Peak Experiences and Strategic IT Alignment At Vermont Teddy Bear Case Study

Peak Experiences and Strategic IT Alignment At Vermont Teddy Bear - Case Study Example This research will begin with the description of VTB’s business model. Founded in 1981 by John Sortino, VTB has undergone several challenges including a bankruptcy threat in 1990, but still survived to provide gift delivery services. The company’s product line is composed of three major products: Calyx Flowers categorized under gifts, Bears (posh dolls), and PajamaGrams in the apparel class. With these products, the company has been striving to obtain a share of a market often dominated by rivals. The company’s customers make gift orders through web, mail, retail store, and phone as the predominant channels. Each of the aforementioned channels is supported by its unique software. However, the company is considering using a single multifaceted software that will enable it to manage all orders from its clients and monitor the demand as a way of reducing redundancies in production or running out of stock during peak seasons. As the company is committed towards meeti ng the divergent tastes and preferences of its customers, it allows its customers to select ensigns and outfits from a list of alternatives. Their choices are incorporated into the process of designing the bears. To uphold its value proposition, VTB produces purchases raw materials and fabrics from vendors from different locations. According to Austin, Nolan, and O'Donnell (2012), the purchasing of raw materials from different vendors allows the manufacturer to use the best accessible quality and circumvent snags resulting from suppliers’ failures to uphold integrity.