Alibris (B) - The Case Centre

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Supplement

Reference no. 9-601-166

Subject category: Production and Operations Management

Authors: Andrew P McAfee (Harvard Business School)

Published by: Harvard Business Publishing

Originally published in: 2001

Version: 13 March 2003

Length: 15 pages

Data source: Field research

Topics: Databases; Information technology; Internet; Customer service; Supply chain management; Resource allocation; Competitive advantage; Information management; Service management

Share a link: https://casecent.re/p/41429

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Abstract

Takes place more than two years after the (A) case. Alibris has weathered the storms and has built a popular, growing business. As the Christmas season of 2000 approaches, the company is confronted with two IT projects that both seem urgent and important. The first is an effort to replace the software tool used by book dealers and others to upload their listing to the Alibris database. The current tool is error prone and does not provide rich information about each book uploaded. This lack of rich information makes useful searches of the Alibris database difficult. The second project involves ensuring the integrity of the database itself. Recent evidence suggests that records are not being uploaded, updated, and deleted as they should be in all cases, with adverse effects for customers. Alibris must decide which of the two projects to pursue immediately. There are not enough resources to do both.

Location:

California

Industry:

Book publishing

Other setting(s):

1998-2000