Overviewthis Is The First Of A Series Of Five Sequential Assignments ✓ Solved
Overview This is the first of a series of five sequential assignments (the course project) in which you will act as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of a hypothetical, e-commerce start-up company of your design. A venture capital group has funded this innovative start-up. The CEO has given you 60 days to deliver an information technology project plan in anticipation of the company relocating to a new facility. Since this is a start-up company, currently no building or technology infrastructure exists to support the business. All information technology (hardware and software) must be implemented in a hosted solution, an on-site solution, or a hybrid model.
The CEO expects you to integrate different technologies from a variety of partners and incorporate industry best practices to develop the company’s technological systems. Additional background on the hypothetical company Company Information Current Status Growth Projections (over next two years) Facility Type New facility is a two-story standalone building -- Number of Employees Revenue million million This assignment consists of two parts: Part 1: Project Plan Inception You will write a 5–7-page document outlining the project specifics, such as company background information, company business, and an overview of the company’s information systems infrastructure. Part 2: Supporting Gantt Chart You will use Microsoft Project to create a Gantt chart for your e-commerce company project.
Note: · You are to create or assume all necessary assumptions to successfully complete this assignment. · You must submit both parts as separate files to the assignment area. Label each file name according to the appropriate part. Instructions Part 1: Project Plan Inception In a 5–7-page project plan inception document, you are to: 1. Develop your hypothetical e-commerce company's background information. . Refer to this article: Top 10 Largest Ecommerce Companies in the US in 2020 , when developing your company’s background information. .
This article outlines the major types of e-commerce companies in existence. Use this as a guide when deciding what background information to include about your hypothetical e-commerce company in your project plan inception document. 2. Document your chosen e-commerce company's business type, customers, and demographic information. 3.
Describe the key elements of your e-commerce company's information systems infrastructure. 4. Develop a high-level block diagram of your e-commerce company's information systems infrastructure. 5. Use three sources to support your writing. .
Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. . Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment. . Access the library or review library guides for help with research, writing, and citation. Part 2: Supporting Gantt Chart Use Microsoft Project to create a Gantt chart identifying the major and minor tasks, illustrating dependency relationships between activities.
Paper for above instructions
Part 1: Project Plan Inception for the Hypothetical E-Commerce Company
Company Background Information
Company Name: TechTrends E-commerce
Company Overview:
TechTrends is a hypothetical e-commerce start-up set to revolutionize the online retail space. Founded in 2023, the company is poised to capitalize on the growing demand for tech gadgets and accessories among consumers, with a particular focus on sustainability. The company aims to provide an extensive selection of electronic products manufactured with eco-friendly materials, thus appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
According to a report from eMarketer, in 2020, e-commerce sales in the U.S. reached approximately 4.5 billion, with a significant portion of those sales derived from electronics and tech gadgets (eMarketer, 2020). As online shopping continues to gain momentum, TechTrends is strategically positioned to capture market share and project revenue growth of million within two years (Statista, 2023).
Business Type, Customers, and Demographics
Business Type:
TechTrends operates as a B2C (Business-to-Consumer) e-commerce company, selling technology products directly to consumers via its online platform. By eliminating middlemen and focusing on direct sales, the company aims to provide competitive pricing and a superior customer experience.
Target Customers:
TechTrends targets tech-savvy consumers aged 18 to 45 who prioritize quality and environmental sustainability when making online purchases. These consumers are generally more informed, seeking innovative products that align with their values. Market research indicates a growing trend among younger generations to support brands that demonstrate ethical practices (McKinsey & Company, 2022).
Demographic Information:
The primary demographic characteristics of TechTrends’ target audience include:
- Age: 18-45 years
- Gender: All genders
- Income Level: Middle to upper-middle class
- Geographic Region: Urban and suburban areas in the U.S.
- Educational Background: College-educated individuals who are technology enthusiasts
Key Elements of Information Systems Infrastructure
TechTrends' information systems infrastructure is foundational to its operation and ensures seamless integration of various technologies. The following elements comprise the core of this infrastructure:
1. Website and E-commerce Platform: A robust, user-friendly e-commerce platform built on a scalable content management system (CMS) such as Shopify or WooCommerce will serve as the company’s primary sales channel. The platform will include features such as product listings, payment processing, user accounts, and inventory management.
2. Cloud Hosting: To support scalability and reliability, TechTrends will utilize cloud hosting services (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud Platform) that can handle fluctuating traffic and data storage needs.
3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM): A CRM system (such as Salesforce or HubSpot) will be implemented to manage customer data, interactions, feedback, and marketing campaigns effectively.
4. Cybersecurity: Given the sensitivity of customer data, a comprehensive cybersecurity framework will be established. This includes encryption, firewalls, and regular security audits to protect against data breaches.
5. Payment Gateways: TechTrends will integrate multiple secure payment gateways (e.g., PayPal, Stripe) to facilitate a seamless and trustworthy checkout experience for customers.
6. Analytics Tools: Implementation of data analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) will enable the company to gather insights on consumer behavior, track sales performance, and inform marketing strategies.
High-Level Block Diagram of Information Systems Infrastructure
Below is a simplified block diagram illustrating the information systems infrastructure for TechTrends:
```
+----------------------+ +---------------------+
| E-commerce Platform |<------>| Payment Gateways |
+----------------------+ +---------------------+
| |
+------+-------+ |
| CRM | |
+------+-------+ |
| |
+------+-------+ |
| Cloud Hosting |<-------------------->|
+------+-------+ |
| |
+---------+---------+ |
| Analytics Tools |<-----------------+
+-------------------+
```
Conclusion
In conclusion, TechTrends is a forward-thinking e-commerce company leveraging innovative technologies to cater to the growing market for sustainable tech products. With a conducive infrastructure and a clear understanding of its target demographics, the company is set for significant growth in the coming years. As the Chief Technology Officer, the outlined strategic project plan will guide the technological implementations necessary for establishing a robust online presence in the competitive e-commerce sector.
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References
1. eMarketer. (2020). US Ecommerce Sales Rise 32.4% in 2020. Retrieved from https://www.emarketer.com/content/us-ecommerce-sales-rise-32-4-in-2020
2. Statista. (2023). Revenue of the US e-commerce market from 2017 to 2025. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/272391/revenue-of-the-us-ecommerce-market/
3. McKinsey & Company. (2022). The Net Generation: Understanding Generation Z. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/marketing-and-sales/our-insights/understanding-gen-z
4. Shopify. (n.d.). Build your own eCommerce website. Retrieved from https://www.shopify.com
5. WooCommerce. (n.d.). Use WooCommerce to sell anything. Retrieved from https://woocommerce.com
6. Amazon Web Services. (n.d.). Cloud Computing Services. Retrieved from https://aws.amazon.com/
7. Google Cloud. (n.d.). Google Cloud Platform. Retrieved from https://cloud.google.com/
8. Salesforce. (n.d.). CRM Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.salesforce.com
9. HubSpot. (n.d.). CRM Software. Retrieved from https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm
10. Google Analytics. (n.d.). Understand Your Customer's Journey. Retrieved from https://analytics.google.com/