Technology

A file is described as a collection of related records. In Wakefern some files include Employee Files, Customer Files, Distributors and Individual Store Branches to name a few.


A database is a collection of information that you organize and access according to the logical structure of that information. The database software used by Wakefern/ ShopRite is the Microsoft SQL software. At Wakefern the database administrator is responsible for the database. Presently Mr Bill Keba is the DB2 Database Administrator at Wakefern Food Corporation.

Managers get reports by using an application called “Report Manager” which was designed to work compatibly with the Microsoft SQL server. Report Manager is a Web-based report access and management tool that allows an administrator to access a single report from a remote location over an HTTP connection, It can also be used for its report viewer and navigation features.

Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) is the manipulation of information to support decision making. This is present at ShopRite as information collected and stored in the database is used later on in decision making. One such example is data from sales of items at store locations help managers decide pricing, reordering, advertising and even minute details as product layout in the aisles.

A Data Warehouse is a logical collection of information gathered from many different operational databases used to create business intelligence that supports business analysis activities and decision making tasks. Wakefern’s Data Warehouse has an implemented SQL tool to make queries. Wakefern also uses Data Marts; these are subsets of a data warehouse in which only a focused portion of the data warehouse information is kept. Examples of this includes 1) In the Wakfern data warehouse there is s ShopRite data mart which contains information only pertaining to ShopRite’s activities and does not include any information about other supermarkets that Wakefern owns. 2) Another further example is within ShopRite there is a data mart containing only Customer Relations information which would not include other information such as purchases and thus will not be accessible by a customer relations employee.

Data-mining are software tools that is used to query information in a Data Warehouse; which support the concept of OLAP. For data mining Wakefern/ ShopRite utilizes SAS which gathers information about customers which is then used by marketing to efficiently and effectively target customers and potential customers. Data Mining is conducted by Data Analysts; commonly referred to as a Data Miner who analyze data to detect relationships that have not been discovered.

Hardware consists of the physical devices that make up a computer such as the keyboard or mouse. All hardware fall into 6 categories 1)Input devices; which are used to enter information and commands. 2) output devices; which are tools used to see, hear or otherwise recognize the results of your information-processing requests. 3)Storage devices; tools used to store information for a later time. 4) Central processing unit (CPU) which interprets and executes software instructions and coordinate the operation of all other hardware. 5)Telecommunications device; used to send information and receive from another person or computer in a network. 6) Connecting devices which are used to connect peripherals to the computer.
At ShopRite all of these categories are used; Input devices are present in the form of items scanners at the check out, the register’s keyboard and for the management the computer keyboard and mouse. Output devices are the monitors, the register’s receipt printer and for the management printers and speakers. All of the computers used at ShopRite possesses a CPU. Storage is done via hard-disks and online storage. ShopRite has a very extended network both within the store and also with Wakefern; their parent company. DSL modems, routers, telephones and internet has made this possible to connect the PC’s to one another. Connecting devices are used to connect peripherals to the computers such as the registers, scanners, printers, monitors and mice to name a few.


The brand of computers used at ShopRite is Dell. These were chosen as Dell offered easy customization and they were low cost. Also ShopRite uses Dell as this is the choice of their parent company Wakefern and having the same physical computers would ease synchronizing computers such as with networking, using and implementing programs across the companies. (This would be much more difficult if one company used Dell and another Apple). The Dell computers chosen were flat panel desktops. The flat panel was chosen for is sleek look and slim design as it requires less space and looks more tech savy than a standard sized desktop. This is connected to the tower which is not seen by customers; what we see rather is the cash register peripheral and the scanner which is also attached that inputs data into the computer.
In the case of ShopRite Wakefern’s IT department is responsible for the hardware and software used by ShopRite. This is because Wakefern/ShopRite uses the Top-Down Silo approach; thus the IT department is separated from the rest of the organization and makes all decisions technology related.

