How do the client/server systems at Helene Curtis illustrate the benefits of client/server computing? The client/server system allows the sales reps the ability to tap into the database to retrieve data about product sales and promotions. The reps cans tap into the systems with their palmpads. The palmpad are hand held computers linking the reps to the company's database system. With the information retrieved, the reps can give store managers fact based advice on products, promotions, and fill orders. The immediate feedback informs the reps where and which products are selling best and the promotion used to sell. The palmpad is way to maintain good relations with

Many stock analysts feel that Helene Curtis is well positioned for future growth. As evidence, they cite the company's ongoing introduction of new, higher-priced brands and its investment in the information systems needed to provide good retail service. What might these predictions mean for Helene Curtis's competitors? Helene Curtis competitors need to invest in an information system. Potential investors are looking not only for a good product, but also an information system that will aid in providing for retail service. The information system will allow companies to track of sales data of its competitors. Also, the system will increase productivity. Companies will be able to compete with new products or price discounts, or whatever else their competitors are handing out. The information has to be easily accessible to employees and provide quick feedback. "All of this means faster access to data and information, better service for customers, quicker responses to changes in the business environment, more efficient business power, fewer errors, and in general, higher levels of productivity (Senn, 1995, p. 404)."

Client/Server technology promises many things to many people: to end users, easier access to corporate and external data; to managers, dramatically lower costs for processing; to programmers, reduced maintenance; to corporate planners, and infrastructure that enables business processes to be reengineered for strategic benefits. Whether client/server lives up to these promises will depend in large part on how carefully it is planned for, and how intelligently policies are put forth to manage it.

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Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)