Analysis

Information System

Tropicana uses a POS system and it supports the business process we are focusing on for this project which is the order-fulfillment process. It is a network of input and output devices used by restaurant employees to accomplish activities including food and beverage ordering and communicating tasks to the other areas in the diner, It also displays ticket or receipts for the orders. This specific system can be used by restaurant servers, bartenders or cashiers. A POS system has many different stations, it can be a cash register and a computer, credit card terminal, display screen, receipt printer and a hostess and server station. It is also multi functional, it can calculate cash, record payment methods, keep track of the amount of cash in the cash drawer, clock employees in and out, record labor and payroll data, etc. A POS system is important for diners and restaurants to have because it makes the order-fulfillment process work more effective and efficiently, which is the primary reason for any business to have an information system. 

Hardware:

Hardware are the physical components such as monitors, keyboards, mouse, servers, printers and even mobile devices such as smart phones and Ipads, that can cooperate together to input, display and share information. Tropicana uses a full POS system which is comprised of the actual computer screen, a display screen that displays the price, a price scanner, a cash register, receipt printer and credit card terminal by Hewlett&Packard. This assist's them in taking orders as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Software

Software is a set of instructions that enable a user to interact with a computer, its hardware and perform tasks. Tropicana uses a POS software called Aldelo for restaurants Pro which supports in order taking. Aldelo for restaurants Pro is a low cost, good quality and easy-to-use restaurant management software. This software is predominantly used by smaller restaurants that focus more on good customer service rather than profit. This software includes a lot of different features that can aid in profit increase and customer benefits. These features include multi-lingual user interface, VIP discounts, reservations, waiting list, caller ID, labor scheduling, staff communicator, time card tracking, recipe control, inventory management and integrated credit card processing. They also have 24/7 technical support staff that will always be there if they have any problems they need to fix. Aldelo can be used on any type of off the shelf hardware. This software is used on their operating system which is Windows XP Pro. 

Data

Data is the compilation of raw recorded facts that is put into a database. Tropicana uses Aldelo, which also acts as a database, to record data such as employee payroll numbers, the amount of labour done and daily sales. It has data recorded for customers and how frequently they come to Tropicana and what their payment options are. This database helps to tell if a customer has been to Tropicana before and whether or not they have certain information already stored. This helps to make order taking quicker which then aids in increased business financially and statistically. 

Procedures

Procedures are a set of instructions given to the employees that they must follow in order to keep the business running as smoothly as possible. Tropicana has plenty of procedures stated in the employee
handbook that is given to every employee. Every new hire is required to read the handbook so, they know what they should and shouldn't do. The handbook includes rules and regulations such as, to not disclose any information that not everyone should know. It states in Tropicana's employee handbook that certain information regarding the company and how it operates should not be communicated unless they have special permissions. It also says there should not be any type of communication going on in social media due to possible bad publicity and business. If any employee is not in compliance with the procedures stated in the handbook then any employee can be held either responsible or accountable for it.  

People

Employees

In most businesses people are the most important factor of any information system. They are the human capital that is depended on by other components to function and execute solutions. People's knowledge, skill and attitude help determine the quantity and quality of output from an information system. Since Tropicana is also focused on providing good customer service, employees are to make sure they perform the best customer service in order to receive customer loyalty. They definitely hold a vital position in the order-fulfillment process for Tropicana because the main goal is to receive the order from the customer, communicate the order to the different departments and execute that order according to their wishes and in a timely manner. Tropicana is very good at hiring and motivating their people. They only hire people who can do the job no matter what procedures are asked to be followed, how they are feeling or what they are going through and are experts at motivating their staff to assist in achieving Tropicana's goal which is to fulfill each customers order.

Customers
customers are the people that any business has to keep happy. Tropicana definitely puts their all towards that because if the customers are not happy you don't have a business. Your customer's  definitely control's whether your business is a success or not.

Information Silos

Information Silos is when a business has difficulty communicating information from one department to another. Tropicana's information system definitely eliminates this problem because they have an effective POS hardware and software system that works in conjunction with the other areas in the diner. Tropicana has display screens placed in the front of the diner for taking orders to ensure the customers that they have correctly placed their order, in the kitchen area so they know what to cook to accommodate the customers order. Tropicana benefits from eliminating information silos because it speeds up their business process which is a key factor for their business.  

                                               Problems

Tropicana Diner has a few problems that the company should be focusing on such as privacy of customers information, the service, products and the capacity of the restaurant. Enterprise systems are a solution to the problem. The type Tropicana would be using is customer relationship management company learns more about its customers’ needs and buying behavior and combines this information with market information to enhance the quality of the company’s marketing plans and sales forecasts. Inter-organizational application is when the flow of information is automated between organizations. Tropicana has this application but could improve on it.

The hardware and software should not be changed, because it provides the basic functions needed for a local diner. Tropicana does need to have a way where they can protect the customers private information better such as      credit card information, and addresses.

The people and procedures work well at Tropicana because they focus on hiring people that can do the job. They do not have a high turnover rate for employees. The same employees have been working at Tropicana for years, and it's more of a family restaurant which is beneficial when it comes to hiring. The only problem with employment we have found is there is no delivery.