processes result in higher operating costs due to the time spent verifying information, manually imputing details on forms, and transporting them from one place to another. The way things are currently functioning is not feasible. There is quite a lot of opportunity for errors to occur with manually filling out forms. Many functions are contingent upon one party contacting another instead of both parties being able to access the information from the same source. Some risks of continuing to conduct business in the current model are the disconnect between the previously owned business components and the newly acquired components of the warehouse, the employees, and the installation service coordination. For example, the management of each warehouse not being conducted in the same way can cause reputational risks, inconsistent customer experience, and inaccurate submission of work orders. Another risk is financial risk. They use resources to accurately and consistently complete bookkeeping/accounting records, ensuring that accurate financial reporting occurs and that any financial discrepancies can be identified promptly. Regarding IT risks, there is the possibility of data loss, and the manual nature of data capture poses the risk of data integrity risks. Continuing with the status quo would mean choosing to handle data ineffectively and choosing poor time management, ineffective scheduling, and poor management of resources.

VI. The Proposed Solution

The Carpet Dealer Management Solution (CDMS) is a fully integrated SaaS product that can handle multiple users. With this system, you can manage multiple stores and use tools for streamlining your business operations. There are several features included in the Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) Software, including inventory control, order entry, job-estimating, quotes, products, sales analysis, banking, general ledger, costing, profit analysis, receivables, human resource management, earnings of installers, security, integration, scalability, support, and other improvements.

The significant benefits of installing a Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) are improved customer service, better inventory management, and higher revenue. An integrated platform can facilitate the coordination of multiple aspects of the carpet-selling process by leveraging the streamlined operations model. Inventory management, order tracking, and customer management can be accomplished on one platform, eliminating the need to enter data and ensuring error-free customer service manually. CDMS can enhance customer service. This technology allows merchants to maintain customer profiles and track customer interactions, thus building a better service and strengthening their relationships. By using CDMS, distributors can monitor their inventory levels in real-time. Inventory levels are tracked, reorder points are established, and purchase orders are generated to ensure that manufacturers always have adequate stock. Distributors can identify growth opportunities and enhance their sales strategies using CDMS's sales tracking and performance analytics. Dealers can increase sales by monitoring sales trends, tracking customer behavior, and identifying upselling and cross-selling opportunities.

As highlighted in Section II, a Carpet Dealer Management System can assist carpet dealers in addressing many issues, including a lack of visibility, inefficient operations, poor customer service, and an outdated inventory management system. It is possible to address the lack of visibility by implementing a Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) that provides real-time insight into inventory levels, sales performance, and customer interactions. Businesses can rely on this information to make data-driven decisions and optimize their operations based on the information they have collected. Through CDMS, inefficient processes can be streamlined, and manual data entry minimized, thereby minimizing errors and increasing efficiency. In addition, CDMSs facilitate the management of customer profiles, customer interactions, and inquiries, thereby alleviating poor customer service. Customer service is improved as a result, and customer relationships are strengthened. Providing real-time inventory information, setting reorder points, and generating purchase orders are among the advantages of effective inventory management within a CDMS. As a result, they always have the right amount of stock on hand and minimize stockouts and overstocking. Carpet distributors can gain several benefits from a carpet dealer management system. As part of this, we assist them in streamlining their operations, improving customer service, optimizing their sales strategies, and managing their inventory more efficiently.

Carpet Dealer Management Systems may incur various costs, including software license fees, set up, and implementation costs, maintenance and support charges, hardware and customization, and integration charges. CDMS software license fees are usually charged per user or month and are used to acquire Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) software. Setup and implementation costs cover setting up the software and integrating it with existing applications. Moreover, it covers any training necessary to ensure the staff can operate the system effectively. Costs associated with software maintenance and support (which may be charged annually or monthly) include the fees related to ongoing support and maintenance for the software. Purchasing any hardware necessary for the software to run, such as servers and workstations, is included in the hardware costs. In addition, a fee may be incurred if the CDMS requires customization or integration with other systems.

