IS Analysis

Hardware

According to the textbook, hardware is electronic components and related gadgetry that input, process, output, store, and communicate data according to the instructions encoded in computer programs or software. One of the five fundamental components of an information system. At Ulta Beauty, hardware plays a huge role in facilitating sales transactions, personalized customer service, managing inventory and effective in-store marketing. 

In the sales process, Ulta relies on several types of hardware to create an excellent customer experience. Point of Sale (POS) systems are used to process transactions, apply discounts, and manage loyalty rewards. Barcode scanners are used to support fast and accurate checkouts while also helping track inventory. Receipt printers provide detailed purchase information, making returns and feedback collection easier. Mobile tablets which are used by store associates to assist customers, check inventory, and offer product information on the spot. Lastly, self-checkout kiosks which help speed up the checkout process. 

On the other hand, for the marketing process, Ulta uses hardware to connect with customers and promote products more effectively. Digital signage and screens display current promotions, brand campaigns, and new arrivals. Self-checkout kiosks allow customers to check loyalty status or book appointments. Mobile tablets also play a role in marketing, allowing associates to sign customers up for the Ultamate Rewards or Loyalty Reward program and also to recommend relevant products. Last, security cameras which besides of provided safety, it also helps track customers' movement which helps improving product placement and store layout.  

In addition to their in-store hardware, Ulta Beauty has moved much of its technology infrastructure to cloud services, mainly using Google Cloud. Their computing resources, including CPU and RAM, are managed by the cloud provider, so the company no longer relies heavily on traditional physical servers. Advanced tools like Redis Enterprise and Red Hat Ansible are used to support fast data access and manage applications more easily, helping Ulta stay efficient and scalable. 

Ulta Beauty's current hardware tools are highly functional and effectively support both sales and marketing operations. One improvement will be about self-checkout kiosks because those kiosks are currently available in a limited number of locations. To enhance efficiency and reduce wait lines, expanding the availability of self-checkout kiosks in a greater number of stores would be a huge improvement for Ulta Beauty stores. 

Software

Software is instructions for computers, and it is one of the five fundamental components of an information system. At Ulta Beauty, software plays a crucial role in supporting both sales and marketing operations. The company utilizes a combination of retail management systems, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and data analytics platforms to enhance the shopping experience and drive effective marketing strategies. For Point of Sale (POS) terminals, Ulta uses Oracle Xstore POS software in combination with Windows operating systems, while mobile tablets operated by store associates typically run on iOS. Android software is used for managing digital signage throughout the store. In addition, Ulta leverages cloud-based platforms such as Salesforce and Adobe Experience Cloud to manage loyalty programs and deliver personalized marketing campaigns. 

A Local area network, also known as (LAN) is a network that connects computers that reside in a single geographic location on the premises of the company that operated the LAN. The number of connected computers can range from two to several hundred. LAN components consist of multiple computers linked together at one location within a half-mile boundary. The organization maintains control over the property where these computers are located which enables them to install essential cables for connections. The essential components of the network system involve computers, physical connections like cables and organizational management of the network infrastructure. Ulta Beauty utilizes Local Area Networks (LANs) throughout all aspects of its business operations. The company employs IT specialists focused on network systems and support which includes positions such as Director of Network Systems and IT Engineer Network Support. The assigned IT staff members build and uphold network systems for the company which includes LANs in corporate buildings and distribution centers as well as retail locations.

The Internet is the public collection of networks used for transmitting data, worldwide.

The Internet connection for Ulta Beauty operates via joint in store networks together with their corporate infrastructure and cloud service applications. Ulta provides customers with free Wi-Fi at numerous retail locations through a partnership with Granite Telecommunications to improve their shopping experience. A managed high-speed data network links corporate offices with retail stores to facilitate point-of-sale transactions and voice services operations. Ulta Beauty takes advantage of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) cloud computing services to manage containerized microservices through tools like Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) and Anthos. Ulta maximizes scalability and resilience through its partnership with Rackspace Technology which delivers a private cloud solution based on VMware technology that handles peak season traffic efficiently and provides near real-time disaster recovery. The integrated system enables Ulta Beauty to sustain dependable internet connections and uninterrupted operations throughout both its physical locations and online platforms. Ulta Beauty’s domain name is the following:

ulta.com Below is the full website including protocol.

The cloud is a system that is flexible to leasing computer resources over the internet. An example of the cloud would be software's such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud. Which is all software that stores your data on the internet for you. The cloud is important because it allows you to access your stored data from any device at any time. The cloud also allows for businesses to be able to grow without worrying about having to maintain servers. This, in turn, allows companies to actually save money by paying for what they need when they need it and not have to maintain their own servers which can get expensive. 

Yes, Ulta does use a cloud-based service for its information systems. Ulta uses SaaS. Software as a service would be their POS system, which is run by Oracle Xstore. This software allows Ulta to manage its customer loyalty program, inventory, and orders online and in-store. This helps Ulta be flexible, like when it is in high demand during a sale or holidays. 

Some issues Ulta is currently facing within its company networks are data leaks. Especially when it comes to their customers and their accounts being hacked. We would suggest that Ulta implements firewalls and stronger encryption to address this problem. This would help data be more secure. Another issue Ulta has within its company is poor service. This is definitely a big problem when it's peak hours and the employees can't access the cloud to retrieve the data they need. We would suggest the company have backup networks for when the internet goes out.