Analysis

Harbor Freight tools uses and enterprise crm system approach. The enterprise system is the term used to desbribe applications or softwares that a business would use to assist the organization in solving enterprise problems. Meaning that enterprise are typically designed to integrate with other enterprise applications used within the organization and can be accessed across a variety of networks.


Collaboration

At Harbor Freight Tools, there are three different collaboration tools that are used among departments and workers.

1. Communication: Managers at HFT have a group message composed either by email or text message. When something goes wrong in the store or any manager has a question the communication methods between them is quick and makes collaboration between manager efficient.
2. Google Hangouts - Harbor Freight uses Google Hangout which is an interphase for communication between the store managers and the distric managers. By using hangouts they are able to create group chats as well as a conference calls without being at the same location. Google hangout provides users with the option to connects in real timer through voice, video, or text chat wherever each user may be. 
3. ADP- provides employer services such as payroll, talent management, human resources managements, and even benefits administration. This interphase is used to communicate between higher level managers and first line employees.

W

fd

Silos

An information silos is an information management system that is unable to freely communicate with other information systems. Information silos from when data or information is isolated within one department in the organazation. For Harbor Freight Tools communication between all the information systems and department is important however, the information is now always shared.

Hardware:

In all 550+ locations cash registers, scanners, and computerized material are all from IBM

On the other hand, when it comes to inventory scanners and the scanning tools they are made by Motorola.

 

             

Software:

A CRM software also known as a customer relationship managememnt software is used to manage, record, and evaluate customer interactions in order to drive sales growths by deepening and enriching relationships with their customer bases.
At harbor freight they practice a CRM system in order to be able to record and manage inventory as well as customer sales and how they are marketing to all customers.

Harbor Freight Tools uses a POS (Point of Sale) software. A POS software is what retailers use to conduct sales. It's sometimes a cash register, computer, or even an IPad where cashiers input your products, tally the cost, and conduct the financial transaction. POS software also allows to keep track of inventory sold and needed to reorder. The POS system Harbor Freight uses is powered by Epicor. 

From the main system you are able to go to chamelon which is where you will be able to get customer information, inventory, and sales reports. For example, you are able to look for customer's information by searching name, phone number, customer number or any other information collected from that customer. 

From the same software you are able to connct to chamelon which allows you to see inventory and it will allow you to check the web for marketing and promotions that are being given out to costumers.

Database:

Harbor Freight Tools keeps their data base with Chameleon. Chamelon keeps track of all the purchases made, invenoty and customer's information.
Like shown above, you can make different types of inquiries that would allow you to open different types of the chamelon database and obtain the information wanted.  Chamelon allows you to perform costumer search, inventory count, and inventory for warehouse as well as other stores around the region.

People:

One of the most imporatnat parts of any business is its people. For habor freight tools, people are a very important part of the business. Without an educated staff there is no sales and no one is benefiting in store. The employees are a big part of the business. The employees not only recieve training on how to use the POS system and understand their daily duties, but also they are selected based on their previous work experiance.

Habor Freight Tools has 24 current staff members that use the store's POS system as well as it is familiar with the Chamelon database. They also use ADP to process their payroll and view the talement maangement to do training that would allow them to become familiar with new updates as well as new information that need to be put into action. Without proper training of all internet systems operating in house, the employees are will be unable to assist customers. With the proper management staff and the right team the systems installed at Harbor Freight would be of no use.

Clients:

Another important aspect of Harbor Freight Tools business is its client, which include over millions of customers. Customers know that they are getting the lowest price and highest quality because it has soly build up its reputation over the years by word of mouth, marketing, coupons, and much more. On the customer perspective, through information systems and the website that harbor freight provides, customers can purchase items and get it shipped to their homes as well as create accounts with harbor freight and obtain sales and coupons that they can bring into the store and use or use online for disccounts.

Social Media

Harbor Freight Tools has done a great job of incorporating social media and techonology to their business throughout their years of operations. Social Media is the use of information techonology to support the sharing of content amoung a network of users. Harbor Freight Tools utilizes all social media outlets. They have their own Facebook and Twitter account. Their Facebook account shows everything that Harbor Freight has to offer. From new items being in stock to monthly adverstisment and even coupons that customer can print and bring in the store and use it on their purchase. They also have a "Shop Now" button which allows customer to go directly to the website from social media websites or apps.