Entrepreneurialism Information Information Research

Tell a Friend about this Site

Designing a Comprehensive Franchise Company Computer System


One of the most important management tools a franchised company needs is a great computer system. The system must integrate with all the franchised outlets and also be able to interface with the Corporate HQ computer system. There are many companies which have already set up specialty IT systems for franchisors, but much of an off the shelf system will need modification. Be sure when talking with software vendors that you make sure that you get what you want and do not simply fall for the sales approach of them telling you what you need? After all, how on earth would they know that? Designing and/or securing a computer system will require some pre planning thought on your part.

Below is pre-planning exercise I went thru in an outline form to help you determine your own needs. Each company is different and you need to determine what you want, what you may want in the future and make your system scalable and able to handle feature creep as it grows. You should probably print this outline and modify it to fit your needs and then take a large sketch pad and draw out the your future system. This will assist you when taking to software consultants. Be careful not to take much advice from software consultants on what you will need, but listen very closely to their confidence and ability to make what you envision possible. Think on this, it is one of the most important decisions a new franchisor founder must make.

FRANCHISOR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM

I. COMPUTER PAGING SYSTEM

A. Central Answering Service

B. Alphanumeric Dispatching

C. Customer Data Bases

D. Sky Pagers (Cost)

II. QUALITY CONTROL

A. Outside Vendor

B. Post Cards

III. FRANCHISEE CONTROL

A. Egos

1. Press Releases

2. Cash Flow

3. Toys

4. Life Style

B. Name

1. Trademarks

2. Copyrights

3. Fictitious Name

4. Artwork

5. Logos

6. Programs

C. Money

1. Wells Fargo Bank

2. Royalty

3. Credit Cards

4. Applications

D. Customer

1. Data Bases

2. Faxing

3. Etc.

E. Business Model

1. Spare Trucks

2. Radio Ads

3. Training

4. Bonzai And Blitz

5. Etc.

IV. ANSWERING SYSTEM

A. Press One

B. Press Two

C. Press Three, Four, Five, Six

D. Fax On Demand

E. Credit Card Processing

V. ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE

A. Objectives

B. Reasons And Goals

C. Cost Re-Coup

D. Calculate Exponential Growth

E. Net Worth

F. Royalty Verification

G. Leasing Companies

H. Better Coverage

VI. PROGRAM DIAGRAMS

A. Program Menu

B. Accounts Receivable

C. P & L Statement

D. Balance Sheet

E. Customer Payment History

F. Faxing Data

G. Customer Profile

H. Customer List/Schedule

I. Statements

J. Depreciation

K. Tax Records

VII. FAX MARKETING

A. Fleets

B. Rainy Days

C. Data Bases

D. Corporate Car Washing

E. Rideshares

F. Etc.

G. Timing

VIII. CREDIT CARD DATA BASE SYSTEMS

A. Future Catalog Sales

B. Internet Sales

C. AAA

IX. ON LINE SERVICES

A. Corporate Employee Program

B. Work Stations

C. Network Interface

X. PAYMENT METHODS (OTHER)

A. Automatic Debit

B. Payroll Withholding

C. Customer Rewards Cards

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs


MORE RESOURCES:

L. Brooks Patterson as Michigan's governor?
MLive.com, MI - 4 hours ago
A dose of entrepreneurialism. Remember the four-day workweek? Fresh ideas like that could inspire significant change among same old-same old state offices. ...


A Recovery Package for All?
Huffington Post, NY - 1 hour ago
Dramatically expanding broadband access could unleash a wave of innovation and entrepreneurialism from corners of America who have long been disconnected ...


Nominations open for Young Music Entrepreneur 2009
musicweek.com, UK - 4 hours ago
Applicants don’t have to run their own business, although they must be able to demonstrate their entrepreneurialism. The six finalists will travel to Poland ...


Entrepreneurialism And The Dwarf House
PWO, France - Jan 3, 2009
To become an entrepreneur is enjoyable when you have a passion for a business idea you are passionate about. However, if you have to become an entrepreneur ...


Columbus Dispatch

New Ohio House leader wants tax break
Akron Beacon Journal, OH - Jan 5, 2009
... Monday during the opening of the new legislature that he wants to revive Ohio's spirit of entrepreneurialism and make the state a center for green jobs. ...
Ohio House Speaker Budish touts regionalism in his first address WKYC-TV
all 35 news articles


PEER 1 Selected to Join Microsoft BizSpark Program
FOXBusiness - Jan 7, 2009
... is committed to helping entrepreneurs to transform their ambitions into sustainable, dynamic businesses and to foster innovation and entrepreneurialism. ...
PEER 1 Joins Microsoft BizSpark Program Web Host Industry Review
all 19 news articles


Medley's Risk
13WHAM-TV, NY - Dec 30, 2008
Bob: This is the essence of entrepreneurialism, is to sell others on the risk and get them to invest in the risk. In this case, you’ve got a community ...


TechRadar UK

Marissa Mayer on the future of Google
TechRadar UK, UK - Jan 3, 2009
"There was a tremendous amount of energy, scruffy entrepreneurialism and a sense of hope. We really felt we were working on something that might change the ...


Ashoka Brings Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship to ...
PR Newswire (press release), NY - Jan 7, 2009
Due to these critical partnerships, the world's largest community of social entrepreneurs is taking social innovation and entrepreneurialism to new fields. ...


It's time to get off our laurels – and innovate, innovate, innovate
Globe and Mail, Canada - Dec 23, 2008
... are required to spur successful innovation: access to capital; collaboration in pursuit of new ideas; and a culture that promotes entrepreneurialism. ...

Entrepreneurialism - Google News



MaineBannerExchange

home | site map
© 2006