Analysis

Collaboration 

At Red Lobster collaboration is a very important part of the restaurants success. There are several collaboration tools used by various employees to ensure a healthy work environment. While basic phone calls, e-mails, text messages are used there are a handful of specific tools used including the Point of Sales (POS) machines, These machines are used to send guest orders to the kitchen which can be opened by any manager on any other POS machine in the store.

Information Silos

Information silos occur when one information management systems are unable to communication with other information management systems. Information silos pose a huge threat to the company because it effects the flow of the operation which could effect the quality of service. Although Red lobster is a very successful chain restaurant it does have few information silos throughout the company. Although all food is accounted for by what is put into the system by a server, their are only a limited amount of specifics that can be inputted in to the system in order for it to be counted with inventory. Also if there was some sort of human error which would cause the manager to make a direct order to the cook, the merchandise at hand may not be whats reflected on the inventory report. this could effect numbers and although Red Lobster is such a prestige restaurant, due to the fast pace environment it's almost inevitable to avoid.

Information Systems' Five Components

Hardware

The hardware that Red Lobster uses is called a POS system, which stands for Point of Sales system. There are five POS systems that are throughout the restaurant. These POS systems are available to the servers and managers only which the food is rung in and the inventory is accounted for simultaneously. At the POS system you can also close out checks, whether it is cash or with a credit card. Since there are multiple POS systems it is fast and efficient way to make sure the guest can get in and out as quickly as possible.

Software

The software that is used in the POS systems is called DASH which is not only used to monitor inventory but also to connect the two parts of the restaurants (Front of house/Heart of house). This software does everything that is needed in a restaurant in order for it to run smooth and efficiently. As long as the servers don't make too many errors, the accuracy of the inventory will not be hindered. The information given from the software does have to be edited nightly by the manager of duty because the numbers given to the software may be erringly uncorrelated with the inventory on hand.

Data

The data collected for Red Lobster isn't much when it comes to the guest and their information. They collect data by having the guest sign up online for coupons and other deals. The guest can choose to sign up and would have to provide fields (name, address, e-mail, birthday, etc.) This data can help Red Lobster know it's market as well as offer great deals by e-mailing and mailing coupons.  They use Microsoft SQL server database which the main one is located in Orlando, Florida to keep the records of the guest.

Procedure

The procedure when using these POS systems are pretty straight forward. Each server and manager is assigned a swiped card at the beginning of the shift that is considered the employees ID. When the card is swiped a window comes up which allows you to do various things such as ring in food, look at sales you made for the day or even look at old checks. When you're done with the order you hit "send" for it to send to the kitchen or "cancel" to cancel the order.   

People

There are two very important types of people when it comes to Red Lobster and running any other restaurant business. First comes the guest because the guest are always right and are the most important aspect of not only the restaurant industry but any company in general. They can make or break you with word of mouth comments, so you have to make sure their experience is as pleasant as possible. The way to do that is with the second type of people which are servers. The servers really control how things run throughout the restaurant and the environment. The meals can come out terrible but with the right server they'll still feel they've had an amazing time. It is these two type of people that control and are truly essential to the Red Lobster family and it is known universally

Social Media

Red lobster is one of the many companies to have a Twitter as well as a Facebook. They use these tools to not only for new promotions but to acknowledge long time employees as well as stay connected to the public as closely as possible. Red Lobster also put content for Lobsterfest promotion on Youtube for the first time this year (Red Lobster Youtube Page). They also have an instagram page in which they ask people to share their meals using the hashtag #seafooddifferently.