Operating Systems

Retail system management can be an exhausting and daunting task. However, successfully evaluating the efficiency of an organization's operating system is necessary to ensure a smooth and efficient operating stance for any venturing company. In this example, I will discuss the evaluation of RadioShack's current operating system--Windows 98.

It seems unbelievable to imagine a company with a reputation for embracing technology to be found running archaic operating systems like Windows 98, but it is true. An e-commerce relic operates Radioshack's entire point-of-sale and backroom functions. However, if you take into consideration the size of Radioshack's organization numbering over 8000 stores, it becomes clear as to their motives. An operating system upgrade would be expensive, time-consuming, and risky. In spite of any potential benefits gained, RadioShack has opted to not fix what is not broke.

RadioShack, as mentioned previously, utilizes Microsoft Windows 98 on all store terminals. Consequently, there are a myriad of applications necessary to maintain store accounting, inventory, and appearance. These applications include an internally developed program call Tag Wizard, an inventory control program, an enterprise solution named ACRWin and RadioShack Online. All of these components are essential to contributing and maintaining the store's profitability. One element in the decision to not upgrade operating systems is the potential incompatibility of these programs with a newer system. Even one hour of downtime nationwide incurred by such an upgrade could potentially cripple RadioShack's profitability.

Despite this risky conclusion, RadioShack could benefit from the investment of newer technology in a variety of ways.

First, a newer operating system can deliver better access to input and output devices. With barcode scanners, inventory guns, computer demonstrators, and order processes all running as separate entities, a system such as Windows 2000 could integrate the entire package. The days of using one terminal to enter a customer sale, and yet another to create merchandise tags and still yet another to reconcile inventory could be over.

Secondly, an improvement in controlled access to files is needed and a new operating system could deliver this function. Currently, when a RadioShack user logs in to an ACRWin terminal, they have free and complete access