The cost of carpet dealer management systems can vary based on the size and complexity of the business. Furthermore, the type of functionality and features required determine the price. However, a basic CDMS can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500 per user per year. By contrast, a more advanced system with additional features and customizations may cost upwards of $2,000 per user per year. Therefore, before making a purchase decision, businesses should obtain a detailed quote from the vendor to determine the exact cost.

Several factors, including business size and complexity, determine whether a Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) is feasible. The cost of the system will also depend upon the availability of resources. A CDMS can be implemented technically, as the software and hardware needed to operate it are readily available. Moreover, the software is usually user-friendly and can be customized according to the business needs. However, CDMS implementation also depends on the availability of resources, such as time, money, and qualified personnel. Initiating and implementing a new system may take considerable time and resources. In addition, for the system to function correctly, it may be necessary to provide ongoing maintenance and support. Therefore, the cost of the system is another critical factor to consider. Although CDMS can benefit some businesses, tiny and medium-sized firms, the costs associated with purchasing and implementing the system may be prohibitive.

It is important to note that the feasibility of implementing a Carpet Dealer Management System will depend on the business's specific circumstances. Therefore, carefully assessing the system's benefits and costs is essential. When deciding, various factors should be considered, including the availability of resources and the business goals.

Investing in a Carpet Dealer Management System entails several risks, including implementation, integration, and security risks. CDMS implementation can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant expenditures in resources, workforce, and finances. Without effective management, the implementation process may not be completed on time, resulting in additional costs and delays. In addition, it can be challenging to integrate a carpet dealer management system with existing systems. Data inconsistencies and errors may result from the system not being fully integrated with existing systems. Finally, cyber security and data breaches are potential threats to Carpet Dealer Management Systems, as they contain sensitive business and customer data. Data loss, disruption of business, and reputational damage may result from the system's vulnerability to security threats.

A thorough risk assessment and implementation of appropriate risk mitigation measures are essential for businesses to mitigate these risks. The implementation plan may include developing a detailed test plan and implementing a rigorous test and validation process. As part of the process, robust security measures may be implemented, and staff training enables them to utilize the system effectively.

An effective Carpet Dealer Management System must address several defining issues that might make it less desirable than other alternatives. Functionality limitations, costs, and scalability are examples of these issues. Compared to other more advanced enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, a CDMS may have limited functionality. The lack of comprehensive features may disadvantage businesses requiring a more extensive management system. In addition to the cost of implementing a CDMS, particularly for smaller companies, it can be a significant undertaking. Some businesses may encounter a barrier in the costs associated with acquiring and implementing the system and ongoing maintenance and support. There is a possibility that a CDMS is not scalable, which means that it will not be able to handle the growth of a business. The company may be required to upgrade its systems, resulting in additional expenditures.

In contrast, the proposed solution of implementing a Carpet Dealer Management System has several advantages. An extensive set of features is provided and designed explicitly for managing the operations of carpet dealers. Management of inventory, sales orders, and customer relationships are some of the features included in these systems. It is possible to customize the system to ensure that it meets the business's specific needs to provide flexibility and scalability as it grows. Further, the proposed solution offers a centralized system that integrates all business processes, helping to improve visibility and control over business processes. Doing so may increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer service. In conclusion, while the proposed Carpet Dealer Management System may have some limitations, it offers several advantages that make it the most suitable alternative to managing the operations of carpet dealers.

C. A Different IT Solution

Brightpearl retail management system is an alternative. It provides businesses with a comprehensive solution for managing their operations, such as inventory, orders, accounting, customer relationship management, and reporting. As a result, retailers and wholesalers can use it to improve their overall efficiency and streamline their business processes (#1 Retail Operating System - for Multichannel Ecommerce, 2023). As a leading cloud-based business management system, Brightpearl offers a range of features to help businesses manage all aspects of the supply chain, from inventory management and purchasing to order fulfillment and shipping. Moreover, it provides real-time data and reporting, enabling businesses to make in-depth analyses of their operations and make data-driven decisions. Additionally, Brightpearl offers integrations with various e-commerce platforms, payment processors, and other business tools so that businesses can run their entire operations from one location.

