You are a business analyst working for a company called Combined Computers Pty Ltd. You have been asked to prepare a business report with statistics in it for the managing director. He wants to know how his business is performing and how the different shops and product lines are selling.

Combined sells computers and other computer related items to people across Sydney. Whilst not a discount store, the company attempts to keep prices as low as possible. Computers and other items are imported mostly from China, but also other countries like Thailand and India. The company offers a complete range of products for home computers.

The company was formed through the merger of a number of different computer stores. The business plan was that as a group the company could buy more cheaply than its competitors, and whilst this has been successful, there is now also a larger head office staffed with analysts, sales people, etc. Some of the original owners have sold down their shares, although there are still 2 key original owners who hold a large stake in the company.

Business reports provide information to management on the performance of the business. They need to be accurate, to the point, and not contain any unnecessary information. You need to compile a business report of about 20 pages for the managing director and other managers, such as the CFO and sales manager. Most of the managers in this company are friends of the owner/CEO when he was building up the business. They also are not strong in high powered statistics.

The company has fairly ambitious growth plans. Part of the business report is concerned with if growth forecasts are being achieved.

The data is collected by cash registers operated by the local staff and managers. Whilst the data has some problems it is generally fairly accurate.