Memo
To:
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Senior Management
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From:
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Allison DeLorenzo
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Date:
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February 26, 2014
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Re:
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Zara: IT for Fast Fashion
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This memo is prepared in response to the presentation held on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 with Info consultant
team regarding whether Zara should invest in and implement an updated operating system or maintain its legacy DOS system. As stated in the presentation, the main criteria driving this decision are cost, decentralized system, stability/reliability, quick response to changing customer needs and growth for the future. Zara is currently operating on an outdated DOS operating system which has not been supported by Microsoft since 2003. The POS system is stable, effective and easy to roll out at new locations and requires no IT support.
After
listening to the consultants recommendation and analyzing the risks involved with both courses of action, I agree that Zara should maintain its current DOS POS system. I recommend a two phase process: maintain the legacy system in the short term, while developing a new POS system on an upgraded operating system to accommodate for future growth and minimize risk.
The current operating system's functionality is proven to be effective for running all Zara stores. The system was specifically developed for Zara and the employees are familiar with it. The system is easy to roll out and does not demand the IT department to visit each store and training employees on it. In addition, Zara will not incur additional costs of running on the system. Even though Microsoft does not offer support for the DOS system, private IT support vendors that specialize in DOS can be retained to help maintain the system.
The second part of my recommendation involves Zara to start planning for the long term and begin developing a new POS system that operates on an updated operating system. Since there is no urgency to switch to a new operating system, Zara has the luxury of writing its own POS program again. The new operating system and POS software can be tested at the La Coruna store to determine effectiveness before rolling out at all Zara stores.
I believe this recommendation will address the need to accommodate for future growth while mitigating the risk of running on a legacy system.
The current operating system's functionality is proven to be effective for running all Zara stores. The system was specifically developed for Zara and the employees are familiar with it. The system is easy to roll out and does not demand the IT department to visit each store and training employees on it. In addition, Zara will not incur additional costs of running on the system. Even though Microsoft does not offer support for the DOS system, private IT support vendors that specialize in DOS can be retained to help maintain the system.
The second part of my recommendation involves Zara to start planning for the long term and begin developing a new POS system that operates on an updated operating system. Since there is no urgency to switch to a new operating system, Zara has the luxury of writing its own POS program again. The new operating system and POS software can be tested at the La Coruna store to determine effectiveness before rolling out at all Zara stores.
I believe this recommendation will address the need to accommodate for future growth while mitigating the risk of running on a legacy system.
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