Technology Plan Assignment
Creating a business plan is the primary activity of BA 499 Business Planning, the capstone course required for
business majors. The purpose of this assignment is for you to think about 1) how your type of business could
achieve competitive advantages through the use of technology and 2) how information technology can be used
to support your core transaction processing. To do this, you will need to find and examine two different
software applications that could be used by your business. (If you don’t have an idea for a business plan yet,
that’s okay- just pick a specific type of business that you could potentially be interested in.) Note: Many classes
evolve around your business idea so it will benefit you in the long run to decide on a business type and use the
same business for your remaining courses.
Secondly, you will need to develop your information system that is intertwined within your marketing strategy.
Information systems will aid in customer data collection and can be used to facilitate customer retention if
properly used to its full potential. You will develop a strategy that uses your information system to attain and
retain current and future customers.
Formatting and Content Requirements: Your report must be a minimum of three full pages (max 5) and
should be professional in appearance. Specifically, include a centered title at the top of the first page, and create
a page footer with your name, date, and page number (in Page x of y format as shown in this document). The
following five sections should be included with underlined headings, paragraphs should be single-spaced with
double-spacing between and no extra spacing between lines. Use Times New Roman 12-point font.
Business Description:
• Provide a thorough description of your potential business: products/services your business will provide,
your target market, an estimate of the size of the business, and where your business will be located. If
you are proposing a unique type of business, be sure that your business model (how do you make your
money) is evident. Copying and using an existing business is not permissible. Be able to discuss why
you chose a particular target market and location for your business.
Social Media and Marketing Strategy:
• Discuss your social media and e-commerce strategies. Some possible questions to consider: What
types of Web 2.0 strategies would you employ? Would you have a web site? What purpose(s) would it
serve? Do you anticipate conducting any B2B or B2C e-commerce? How can you use social media to
increase your competitive advantage? Which social media sites will you use (you must specifically
name the ones you will use)?
Information System:
• List at least five different pieces of data ( other than name, phone, email) that you will collect from your
potential customers – assume you can get any information you would like such as birthdate, social
security#, etc.
• Two of the five pieces of data must be unique to your industry ( e.g. if selling alcohol, you would need a
birthdate). Be specific and use all five pieces of data. This is the heart of your information system so
attention to detail is crucial. Specifically address what processes you will use to attain and retain your
customers with your information system. For example, will you mail them a postcard on their birthday?
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Data processing needs
• Look for a software solution that is specific to your type of business. General applications are available
for common business tasks (such as payroll and accounting), but there is also a wide range of”vertical
software applications” that address the needs of specific types of businesses, such as retail management,
service management, restaurant management, fundraising, etc. Often, there are even more focused
solutions within an industry type – for example, there is retail software specific to bicycle shops,
restaurant management software addressing the unique needs of pizzerias, etc. Find software that is
customized as much as possible to your specific business type.
• Describe why your company needs a software program and what type you are searching for.
• Find and compare two like applications (purchasable software or a web-based “cloud computing”
solution) that address your core transaction processes. For example, if your business is a retail store,
focus on a system that streamlines point of sale (POS) and inventory processes.
• Create a table (sample table shown below) to compare your selected programs using the format shown
below. In the first column, list at least eight software requirements for your business, and indicate
whether the solutions that you are considering would meet these requirements.
Example of selected software requirements for a Property Management Company. Start each
requirement with a VERB – each requirement should complete the sentence: “The system will be used
to —– –
Name of Name of
Software Requirements Software A Software B
Process Rental Income Yes Yes
Calculate Management Fees Yes No
Enter work orders for repairs Yes Yes
Issue monthly owner statements Yes Yes
Track tenant complaints No Yes
Track security deposits Yes No
Print 1099 forms Yes No
• Choose one of the two applications that you looked into and state why you would choose that
application over the other.
• In narrative form, specifically describe two business processes that are automated or streamlined
through the use of your chosen software.
Operating Environment
• Your solution will determine your hardware needs. What are the specifications of the
hardware/operating system needed to run your chosen software? Most web sites include specific
information on system requirements. List all of the requirements in this section.
• For every piece of equipment that your business needs, you need to provide the specifications of that
hardware (processor speed, memory, OS, etc.).
• If your chosen solution is a web-based SaaS offering, you will still need to supply the specifications
of the hardware and operating system that you will be using to access the Saas.
• You will not get credit for this section if you merely put that you need a computer that can access
the Internet.
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