Several advantages are offered by Brightpearl, including centralized management, increased efficiencies, and increased scalability. As part of Brightpearl, businesses can manage inventory, orders, accounting, and customer data through a centralized platform. As a result, companies can increase efficiency in their operations and reduce the likelihood of errors and inefficiencies. In addition to automating manual processes, Brightpearl can provide businesses with real-time data and reporting, enabling them to concentrate on growing their business. A key feature of Brightpearl's CRM platform is its ability to track and manage customer interactions, thereby improving customer service and retaining clients. As companies grow, Brightpearl provides them with the flexibility to add new sales channels, locations, and products without disrupting their operations.

Brightpearl inventory management features allow businesses to track inventory levels and automate reordering. This reduces the risk of stockouts, and overstocks associated with retail operations, which are identified in Section II. Brightpearl can help businesses address many retail challenges, including inventory management. Companies can fulfill orders quickly and accurately using Brightpearl's order management and shipping features. Using Brightpearl's accounting features, companies can obtain real-time financial data and maintain accurate records, improving their ability to manage their finances and make informed decisions. With Brightpearl, you can quickly drive sales across multiple channels by integrating it with various e-commerce platforms. Brightpearl retail management solution provides businesses with comprehensive retail management. The result is improved efficiency, customer satisfaction, and scalability. In addition, it facilitates the management of inventory, orders, accounting, and sales across various channels.

To maintain a competitive pricing model, Brightpearl uses subscriptions. An organization's solution cost is determined by its number of users, orders, and sales channels. Brightpearl's major cost component is user licenses. Brightpearl licensing fees are charged per user each month. The cost per user of a business must know how many users it has and what features it requires. Brightpearl processes orders and is charged a fee. Organization costs per order vary according to monthly order volume. The cost of integrating a business' sales channel with Brightpearl depends on the number of sales channels it uses. The price per sales channel will vary depending on how many channels a company utilizes. Brightpearl implements the system for businesses; a fee for implementation and training is charged. Moreover, it charges users for training in the system.

Brightpearl's estimated cost will vary depending on the business's specific needs. As a rough estimate, Brightpearl can cost between $1,500 and $4,000 per month if a company has up to ten users. It processes up to 1,000 orders monthly and integrates with up to three sales channels. Larger businesses will incur higher costs with more users, orders, and sales channels. Furthermore, implementation and training fees can vary from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the company's needs.

Several factors determine Brightpearl's feasibility of a business solution. There are several factors to consider, including the size and complexity of the business, the industry and market in which it operates, and the budget available. Brightpearl could benefit many companies, especially those in the retail and wholesale sectors. However, some businesses may not benefit from Brightpearl. For example, large companies with complex operations and multiple locations may need a more advanced system or customize Brightpearl extensively to meet their specific requirements.

Furthermore, businesses in industries other than retail and wholesale may require a customized solution to meet their unique requirements. Due to this, companies must evaluate their specific needs and analyze various solutions thoroughly. Therefore, to make an informed decision concerning Brightpearl, the organization must do the following.

Brightpearl has several advantages for businesses; however, it is imperative to note that the system also carries some risks. Brightpearl's three highest risks are organizational, information technology, and financial. A significant amount of organizational risk is involved in implementing an innovative system such as Brightpearl since it requires significant amounts of change management and may disrupt existing processes and workflows. Employees can resist change and leadership. Brightpearl is a cloud-based application; thus, businesses depend on a stable and secure internet connection and cloud infrastructure. The availability and integrity of data stored in the cloud could be adversely affected by any disruption to the cloud service or a security breach. Finally, financial risk is associated with Brightpearl implementation, requiring software and hardware infrastructure investments and ongoing subscription fees. Financial health could be adversely affected if the business fails to budget for these expenses or properly manage ongoing costs.

