Competitive advantage is a business and economic term driven by business markets and global competition. Competitive advantage reveals the marketing strategy for a product or service. As a result, business operators rely on the strengths of their products to gain a competitive advantage. Thus, the global competition of the tertiary education market relies on competitive advantage. Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia provides a learning environment, which offers quality education. As a result, the university creates different entry alternatives for qualified students. However, the business of marketing in the education sector depends on the competitive advantage of the university. The competitors of the EUC include Murdoch University, Curtin University of Technology, University of Notre Dame, and the University of Western Australia. As a result, the fierce competition among these universities will enhance the competitive advantage of the ECU.
The university offers students a career in competitive disciplines driven by research and policy development. As a result, students enjoy higher dividends of education to compensate for the values for their money. As a result, a quality research strategy is a competitive advantage for the university. The competitive advantage of the university can be justified on Porter’s five forces model. The Porter’s five forces include threats of new entrants, bargaining power of students, threats of substitutions, and bargaining power of competitors. Consequently, the quadrant of competitive advantage includes cost, differentiation, and focus.
Cost strategy describes the value of education across Western Australia. As a result, the price regime for Edith Cowan University is a competitive advantage in Western Australia. Consequently, the focus strategy improves research procedures and education policy at the university. As a result, the university prepares students in various areas of specialization. Consequently, the school’s online marketing strategy is a competitive advantage. The customer care representative provides quality service delivery for online programs. By implication, information systems facilitate the competitive advantage of Edith Cowan University. As a result, product and system implementation enhance the business marketing of tertiary education.
Previous literature revealed that tertiary education is a marketable service. In a competitive environment, schools combine strategy and analysis to gain an advantage. Thus, the approach used to gain superiority to competitors facilitates the return on investment (ROI). As a result, the management board uses Porter’s theory to develop its competitive strategy. Thus, competitive advantage improves product value and return on investment.
The competitive advantage of Edith Cowan University is based on twelve variables. The variables include parking space, accessibility, nightlife, social life, people, housing, food, technology, facilities, job prospects, lecturers, and academics. As a result, the ratings reveal the quality of service provided by each institution. A survey carried out on the competitive advantage of universities in Australia revealed that Edith Cowan University topped the ranks of quality learning in the Western region. The rating was based on the competitive advantage of the university. As a result, the organizational structure stimulates the competitive strategy of the institution.
A Customer Relationship Management Application: Quickbooks Enterprise
Customer relationship management (CRM) is an arrangement that combines different aspects of human interaction to improve business marketing. As a result, the CRM integrates the company’s ideas on customer’s perceptions and demand. Customer interaction facilitates business transactions and operations. Consequently, the CRM framework influences the effective utilization of enterprise applications. The strategies of customer relationship management include profitability, client base, customer feedback, business reputation, reduce cost management, and attract new customers (Hiroshi & Toshiya, 2010).
As a result, business executives analyze emerging markets to improve productivity and performance. The growth of a business organization depends on its product, marketing strategy, and financial report. However, financial reports facilitate the decision-making process of a business enterprise. As a result, accurate financial reports and statements of accounts improve the competitive advantage of an organization. To eliminate errors in financial reporting, organizations must have competent auditors and efficient accounting tools.
The accounting cycle is a systematic method of reporting business transactions and operations. As a result, auditors must report all financial transactions to avoid accounting errors. The steps in the accounting cycle include journal entries, a ledger account, unadjusted entries, adjusting entries, adjusting entries, closing trial balance, and post-closing entries. However, accounting applications assist organizations and auditors in journalize business transactions and operations to avoid financial errors. Accounting software applications include QuickBooks, Freshbooks, Freeagent, Nutcache, KashFlow, Arithmo, Sage one, Sellsy invoicing, and Zoho Books.
These accounting applications analyze business transactions and customer relationships. Consequently, business executives introduced the CRM software to improve customer relationship. The applications provide a comparative advantage for the organization. The features of accounting software influence its performance and efficiency. As a result, end-users test these applications based on its features. The number of accounting software in the market makes it difficult to verify each application based on quality (Chircu & Kauffman, 2000).
