Sainsbury’s also processes data of customers within their financial sector; this will mean more in depth details of each customer, such as bank and credit card details. This is used for customer related financial transactions, for example withdrawing of money or taking out loans. This data is needed for Sainsbury’s to function correctly in this department as they need to safely and efficiently organise this data.
Employee details should be stored so that Sainsbury’s can work out timetables of each member of staff and calculate how much an employee is liable to earn. They can then calculate their wages and this will be output in the form of a payment statements or payrolls. The company may also want to create reports on what staff are working and when etc.
ICT system
One of the main ICT systems used that Sainsbury’s needs to function is the CRM manages the relationship between Sainsbury’s and their customers and sales, suppliers and internal information in order for Sainsbury’s to keep record of their sales each of the products.
Sainsbury’s uses ICT systems to function efficiently. The main being the electronic scanning process, the other being Customer Relationship Management (CRM). CRM manages the relationship between Sainsbury’s and their customers, sales, suppliers and internal information. For Sainsbury’s to find this information about their product sales they use the main ICT system that processes details of the products purchased through the tills.
The barcodes are scanned when they pass an infrared ray and the system uses optical mark recognition to process data about the product. The data from each of the products is displayed on screen, and so is the sum that is numerically calculated. Details of each product and the calculations are also output physically in the form of receipts. If a customer has a nectar card Sainsbury’s can make a profile of which items a customer buys and this data is processed and stored in the system.
This system within Sainsbury’s meets data handling needs in that the company is able to efficiently process data and meet the company purpose. The scanning process is especially useful in making Sainsbury’s function correctly as the data is output on screen and on receipts and means Sainsbury’s can process the products, prices and sales.
This meets the organisation goal in that it provides an efficient service; it aims to work ‘faster, simpler and together’. This scanning system does this due to making it a quick process whereby the product information is quickly scanned through the computer system and output for the customer.
Research Two – Millfield Medical Centre
History and Goals
The medical centre was founded in 1903 in the East End of Sunderland although then moved to Pallion in 1978 and later to Millfield in 1987. It is part of the public sector and is a small medical centre that provides a service of healthcare to the public. The company’s mission statement is to provide ‘Effective care, well delivered’.
Structure
*Please see attached sheet.
Data handling needs
Within Millfield Medical Centre particular information is needed so that the company can function correctly.
Details about each of the patients will need to be stored on a computer system that is safe; these details will be processed so appointments and treatments can be processed. Complex details will be needed for each patient, for example their address, allergies, current prescriptions. These details can then be linked to each appointment made by the particular customer. These details will be taken into consideration when doctors are prescribing medicines and treatments and may be output on screen and in the form of paper printout prescription slips.
Millfield Medical Centre may also want to output reports illustrating different factors, for example they may be reports for appointment details. The company will also need to organise stock levels in the form of medicines, the details will be generated in a computer system and then output in a report.
As with most companies the employee records will need to be organised efficiently on a computer system. This will involve their address and personal details so they can be contacted and so that they receive any necessary pay. Their timetables will be organised and processed so that appointments link in and staff pay can be calculated.
ICT system
Although the company uses varies systems to efficiently organise information, the main ICT system used within Millfield Medical Centre is a database system. The database enables patient, appointment, prescription and employee records to be stored in a table.
A database stores data within tables; these can be linked together in a relational database format. It can be used to create forms, calculations, reports, queries and a menu. The data can compromise of a variety of numbers and words and this ensures that all the different types of data used in Millfield Medical Centre are stored in one collective place.
These records will include details about each individual patient, for example address and telephone number so they can be contacted. These patient details will be linked to details about each prescription that is made, therefore enabling effective, safe care as aimed for in the mission statement. The patient’s medical details will also need to be in depth so they can assist doctors when they are being seen in an appointment.
For each appointment the details such as date and time will need to be linked to the patient information including the prescription records, and also the doctor’s timetables. This meets the data handling needs, as it is essential that appointments can be organised so that the company is providing the service it aims to. As the appointments will need to be linked to employee availability this will also ensure that the hours staff have worked will be recorded. This can be processed within the computer and then be output in the form of payrolls or reports.
This data is all stored within a safe system that enables Millfield Medical Centre to easily search and use data that is relevant to the company. With use of an electronic database it helps staff when ensuring the data handling needs are met, as all of the relevant details are processed in an organised manner. The database helps the company use the data; it can be accessed, managed, used and updated when needed. Data of all aspects of the company can be easily searched for and linked together. The mission statement for ‘Effective care, well delivered’ is met as the system ensures relevant staff can see patients and that the organisation of their care is well delivered.
Bibliography
(2007) Avaliable at: <> (Accessed 17 December 2007) – Used to find image of checkout barcode reader within Sainsbury’s supermarket. This illustrated what the tills system is.
How Sainsbury's is preparing for new Data Protection Act (1999) Available at: <> (Accessed 13 December 2007) – Used to see size of Sainsbury’s structure (e.g. 178 000 staff). This demonstrated how large the company was and that it was commercial.
J Sainsbury plc (2007) Available at: <> (Accessed 06 December 2007) – Used to find information about history, goals etc. This was helpful for background into the company and learning about their size. I also used this website to copy the Sainsbury’s company logo.
Millfield Medical Centre (2007) Avaliable at: <> (Accessed 10 December 2007) – Used to research history and find information about employees. There was also the NHS logo, which I used to illustrate that the medical centre is a NHS public service.
Sainsbury’s Case Study (2007) Available at: <> (Accessed 06 December 2007) – Used to research history and find out the mission statement.