Software is described as the set of instructions that hardware executes to carry out a specific task. System software refers to software that handles tasks specific to technology management and coordinates the interaction of all technology devices.The most notable system software is the operating system which is the Windows XP software (Maybe they might switch to Windows 7). Application software is that software that enables you to solve specific problems or perform specific tasks. Other types of software includes Tradestone Merchandise Lifecycle Management suite which is used for the stores private label making. (ShopRite brand). TALs ActiveX Barcoding tool which is used to make barcodes. They also use Multi-language inventory software. Notable software also includes the program we see at the register and also downloadable software for consumers; called ShopRite 1.0 Mobile which is a simple interface accessible from a mobile device that is used to manage your shopping list. The most used brand of application software is Microsoft as it is compatible with the Microsoft OS and database.
I could not find any indication that the company uses Linux but it could be possible.

A computer network is two or more computers connected so that they can communicate with each other and share information, software, peripheral devices, and or processing power. At Wakefern there is a four year contract with AT&T that provides wide area network (WAN) and managed services solutions. With this AT&T will connect Wakefern's 250-plus domestic stores and corporate offices.
Each computer needs network interface, at Wakefern Food Corporation is is unclear as to what type of interface is used, however at the ShopRite Supermarket locations they utilize ethernet cards which is the most common type of network interface card.


With regards to media as part of their contract with AT&T they used Digital Subscriber Line or DSL cables, which is used together with a Wireless Access Point (WAP) to access the network wirelessly.
Communication software is used to provide remote access to systems and exchange files and messages in text, audio and/or video formats between different computers or user IDs. An example of this is file transfer programs; at Wakefern they utilize an IP-based TPS/NetWork File Manager.

At Wakefern due to AT&T they utilize a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network with DSL backup. The related components include a Switch which is a network device that connects computers and passes messages by repeating each computer’s transmissions only to the intended recipient. Also they have DSL cables and Routers for wireless networking.

To connect to the the internet they use a Broadband Connection via DSL which runs a high speed connection over a phone line without interrupting the voice service. AT&T the DSL Broadband has a max speed capacity of 768 kilobits per second. (768 kbps)

Voice over IP is not currently in use at Wakefern/ ShopRite. The Internet Protocol (IP)-based network satisfies corporate and networking demands, such as interoffice collaboration and it will provide scalability for the future implementation of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

The Four principles of network security are (1) Confidentiality - information can only be obtained by those authorized to access it.. (2) Authenticity - information really comes from the source it claims to come from. (3) Intergrity - information has not been altered and (4) Availability - a service or resource is available when it needs to be. Wakefern uses CounterACT integrated security platform which is to shield its network from unauthorized access and fulfill a key part of Visa's Cardholder Information Security Program (CISP) certification. CounterACT also offers an integrated security platform permitting network administrators to block/quarantine malware and create/enforce granular access policies for all endpoints in conjunction with the existing network element, an essential aspect of fulfilling data security requirements for regulatory compliance. This security is extended both to employees at Wakefern as well as customers; this can be seen exercised in areas such as log in information, credit card & online payment information, firewalls, antivirus and anti spyware services to name a few.

Wakfern Food Corporation owns 14 domain names two of which include SHOPRITE.COM & WAKEFERN.COM


Article
Microsoft News Center January 14th 2008
MediaCart, Microsoft and Wakefern Team Up to Deliver Next-Generation Digital Grocery Shopping and Ad Experience


Wakefern Food Corporation, Microsoft Corporation and Media Cart Holdings have come together to design a shopping cart which can be described as revolutionary. The Media Cart (pictured right) was created using Microsoft’s Atlas technologies, Microsoft Windows CE and the Microsoft SQL Server. The purpose of the cart is to target customers with anonymous advertisements by using data obtained through its customer loyalty program. Besides being a marketing tool the cart is meant to boost consumer satisfaction by offering options including electronic coupons, performing comparative price checks, viewing recipes and expediting check out to name a few.

Full Article HERE