Conclusion

If you take a step back and look at the Wal-Mart organization, you find several interesting and impressive feats that the company has achieved over the years. The low price strategy has catapulted them to the top of the industry and made them the number one U.S retailer. But low pricing is not the only reason Wal-Mart has achieved the status that they have today. Being the overall cost leader and price setter is very important in that industry, but what goes on behind the scenes with management's set up of the company, and the technology used to do it, is what really keeps Wal-Mart ahead of the curve. Their superior supply chain management system coupled with the advanced hardware and software used to run it already allow them for fast communication with the warehouses to have new inventory coming on a daily basis, and have Wal-Mart’s competitors at a loss. But what really puts them over the top is their superior logistics, and inventory management control. Wal-Mart's computer system is able to interface with their suppliers within a matter of minutes to replenish sold stock to the store, what makes it more advanced is the fact that a phone call, fax, or e-mail is never sent to place orders, everything is done strictly from computer to computer in order to get things done quicker. Sending security encrypted messages with orders between Wal-Mart and their suppliers to make it easy and convenient for Wal-Mart, their suppliers, and the end user, who is the consumer to get, and be satisfied.

When you look a any industry leader, whether it be retail, food, automotive, aviation, or any other, the leader of that industry may have a great product, a low price, or a great reputation, but what happens behind what the consumers see is what really drives a business. Management and the technology they use to support their organization make the difference between the industry leader and the company that comes in second place.

Wal*Mart Dictates Technological Terms

Many companies are made or broken by the way their products sell at Wal-Mart. Being that Wal-Mart is the country’s single largest retailer, they have the ability to be the price leader for their industry. But even with that said, on the supplier side Wal-Mart is also able to dictate how suppliers interface with them as well. Wal-Mart sent out letters to each of their 14,000 suppliers stating if they wanted to continue to do business with them, it would have to be on Wal-Mart’s technical terms. The company requires that all of its vendors would need to use new data transmission protocols called EDI-INT, which are electronic data interchange internet integration, and another application called Applicability Statement 2, which handles all purchase orders, invoices, billing, and correspondence for all pricing. The new systems allow for Wal-Mart to directly exchange data and information between them and their suppliers rather than have it routed over the Internet through an e-mail server. Wal-Mart does not want its suppliers to use a traditional EDI that requires Value-Added Networks to securely pass communications between Wal-Mart and its partners. Before AS2 was created, Wal-Mart’s suppliers needed VANs to send information, which basically use the communication services of a third party commercial carrier to transmit the data between the two. AS2 on the other hand takes the data that needs to be sent, puts it into a file and encrypts with a digital certification, once the recipient receives the document, the person would need that software as well to decrypt the document for easy translation, this provides a much more scrutinized form of security for Wal-Mart and their suppliers. With all of the low pricing strategies Wal-Mart maintains, they must stay on the cutting edge of technological security in order to stay ahead of the curve and not let any information fall into the hands of their competitors.

http://www.baselinemag.com/c/a/Business-Intelligence/WalMart-Dictates-Technological-Terms/

Why Wal*Mart may just be good for the U.S

This article, discusses a study that was conducted from 1985-2003 in 89 counties across the country to determine the effect Wal-Mart had on certain regions. The study tested personal income, overall employment, and retail employment. The study showed in all three categories Wal-Mart had a significant positive economic impact for those regions. Many people previously believed that Wal-Mart wiped out jobs and lowered wages, this study in-turn proved to be the exact opposite, in fact when Wal-Mart’s open up many businesses flock to the areas surrounding the store because of the traffic and exposure it brings in, two thirds of major retailers locate themselves within a five mile radius of a Wal-Mart store. As far as critics complaints of low wages, the U.S Department of Labor Statistics show that Wal-Mart is just slightly under the retail industry average. Wal-Mart’s low cost strategy allows lower income families to enjoy flat screen televisions, expensive computers, and other electronics and household items and a much more affordable price than a even the distributer cannot match. Wal-Mart accounts for 6% of all food and retail sales for the country and 90% of all Americans live within 15 miles of a Wal-Mart store. With all of their critics complaining about how Wal-Mart is bad for the economy; Wal-Mart was able to show strong firm growth as well as higher total earnings throughout the recession, the lower prices and multiple choices drove in customers who were looking for bargains and to save money. Although many will still debate the economic value Wal-Mart has for the economy, this study shows that the good effects highly weigh out the bad.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22719054/ns/business-forbescom