However, end-users can verify software applications based on quality, integration, and efficiency. The features of accounting applications include graphics, automation, customization, automatic updates, Internet connectivity, interoperability, scalability, security, expandability, reporting, and analysis. However, the features of CRM applications affect the productivity and performance of the business market. As a result, CRM software vendors combine different products to enhance the quality of their application. The products include features, support, price, and demonstration periods. However, the characteristics of the CRM include relationship management, sales drive automation, technology, management, feedbacks, and expansion.
The QuickBooks enterprise manages customer interaction and feedback using an effective strategy, practice, and technology to improve business relations between customers and organizations. QuickBooks software is produced and marketed by Intuit enterprise.
QuickBooks Overview
The accounting application software simplifies accounting challenges to improve customer relationship management. The software uses the cloud-computing framework to improve its user interface with various accounting opportunities. As a result, QuickBooks support different accounting operations and end-user transactions (ARXIS, 2013). QuickBooks enterprise is effective, efficient, comprehensive, tailored, flexible, familiar, and accessible.
QuickBooks Features
- Provides simple print identity on the last page.
- Enables side-by-side comparisons.
- QuickBooks connects offline users.
- Applies shaded lines on operations and transactions.
- Organize a search protocol within transactions.
- Provides advance sorting tools.
- Improve inventory status.
- Highlights business information on the homepage.
- Compute and analyze sales transactions.
- Eliminate overdue payments.
- Improve column organization.
- Eliminate negative inventory quantities.
Other features of the QuickBooks include advanced reporting, inventory, payroll & employees, purchasing & vendors, reporting & finance, sales & customers, security, and productivity tools.
Inventory Features
- Prohibit negative inventory amounts.
- Assemblies.
- Amended auto POs.
- Sophisticated Pricing Add-on.
- Raised inventory receiving.
- Inventory center.
- Inventory stock status.
- Add & edit tabs.
- Information tracking.
- Unit conversion options.
- Backorder tracking.
- Sale order worksheet.
- Shipment tracking.
- Print options.
Reporting & Finance Features
- Shortage report for assemblies.
- Advance reports.
- Bank Feeds.
- Excel integration tab.
- Industry report template.
- Business at a glance option.
- Instant financial reports.
- Multiple file report.
- Financial statement tab.
- Data export.
- Custom reports.
- Credit card template.
- Expense and bills automation.
- Fixed assets tab.
- Tax analysis.
Sales & Customers
- Job costing.
- Default classes.
- Differentiated pricing levels.
- Automated price adjustments.
- Easy data access.
- Send and receive sales estimates and invoice.
- Foreign currency options.
- Custom billing and pricing level.
- Allocate multiple customer addresses.
Advantages of QuickBooks Application
Unlike other vendors that provide unnecessary services, Intuit enterprise embedded QuickBooks with a modular approach. As a result, customers can limit the features of the accounting application based on a specific requirement. Customers can improve the user interface when necessary. Consequently, payroll architecture accepts a third-party mode.
Advanced Inventory
The financial capability of QuickBooks encourages quick edit and add-on options. As a result, users can add inventory protocols to the entry pattern. Consequently, QuickBooks has three user options that guarantee performance.
Advanced Features
The application enterprise has five advanced options that improve the accounting process. The features include inventory tracking, bin accessibility, barcoding options, and inventory costing.
Disadvantages of QuickBooks Enterprise
The disadvantages of QuickBooks enterprise can be categorized into five groups. QuickBooks enterprise relies on cloud-computing architecture for business budgeting and financial operations. As a result, the limitations of the enterprise include cost, cloud limitation, scalability, functionality, and compliance.
Compliance
The application does not integrate supervision and compliance. As a result, real-time analysis and data collection cannot be guaranteed. As a result, end-users compile data using manual protocols. Consequently, the cloud-computing architecture does not influence real-time analysis. However, the cloud-computing framework allows the integration of real-time analysis to improve financial transactions.
Functionality
The application requires manual entry of all transactions. As a result, end-users must add all entries before data analysis. The process affects the completion time for financial transactions. As a result, the process influences data loss and financial errors.
Scalability
The software application does not permit organizational expansion. As a result, the data upgrade will affect entry levels for the different accounting cycle. However, the cloud-computing architecture allows the expansion of data figures to ensure real-time analysis.
Cloud limitation
QuickBooks enterprise relies on cloud analysis; however, the functions of the architecture limit its usability. As a result, cloud technology is not operational. Thus, the benefits of cloud computing cannot be used for data analysis.
