Final answer:
KIMEP Book Store (KBS) can benefit from economies of scale and improved processes by adopting a computerized ordering and stock control system, taking cues from Amazon's successful transition to an online model with highly computerized distribution centers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transitioning from a traditional retail bookstore model to a computerized ordering and stock control system is a significant move for KIMEP Book Store (KBS). Economies of scale play an essential role in this decision, as seen in the success of Amazon, which transformed book retail by moving to online sales, vast, computerized warehouses, and optimized logistics for convenient purchasing and prompt delivery. As KBS is looking to improve its processes for requisitions, purchasing, and inventory management, it is vital to look at the efficiency gains and cost savings through automated systems and scalable solutions that companies like Amazon have leveraged.
For a smooth transition, KBS needs to model its data structures to reflect the various entities involved in their procurement and sales process. This includes creating relational databases for Professors Requisitions for Text Books, Requisition for Purchase, and Invoices for students. In the KBS context, these databases will help track the interaction between professors' requisitions, the store's purchase orders, and the subsequent sale to students, alongside the financial records such as accounts receivables and payments.
Amazon's business model showcases the advantages of selling without the limitations of physical retail locations, indicating an opportunity for KBS to explore online sales or at least a hybrid model utilizing both physical and digital channels for book sales. This new system will also need to address the essential aspect of availability and prompt delivery of textbooks, ensuring that students receive their required materials in time for their courses. By emulating these successful strategies, KBS can position itself to better serve its customers and maintain relevance in the dynamic educational resources market.