Wal*Mart's Diversity

Wal*Mart's Customer Service

Wal*Mart International

Walmart's Sustainability Efforts

How do they connect to the internet and at what speed?Frame Relay and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) are the best for Wal-Mart since they are a worldwide company with location even in Japan; these services have a high-speed line like T1 (high-speed circuit typically used for business connections, running at speeds up to 1.544 Mbps) and DS3 (is a high-speed business network circuit running at 44.736 Mbps) that create virtual circuits that provide connections from each office to the other with no need of lines running around. Also this type of connection is cheaper because there is no need of lines that could depend on the distance they run, with Frame relay or ATM, the T1 and DS3 lines run from each office to the telecommunications provider, rather that from office to office, so the distance and price can both be lower than when T1 lines are run directly form office to office.

Do they use Voice over IP?
Wal-Mart use wireless technology throughout their store. Voice over IP lets you communicate over the internet and avoid the charges that is normally receive from a long distance carrier, it is like transmitting a voice call over a computer data network.

How do they apply the four principles of network security?

Wal-Mart uses the four principles of network security
Confidentiality which is that the information the company has is used just by a person who is authorized. A good example could be a holder of a Wal-mart Credit Card, this person can view their statement when login in with their user ID and Password. There is always threats that’s why it is recommended to create passwords that would include capital letters, symbols etc. Wal-mart uses a technology called Secure Sockets layer (SSL) which encrypts over the internet.
Authenticity which is making sure that the information comes from a trustable source
Integrity which is making sure that certain information has not been altered. An example could be a credit card statement showing a balance with the correct credit cards charges.
Availability which is knowing that the service is available at all times. Wal-mart gets orders to its customers on time and to make sure they have an IDS which lets see the network traffic for intrusion attempts and reports them, this works by having information about different types of network attacks and matching an attack in progress.

What is their domain name?
The domain name is Walmart.com. The company's name is a unique name known worldwide and the .com is used for commercial companies and has no restrictions such as ".gov" which is restricted.

Networking

What type of network do they have?

The type of network Wal-Mart usesA quick definition explains wireless networks, Walmart uses (LAN) a local area network, is basically the linking of two or more computers without using any form of wires, it’s the same as a LAN but with a wireless interface. WLAN uses spread-spectrum technology through radio waves to facilitate communication among devices in some partial areas which are also known to be the basic service set. This allows users the flexibility to move along a broad coverage area while still being connecting to the network. Through a reasonable low cost Walmart stores are able to operate connections between nearby stores and between employers on the floor. Proponents of wireless networks have given the benefits an acronym. CAMP means convenience, affordability, mobility and productivity.

Wal*Mart's Interface, Media, Communication Software, and Connection Devices

Kinds of interface used by Wal*Mart
Both commercial and personal computers can use two different types of network interfaces. For personal use computers the network interface is an expansion card. With larger companies such as Wal-Mart they have commercial based computers which need to use an Ethernet card which also happens to be the most common type of network card out there. The Ethernet card runs to a switch or hub, which makes it able to uses cables with different writings.

Kind of media used by Wal*Mart
Wal-Mart must have communications media such as radio waves or cables which connect to the network hardware device. All of the information is transported through the communications media, through the network and between the computers by connecting the devices. The actual communications media are like paths or channels, in the network to which all of the information travels through. The communications can only be transmitted through a wired connection or wirelessly. The wired communications media sends all of the information through a closed connected path. The wireless communications media on the other hand are transmitted through the air.

Kind of communications software used by Wal*Mart

Wal-Mart stores use communications media such as cables throughout their stores to be able to transmit the information and radio waves which connect to the network hardware devices. The communications media send the information through the network and between all of the computers to the devices they are connected to. Every computer must also have the required software to support the information being moved in and out of the computers. This can be done through software, a modem, or the network’s operating system.

The type of connecting devices or components that are used
Any network will usually have at least one device connecting it such as a switch, hub, or a router that can tie all of the computers on the network together to pass all of the information to the desired location. The system Wal-Mart uses are connected by Novell LAN which also provide production services for Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has also taken advantage of compatibility between Windows and Linux.

What types of application software is used (sold), what brands?

The types of application software and brands sold by Wal-MartThe different types of application software sold by Wal-Mart are, MS Operating Systems, MS Office, MS Security, Turbo Business Finance and Tax Software, Norton Antivirus and Norton Security Software, McAfee Antivirus, Bit Defender Antivirus, Trend Micro Antivirus, AVG Internet Security, Norton Ghost and Kaspersky Internet Security.

