Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 5 Satisfying the Fashion Market 89
in the industry. As computer costs decrease, however,
and companies see the paybacks of electronics, more
small companies are upgrading to be competitive in
the industry.
Technology is moving forward at a fast pace. New
technologies always have operational problems ini-
tially that must be corrected with use. Trial and error
leads to improvements in both the systems and meth-
ods of use. A disadvantage of both bar code use and
RFID is the vast amount of generated data. These com-
puter identifi systems are causing fication data explo-
sions. Businesses need to be selective in picking the
useful information out of all the data.
The disadvantage of incorrect data entry into the
computer system (human error) is diminishing as more
information is automatically entered with scanning equipment. Elimination
of basic data-entry jobs by the use of technology is creating some unemploy-
ment. For good employment, workers must maintain higher-level computer
skills, Figure 5.12.
Another disadvantage of new technologies is the inability for companies to
function if there is a power failure or if the system goes down for any reason.
This computer downtime problem has become more significant to all users as fi
companies have become almost totally dependent on electronic information
systems. Some companies have auxiliary generator backups, but they are very
expensive.
Lastly, an ongoing disadvantage is that of consumer privacy. Although con-
sumers like the increasing accuracy and faster checkout with RFID tags, when
a consumer buys merchandise that has an RFID tag, it is still possible for a
third party to read the tag from a distance. Just as consumers worry about
privacy with cell phones and credit cards, they now have concerns about third-
party use of RFID data, increasing targeted direct marketing, and tracking via
product purchases. The retail industry has some improvements to make in the
system as well as educating consumers.
Open Systems
A major disadvantage of computer technology in the past was the fact that
hardware and software suppliers each had their own systems, leading to
incompatibility problems. Corrections to today’s open systems integrate com-
ponents for ease in mixing and matching. Computer users must no longer rely
on just one vendor for hardware, software, and changes or additions to the
system. Parts of systems from different suppliers now work compatibly with
each other.
For open systems to be viable, vendors have agreed on industry data
exchange standards. These allow components of different computer manu-
facturers to “talk to” and work with other components. Such multivendor net-
works allow companies, such as retailers, to get the best flexibility and value
to meet their present and future needs. A retailer might now have a checkout
ARENA Creative/Shutterstock.com
Figure 5.12 It is important to keep up with good
computer skills for employment in all parts of the fashion
industry.
in the industry. As computer costs decrease, however,
and companies see the paybacks of electronics, more
small companies are upgrading to be competitive in
the industry.
Technology is moving forward at a fast pace. New
technologies always have operational problems ini-
tially that must be corrected with use. Trial and error
leads to improvements in both the systems and meth-
ods of use. A disadvantage of both bar code use and
RFID is the vast amount of generated data. These com-
puter identifi systems are causing fication data explo-
sions. Businesses need to be selective in picking the
useful information out of all the data.
The disadvantage of incorrect data entry into the
computer system (human error) is diminishing as more
information is automatically entered with scanning equipment. Elimination
of basic data-entry jobs by the use of technology is creating some unemploy-
ment. For good employment, workers must maintain higher-level computer
skills, Figure 5.12.
Another disadvantage of new technologies is the inability for companies to
function if there is a power failure or if the system goes down for any reason.
This computer downtime problem has become more significant to all users as fi
companies have become almost totally dependent on electronic information
systems. Some companies have auxiliary generator backups, but they are very
expensive.
Lastly, an ongoing disadvantage is that of consumer privacy. Although con-
sumers like the increasing accuracy and faster checkout with RFID tags, when
a consumer buys merchandise that has an RFID tag, it is still possible for a
third party to read the tag from a distance. Just as consumers worry about
privacy with cell phones and credit cards, they now have concerns about third-
party use of RFID data, increasing targeted direct marketing, and tracking via
product purchases. The retail industry has some improvements to make in the
system as well as educating consumers.
Open Systems
A major disadvantage of computer technology in the past was the fact that
hardware and software suppliers each had their own systems, leading to
incompatibility problems. Corrections to today’s open systems integrate com-
ponents for ease in mixing and matching. Computer users must no longer rely
on just one vendor for hardware, software, and changes or additions to the
system. Parts of systems from different suppliers now work compatibly with
each other.
For open systems to be viable, vendors have agreed on industry data
exchange standards. These allow components of different computer manu-
facturers to “talk to” and work with other components. Such multivendor net-
works allow companies, such as retailers, to get the best flexibility and value
to meet their present and future needs. A retailer might now have a checkout
ARENA Creative/Shutterstock.com
Figure 5.12 It is important to keep up with good
computer skills for employment in all parts of the fashion
industry.