Creating an Internal Product Information Process
Michelsson, Heidi (2017)
Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017092515380
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017092515380
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this study was to create internal product information processes to help sales find internal product easily and quickly. This research carried out for a company working in the private sector. The company employs 100 employees.
Qualitative research methodology was used in this study. The Current State Analysis was based on group interviews with different departments of the company and internal documentary research. The following research questions were formed based on the current situation: where can the product information be found and how employees are informed about this the product updates. The internal product documentation was also studied. The following literature topics were studies to identify best practices and possible solutions: Product Information Management system, internal communication and web page graphic design.
The result of the analysis was that finding product information was time taking and frustrating. To find the needed product information, the sales personnel needed to check from multiple sources to get the most recent information. All respondents raised this issue in the group interviews. When the sales persons had a question about a product they checked emails, asked from a colleague, checked private files and common files from the databases to find the answer. The interviewees also revealed that they had uncertainty that the information they found was up to date. The document research showed that there are very few documents with the product information.
The author recommends a process for data gathering and displaying the data in the internal website. The process proposal includes data gathering, data enrichment with Product Information Management system and web site layout for the internal product information for storage. In addition, it gives suggestions for displaying the product information and communication the process and web site to the sales. This process enables finding the latest and most up-to-date product information from one place.
Qualitative research methodology was used in this study. The Current State Analysis was based on group interviews with different departments of the company and internal documentary research. The following research questions were formed based on the current situation: where can the product information be found and how employees are informed about this the product updates. The internal product documentation was also studied. The following literature topics were studies to identify best practices and possible solutions: Product Information Management system, internal communication and web page graphic design.
The result of the analysis was that finding product information was time taking and frustrating. To find the needed product information, the sales personnel needed to check from multiple sources to get the most recent information. All respondents raised this issue in the group interviews. When the sales persons had a question about a product they checked emails, asked from a colleague, checked private files and common files from the databases to find the answer. The interviewees also revealed that they had uncertainty that the information they found was up to date. The document research showed that there are very few documents with the product information.
The author recommends a process for data gathering and displaying the data in the internal website. The process proposal includes data gathering, data enrichment with Product Information Management system and web site layout for the internal product information for storage. In addition, it gives suggestions for displaying the product information and communication the process and web site to the sales. This process enables finding the latest and most up-to-date product information from one place.