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INFOSYS.110 BUSINESS SYSTEMS: DELIVERABLE 2: BUSINESS SECTION2014

Name Sheena RajNetID 5428786Group Number: 078Website Link: http://infosys1102014fcgroup78.blogspot.co.nz/

Tutorial DetailsTutor: Day: Time:Claris Chung Monday 3pm

Time Spent on Assignment: 18 hours Word Count:

1610 (excluding headings, table, in-text referencing and references)

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THE ‘XXX SCANNER’INTRODUCTION

Foodborne illnesses is a preventable disease (Ministry for Primary Industries, 2014). It

continues to be a widespread problem due to poor hygiene, lack of knowledge and human

error (World Health Organization, 2012). These core problems are responsible for economic

loss and sickness (World Health Organization, 2014). The ‘XXX Scanner’ is a portable hand-

held device that aims to avoid and solve these problems by allowing organisations in the

food industry the opportunity to check their food for food-borne illnesses maximising

convenience and saving valuable time and money.

3.BUSINESS SECTION

3.1 Vision

To be inspired in creating quality innovative technology that will contribute towards creating

a healther and safer world.

3.2 Industry Analysis: New Zealand Food Testing Industry

Food testing in New Zealand applies across many food sectors. Programmes and general

requirements have been implemented to maintain good practice, reduce hazards and

manage risk (Ministry for Primary Industries, 2014).

Force: High/Low: Justification:

Buyer power: Low From research, there are no devices which

instantly inform the user of any foodborne illness

in their food. It can be concluded that common

procedure is to send food samples to a laboratory

where tests are carried out (Ministry for Primary

Industries, 2014). This device is a ‘first of its kind’

in New Zealand, hence buyers will not have any

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alternatives.

Supplier power: High Factors determining high supplier power include:

the number of suppliers in the industry,

uniqueness of the product/service and the

strength of the supplier among more (Chatered

Global Management Accountant, 2014). The ‘XXX

Scanner’ is an innovative product and because

there are no other suppliers providing this type of

product, buyers have no choice. Suppliers have an

advantage of positioning themselves in a

desireable position; therefore supplier power is

high.

Threat of new entrants: Low With the advancement of technology as well as

increased affordability of equipment, it is fair to

assume that external organisations will not be

threatened to enter the industry. However, it is

likely to take time to partner with various

diagnostic and government agencies, create the

various processes required to make the

information system and the actual physical

device. Furthermore, once partnerships are

created with these agencies it is unlikely they will

want to partner with an organisation that will

want to provide the same service as it will involve

more work.

Threat of substitutes: Low The ‘XXX Scanner’ has no direct substitutes. The

closest substitute is a mobile phone that can

detect traces of E.Coli in liquid samples (Phys.org, 3

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2012). This device does not appear to be

commercially avaliable and is aimed at a different

target audience (ordinary people) reducing the

threat. The ‘XXX Scanner’ is aimed at

organisations within the food industry. Another

potential threat is a device called ‘itube’ which

has been developed by the University of

California. It works in conjunction with the

camera on a cell-phone and a smart-phone

application to diagnose whether certain

ingredients are present in the food sample

(University of California Newsroom, 2012).

However, this device is still early in its

development. It was used to detect traces of

peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, eggs and gluten.

However, the XXX Scanner aims to detect

foodborne illnesses. It does not intend to detect

traces of certain ingredients and quantify them.

Rivalry among existing

competitors:

Fairly Low Rivalry among existing competitors is low, the

closest existing competitors are thediagnostic

agencies approved by the Ministry of Primary

Industries (2014) where samples are sent to these

organisations for testing to be carried out.

Overall attractiveness of the industry: This industry is very attractive. Food safety will

always be an important topic. Over the years, frequent steps/regulations have been

taken/implemented to prevent and avoid the outbreak of foodborne illnesses. There is a

huge gap in timeliness, hence there is an opportunity to capitalize on this gap and provide

organisations within the food industry the necessary equipment to act quickly on issues

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and/or reassure themselves that the food they are providing is safe. This allows for the

saving of valuable time and money.

