Erm Halo

1.0 Introduction

Aalsmeer Flower Auction, located in the Netherlands offers globally-producing growersand universal active wholesalers and exporters a total concept: a central marketplacefor the buying and selling of floricultural products with a range of marketing channels,facilities for growers, buyers and logistics. The expansion of Aalsmeer Flower Auctionwas a result of one main flower exporting country in the world ± the Netherlands. Everyphase of the world trade in flowers was managed in the Netherlands, mainly pricing,packaging distribution and quality control. Change was detected from new countriesincluding Spain, Israel, and Kenya among others. They began producing flowersthrough the Netherlands. This new development made the Aalsmeer board become aninternational centre for supply and demand of floricultural products.E-networks, change in customer needs, mergers and acquisition of buyers andprofessional growers forced the board of Aalsmeer to react to these changes to sustainits business and to connect with suppliers and buyers. With these latest developmentshappening, Aalsmeer Flower Auction value chain seemed to be under pressure.It became necessary to begin a strategic repositioning of the Aalsmeer Flower Auction,using E-networking and reinventing the value chain to enable strategic change.In this presentation, the author will attempt to discuss:1. Analyse Aalsmeer Flower Auction and information requirements of the board andput forward new IT and Information Systems and strategies to their business

. Recommend appropriate methods which may be used for developing newsystems which would assist Aalsmeer in dealing with a changing environment3. The effectiveness of new Information Systems for Aalsmeer Flower Auction andits users

Information Systems and Information Technology Systems

Information Systems and Information Technology are used by most organisations tocarry out their business electronically, accomplishing new levels of efficiency,competitiveness and profitability. The terms are often used interchangeable, however they are quite different.Information Technology is one of the many tools used by managers at different levels tosupport tactical and strategic decision making.Information Systems on the other hand, does not only refer to the technology, but alsohow it is applied and managed to contribute to the business. It also helps to reduce theexpenditure by being more efficient to endure and thrive, extend their reach to far-off locations, offer new products and services, restructure jobs and workflow andconsiderably change the way they operate.

1.2 Swot Analysis of Aalsmeer

The SWOT Analysis identified the key strengths and weaknesses within the company anddescribes the opportunities and threats facing Aalsmeer Flower Auction.

Strengths

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Very efficient transfer of product from seller to buyers

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B

uyers can directly inspect the product in the auction hall if they wish

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The auctions, by centralizing and requiring the product to bedelivered prior to sale, minimizes opportunism