"Suggest some ways that Sam Pelt can use software to adequately sample the opinions of his customers, store managers, buyers, and any others you feel will be instrumental in making the strategic decision regarding the stocking of fake furs in what has always been a real fur store. Suggest a type of sample for each group and justify it. The constraints you are subject to include the need to act quickly so as to remain competitive, the need to retain a low profile so that competing furriers are unaware of your fact gathering, and the need to keep costs of data gathering to a reasonable level."

Trapping a Sample Real or fake? Fake or real? Who would have thought it, even five years ago?" howls Sam Pelt, a furrier who owns stores in New York; Washington, D.C.; Beverly Hills; and Copenhagen. Sylva Foxx, a systems analyst with her own consulting firm, is talking with Sam for the first time. Currently, P&P, Ltd. (which stands for Pelt and Pelt's son) is using a networked computer that supports package software for a select customer mailing list, accounts pay- able and accounts receivable, and payroll. Sam is interested in making some strategic decisions that will ultimately affect the purchasing of goods for his four fur stores. He feels that although the computer might help, other approaches should also be considered. Sam continues, "I think we should talk to all the customers when they come in the door. Get their opinions. You know, some of them are getting very upset about wearing fur from endangered species. They're very environmentally minded. They prefer fake to real, if they can save a baby animal. Some even like fakes better, calling them 'fun furs.' And I can charge almost the same for a good look-alike. It's a very fuzzy proposition, though. If I get too far away from my suppliers of pelts, I may not get what I want when I need it. They see the fake fur people as worms, worse than moths! If I deal with them, the real fur men might not talk to me. They can be animals. On the other hand, I feel strange showing fakes in my stores. All these years, we've prided ourselves on having only the genuine article." Sam continues, in a nearly seamless monologue, I want to talk to each and every employee, too." Sylva glances at him furtively and begins to interrupt, But that will take months, and purchasing may come apart at the seams unless they know soon what." Pelt interrupts, I don't care how long it takes, if we get the right answers. But they have to be right. Not knowing how to solve this dilemma about fake furs is making me feel like a leopard without its spots." Sylva talks to Sam Pelt a bit longer and then ends the interview by saying, I'll talk it all over with the other analysts at the office and let you know what we come up with. I think we can outfox the other furriers if we use software to help us sample opinions, rather than trapping unsuspecting customers into giving an opinion. But I'll let you know what they say. This much is for sure: If we can sample and not talk to every- body before making a decision, every coat you sell will have a silver lining." As one of the systems analysts who is part of Sylva Foxx's firm, suggest some ways that Sam Pelt can use software to adequately sample the opinions of his customers, store man- agers, buyers, and any others you feel will be instrumental in making the strategic decision regarding the stocking of fake furs in what has always been a real fur store. Suggest a type of sample for each group and justify it. The constraints you are subject to include the need to act quickly so as to remain competitive, the need to retain a low profile so that competing furriers are unaware of your fact gathering, and the need to keep costs of data gathering to a reasonable level. Trapping a Sample Real or fake? Fake or real? Who would have thought it, even five years ago?" howls Sam Pelt, a furrier who owns stores in New York; Washington, D.C.; Beverly Hills; and Copenhagen. Sylva Foxx, a systems analyst with her own consulting firm, is talking with Sam for the first time. Currently, P&P, Ltd. (which stands for Pelt and Pelt's son) is using a networked computer that supports package software for a select customer mailing list, accounts pay- able and accounts receivable, and payroll. Sam is interested in making some strategic decisions that will ultimately affect the purchasing of goods for his four fur stores. He feels that although the computer might help, other approaches should also be considered. Sam continues, "I think we should talk to all the customers when they come in the door. Get their opinions. You know, some of them are getting very upset about wearing fur from endangered species. They're very environmentally minded. They prefer fake to real, if they can save a baby animal. Some even like fakes better, calling them 'fun furs.' And I can charge almost the same for a good look-alike. It's a very fuzzy proposition, though. If I get too far away from my suppliers of pelts, I may not get what I want when I need it. They see the fake fur people as worms, worse than moths! If I deal with them, the real fur men might not talk to me. They can be animals. On the other hand, I feel strange showing fakes in my stores. All these years, we've prided ourselves on having only the genuine article." Sam continues, in a nearly seamless monologue, I want to talk to each and every employee, too." Sylva glances at him furtively and begins to interrupt, But that will take months, and purchasing may come apart at the seams unless they know soon what." Pelt interrupts, I don't care how long it takes, if we get the right answers. But they have to be right. Not knowing how to solve this dilemma about fake furs is making me feel like a leopard without its spots." Sylva talks to Sam Pelt a bit longer and then ends the interview by saying, I'll talk it all over with the other analysts at the office and let you know what we come up with. I think we can outfox the other furriers if we use software to help us sample opinions, rather than trapping unsuspecting customers into giving an opinion. But I'll let you know what they say. This much is for sure: If we can sample and not talk to every- body before making a decision, every coat you sell will have a silver lining." As one of the systems analysts who is part of Sylva Foxx's firm, suggest some ways that Sam Pelt can use software to adequately sample the opinions of his customers, store man- agers, buyers, and any others you feel will be instrumental in making the strategic decision regarding the stocking of fake furs in what has always been a real fur store. Suggest a type of sample for each group and justify it. The constraints you are subject to include the need to act quickly so as to remain competitive, the need to retain a low profile so that competing furriers are unaware of your fact gathering, and the need to keep costs of data gathering to a reasonable level