The significant differences between Brightpearl and the proposed solution depend on business needs and requirements. Several issues may deter users from choosing Brightpearl, including limited customization, complexity, and challenges associated with its integration. Brightpearl's customization capability is limited. There is some degree of customization available in the system, but it may not be sufficient for businesses with specific requirements. There may be cases where a custom solution is more appropriate. Brightpearl offers several features and capabilities; however, its setup and maintenance can be complex. Organizations with limited resources or technical expertise may find it challenging to use the system. Businesses with complex or legacy systems may struggle to integrate Brightpearl with existing tools and systems. Disruptions in the implementation process can result in increased costs and disruptions.

Comparatively, the proposed solution may be more suitable for companies that value simplicity, ease of use, and flexibility. A key feature of the proposed solution is that it is designed to be easy to use and scalable to the business's specific needs. As well as being cloud-based and integrating with a wide range of systems and tools, it provides a flexible solution for companies with various needs.

D. A Process Change

Implementing a Carpet Dealer Management Solution may significantly improve processes and operations. These are some potential process changes that Trusty Carpets may experience. Improved inventory management, such as with a DMS, Trusty Carpets can increase visibility and control over their inventory levels, thereby reducing stockouts, increasing sales, and reducing carrying costs. Using a sales management system can be beneficial for automating and streamlining the sales process, from quotation generation to order fulfillment. As a result, errors may be reduced, efficiency may be increased, and the customer experience may be enhanced. Trusty Carpets can improve customer relationships by utilizing a DMS to manage customer data, track sales histories, identify opportunities for cross-selling and upselling, and identify opportunities for cross-selling. Trusty Carpets can improve the management of its finances by implementing a DMS, which includes tools for invoicing, accounts payable/receivable, and financial reporting. The use of this method can increase accuracy and save time. Trusty Carpets can make better-informed decisions regarding pricing, inventory management, and sales strategies with access to real-time data and analytics.

However, it is essential to note that implementing such a system is not without its challenges, including employee training, data migration, and system integration. Therefore, careful planning and preparation must be carried out to ensure successful implementation and minimize disruption to business operations.

Changing processes, such as sales management, benefits the company in many ways. As previously mentioned, there is an expected increase in sales, and a standard is established regarding how Trusty Carpets operates and allows customer service experiences to be standardized. Another cost factor that must be considered the investment in changing the process. Training in the new system and gaining confidence from employees to completely commit to the process of using the new system is not only a monetary investment but a time investment also. The feasibility of successful process change is directly correlated with employees seeing the value in the shift and being included in the decision-making process through collecting feedback, user testing, and using firsthand employee expertise. The employee factor can pose a risk in each area, including business operations, IT, and finances. Ineffective adherence to a process change can impact business operations in that there is the potential that different processes are taking place at various locations of operation. This can result in a communication breakdown, inconsistent process handling, and inconsistencies in customer experience. The IT aspect is presented with a risk in that the improper utilization of a process change or solution can make a solution ineffective and render it useless. Finally, the financial investment in changing processes like sales information, customer record management, and the systems to support that change is significant. Therefore, the selected system must work well with the shift in process goals.

Alternatively, a lack of process change would lead to an underutilization of the proposed system and be counterproductive to increasing sales, growing the business operation, and modernizing how customer records are managed. In addition, it would be counterproductive to order processing and containing the many different components of the business (installation services and, eventually, interior design options).

E. Comparison of Alternatives

The comparison of alternatives table is essential for understanding the various solutions that can fulfill the business requirements. This table offers a clear and concise summary of each alternative's positive and negative aspects, facilitating a quick and easy comparison of different options. The table features four alternatives, including the current processing and technological solutions. The proposed solution is - Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS), a SaaS product that offers an all-in-one solution for managing business operations. The alternate technical solution - Brightpearl Retail Management System- provides various features to meet business needs—lastly, a process change option to enhance the current processing and technological solutions. By comparing the different alternatives, the table will enable businesses to identify the most suitable choice that can effectively and efficiently address their requirements while also being cost-effective.