Is Linux used?

Wal-Mart used to sell Linux, but because of low customer sales for the open source operating software they have discontinued its use.

What types of system software is used(sold)

The types of system software is used by Wal-MartThe software used by Wal-Mart is ERP; this software helps management and staff to combine all aspects of the business into one system, which helps with effectively using Supply Chain Management. ERP brings all the company and management functions together, these would include, accounting, human resources, and customer relationship management amongst others.

Hardware

4. What are some hardware categories sold by Wal*Mart?

Hardware is physical devices that make up a computer.

The type of hardware Wal*Mart sells starts from:

• Laptops from 14” & smaller and up to 17” & larger
• Touch Laptops
• Desktop PC with 21.5” widescreen Monitor
• LCD Monitor (smaller or larger)
• All-in-One desktop (Processor, Memory & hardrive, webcam, card reader, Wi-Fi)
• Touch desktop
• Printer:

• 1. Wireless printers
• 2. All-in-One Printers

a. Inkjet printer

b. Copier

c. Scanner

d. fax

• Ink & Toner
• Networking:
• 1. Access Points, Hubs & Switches
• 2. Modems
• 3. Routers
• 4. USB Network Adapters
• 5. Network Attached Storage

Who is responsible for the hardware and software?
Bobby Galea
Manager, Windows Engineering & Operations
Walmart.com
(Public Company; WMT; Retail industry)
April 2009 — Present (1 year 8 months)
Galea is responsible for leading multiple teams of exempt and non-exempt analysts and engineers, based domestic and overseas, in the support and engineering of the office and production infrastructure environments. This includes responsibility for environment performance, stability, and security – including architecting, implementing and maintaining office infrastructure systems, and systems that support the Walmart.com website. Maintained responsibility for the Help Desk area, in addition to responsibilities for managing the delivery of engineering and support for email, backup, Windows, file share and virtual infrastructures, security infrastructure and administration, thin technologies and applications, Telepresence, IP telephony and voicemail infrastructure. Bobby is also responsible for managing relationships with executives, associates, direct reports, peers and vendors. He is responsible for purchasing and managing multi-million budgets for organization exceeding 2000 associates. Galea is responsible for providing on-call support after hours and weekends for issues impacting the office infrastructure and Walmart.com website.

What types of computers?

At Wal-Mart they offer:

Desktop: HP, e-machines, Dell, Acer, Zt, Lonovo, Cyber power, Ibuypower, Gateway, Sony, Aus, View sonic.

Laptops: Acer, Coby, Compaq, Toshiba, Dell, Sony, HP, e-machines, Asus, Lenova, MSI, Entourage systems, Mirus.

4.What brands of computer can you find at Wal*Mart?

At Wal*Mart we have a variety of selections on brands computers, the only questions should be made would be: How much capacity does the computer have? How much do you want to spend? Wal-Mart offers the following computer brands: HP, e-machines, Dell, Acer, ZT, Lenovo, Cyber Power, IbuyPower, Gateway, Sony, Asus, and View Sonic, Coby, Compaq, Toshiba, MSI, Entourage System, Mirus.

Is OLAP used?

The concept of OLAP— the manipulation of information to support decision- making. OLAP is an online application processing query. Wal-mart uses a global leader in business intelligence software, Hyperion. They use Hyperion Essbase OLAP technology to build an advanced merchandise planning and reporting system. Hyperion's Essbase technology will help Wal-mart create a scalable system that will deliver budgeting, forecasting and planning tools to international operations.

Who is responsible for the database?

The company’s CIO and EVP is Rollin Lee Ford, while Dan Philips is the Vice President of Information Technology, the database administrators report to either of these two men. Managers get reports from systems that allow for a Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR), to help in the business initiatives. Types of reports, sales figures, quantities sold, time, sales trends, customer trends and general data related to store location and POS materials. Online Analytical Processing, the manipulation of information to support decision making is currently being used by Wal-Mart. A data warehouse is a logical collection of information gathered from different operational databases and used to create business intelligence that supports decision making tasks and business analysis activities. Wal-mart is known for having the biggest data warehouse used, which is larger then 4 Petabytes. Wal-mart turned its data warehouse into an operational system for managing daily store operations by refreshing the information its data warehouse holds every hour. The massive data warehouse is not just a customer of CRM systems but it also serves as the base for Wal-marts RetailLink support system. Teradata is Wal-marts data warehouse vendor.

