IT and Geo-Mapping Help a Small Business Succeed

The Tea Collection was founded my Emily Meyer and Leigh Rawdon in 2002. Their product line
was small consisting of only three baby sweaters. Each partner had different strengths that
when combined made for a successful business venture.
The Tea Collection utilizes a design software program that helps to recreate the culture and native
artistry of places that Emily and Leigh have visited. The design software brings that image to life
where it can be mass produced.

Another key element to their success is their geo-mapping software. This system allows them to
study demographics to locate areas that are not saturated by children’s clothing stores. It further
identifies where they have existing stores as well as sales reps. The starting point is knowing which
demographic will be most attracted to your product and service concepts (Bibb, 2001). This
methodology helps the team to locate new territories for potential boutiques.

Although buyers and stores are able to order inventory through the internet, the system has
shown that it cannot always handle system integration with client software. This IT problem has
led to some down time where the phones had to be manually answered and product orders had to
be taken.

I think the Tea Collection needs to improve their IT performance to better integrate with different
systems. If the company can improve this problem, and be more accessible online, I think it will
only make them more profitable and perhaps more global.