Cost
Unlike other applications, cloud-computing architecture reduces the cost of various applications. However, the cost of operations affects the financial status of end-users.
Comparison: QuickBooks vs. MYOB
Accounting applications have a user interface and options based on their architecture. As a result, auditors prefer an application based on preference and personal attachment. However, these applications influence the decision-making process of all business organizations. The comparison between QuickBooks and MYOB is based on ten elements. The elements include the operating system, credit card, journal entries, inventory, credit notes, multiple company files, multifunctional windows, year-end formats, support, reports, add-ons, and extensions.
The emerging trends between old and new websites influenced by technology, information security, service hosting, design, Internet-based communities, and creativity describes Web 2.0 (Anderson, 2007). As a result, Web 2.0 combines different open-source applications, user-controls, and integration tools to expand and enhance business opportunities in diverse ways. As a result, platform developers manage and organize various business and social platforms using Web 2.0 architecture.
However, applications that use Web 2.0 architecture can be categorized into five groups. The applications include blogs, social networks, communities, bulletin boards, and content aggregators. The beneficiaries of this architecture create and published unsolicited reports, blogs, texts, photos, ratings, surveys, discussion groups, video, opinions, and media content called user-generated content (UGC). Examples of Web 2.0 include software as a service (SaaS), Google AdWords, Google Adsense, social networking, and crowdsourcing.
The combination of different resources to create additional services is called the Mashup technique. The mashup technique creates an integrated environment for additional services and interactions (Chan, 2002). Cloud Mashup targets server clients with multiple platforms. A mashup is a Web 2.0 technology that uses different interactive tools to enhance productivity and social interaction. The Mashup concept uses the PT service, IT service, and third party service for standard content delivery through Web APIs. Consequently, Mashup services include multiple profile channels, platforms, functionality, and documentation. For example, videos and songs on demand can be created using cloud Mashup techniques to improve user satisfaction.
AdWord is a web-based advertising tool that provides click-to-call services. As a result, users place advertorials and web links on Google pages and other websites as unsolicited promotions. Google AdWords relies on Web 2.0 technologies to promote products and services. Google Adsense is an only program that promotes ads, images, and videos. The advertorial service is managed and maintained by Google. The service manager uses a content target to screen and sell promotions advertorials (Gold, Mohan, Knight, & Munro, 2004). Consequently, the interactive platform is an example of 2.0 technologies.
Social Networking is an interactive tool that integrates actors on social networks. As a result, videos, pictures, text, and messages are transferred from one user to another. Software as a service is a distribution platform that integrates business functions with different online services. The SaaS provides an interactive environment for users to share, sell, and transfer files and data using a cloud computing architecture (Alt, Abramowicz, & Demirkan, 2010).
The benefits of the SaaS include global accessibility, simple architecture, collaboration service, easy control, automated updates, and user-friendly. Some notable social networking applications include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google Plus+, Tumblr, Instagram, Vk, Flickr, Vine, Meetup, Tagged, Ask.fm, MeetMe, and ClassMates. These applications rely on cloud computing architecture to improve online communities. The above examples use Web 2.0 architecture to improve online communities. The features of Web 2.0 include search, links, authoring, tags, extensions, and education.
The Advantages of SaaS Application
- SaaS infrastructure is affordable: The cost of subscription and installations is cheaper than traditional software architecture.
- Easy to use: SaaS applications require an Internet platform for its operations. Unlike other traditional software that uses installations kits, SaaS uses a web browser to run its applications.
- Infrastructure: SaaS application does not use additional infrastructure for its operations (Dubey & Wagle, 2007).
- Simple upgrades: The SaaS application uses a simple system modifier to upgrade its software. Thus, the hassle of patch download is removed.
- Availability: The benefits of cloud computing include availability and portability. SaaS platforms can be deployed using an Internet connection.
- Service guarantee: Vendors can provide efficient running platforms to prevent service interruptions.
- Backups are automated: The service providers make automated backup protocols to prevent data loss.
- The architecture of SaaS solutions is secure and reliable.
- The platform provides our clients-server relationship.
- SaaS architecture supports SME’s enterprise.
- Integration: The software architecture can combine with different local platforms.
- SaaS deployment reduces the time of operations and the cost of installation.
