Reference no: EM132173696

Network Project Assessment -

Case Study Objective: The purpose of this Case Study is to empower students to achieve competency in the learning outcomes while working on similar conditions as in the real world. The teacher will pose as a senior executive of the company and can be consulted via email.

Students will use this document as Existing Documentation and will build their project in accordance with the provided assessment guide for the subject being studied.

Problem Statement -

The current system processes customer orders for the most part on manual and computerised processes that have remained largely unchanged for the past 10 years. Existing computer processes are based on outdated hardware that does not keep pace with the contemporary economy and industry in which we compete.

Existing computer processes have been supplemented by rudimentary PC the following specific problems were discussed in a full-day meeting:

1. The constantly changing product mix has led to incompatible and jury-rigged systems and procedures that have created numerous internal inefficiencies and customer relation problems.

2. The changing product mix creates new opportunities to reach out for greater market share. However, the current system will not support such changes.

3. Directives to increase customer base and sales through aggressive advertising will soon overload the current system's ability to process transactions on a timely basis. Customer shipment delays and cash flow problems are anticipated.

4. Response times to orders have already doubled during peak periods from those measures just one year past.

5. Management has suggested incorporating online ordering that cannot be supported by the current hardware.

6. Unpaid orders have increased sharply. The current credit checking process has contributed significantly to the problem.

7. Competition from other companies has led management to introduce ordering placed by the general public. However, the current system cannot support such implementation as it will overload the system significantly in addition the current system doesn't support credit cards transactions.

8. Backorders are not receiving proper priority. Some backorders go for as long as three months, with many cancellations and refused deliveries. New orders frequently deplete inventories before backorders can be processed.

Scope of the Project -

The Strategic Information System Plan is requesting a system that will:

1. Expedite the processing of order taking if possible management would like a system that (at least eventually) extents to the Internet World Wide Web.

2. Interface to a bar coding system that is to be introduced in the warehouse.

3. Reduce unpaid orders by 2% by the end of the current fiscal year.

4. Triple the order processing capacity by the end of the current fiscal year.

5. Reduce order response time by 50% by the end of the current fiscal year.

6. Rethink any and all underlying business processes, procedures, and policies that have any visible impact on customer satisfaction and complaints.

7. Provide improved marketing analysis and promotion programs.

8. Provide improved follow-up mechanisms for orders and backorders.

Constraints -

1. The initial version of the system must be operational in nine months.

2. The system must be developed in accordance with the SDLC as discussed in the respective documentation.

3. The system cannot alter existing file or database structures in the Accounts Receivable Information System.

Recommendations -

We highly recommend that this project be expedited for complete systems analysis. The basis for our recommendation is that this system is essential to the strategic mission of the company. Unless the Information System is overhauled and dramatically improved it is unlikely that business will be able to realise any of its strategic vision.

Attachment:- Assignment Files.rar