3.3 Customers and Their Needs

The target group of customers is primarily aimed at restaurants and food manufacturers.

Although the different sectors within the food industry are subject to different regulations

(Ministry of Justice, 2011; Ministry of Primary Industries, 2014), a common need can be

identified: organisations have to ensure the products they are providing are free of any

contaminants and foodborne illnesses. The ‘XXX Scanner’ is a reliable piece of equipment

that can satisfy this need more frequently through its portability, hence saving time.

3.4 The Product and Service

The ‘XXX Scanner’ is a portable hand-held device that is able to detect a variety of

foodborne illnesses.

The service is provided through the information system. The information system relies on

extracting a sample of food using a high intensity laser beam. Once a sample is collected

and stored on the system, it is sent to a common database where a variety of foodborne

illnesses have been collated and combined from various diagnostic agencies. Identification

through a matching process is done to confirm if there are any foodborne illness(es) and if

so, what the specific foodborne illness is. This is able to instantly inform the customer of the

problem. From this diagnosis, appropriate steps can be taken to isolate and resolve the

issue as soon as possible. It also gives customers the opportunity to constantly monitor their

food hygiene without having to physically send samples to external diagnostic agencies and

wait for the results.

3.5 Suppliers and Partners

Partners:

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority form the necessary compliance regulations

for the different food sectors. Their validation of the ‘XXX Scanner’ will make the

product appear more reliable and hence more attractive.

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Various diagnostic agencies (Eurofins New Zealand and Hill Labroratories among

more). This product depends on these agencies to provide their expertise to the

common database.

Suppliers:

The actual physical device of the ‘XXX Scanner’ has to be constructed. Technological

organisations such as Motorolla, Unitech and Honeywell Dolphin seem suitable. It is

important a reliable and experienced supplier is chosen to support the products

vision in creating ‘...quality innovative technology’.

This product requires the expertise of an organisation specialising in creating

information systems. A multitude of information systems will have to be created

(such as industry-specific customer facing process, diagnostic processing system,

diagnostic management system etc.) .

3.6 Strategy: Differentiation

There is a high cost involved in producing the product due to the innovative nature of the

product, the partnerships with various diagnostic agencies, the advanced quality technology

required to install the laser beam that can emit, capture and store the food sample onto the

information system and expertise required to build the complicated information system(s).

This product reaches a variety of food sectors within the food industry. These food sectors

include the meat, dairy, poultry, organics, seafood and honey and bee products among

more. Furthermore, firms in different stages of their business processes (e.g.: food

manufacturers to restaurants serving the food) can use the equipment. Therefore a broad

market is being targeted.

The overall strategy is therefore Differentiation.

3.7 Value Chain Activity: Making the Product

A core component of the product’s vision is to ‘…create(ing) quality innovative technology…’

By diverting attention to producing the ‘XXX Scanner’, the product will be able to

successfully deliver its service. Making the product is expensive due to quality products

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being sourced and expertise required in producing the information systems. Furthermore,

due to a broad market being targeted it is important the product is reliable. Therefore,

making the product is closely connected with the products differentiation strategy.

3.8 Business Processes

3.8.1. INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC CUSTOMER FACING PROCESSES - The food sample is scanned. The

device captures, stores and sends the food sample to the common database where a search

is done to find an identical match on the system. Where there is a match, the customer is

informed of the specific diagnosis. Where there isn’t a match, there are 2 possibilites: the

food is free of illness (informing the customer that the sample is clear of foodborne illness),

or there is an unknown contaminant. Where there is an unknown contaminant, the

customer is informed that the sample will be sent off to the Ministry of Primary Industries

for further investigation.

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3.8.2. CUSTOMER FACING PROCESS –The customer places their order (through phone or

internet). The employee uses the inventory system to locate the product in the warehouse.

