The Capital State Arena found at Capital State University Campus (CSU) is a 20, 000-seat arena which is currently a versatile structure (Case 9). The theatrical lighting is arguably required for the arena to provide the flexibility to light these events efficiently. As one of the critical factor to the high-quality lighting systems, the console would be considered necessary. Evidently, the console is seemingly the brain of the lighting system hence would be critical in this case. There is the need for the theatrical lighting system within the Arena based on the notion that it has never been implemented. For the commencement of the project, the first step begins at the purchasing department who receives suppliers’ request. Suppliers have evidently offered to make renovations to theatrical lighting system to have room for a variety of events (Benton, 2014).
The gymnasium is frequently utilized for the basketball functions; however, preparations are ongoing for it to hold other university games besides commencement exercise. This apparently justifies why the University gymnasium requires enhancement of its lighting system. For the project to commence, it would be critical that the purchasing department is considered as it already has requests from two major suppliers with a probability of a third one (Benton, 2014). The suppliers have further declared their interests in making the renovations. On the other hand, the purchasing department has also identified the features that have to be included such as the: user-friendly lighting consoles and the programmable lighting system with a room for the expansion as extra lights might be considered. In addition to this, the purchasing department demands a lighting system which can easily be upgraded with lots of ease and equipped with warranty, repair, and maintenance.
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The first step should entail the recognition of the needs and the employment of a lighting console that would be in charge of the new structure. Based on the Case 9, the planning committee specified the proficient theatrical system. Evidently, the capability to expediently amend the entire lights to hold various events and varying moods throughout the event efficiently is one of the strongest competitive strategies to sell the arena particularly throughout the off-peak seasons. Such kind of lighting alteration must be propelled by an efficient computer controlled console. There is the need to identify and acquire the most suitable and efficient technology that would facilitate this (Benton, 2014). The system would be ultimately leased out at a rate of approximately $2,000 daily in addition to the operator expenditure.
The selected console has to be user-friendly, and the programming must be completed few keystrokes on the console. Arguably, this will help a great deal regarding eliminating the need for having a technician on retainer to merely program or even turn on the system. It would be critical also to ensure that the console is easy to get to the entire theater departments as a teaching aide. In the event where the arena and lighting systems are not utilized, the teaching staff must have the chance of signing up for practical console training. Additionally, the console has to be expandable. Benton (2014) posits that based on the increasing utilization of the moving lights regulated via the lighting console, the console must have several channels which are seemingly unutilized.
With an additional room, touring production might wish to rent the “house console” and operate the lights in conjunction with in-house systems. Further, the console software has to be upgradeable. Based on the fact that the lighting console is presently computer-propelled the upgradeability is one of the critical factors to be taken into consideration. Therefore, the three consoles should be easily upgradeable. All the selected equipment should be manufactured in the US, or the dealer should be able to access warranty or repair parts within 24 hours. Such a criterion will make sure that the console is in a position to be repaired on time.
Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) arguably sells expensive consoles, but at the same time, they have the greatest market share. This apparently means that the quality of the product would give the company a competitive advantage. When the theater department are asked about their preference, the response is that ETC provides higher quality service and the consoles are much easier to use compared to any other market brand. Further, the choice should entirely be based on the service quality instead of the cost of the consoles. Therefore, to efficiently balance between the strand and quality, the university should settle for Strand 520 instead of obsession two. It might be important for the purchasing agents to go for obsession two in case there are sufficient funds for the purchase (Benton, 2014).
Despite the fact that the theatrical department would be considered, it would be up to the purchasing team and the agents to determine the direction that the project would go in. Benton (2014) asserts that although ETC tends to cost more in the short term, it would bring more saving within the long-term for the CSU. One of the ways that the CSU would recoup the costs much faster is for them to lease the building out for other major events. The primary objective of the purchasing department should be to offer a continuous flow of the services. Even though the department is focused on cost saving, this does not necessarily guarantee same service quality. Therefore, this should be considered when developing the budget and requesting the bids.
References
Benton, W. C. (2014). Purchasing and Supply Chain Management (3rd Edition) . New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin: Case 9: (The Capital State Arena ) (Case Study)
