Read the case on Martin & Martin Plc Below and use it to answer questions 1, 2 & 3). Company Martin & Martin established in 1990 in London, Martin & Martin plc is a Scotland based international grocery and general merchandising retail chain. With revenues of 80 billion (2010), it is the largest Scotland retailer by both global sales and domestic market share, with profits exceeding 5 billion. With almost 600,000 Employees (2010) and over 5000 stores Martin & Martin is currently the third largest global retailer. Originally specialising in drinks, it has diversified into areas such as consumer electronics, financial services, telecoms; home, health and car insurance, Internet services, and software. Martin & Martin's Scotland stores are divided into six formats, differentiated by size and the range of products sold: Martin & Martin Extra stores are larger, mainly outoftown hypermarkets that stock nearly all of Martin & Martin's product ranges; Martin & Martin superstores are standard large supermarkets, stocking groceries and a much smaller range of nondrinks than Extra stores; Martin & Martin Metro stores are sized between Martin & Martin superstores and Martin & Martin Express stores. They are mainly located in city centres and on the high streets of small towns; Martin & Martin Express stores are neighbourhood convenience shops, stocking mainly food; One Stop stores are the only category which does not include the word Martin & Martin in its name. These are the very smallest stores. In addition, Martin & Martin has a banking arm called Martin & Martin Personal Finance; operates as an ISP(internet Service Provider), mobile phone, home phone and VoIP businesses; sells petrol and diesel at their own petrol stations; and offers a loyalty card scheme to customers. Customers can collect one Clubcard point for every 1 they spend in a Martin & Martin store, Martin & Martin Petrol or Martin & Martin.com. Martin & Martin has operated on the internet since 1996 and was the first retailer in the world to offer a robust home shopping service in 1999. Martin & Martin.com was formally launched in 2004. In common with most other large retailers, Martin & Martin draws goods from suppliers into regional distribution centres, for preparation and onward delivery to stores. Martin & Martin is extending this logistic practice to cover collection from suppliers (factory gate pricing) and the input to suppliers, in a drive to reduce costs and improve reliability. Radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology is taking an increasing role in the distribution process. Martin & Martin's international expansion 3 strategy has responded to the need to be sensitive to local expectations in other countries by entering into joint ventures with local partners. Martin & Martin operates in the following markets: China, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Scotland, UK and USA. The business is dependent on efficient Information Systems (IS). Any significant failure in the IS processes of their retail operations (e.g. barcode scanning or supply chain logistics) impacts ability to trade. Martin & Martin recognise the essential role that IS plays across the Group in allowing efficient trade and achievement of commercial advantage through implementing IS innovations which improve the shopping trip for customers and make life easier for employees. The company has extensive controls in place to maintain the integrity and efficiency of IT infrastructure and share world class systems across International operations to ensure consistency of delivery.

QUESTION 1: Discuss four main Technologies that Martin & Martin plc invested in their Information System/Technology to attain their current Business Status (16 Marks)

QUESTION 2: With the kind of Information System/Technology (IS/T) that Martin & Martin plc has in place, they are bound to achieve six Business Startegic Objectives. Explain four of the Strategic Business Objectives (16 Marks)

QUESTION 3: Martin & Martin plc has an Organisational Dimention (OD) in its Information System/Technology. Analyse the OD in Martin & Martin plc. (16 Marks)

REFERENCING (AT THE END OF THE WORK AFTER THE LAST QUESTIONS ANSWER) SHOULD BE PROVIDED.