I've worked at Domino's for several summers and find there biggest problem to be having the correct number of people on shift. Typically on our busiest nights we have 1 - 2 people answering phones, the same number making pizzas, and 4 - 5 drivers who also "catch," box, and cut the pies. This system works great when we're busy, but once 7:30pm rolls around we have far too many people on the clock. I hope to get a corporate job for Domino's pending my graduation, at which time I'd suggest that they move to regional CSRs (phone answers aka customer service representatives). This would mean that one owner (who typically owns 3 - 5 stores) could have a certain number of people working for all his stores at the same time and could clock them out as necessary.
Since Domino's functions mostly online already this would require few changes and expenses. First they'd need to establish a regional call center, most likely a back office in one store. Then they'd need to route all "1-800-DOMINOS" calls to that regional number rather than the store's phone number. Lastly they'd need to stop advertising store phone numbers and instead advertise their 1-800 number.
When a CSR at a call center would receive a call they could check the system to see what store the number typically orders to, confirm this with the customer, then proceed with the order as normal. Once the order is complete it is submitted electronically to the correct store. The call center could then track on what days and times they received the highest number of calls and schedule the correct number of people to take those calls. If for some reason a customer needed to reach the store directly the CSR would be able to forward their call to that store.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is really something I've found an interest in over the past few months, and while some are skeptical as to if it will catch on, I'm convinced it's the way of the future. Before I begin discussing what I'd like to create in order to stay ahead of the internet market I'd like to convince you that cloud computing is indeed something you'll be using in the next 5 years (or less.)
It's no secret that the internet has brought amazing possibilities to the world. It become our social life, our entertainment, our recipe book, matchmaker, job finder, the list goes on. Though these are all well and good they are not without their draw backs. The largest concern for a web user such as myself is identity theft. What 20 years ago was an almost nonexistent problem is now likely to happen to you at least once in your lifetime.
Another problem is that information cannot easily be moved between computers. Sure we have flash drives and can be witty and email an attachment to ourselves, but in all honesty, working on another computer just isn't the same as working on your own.
The last problem I'd like to address is piracy. Huge amounts of internet bandwidth today are being used by those copying illegal material. This alludes to both a legal dilemma and a logistical one, in terms of how to meet internet demand for legitimate users.
Cloud computing fixes the problems today's internet cannot. First and foremost because data is stored remotely secure files will be handled by companies rather than individuals. For many this idea is outrageous, as most would never give any website their credit information or the like. But consider the current situation. Internet users who have a very small understanding of how the internet works download potentially harmful content which they let loose on their computer that often times is poorly protected. On the other hand you have companies like Google and Yahoo, who know almost everything their is to know about the internet, and have nearly endless funds to protect their systems. These are the individuals you want in charge of sensitive information, not low end users.
Cloud computing also allows individuals to sync files across platforms so that every system has access to the same information. On a small level this is similar to the server folder PSU students are issued for use in labs, but on a larger scale it would allow you to access all your music from your phone, xbox, laptop, or a friend's computer.
The last problem it solves is piracy. As more files become stored online it will become easier to monitor them for illegal files.
This leads me to what I believe needs to be done to stay ahead of the movement. First and foremost is that streaming sites of any media will become increasingly popular. Pandora has gained a lot of fame recently and I believe similar sites will emerge within the next few years. Additionally you've probably noticed that youtube now has advertisements on some videos. While this might annoy most users I believe it's something we'll be seeing a lot of because cable companies will begin to move online. Currently the internet doesn't have the capacity to house cable tv, but as more users demand higher speeds so they can be connected to the cloud 24/7 the option will become more viable. I also believe that VOIP (voice over IP) will become much more popular as speeds increase.
I have two ideas to profit off this dramatic change. The first is to create an interface that allows not only files, but applications to be shared across platforms. Mac, Windows, smart phones, would all share a common market place, and once an app was purchased it would be available on every machine it was compatible with.
The second idea is relatively simple. Since everything is moving to the internet that means that most bills will move their as well. I'd like to create a better PayPal. This site will have all the same features as the current site, but be much more flexible. It will allow you to add all payment options (credit, debit, eft,...) and will include a small line of credit. When a purchase is made over the internet the user will be prompted to select which pre-setup payment method they'd like to use. When they use their site issued card in person however the transaction will be saved in their line of credit until they login again and assign it to a payment method. This will eliminate overdraft fees! This site will also allow users to schedule payments and move money easily between accounts.
It's no secret that the internet has brought amazing possibilities to the world. It become our social life, our entertainment, our recipe book, matchmaker, job finder, the list goes on. Though these are all well and good they are not without their draw backs. The largest concern for a web user such as myself is identity theft. What 20 years ago was an almost nonexistent problem is now likely to happen to you at least once in your lifetime.
Another problem is that information cannot easily be moved between computers. Sure we have flash drives and can be witty and email an attachment to ourselves, but in all honesty, working on another computer just isn't the same as working on your own.
The last problem I'd like to address is piracy. Huge amounts of internet bandwidth today are being used by those copying illegal material. This alludes to both a legal dilemma and a logistical one, in terms of how to meet internet demand for legitimate users.
Cloud computing fixes the problems today's internet cannot. First and foremost because data is stored remotely secure files will be handled by companies rather than individuals. For many this idea is outrageous, as most would never give any website their credit information or the like. But consider the current situation. Internet users who have a very small understanding of how the internet works download potentially harmful content which they let loose on their computer that often times is poorly protected. On the other hand you have companies like Google and Yahoo, who know almost everything their is to know about the internet, and have nearly endless funds to protect their systems. These are the individuals you want in charge of sensitive information, not low end users.
Cloud computing also allows individuals to sync files across platforms so that every system has access to the same information. On a small level this is similar to the server folder PSU students are issued for use in labs, but on a larger scale it would allow you to access all your music from your phone, xbox, laptop, or a friend's computer.
The last problem it solves is piracy. As more files become stored online it will become easier to monitor them for illegal files.
This leads me to what I believe needs to be done to stay ahead of the movement. First and foremost is that streaming sites of any media will become increasingly popular. Pandora has gained a lot of fame recently and I believe similar sites will emerge within the next few years. Additionally you've probably noticed that youtube now has advertisements on some videos. While this might annoy most users I believe it's something we'll be seeing a lot of because cable companies will begin to move online. Currently the internet doesn't have the capacity to house cable tv, but as more users demand higher speeds so they can be connected to the cloud 24/7 the option will become more viable. I also believe that VOIP (voice over IP) will become much more popular as speeds increase.
I have two ideas to profit off this dramatic change. The first is to create an interface that allows not only files, but applications to be shared across platforms. Mac, Windows, smart phones, would all share a common market place, and once an app was purchased it would be available on every machine it was compatible with.
The second idea is relatively simple. Since everything is moving to the internet that means that most bills will move their as well. I'd like to create a better PayPal. This site will have all the same features as the current site, but be much more flexible. It will allow you to add all payment options (credit, debit, eft,...) and will include a small line of credit. When a purchase is made over the internet the user will be prompted to select which pre-setup payment method they'd like to use. When they use their site issued card in person however the transaction will be saved in their line of credit until they login again and assign it to a payment method. This will eliminate overdraft fees! This site will also allow users to schedule payments and move money easily between accounts.
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