What are some files used in your company? What databases? What brand of database software? Who is responsible for the database? How do managers get reports? What types of reports? Is OLAP used? Is a data warehouse used? Are data marts used? Explain. What types of data mining is used? Who is responsible? What software?

The primary database that is use is called ABC Data-trac, it is an all in one software database that keeps track of 80% of the operations within the gym including member services sales and inventory. The upkeep on this software and database itself it done by its provider, ABC financial in an out of state location for both data backup and tech. support.

Reports can be generated within the database using the reports and tracking feature within the menu. the primary reports that are used are membership sales and the time the sales take place and jucebar/cooler drink sales.
OLAP is not directly used however coorilations between time of sales and volume are made.

a datawarehouse is used to ensure that the data is kept secure due to the fact that if any of the information is lost particularly within the member profile the gym cannnot function due to the inability to confirm membership that would be caused.

the extent of data mining that is done is minimal, however the determination of what advertising method that works best is made by the close monitoring of membership sales within the time of that particular campaign.

Retrofitness uses ABC Financial Data trac software for all IT systems. this software offers comprehensive information on all aspects of the gyms activities.

Starting with POS systems Data trac handles the actual sale and tracking of the cash drawer, who the sale was executed by and the cash amount and change given for that sale. This system also offers inventory tracking and analyzing of the items sold and which are most popular items as well as the "actual" amount of inventory that should be in the storage room.

Data trac also uses employee tracking to track punch in/out as well as who is actually supposed to be working. It is also possible to use the punch in screen to communicate with other employees via employee alerts that appear just before they punch in to start their shift.

The most important aspect of data trac is the member tracking/check-in Data trac offers a full member profile that ecompasses name, address, contact information, emergency information as well as billing preferences and information so that ABC can automaticly bill them according to the date that they sign up. this also allows for a picture to be kept on file to verify that the member is actually who they claim to be and are not passing their membership keytag off to someone else to falsely use their account

Retro IT

Retrofitness uses ABC Financial Data trac software for all IT systems. this software offers comprehensive information on all aspects of the gyms activities.
 Starting with POS systems Data trac handles the actual sale and tracking of the cash drawer, who the sale was executed by and the cash amount and change given for that sale. This system also offers  inventory tracking and analyzing of the items sold and which are most popular items as well as the "actual" amount of inventory that should be in the storage room.
Data trac also uses employee tracking to track punch in/out as well as who is actually supposed to be working. It is also possible to use the punch in screen to communicate with other employees via employee alerts that appear just before they punch in to start their shift.
The most important aspect of data trac is the member tracking/check-in Data trac offers a full member profile that encompasses name, address, contact information, emergency information as well as billing preferences and information so that ABC can automatically bill them according to the date that they sign up. this also allows for a picture to be kept on file to verify that the member is actually who they claim to be and are not passing their membership key tag off to someone else to falsely use their account

For your company, what major business initiatives are used or being considered? What software is used? Are they top-line or bottom line?

At Retro Fitness, our major business initiative is mainly a focus strategy. Our biggest priority is maintaining the efficiency we have between our staff and our clients in regards to both services rendered and the payment methods we use. We like to keep our clients financial capabilities in mind when offering them certain deals or packages. For our financial needs, we utilize the services of a company called ABC financial, which helps us to achieve our goals with ERP. The primary software used is DataTrak. With this software, we can view, and update member information at anytime- from any location. Our most popular functions of this software are: member check in, appointment scheduling, and point of sale transactions. The key priorities of DataTrak are stability, security, flexibility, and user friendliness. Our initiative is bottom line, since we focus more on improvement of our current system to enhance efficiency, rather than trying to market to our services to new customers. Our system helps us achieve CRM by allowing us to see what their goals and problems are so we can help them accomplish their objectives with us. We definitely use CRM more often than SCM because we don’t necessarily sell a product but we do have inventory such as our exercise equipment that is tracked in our order process with the private company that provides our equipment.

The Five Forces

Retro Fitness’s buyer power is quite high because of the number of gyms that are constantly opening and growing into new locations. Since gym membership, is a consumer product so to speak, there is little that differentiates one fitness center to another. Supplier power is low because consumers have a large fitness market in today’s world. From large organizations, to “mom and pop” gyms, choosing a fitness center comes down to only a few factors. Threat of substitute products or services is also high. There are many alternatives for going to a fitness center. From TV programs, to the “Ab Lounge”, consumers have many different ways to obtain the goals acquired at a fitness center.

Threat of new entrants is also high for opening a fitness center. A fitness center can be anything from “The Muscle Mill” to “Curves”. Since fitness can be anything from strength training to physical therapy, one can have a hard time trying to succeed in this business. Rivalry among existing competitors is high because of the number of gyms in an area. Since the average Joe just needs the basics in a gym, there is not much that separates one gym from another.

Differentiation Strategy use in Retro Fitness

Retro Fitness uses differentiation business strategy for its operations. What are the qualities that sets Retro apart from the others? There are several, including price of registration, monthly membership fees, variety and amount of equipment, quality of childcare, and availability of personal trainers.

Our gyms provide an ambiance of 80's pop-culture music, retro-themed color schemes, individual LCD TV monitors, and a first of it's kind 'RetroTheatre' where members get fit while watching both old and new movies. The equipment in the movie theater includes treadmills, steppers, elliptical machines, exercise bikes and recumbant bikes. And to add to the 80's feel, membership rates are an affordable $19.99/mo.

We have the most advance equipments available. Every Retro Fitness location feactures thousands of square feel filled with “Lifefitness” strength training equipment, free weight, and cardio machines. All of the cardio machines equipment feactures 17-inch LCD screens with Direct T.V. We also have our own Retro Blends Juice Bar, so customers can get all the protein and nutrition they need rite here. There are fat burning, muscle building, or protein packed smoothies, several varieties of each to choose from. There are also cold water bottles and sports drinks available. There is also an atm by the smoothie bar.

Childcare is also one of the facilities provided twice a day, in the morning and at the height of operation from 4-8pm. Child care costs $3 per child per visit, but packages can be purchased in advance for as low as $2 per visit for a package of 50 visits. A few other gyms may have a few of these facilities and charge tones of dollars for them but we provide a total package including all at a affortable price.