Information systems for management

"The Challenges of Local System Design for Multinationals : The MaxFli Sales Force Automation System at BAT

1 . What business problem was MaxFli trying to solve ? How would you rate its effectiveness at addressing that problem

The business problem that MaxFli was trying to solve was the lack of a direct-distribution system that could be used by different end markets around the world . A new system was needed to coordinate the evolving sales , marketing , and cash-collection methods , so that competitiveness can be sustained and enhanced . This system should fit the trade marketing

and distribution (TM D ) system for traditional distribution markets

I would rate the effectiveness of MaxFli in addressing the problem as 6 out of 10 . The initial plans and design areas for MaxFli is impressive but they still had design and implementation problems . The distributed approach to design was a source of strength for MaxFli , because it considered diverse end-market needs , at least conceptually . In order to create an effective TM D system , Globe House chose a distributed approach for designing and developing MaxFli . The design happened in the end markets of Latin America , where business was most vigorous . In 1998 representatives from 15 end markets , which also included Colombia Honduras , Venezuela , Brazil , Mexico , UK , USA , Belgium , and France , made a feasibility study on the business case for MaxFli . Two of the main goals were to identify the best practices of the direct distribution markets that would be integrated into the system , and to know if the new system...