In October 2002, Blockbuster acquired the UK-based games retailer, Game station.
Blockbusters is a large well known company. This organisation consists of a group of people working
together to provide excellent services to its customers. The people in this organisation work in different
task areas known as functions or functional areas. Functional areas need to communicate effectively so
that they can successfully work together towards common objectives. Blockbusters provide home
entertainment by renting out there Videos, DVDs, CDs and Games.
Blockbusters organisation exists for a purpose, the purpose id to make profit by producing an excellent
product or service. As well as making profit the business organisation will have other aims such as
producing products of high quality, expanding their organisation, acquiring new businesses and
developing their staff.
Blockbusters use booking systems as it is the easiest and quickest way for you to
rent out a film. In order to get registered to Blockbusters you will have to give certain details, First Name,
Second Name, Full address, Post code, Town city, Telephone and your D.O.B.
Blockbusters Goals
- To provide excellent service assistant for their customers
- To deliver their products at reasonable prices
- To provide excellent home delivering to make their customers home entertainment relaxing and
entertaining
- Produce products of high quality
Blockbusters Aims
- Blockbusters provide a wide range of different products to meet the needs and wants of their customers
- Blockbusters policy is to work with all their suppliers and to recognise the benefits of satisfying their
customers needs.
- To make all their customers trip to blockbusters worthwhile
Blockbusters I.C.T system
The main I.C.T system that blockbusters use is Stock control system which I will talk about and
explain. Stock control system is basically blockbusters process of ordering and monitoring stock
levels to confirm that the customers orders can constantly be fulfilled. The two main commonly
used stock control systems are fixed re-order level and fixed re-order interval.
BLOCKBUSTERS STOCK CONTROL SYSTEM
Blockbusters uses a fixed re-order interval system which means that stock is ordered at regular intervals,
say once a month or once a week. This is a simple system but may result in over or under stocking unless
customer orders are very regular.
A fixed re-orders level system means that when stock falls to a certain level, more stocks are ordered. This
system should ensure that stocks never run too low and should be able to cope with fluctuating levels of
demand. Blockbusters use computer software to manage stock control. Bar coding enables Sainsbury’s to
keep an up to date check on the stock that they hold and may be able to trigger order systems based on time interval or stock levels.
Shown below is a table to show how Blockbusters system works.
Shown below is an image of Blockbusters pay roll system.
Blockbusters payroll system has a master file which
contains the employee’s details, including the
employee number which is a unique to each
member of staff. This number will also link into the
employee’s details kept by the personal function or
department. The payroll system has all the details
regarding pay including salary, rate of pay, time of pay, bank account number, deductions from tax and
national insurance contributions.
Shown below is an image of Blockbusters booking system.
Blockbusters booking system holds customer’s
details, a unique booking number per transaction, date
of booking, and length of booking.
Reservations: Internet Booking Engine and call centre module,
where the search criteria can be fully customized
User-friendly inventory and rate management screens.
Hardware Inputs
Barcode readers-
All the items in Blockbusters stores have barcode readers. Barcodes can found on every item either on the front or back it is a series of black lines of different sizes and sizes there are also numbers under the lines. The black strips hold details of the product how much it is worth and the name etc. After the product has been scanned by a barcode scanner it will make a beep sound to show that the product has been scanned and is correct. Barcode readers are used in the sales and purchasing department for scanning the items that are going to be purchased. Shown below is an image of how the product is scanned and a image of a typical barcode reader
Touch screens-
The staffs in Blockbusters use touch screens to enter information into their system. Once the staff has touched the screen the screen will then sense the pressure on the screen and the next page will appear. Touch screens are very helpful because they are easy and quick to use. The touch screens in Blockbusters are like the till since all calculations are completed on the screen and after the calculations are complete the till will then open and even the receipt will be printed using the touch screen. Touch screens are very use full because they are quick and customers can be dealt with quickly. Sown below is an image of a touch screen.
Hardware output
Receipt printers-
Blockbusters use receipt printers so they know the purchases by customers and anyone paying by credit or debit cards. The receipt is similar to an invoice because it displays all the items purchased and the prices.
LCD screens-
Blockbusters use LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens because they use less lees power compared to normal monitors. Items are scanned and the LCD displays the last item scanned and the price of the item, you can also check all the products that have been scanned.
2nd COMPANY
The 2nd organisation which I have chosen to write about is Game Station. Game Station is the fastest
growing retailer of video and computer games in the UK. Game Station also offers a mail order service
and the facility to order on line, so you can purchase your games from the comfort of your own home.
This organisation consists of a group of people working together to provide excellent services to its
customers. The people in this organisation work in different task areas known as functions or functional
areas. Functional areas need to communicate effectively so that they can successfully work together
towards common objectives. Game Station is the destination for true gamers.
Shown below is an image of Game Station booking system.
Game Stations payroll system has a master file which contains
the employee’s details, including the employee number which
is a unique to each member of staff. This number will also link
into the employee’s details kept by the personal function or
department. The payroll system has all the details regarding
pay including salary, rate of pay, time of pay, bank account
number, deductions from tax and national insurance
contributions.