Disadvantages of SaaS Technology
- Service providers control the SaaS platform, thus, creating security breaches for clients.
- Many applications contradict SaaS architecture.
- Connectivity problem: SaaS solution relies on Internet access. Thus, clients may experience network interruptions (Courtney, 2014).
- Owing to Internet fluctuations, SaaS services are slow and unreliable.
- Internet limitations create security challenges for data storage.
Venkatachalam, N., Fielt, E., Rosemann, M., & Mathews, S. (2014). Small and medium enterprises using software as a service: Exploring the different roles of intermediaries. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 18(3), 1-19.
The article “Small and medium enterprises using the software as a service: Exploring the different roles of intermediaries” by Nagarajan Venkatachalam, Erwin Fielt, Michael Rosemann, and Shane Mathews, explored the roles of SaaS intermediaries in business enterprise. Consequently, the features of the SaaS facilitate the growth and development of various business enterprises. The authors analyzed two SaaS intermediaries and their influence on business investments. As a result, two empirical studies were conducted on business models and value propositions. Consequently, the researchers identified and explore the roles of SaaS intermediaries.
Previous research revealed that business enterprises experienced migration challenges and data loss with SaaS technology (Poon & Swatman, 1997). The article revealed that SMEs must improve its technical support to enhance smooth integration with SaaS architecture (Venkatachalam, Fielt, Rosemann, & Mathews, 2014). Thus, the medium business enterprise can overcome the challenges of SaaS architecture.
The article investigated the effect of self-service technology in a small business enterprise. By implication, the self-service architecture supports user interaction and integrations (Palvia, 2008). However, research findings revealed that SMEs face integration challenges with SaaS technology. The Alpha and Beta intermediaries were used to conduct the explorative study. Consequently, the coding variables include SME clients, SaaS produce, market environment, and response from stakeholders. As a result, face-to-face interviews were carried out on two respondents to ascertain the impact of SaaS application on business investments.
The themes of the research study were captured in the 90-minute interview. Consequently, the authors analyzed the business platform of alpha owners to verify the integration of the Beta and SaaS interface. The data sample was analyzed with the NVivo management tool. However, the business model element includes key resources, activities, value propositions, customer relationships, customer segments, customer channels, partners, cost, and revenue streams (Lin, Huang, & Tseng, 2007).
The research findings revealed that SaaS intermediaries improved customer and technology orientation. Consequently, SaaS intermediaries improved customer’s partnerships with the business enterprise. As a result, intermediaries improved the customer’s ability to understand SaaS architecture. The research finding was consistent with the proposed value for the explorative study. My choice of the article was based on the impact of SaaS technology on SMEs. I agree with the recommendations of the research findings because the research design was consistent. I will recommend the article for SMEs because it informs reaches of the challenges and solutions to SaaS architecture. However, the research study requires further experiment to improve the user-end integration and customer interaction.
References
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Anderson, P. (2007). What is Web 2.0? Ideas, technologies, and implications for education. Web.
ARXIS: The 5 biggest QuickBooks advantages. (2013). Web.
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Chircu, M., & Kauffman, J. (2000). Reintermediation strategies in business-to-business electronic commerce. International Journal of Electronic Commerce, 4(4), 7-42. Web.
Dubey, A., & Wagle, D. (2007). Delivering software as a service. The McKinsey Quarterly, 6(1), 1-12. Web.
Gold, N., Mohan, A., Knight, C., & Munro, M. (2004). Understanding service-oriented software. IEEE Software 21(2), 71-77. Web.
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Lin, C., Huang, A., & Tseng, W. (2007). A study of planning and implementation stages in electronic commerce adoption and evaluation: the case of Australian SMEs. Contemporary Management Research, 3(1), 83-100. Web.
Palvia, J. ( 2008). Challenges for small enterprises in the sourcing life cycle: Evidence from offshoring to India. Journal of Information Technology Case and Application Research, 10(4), 68-75. Web.
Poon, S, & Swatman, C. (1997). Small business use of the Internet. International Marketing Review, 14(5), 385-402. Web.
Venkatachalam, N., Fielt, E., Rosemann, M., & Mathews, S. (2014). Small and medium enterprises using software as a service: Exploring the different roles of intermediaries. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 18(3), 1-19. Web.