The relational database series of logically related two-dimensional tables or files to store information in the form of a database. The files that Wal-Mart will create for on-line ordering would be Order Number, Order Date, Customer Number, Delivery Address, and Amount Ordered. Employee files would also have unique data, Employee Number, Date of Hire, Employee Name, (first and last). Regular customers that place orders via Wal-Mart’s website also have customer files with their customer number, customer name and contact service person. While there may be many fields to a file each field has a unique Primary Key. The databases used at Wal-Mart are CRM system and Retail Link. CRM helps with the tracking of customers, while Retail Link is a decision support system for suppliers and retailer. The brand of database software that is used is NCR’s Teradata Software, believed to carry approximately 583 terabytes.

Wal*Mart OLAP, Data Warehouse, Data Marts, Data Mining and Software

Wal-Mart uses OLAP which is an online analytical processing that allows the manipulation of information to support decision making, a data warehouse is a logical collection of information and is necessary for Wal-Mart in order to create customer relationship activities, strategies and campaigns, by creating this data warehouse employees can view all transactions customer has made at a given time any time accurately to check opportunities and to study the different market for prospect customers it also gives a massive data to transform its supplier relationship.

The data mining tools is used to manipulate the data warehouse information and depending who need it or the department that needed this can be small or big and the goal is to create business intelligence, an example on how Wal-Mart can use this tool it could be by department like the receivables department they would create a data mart. Data mart is a subset of a data warehouse in which only a focus portion of the data warehouse information is kept an example for the accounting department would be one that will allow this department to have specific information on the need of a customer and not any information that it will be only for the department making this data mart manageable considering their particular needs to the individual receivables items. Wal-Mart will be capturing a point of sale from over 2,900 stores in 6 countries and continuously transform this data to its massive 7.5 terabyte Terodata data warehouse this will allow more than 3,500 suppliers to access data on their products and perform data analysis. These suppliers will use this information to identify the customer buying patterns at the store and they will use this information to manage local store inventory and identify new merchandise necessary to be brought to the customer.

All this processes have a correlation because data mining tools are to data warehouse users what data manipulation subsystems tools are to database users and then this data warehouse system has the responsibility for converting logical request into physical equivalent through query and reporting tools, intelligent agents, multidimensional analysis tools and statistical tools.

Sam Walton didn’t care much for technology. The legendary patriarch of Wal-Mart Stores was well-known for his lack of excitement about computers, as he called the company’s IT systems. “Truthfully, I never viewed computers as anything more than necessary overhead, he wrote in his 1992 memoir, Made in America. A computer is not –and will never be-a substitute for getting out in your stores and learning what’s going on. Many still consider Wal-Mart pioneering, IT-driven supply chain to be the works most efficient, and the company’s technology standards still command respectful attention from its thousands of supplier” (Thomas Wailgum, cio.com)

Wal-mart uses NeoVista Software deploying the Neo Vista Decision Series which suites the integrated data mining software to replenish and support the decision environment and the purpose of this program is to refine store-item seasonality and build more accurate predictive models for its system-assisted replenishment systems. On a weekly basis, the NeoVista Decision Series analyzes 52 weeks of Wal-Mart POS(point of sale) from each of its 2,900 stores, representing approximately 70 gigabytes and when the result are back adds value to the data warehouse.

Databases and brand software used by Wal-Mart

The main databases that are used by Wal-Mart are Customer Relationship Management systems (CRM) and another called Retail Link. The CRM is primarily used for tracking customers by looking at orders, complaints, amount of money spent, products purchased, etc. The other program, Retail Link is a support system for Wal-Mart and their suppliers. The specific brand that they use is called NCR’s Teradata Software, which is said to hold approximately 583 terabytes.

Wal-Mart also uses what is called Neo Vista Software. Neo Vista software is used to help Wal-Mart do research and data mining for their database. One advantage of this software is that the company was able to further enhance their inventory management system. The initial reasoning for using data mining for their database is partly because of Wal-Mart's goal to deliver what customers want and need; they want to get the right item, to the proper store, at the time it is needed and with low pricing in order to satisfy their clients. The NeoVista Decision Series is also used to look at certain items for their stores to decide their seasonal sales promotions for that year, to give them a forecast of the appropriate amount inventory during that time.

What are some of the files used by Wal-Mart?

The files the company creates for the system would be Customer Number, Order Number, Delivery Address, Order Date, and the Amount Ordered. They also keep track of employee files on the system, which also carry the data of, Date of Hire, Employee Name, Employee Number, etc. Most of the information is obtained by customers that place their orders on the website.