Cloud Provider

    Last post we mentioned that we would be adding Information Systems in order to keep prices low and help track all the information we need for shipments, sales, customers, and employees.  We mentioned many of the hardware and software potentials; and in this post we have decided on specific software to use.

   At Don’t Have a Cow! we have decided that the best way to save money… is to spend money.  Out of our three potential cloud space accounting software we have most definitely picked the most expensive one.  Intacct is nearly 10x as expensive as its competitors, but a price clearly worth paying.  It makes up for its price with a clearly distinct set of features that fit our company extremely well.  The ease of use, basic system functions, help/support, and core accounting capabilities are rated much higher than the competition of Biz Automation and Intuit.  An easy choice for us to help save customers money.

IS and Database

    In order for us to keep prices low for our customers, Don't Have a Cow! uses an information system.  This information system allows us to keep track of the purchase and storage of raw materials, our primary activity.  The hardware we use is a PC, scanner, and printer.  Inventory Management Software, Online Supplier Information System, and Order Placement User IS are the software we use to manage the data of raw materials and suppliers. Our manager and database administrator are the two employees who manage our shop's data.

   For raw materials entity, we store in the database the quantity of raw materials each week and the price for bulk from the current supplier.  The key is the Item ID.  For supplier entity, we store in the database the name of the companies and the price for bulk from competing suppliers.  The key is Supplier ID. We use a database instead of a spreadsheet for we have more than one theme.

Value Chain Analysis

      Don’t Have a Cow strives to attract its customers with a unique flair while offering low cost, quality products. Therefore, the purchase and storage of raw materials (primarily coffee beans and dairy products) is our key primary activity that will ensure the success of our coffee shop. Coffee beans will be purchased from small plantations overseas while dairy products will be purchased from local suppliers to support our family oriented 1950s theme. Through bulk purchases and aggressive negotiation techniques with our suppliers we try to keep raw material costs low and price our products competitively. Active inventory management will help us keep costs low and accommodate the materials used to produce our broad range of customizable products. 

Competitive Strategy

     Don’t Have a Cow operates in a highly competitive market: big chain coffee shops as well as small cafes have specialized in customized coffee and non-coffee options and our company has to keep up with the market speed. New entrants like coffee trucks can enter the market easily while the threat of a competitor coffee chain is not as high due to the high capital investment such a form of enterprise entails. Our team has nevertheless identified that the bargaining power of suppliers in this industry is low to medium due to the fact that the supplier industry is fragmented and many local coffee producers are not organized.

      Therefore, Don’t Have a Cow will pursue a low-cost competitive strategy within a specific market segment: we will offer quality coffee for reasonable prices while focusing on local family customers. The unique 1950s atmosphere will help us attract this segment specifically. Our coffee as well as our dairy products will be highly customizable which will set us apart from regular cafes and help us compete with established coffee chains. 

Welcome!

Don't Have A Cow! strives to provide quality coffee and milkshakes to our customers in an atmosphere reflective of the 1950s. We strive to provide Philadelphians of all walks of life with a place to indulge in the past while enjoying our beverages. We guarantee our beverages will become a family favorite!