Swot Analysis And Porters Five Forces Information Technology Essay

Swot Analysis And Porters Five Forces Information Technology seeWalgreens pharmacies have integrated intellectual technology into every facet of its operation. The ability to develop, implement, and analyze the effects of the IT has significantly improverd pharmacy efficiency. The go withs core strategies include tonality objectives to house innovative IT within its business operations that place them as the industry attraction. The IT transformation is not just about cutting cost exclusively utilizing this intelligence to become the value added community destination for quality healthcare.The pharmacys many processes enforce IT to fill prescriptions, bill third party payers, maintain patient profiles, register clinical services, manage supply chain, multichannel communications, and other verifyive services. The integrated platform improves productivity and performance of the organization by streamlining workflow. The pharmacy manager can utilize the key performance indicat ors (KPIs) to effectively manage departmental functions and improve processes. The pharmacy rung utilizes the IT to improve customer service and satisfaction.Walgreens strategy is to operate as the leader within the industry. The initiative to transform community pharmacy is dependent upon its innovative IT development. The shift from the payer and provider to the consumer directed healthcare system leave adjustment the community pharmacies model. The IT system will die hard the necessary tools needed to redefine the role of community pharmacy.The prioritizing of company strategy focused IT systems will further support the business objectives. The future of the IT department will be to become less dependent on consultants to provide expertise rather than investing in the grooming and promotion of present company talent. There will be a shift from customized software solutions for applications and the utilization of package options when pertinent. The assessment of the IT opera ting model will determine if global delivery options will be needed to support the companies twenty-four hour capabilities.StrengthsOver 7,500 integrated locations to provide services72 percentage of all Americans live within five miles of a Walgreens18 percent of the market shareIT innovatorIT focused strategiesMultichannel communicationsWeaknessesDependence on out-of-door IT consultantsDevelopment of customized IT solutionsLacking development of global and/or off shore IT staffOpportunitiesChanging IT operating modelWifi hot spots radio set networkIntegration of healthcare unitsThreatsRecession limits on new IT development and costly implementationHighly trained IT personnelHighly efficient packaged softwareFigure 1 SWOT Analysis of Intellectual Technology.The core strategies of Walgreens are focused on IT. There is a great deal of support from management to provide innovative transformations that will increase efficiencies and improve customer service. There are over 7,500 int egrated locations compromising eighteen percent of the market providing these services to the consumer (Standard Poors, 2011). The many opportunities to interface with the consumer have given Walgreens the leading market position as the most convenient community drug store. The multiple convey include brick and mortar store, telephone, website, e-mail, mobile phone, texting, and social networking media.The dependence on outside IT consultants posses a potence risk of the under development of Walgreens staff and increased costs to the company. The utilization of customized IT solutions increases costs for development and continued support. The cost savings that could be realized by each off shore or global IT staff have not been utilized.The changing of the IT operating model has the ability to create innovative opportunities that could increase their market share. The offerings of Wifi hotspots and wireless internet connections have the authorization to capture more consumers th rough this on-line interaction. The IT integration of all health care units serves to increase efficiency and performance for the business.Several threats of the Walgreens IT system create potential risks to their market share. The recession poses constraints on the research and development of new IT solutions and innovations. The networks of highly trained IT people have the potential to offer their expertise to the rival competition. The increase in the development of packaged software options offers a more efficient and less costly system to maintain.The competitive environment of the industry exhibits significant exponent to control Walgreens share of the market with its most significant rival, CVS. The ability to suck market share could be greatly dependent upon the extent of innovative IT that either company may integrate within their operations. The ability to utilize this IT to conduct a more efficient business operation and exert its leverage on the market can determine i ts level of control. Walgreens has positioned its company as the market leader of innovative technology by offering cost effective solutions that provide value added services to the consumer. Walgreens ability to operate as an IT strategy focused operation is key to exhibiting a competitive advantage within the market. The ability to gain a further market advantage would be dependent upon innovation that would continue to differentiate Walgreens from the competition and establish its individual Brand identity. Walgreens has utilized its company IT focused strategies to introduce national programs (immunizations, diabetes testing, blood pressure monitoring, ect.) to change the community pharmacy and the role of the pharmacist. This leverage within the industry has enabled them to build substantial barriers that competitors moldiness overcome.