F. Justification for Proposed System

After considering the four alternatives, implementing the Carpet Dealer Management Solution (CDMS) software is the best option for addressing the business problem identified. One of the primary reasons for selecting CDMS is its specialization in the carpet industry, which makes it a perfect fit for the company's specific requirements. The CDMS offers comprehensive functionality for inventory management, sales, and invoicing, specifically tailored to meet the needs of carpet dealers. This system will enable the company to streamline operations, automate manual processes, and improve overall efficiency, resulting in significant cost savings. Furthermore, CDMS offers robust reporting capabilities, allowing the company to track sales trends, monitor inventory levels, and analyze customer behavior. This will help the company make data-driven decisions, identify areas for improvement, and optimize business performance. Therefore, CDMS offers the most comprehensive solution for the company's needs compared to the other alternatives. While some other options may provide similar functionality, they lack the specialized focus on the carpet industry and may require significant customization to meet the company's needs. CDMS, on the other hand, is a turnkey solution that can be quickly implemented with minimal customization.

In conclusion, the Carpet Dealer Management Solution (CDMS) best addresses the business needs identifying in Section II. Its specialization in the carpet industry, comprehensive functionality, robust reporting capabilities, and ease of implementation make it the most suitable option among the four alternatives evaluated. Therefore, CDMS is the optimal system to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve the company's long-term goals.

A. Economic/Financial Feasibility

Trusty Carpets sells approximately 250K square feet of carpet producing roughly $1.2 million in sales; 70% of these are of their mid-grade carpet and padding. Their net profit is $100K, considered below the industry average. Trusty Carpets believes this is due to keeping prices low to keep the business competitive. Metro Carpets generates $3M annually and receives a 12% profit of roughly $360K; 10% of sales are from bottom grade, 50% are from mid-grade, and 40% are top-of-the-line carpets. Trusty Carpet earns an additional income by installing carpets in customers' homes and charges $1.50 per square foot.

Implementing the cloud-based model, SaaS is absolutely in the organization's financial capability. The host company offers a monthly payment, and Trusty Carpet can expand its business as they go rather than purchasing bulk infrastructure based on projected numbers. Implementing this system allows 100% of his employees to focus on the growing business rather than having to hire or reallocate employees to the IT department. A perk to SaaS is that the host company will provide the space, infrastructure, and applications to manage these systems. Trusty Carpets does not require new equipment with SaaS, reducing the implementation cost. SaaS allows customers to rent their infrastructure, applications, and services at a monthly fee independent of the number of users and storage required. Since there is little implementation cost, the increased efficiencies and profits can start immediately.

B. Operational Feasibility

Per the operations of Trusty Carpets, moving to the newly proposed system, Carpet Dealer Management System, would fill the business process automation gap. In the current operations, there are no specified strategic business operations with technology. In this lack of technology and automated processes, CDMS, with its numerous capabilities such as the computerized sales system, specialized pricing and inventory management system, point of sale functions, order and purchase cuts, and job scheduling, will help manage the business operating expenditure and processes. It fills the gap by allowing the business to provide better customer services and save costs simultaneously. Due to the automated nature of all the functions in this software, meeting consumer needs can become less manual and more systematically tailored to suit every need at a time. For example, with pricing, Trusty Carpet can offer promotions and price cuts for specific customers depending on the level of loyalty or any other metric they might use to measure. In the event of reductions and promotions, the system can be designed to make these options available to only the intended customers and boost sales and customer retention. If these were done with the current processes, there would be more cost, and achieving the objective would take a while.

Also, CDMS is easy to integrate and use. This is so because CDMS outright performs all the essential functions of the current technology in place. With the introduction of CDMS, all there would need to be is to update the software with the primary data such as the inventory, customers, accounts, etc. Once entered, CDMS would take over the entries and make them into the various sections and all the segments the employees need to work with. Thus, reducing manual input and increasing efficiency and accuracy.