The warehouse is notified of the order, obtains the product and delivers it to the customer.

The customer is also informed throughout these processes. Once delivered, the customer

will receive an invoice of the product with a list of different usage plans to select from. Once

selected, payment can occur via creditcard, debitcard or bank account. Once payment is

finalised, the process is complete.

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3.9 Functionalities

3.9.1. INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC CUSTOMER FACING PROCESS

Diagnostic agencies uploading foodborne illnesses on system. Diagnosis of foodborne illness(es) sent to user.

3.9.2. CUSTOMER FACING PROCESS

Confirming order for product has been successful. Warehouse notifying delivery organisation that product is ready to be picked

up and sent to customer.

3.10 Systems - 50, 53, 58

3.10.1. DIAGNOSIS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM –This system allows diagnostic agencies to upload

the foodborne illnesses onto the common database system. The Ministry of Primary

Industries will authorise the illnesses that are not registered on the database. This system

helps support the diagnostic agencies in achieving the product’s vision of ‘…contributing

towards creating a healthier and safer world.’

3.10.2. DIAGNOSIS PROCESSING SYSTEM –This system allows the sample to be sent to the

database (using laser technology and communication networks), obtain a match between

the sample and diagnosis on the database and the user to be informed of the diagnosis. This

system supports the products vision of ‘…creating a healthier and safer world.’

3.10.3. CUSTOMER ORDER PROCESSING SYSTEM –This system allows the customer to track

online and be constantly informed about the progress of the order. This includes notification

that the warehouse is aware of the customers request, the delivery organisation picking up

the product up until when the customer is in possession of the product.

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3.11. Summary Table: Value Chain to Systems

Value Chain Activity

Processes Functionalities Specific Information System(s)

Broad Information System(s)

Making the

Product

1. Industry Specific Customer Facing Process

1. Diagnostic agencies uploading foodborne illness to system.

2. Diagnosis of foodborne illness sent to user.

Diagnosis management system

Diagnosis processing system

Decision support system

Decision support system

2. Customer

Facing

Process

1. Confirming order for product has been successful.

2. Warehouse notifying delivery organisation that product is ready to picked up and sent to customer.

Customer order processing system

Delivery processing system

Transaction processing system

Transaction processing system.

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CONCLUSION

Organisations in the food industry will be equipped with the resources to frequently test

food to ensure they are providing food safe for consumption. The ‘XXX Scanner’ will avoid a

variety of repurcussions involved in contracting a foodborne illness(es). However, most

importantly no amount of money can be put on the value of the ‘XXX Scanner’. It involves

the preservation of human health and one’s well-being which is emphasised in the

organisation’s vision.

REFERENCES

1. Ministry for Primary Industries. (2014). General requirements & programmes. Retrievedfrom http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/

2. World Health Organization. (2014). General information related to microbiological risks in food. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/foodsafety/micro/general/en/

3. World Health Organization. (2012). Prevention of foodborne illness: Five keys to safer food. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/foodsafety/consumer/5keys/en/

4. Chatered Global Management Accountant. (2011). Porters Five Forces of CompetitiveAnalysis. Retrived from http://www.cgma.org/Resources/Tools/essential-tools/Pages/porters-five-forces.aspx

5. Chin, Matthew. (2012, December 12). University of California Newsroom. Got food allergies? Thanks to UCLA, you can test your meal on the spot using a cellphone. Retrieved from http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-engineering-researchers-test-241465

6. Phys.org. (2012, March 7). Mobile scanner detects harmful bacteria. Retrieved fromhttp://phys.org/news/2012-03-mobile-scanner-bacteria.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co

5. Ministry of Justice. (2011). New Zealand Food Safety Authority. Retrieved fromhttp://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/d/directory-of-official-information-archive/directory-of-official-information-december-2009/alphabetical-list-of-entries-1/n/new-zealand-food-safety-authority

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