Technology

In technological terms, hardware is the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical devices comprising a computer system, as the CPU, disk drives, keyboard, or screen. All of the computers used at Shop-Rite possess a CPU. Some of the hardware categories used by Shop-Rite are Connecting devices – scanners, monitors and printers. For storage devices, they use the internet as well as hard disk. Also storage devices are used at a later time. Shop-Rite uses output devices which are tools used to see, hear or otherwise recognize the results of your information-processing requests. These devices include monitors and register receipt printers. Their input devices are used to enter information and commands. Checkout scanners would be an input device.

The computer brand selected is Dell because flat panels because it uses less space. These were chosen as Dell offered easy customization and they were low cost. Shop-Rite uses Dell as their choice of their parent company Wakefern and having the same physical computers would ease synchronizing computers such as with networking, using and implementing programs across the companies.

Software is programs used to direct the operation of a computer, as well as documentation giving instructions on how to use them. Shop-Rite’s IT department is responsible for the hardware and software. System software refers to software that handles tasks specific to technology management and coordinates the interaction of all technology devices. Windows XP is the main system software being used by Shop-Rite. There was no indication that Linux is in use. Application software is that software that enables you to solve specific problems or perform specific tasks. The application software Shop-Rite uses is the Tradestone Merchandise Lifecycle Management suite. This is used to make Shop-Rite’s own in store label. The other is the TALs ActiveX. This is used for their bar-coding which the scanners record at check out. The most used brand of application software is Microsoft due to its compatibility with the Microsoft OS and database.

A file is defined as a collection of related data or program records stored on some input/output or auxiliary storage medium. Shop-Rite uses files such as employee files, customer files, suppliers and distributors and more. A database is described as a comprehensive collection of related data organized for convenient access, generally in a computer. The database software used by Shop-Rite is the Microsoft SQL software. Wakefern is also a huge part of Shop-Rite and use the same software. At Wakefern the database administrator is responsible for the database.

Managers get reports by using an application called Report Manager which was designed to work compatibly with the Microsoft SQL server. Report Manager is a Web-based report access and management tool that allows an administrator to access a single report from a remote location over an HTTP connection. There is plenty a manager can do with this database. With this, you can use Report Manager to browse the report server folders or search for specific reports. You can view a report, its general properties, and past copies of the report that are captured in report history. This allows managers to find information easily and efficiently.

OLAP (online analytical processing) is a function of business intelligence software that enables a user to easily and selectively extract and view data from different points of view. This allows business analysts to rotate that data, changing the relationships to get more detailed insight into corporate information. It is currently used at Shop-Rite and is used in their decision making processes.

Shop-Rite uses data warehouses. These specific warehouses are used to retrieve and analyze data, to extract, transform and load data, and to manage the data dictionary are also considered essential components of a data warehousing system. Data warehousing arises in an organization's need for reliable, consolidated, unique and integrated reporting and analysis of its data, at different levels of aggregation.

Shop-Rite also uses data marts. A data mart is a subset of an organizational data store, usually oriented to a specific purpose or major data subject that may be distributed to support business needs. They are often derived from subsets of data in a data warehouse, though in the bottom-up data warehouse design methodology the data warehouse is created from the union of organizational data marts. Shop-Rite’s data mart might contain just information and sales only about Shop-Rite and none about competitors. This allows them to focus just on their brand and improvements.

Data mining can be used to uncover patterns in data but is often carried out only on samples of data. The mining process will be ineffective if the samples are not a good representation of the larger body of data. Data mining cannot discover patterns that may be present in the larger body of data if those patterns are not present in the sample being "mined". For data mining Shop-Rite utilizes SAS which gathers information about customers which is then used by marketing to efficiently and effectively target customers and potential customers. Data analysts are responsible for detecting relationships between the market and customers.

The Wakefern Food Corporation along with Shop-Rite supermarkets use AT&T as their computer network because they have enlisted in a four-year contract with the telecommunications server. Shop-Rite locations use Ethernet cards to connect with other stores as well as corporate offices in Keasbey, New Jersey. Wakefern uses Digital Subscriber Lines, more commonly known as DSL, coupled with a Wireless Access Point to access their network. The communications software utilized by the corporation includes an IP-based TPS/NetWork File Manager to transfer files from one computer to another. Through AT&T, Wakefern and Shop-Rite use a broadband connection that has a capacity to run at 768 kilobits per second (kbps). A broadband connection basically works with DSL to run a high-speed connection over a phone line without interrupting typically with speeds in excess of 128 kbps.

Voice over Internet Protocol is a term that refers to a family of communication protocols and transmission technologies for delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol networks. The Wakefern Food Corporation does not currently employ a Voice over IP. The four principles of network security include confidentiality, authenticity, integrity, and availability. Wakefern and Shop-Rite exercise these four principles with help from CounterACT, which is an integrated security platform, used to protect the network from illicit access. CounterACT also allows network administrators to thwart any malware which is applicable to employees of Wakefern as well as customers who choose to log in and provide online payment information. More importantly, Wakefern actively owns fourteen domain names, two of which are Shop-Rite.com and Wakefern.com.

Article

Chris Harper February 4, 2010

ShopRite, Safeway, Kroger launch mobile coupons via Verizon

ShopRite, Safeway and Kroger along with other grocery chains are serving mobile coupons via Verizon Communications Inc.’s new free digital coupon service for its wireless and FiOS TV customers. Consumers can access the coupons via their wireless devices, televisions and computers. The Spend Smart coupons are powered by Cellfire in an effort to eliminate the hassle of clipping and collecting paper coupons.

Cellfire has traditionally seen highest appeal for discount services on the phone from consumers that are in the 25-to-49 age range. Most consumers today already have a cell phone and Verizon offers many highly capable phone models that can take advantage of services like Spend Smart. Verizon Wireless customers can register and sign up for the coupons via the mobile Web on the shopping channel. There is no cost to register or use the service, but data or megabyte charges may apply when accessing the mobile Web. This whole new idea gives retailers and consumer packaged goods companies a great way to increase their distribution.

Read more: http://www.mobilecommercedaily.com/shoprite-safeway-kroger-launch-mobile-coupons-via-verizon/