18 June 2009

Session 5

* Divides your information into subject-based tables to reduce redundant data.


In the Lab exercise, the database has divided into two tables, one is product table, the other is the supplier table. After the linking of two tables, user no need repeat in typing the common data - supplier name, to reduce the typo.


By dividing the data into subject-based tables, the user can read the information easier and the tables will not be too long.


* Accommodates your data processing and reporting needs


The advantage of using Access database system is that the user can use such large amount of data and convert into different type of report to fulfill different needs. In the lab exercise, the user can analysis the information by using product Category or supplier name. And it can do some calculation, such as how much we spended on each suppliers.


By using the query function of Access, we can search for the selling price range between $100 - $200; or which products quantity on hand are below 5 ... etc.





Table of product quantity on hand below 5.

11 June 2009

Session 4

Find one example of Internet marketing that you think is particularly effective and one example that is ineffective. Explain your reasons, for example, you can describe how well the effective example takes advantage of the Internets properties (e.g. interactivity, personalization, greater hold on user's interest). For the ineffective ad, you may describe how you can improve on it.


Effective Internet Marketing:


I choose to take Pizza Hut as an example. The Pizza Hut had developed a online ordering system. For the first time user, if you want to order for a pizza, first you require to register as member.














After registration, the system store some useful information, such as address and contact number, so everytime when you order Pizza, you no need to re-enter such contact information.

Pizza Hut has developed this ordering system for few years, they modified the system from time to time, to make the system more user friendly.


To make order more effectient, Pizza Hut divided customers into 3 type: express, normal and advanced.





The first one is the customer just order for some simple menu, and the rest for more advanced user. When customer choosing the pizza, they can find them easily by browsing the pictures. All selection can be find in the web.
The website has divided all the selection process step-by-step, and the icons are user friendly. When you finished the ordering process, a survey is optional for user to fill in. This is a good way to collect opinion from users.

01 June 2009

Session 3: Customer Relationship Management Sytsem

Question:

List the customer data elements generated when a customer interacts with an airline by (a) making a reservation, (b) using frequent flyer miles, and (c) completing a flight. How does information from CRM improve these interactions ?
Answer:

When a customer making a reservation, using frequent flyer miles and, completing a flight, he/she require to enter some information, such as:







* destination
* date of depart & return
* class (economy/business)
* ticket type (single trip, round trip ......)
* membership number
* password
* selection of price
* no. of tickets
* meal preference
* payment method
* passenger information (e.g.: passenger name, date of birth, gender, email address for confirmation, contact number ......)









searching for a flight


Flights selection



enter the passenger information

Take the Cathay Pacific Airlines and the Finnair Airlines as example, after using the CRM system, customer can select their the most preferred flight by themselves and make amendment anytime. When the customer wants to change their flight details, they no need to dial to the customer service hotline and wait for a long time of changing the information. They can check the flight status in real time. When the customer selecting a flight, they can search for the most suitable price & flight at once.







Question: What are the benefits of integrating the sales, marketing and customer support function using a single software package and a centralized database?




Answer:


A centralized database can be benefit to both the customer and the company.

1. Reduce typing error
In the sales, marketing and customer services department, they serve the same customer in different stages. Some information are common for three of them. Using a centralised database, the three parties no need to input the customer details (e.g. customer name, address, contact number), then typing error can be prevented.
2. Implement suitable marketing plan
A new marketing plan require many ideas from different sources, the most useful and easily way to collect them is the customer feedback. The sales will record all sales activities in the database, the marketing team can generate and analysis those information for market research. This can reduce the high research cost and time saving of collecting questionnaires.
3. States checking in real time
When we ordered a product, we may in hurry about their states. We will contact the customer services hotline and queries for it, a centralized database help the customer services department to provide the real time states to the customer or an on line checking can be minimize the waiting time of the customer. Besides, the sales can contact the customer once the product is ready to pick up.
4. Increase customer loyalty
A well established CRM system will help the company to implement unique marking plan to each customer by using the loyalty programme (membership). The system help the company to recongise each customer buying behavior, when a customer visit the shop, the sales can realise what he/she want and provide the most suitable information and product to them. When the customer satisfaction fulfilled, their loyalty increased, at last, they increase the usage of our products.