A case study of the development of a successful market intelligence function is presented. How the principles of marketing intelligence and planning can themselves be applied in this situation is demonstrated. Each element of the marketing process is illustrated by the practice the author...

On the basis of studies of 35 personnel managers who had introduced computerisation and a detailed comprehensive case study of the introduction of computerisation into the personnel function, the factors that differentiate adoptors into the categories of “Stars”, “Radicals”,...

Increasingly, companies are looking for more efficient ways of distributing their goods and are turning to Computer‐assisted Vehicle Routeing Systems (CAVRS) to replace manual routeing systems. The aim of CAVRS is to reduce the cost of distribution without adversely affecting service. A...

In this article the following are discussed: (a) the role of quality assurance in the development of computer software systems; (b) factors of a successful quality assurance programme; and (c) the steps required in the development of such a programme. The implications for quality assurance for...

The article examines the concepts upon which the Information Centre (IC) is based, and the practical benefits of implementation to IDV (UK) Ltd. It goes on to look at all implications of implementation including the costs of hardware, software and personnel, and the organisational and cultural...

A trend originating in the United States, and now migrating to Europe, is for chief executives of the larger organisations, and their close colleagues, to be provided with Executive Support Systems. These are desk‐top computers which provide an instant information overview of their companies,...

There are many practical difficulties facing managers who decide to venture into the field of Expert Systems. They will have to cope with both technological and human problems. Care must be taken in choosing the application, software house, hardware and software. A company may decide to build an...

Copystatic Ltd entered the photocopying sales and maintenance market‐place in tire early 1970s, going through a boom and then a price war. In order to stay in business, the company took the decision to offer customers added value in the form of quality field service, or “uptime”. It...

Market analysis has established its usefulness in many businesses and represents a major advance in marketing methodology. Computer power generates an information system of enormous importance to the marketer. Market analysis unifies and integrates marketing activity in a way that has previously...