Information System at Homestyle Hotels
Abstract
Homestyle Hotels Inc is a result of merger of Lifestyle Resorts and Home Away Hotels. Each individual hotel operates in silos with no standardized process to capture client information. Initially, Ben Garrett (the IT director)’s mandate was to ‘consolidate the firm’s IT’, however with the said objective having been achieved, the higher management now wanted a more cohesive picture to enable better analysis and present a consistent picture to the outside world. The roadblocks to the integration are one too many- two different hotels, two different ways of working, vast geographical expanse. The question now was, of the two vendors who had come to present their software applications, which application would most suit the organization’s business need.
Table of Contents
Discussion questions………………………………………………………………………….…..4
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………...7
References…………………………………………………………………………………………8
INFORMATION MANAGEMENTAT HOMESTYLE HOTELS
Discussion Questions
Does it make good business sense to integrate across the different lines of business represented by Lifestyle Resorts and Home-Away Hotels? What exactly would you integrate (beyond financial information) and why?
The key issue facing Homestyle Hotels Inc. is its two distinct lines of business, each operating in isolation and thereby putting a strain on the information collection process. Currently the chain faces wasted employee productivity, no real-time updation, increased costs and lack of consumer insights. The chain requires a more cohesive set of information to operate effectively and efficiently in the market and compete globally. “Integration may be the most cost-effective way for IT to add business value to the enterprise” (Zeichick A., 2004, p.1).
The benefits of business integration are not just limited to improved customer service but extend to increased sales and a more congenial work environment. However, the most important factor to consider is to clearly
Homestyle Hotels Inc is a result of merger of Lifestyle Resorts and Home Away Hotels. Each individual hotel operates in silos with no standardized process to capture client information. Initially, Ben Garrett (the IT director)’s mandate was to ‘consolidate the firm’s IT’, however with the said objective having been achieved, the higher management now wanted a more cohesive picture to enable better analysis and present a consistent picture to the outside world. The roadblocks to the integration are one too many- two different hotels, two different ways of working, vast geographical expanse. The question now was, of the two vendors who had come to present their software applications, which application would most suit the organization’s business need.
Table of Contents
Discussion questions………………………………………………………………………….…..4
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………...7
References…………………………………………………………………………………………8
INFORMATION MANAGEMENTAT HOMESTYLE HOTELS
Discussion Questions
Does it make good business sense to integrate across the different lines of business represented by Lifestyle Resorts and Home-Away Hotels? What exactly would you integrate (beyond financial information) and why?
The key issue facing Homestyle Hotels Inc. is its two distinct lines of business, each operating in isolation and thereby putting a strain on the information collection process. Currently the chain faces wasted employee productivity, no real-time updation, increased costs and lack of consumer insights. The chain requires a more cohesive set of information to operate effectively and efficiently in the market and compete globally. “Integration may be the most cost-effective way for IT to add business value to the enterprise” (Zeichick A., 2004, p.1).
The benefits of business integration are not just limited to improved customer service but extend to increased sales and a more congenial work environment. However, the most important factor to consider is to clearly
References: Chappell D. (2009). “Creating Business Value through Integration”. Retrieved July 20,2013 from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CEkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.microsoft.com%2Fdownload%2F5%2F1%2FE%2F51E1E21A-93CB-4B60-8733-B4584B689902%2FWhitepaper_Business_Value_of_Integration.pdf&ei=w7X2UfLHEe254AOcwYCYAg&usg=AFQjCNE85IXUXoewufe6_YpxDv5f3GAHIw&sig2=K4Z0dleor3S1t8MpsL7u-A Mckeen, J.,Smith, H. (2013) Developing IT Strategy for Business Value. In Kursh, S., Lant, T., Majeske, K., Oliver, J., & Plant, R. (Eds.), IST 7100 IT policy and strategy Wilmington University (p271-281). United States: Pearson Learning Solutions Mckeen, J.,Smith, H. (2013) Information Management at Homestyle Hotels. In Kursh, S., Lant, T., Majeske, K., Oliver, J., & Plant, R. (Eds.), IST 7100 IT policy and strategy Wilmington University (p225-227). United States: Pearson Learning Solutions PricewaterhouseCoopers ( 2011). “People integration: Capturing M&A value by making the most of human capital post deal”. Retrieved July 21, 2013 from http://www.pwc.com/en_US/us/transaction-services/mergers-acquisitions/assets/pwc-people-integration.pdf Zeichick A. (2004). “The Business Benefits of Integration”. Retrieved July 20, 2013 from http://www.attachmate.com/nr/rdonlyres/7cfac49d-8218-4784-9cfa-73ad8ca721c5/0/literature_bbintegrate.pdf