With the implementation of CDMS, Trusty Carpets will not need additional staffing. However, there needs to be more training and retraining for the current staff to adequately manage the system to accommodate the growth of the business. This is because of the automatic capabilities of the software. It needs a few people to manage and maintain, just the right people, and the proper technique to handle its processes. In addition, CDMS can take multiple data, making changes to data in CDMS accessible and making it scalable enough to accommodate all the growth that will come with the business expansion. Nonetheless, staffing at Trusty Carpets will not be reduced, as the need for additional staffing only comes on condition that more equipment is bought for managing the software, which will require more hands to operate.

The adoption of CDMS becomes more feasible when the staff is reorganized according to their training and system management level. For example, the team needs to be reorganized to suit the new processes and clearances to ensure controls and data security in using the software. Also, to provide practical results and usage, retraining staff is feasible and vital to help the business keep up and date in the industry.

C. Technical Feasibility

The Carpet Dealer Management System (CDMS) provides much assurance that it will perform the expected function because, based on the customer testimonials of the CDMS has stated, “We have multiple locations, and our system has never been down. My son is a programmer and says it is unheard of to purchase software and stay with it for as long as we have without outgrowing the package and technology. CDMS has kept up with all the latest Flooring Industry trends and all the newest computer technologies" (Carpet Dealer Management System, n.d.). In addition, other customers have spoken about the ease of use and full integration with all their existing technology. Therefore, Trusty Carpet will have no issues with a seamless transition and integration within its current technology suite.

Trusty Carpet is currently using an internet connection connected by a router with an Internet Service Provider, which will be needed for operations of the CDMS since it will require the internet to be fully operational for the Trusty Carpet company. In addition, the multipurpose printer will integrate with the CDMS since all the information, such as an inventory report or invoice, must be printed on the multipurpose printer. Furthermore, the CDMS is cross-compatible with the two tablets used by the two salespeople; therefore, the salespeople can log into the system, access the carpet availability and prices, and check orders from the CDMS built-in inventory. Finally, the CDMS is operational from the cloud. With Google Cloud availability at Trusty Carpet, the CDMS can access the backbone of the already established cloud account and operate seamlessly without any significant changes to the existing cloud infrastructure.

Trusty Carpet will not encounter any problems when implementing the solution since the CDMS has held up to the test of time, and other organizations have had no issues with the CDMS implementation. In addition, the CDMS team provides unparallel user support, which is committed and is proud to claim that about 99.5% of all application issues are resolved within one hour of your first call (Carpet Dealer Management System, n.d.). Therefore, if any unexpected problems arise, the CDMS support team will provide the answer, ensure your implementation is an entirely pain-free process, and ensure that Trusty Carpet is a satisfied customer.

CDMS software has been serving the carpet industry for over 40 years. Therefore, it has established a comprehensive training solution to ensure the learning process of the CDMS is easiest for even the novice of technology since the system is built intuitively for its ease of use. In addition, the CDMS software is made in-house, and User Groups meetings are set up and deployed to ensure all Trusty Carpet employees are trained (Carpet Dealer Management System, n.d.). Through the User Group meetings, the CDMS team will train the trainer so that if new employees come on board, the Trusty Carpet internal trainer will ramp up the new employee without any significant effort. Therefore, Trusty Carpet will not have any issues, and with the support team behind the scenes, training will be simple and cover all the topic areas to make the exercise more straightforward than ever.

The management of the CDMS will not cause any difficulty since the plug-in-play technology makes the operations side of the SaaS highly manageable. Furthermore, the CDMS will cover many areas, such as (Carpet Dealer Management System, n.d.): Inventory management, special pricing management, point of sale management, order management, accounts payable management, payroll management, sales management, installation management, and customer management. Therefore, all the out-of-the-box management systems will make it easier for each employee to maintain the data. All the initial data will be migrated from the current one and will go through a rigorous quality assurance process to ensure all the management data is accurate. As a result, any changes, such as a customer purchasing carpet or other products, the invoice and inventory will be updated accordingly. The same applies when a new product is received and the stock is updated by Trusty Carpet's inventory management team for the shipping and receiving department. As a result, of end-to-end solutions, the management of CDMS software will be easily managed, taking any headache of a manual process and converting it into an ease-of-use solution.

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