Determining Operating Systems and Software Applications
Determining Operating Systems and Software Applications: Barnes & Noble
Team B: Jameka Burris, Eric Hoormann, and Jennifer Monereau
BIS/320
June 16, 2014
Matthew Moyer
Determining Operating Systems and Software Applications: Barnes & Noble This paper will describe how Barnes & Noble (B&N) uses an operating system and software applications to help the company reach its objectives (see appendix A). This paper will also describe the functions of computer hardware components used in the organization and how they aid B&N in achieving its goals. Barnes & Noble’s objective is to be the “World’s Largest Bookstore,” and it is. B&N’s operating systems and software applications have also helped Barnes & Noble “offer the largest in-stock selection of in-print book titles with access to approximately one million titles for immediate delivery” (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2012). In addition, Barnes & Noble has the world’s largest eBookstore which has partnered with Microsoft to offer a wide selection of college textbooks. Almost every organization or business benefits from a reliable database. “Databases are a comprehensive collection of related data organized for convenient access generally in a computer” (Dictionary.com, 2014). Until 2004, Barnes & Noble used an Oracle operating system. The Oracle System database was able to hold all of the inventory statistics B&N needed, but the information was difficult to input and extract. In order to access sales data and inventory, the stores had to suspend all business operations and shut down once a week for four hours. Information Technology professionals or programmers were required to produce reports, which created additional and unnecessary personnel costs. Barnes & Noble needed a new database system to store and keep track of essential data; and, a new database management system to make the data useful. In 2005, Barnes & Noble participated in a joint project with Microsoft to create a new data warehouse. They used the
Team B: Jameka Burris, Eric Hoormann, and Jennifer Monereau
BIS/320
June 16, 2014
Matthew Moyer
Determining Operating Systems and Software Applications: Barnes & Noble This paper will describe how Barnes & Noble (B&N) uses an operating system and software applications to help the company reach its objectives (see appendix A). This paper will also describe the functions of computer hardware components used in the organization and how they aid B&N in achieving its goals. Barnes & Noble’s objective is to be the “World’s Largest Bookstore,” and it is. B&N’s operating systems and software applications have also helped Barnes & Noble “offer the largest in-stock selection of in-print book titles with access to approximately one million titles for immediate delivery” (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2012). In addition, Barnes & Noble has the world’s largest eBookstore which has partnered with Microsoft to offer a wide selection of college textbooks. Almost every organization or business benefits from a reliable database. “Databases are a comprehensive collection of related data organized for convenient access generally in a computer” (Dictionary.com, 2014). Until 2004, Barnes & Noble used an Oracle operating system. The Oracle System database was able to hold all of the inventory statistics B&N needed, but the information was difficult to input and extract. In order to access sales data and inventory, the stores had to suspend all business operations and shut down once a week for four hours. Information Technology professionals or programmers were required to produce reports, which created additional and unnecessary personnel costs. Barnes & Noble needed a new database system to store and keep track of essential data; and, a new database management system to make the data useful. In 2005, Barnes & Noble participated in a joint project with Microsoft to create a new data warehouse. They used the
References: Barnes & Noble, Inc. (2012). Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Retrieved on June 16, 2014 from the World Wide Web Dictionary.com, LLC (2014). Dictionary. Retrieved on June 16, 2014 from the World Wide Web Kroenke, D. (2013). MIS Essentials 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Microsoft Case Studies (November 11, 2005) Appendix A: Barnes & Noble Operating Systems and Software Applications Table *All information in the table below was retrieved from a study conducted by the Microsoft Corporation (2005).