Australian Premium Produce - Case Study - Business Management Assignment

Internal Code: MAS5850

Business Assignment:

Case Study: Bentley Beverage Services traditionally provided supplies of Western Australian premium locally produced products (foods and alcoholic drinks) across Australia as a wholesaler. Re-badged as Australian Premium Produce, a period of growth in the last five years has resulted in their market expanding to include products from the other states and territories. As well as the domestic market, products are now shipped globally to retail outlets across Asia and the U.S.A. and Canada. Customer representatives are required to deal with both producers and sales queries as well as scan the marketplace for new products. To enable close relationships with their suppliers it was decided that a customer representative is situated in Perth (head office), Melbourne and Brisbane. The stock is held in warehousing facilities in each state and products shipped on demand. The customer representatives were initially employed on a contract basis whilst the business grew which resulted in a BYOD situation. They are also frequently travelling and require good mobility and data in real time. The business growth has resulted in piecemeal applications, poor processes and is impacting the business.

Question: 1. The customer representatives require data in real time which includes inventory levels, pricing and its location. They are concerned about currency of information. The owner believes there may be a problem with the different warehouses holding stock and managing order completion. Orders are lodged in a central system but are dealt with locally by the relevant office dependent upon the product. What could you advise the owner about business processes that may help him and what kind of management is required (hint: governance, strategy, tactical, operational including processes).

2. The owner of the business is concerned about mobility and BYOD issues, particularly security and risk. How would you address the owner’s concerns.

3.Currently, the small number of staff have access to all the applications that are utilized including the accounting systems, the exception being payroll which is completed by the owner. What are your recommendations?

4. How should he manage the IT services, cloud/ outsourcing from his end. What IT staff does he need? How should they be managed?

5. How would you advise the owner in regard to “service operations“ for his business. Whilst he has addressed several specific items these represent his current concerns and are part of a larger issue.