Ahmed El-Ghazouani MISM 2301 Final Case (Slusser) April 12, 2017
Q1. For the 3 Information systems described in the case (they are in capital letters in the case) and fill in the following table.
Information Systems
Who is the main user
List the data the IS needs as input.
List the Information/data the IS produces as output
Day Planner
– Lui (at the Pier 39 store)
– All other store managers
– What type of day it is, (whether it’s a school day, hot day, sale day…)
– Expected sales of that specific day
– Level of production needed to reach projections on an hourly basis
– Level of production needed on a product basis
– Number of customers needed per hour
– Level of sales needed per hour
Crew Scheduler
– Lui (at the Pier 39 store)
– All other store managers
– Roster of store employees
– Level of skill of each employee
– A schedule that specifies which employees should be working during specific hours in order to maximize efficiency
Store Status
– Store controllers at HQ
– Sales results
– Employees’ schedules
– Baking performance
– Provides a comparison between actual results vs. the expected results, and focuses on where the difference/anomaly is
Q2. The columns are business needs/drivers. Fill in the table describing how each of the 3 needs is or is not supported by the IS.
Information Systems
Good product
Good service
Profits
Day Planner
– Helps store managers determine at what exact time to bake a new batch of cookies, which ensures a fresh product for the customer
– Allows the store managers to determine which hours are the busiest, and helps them plan ahead, in order to provide a quick and efficient service to customer
– By knowing how many cookies should be made, this reduces waste, and therefore decreases costs (which increases profits)
– By knowing how many customers are projected to come, there are enough cookies to satisfy every customer, and there is no loss of customer
Crew Scheduler
– Since most skilled employees are present during busiest times, it ensures that the quality of the product is going to be best
– Makes sure that enough employees are present in order to satisfy customers that are in the store
– Ensures that the number of employees working is appropriate relative to the level of activity in the store, which reduces labor costs (increases profits)
– Increases efficiency in terms of the way employees are used
Store Status
– This IS does not contribute to a better product directly
– This IS does not contribute to a better service directly
– Store status helps HQ and store managers discuss what aspects of the store are strong, and which aspects need work, and this helps store increase profits by fixing problems
Q3. List and briefly describe the role the Information Technology components play for all these systems. Use one list since the role played in each system is basically the same. Also use the full page but only one page and structure your answer.
Information Technology Components
Application Software: The different information systems (DP, CS, and SS) are the application software used by Mrs. Fields. These would be considered the application specific software. The spreadsheets, browsers, and BI systems used by the managers and at corporate would be considered general purpose.
System Software: The use of system software is seen through the company’s uniform operating systems. The company also uses DBMS, which helps keep all the company’s information in one, secure place. In addition, the company sends data along networks, therefore they have a network management software that helps organize that.
Hardware: In terms of hardware, anything from Lui’s computer, and every other store manager’s computers, to the physical servers at HQ, serve as hardware components for the company. The hardware components of the company are important because they serve as a storage area, and access point for the different systems.
Roles
Automate processes: By using these components, Mrs. Fields, the company, is able to manage data more efficiently. Having access to data at all times is what allowed Mrs. Fields to automate many processes, through the use of the different information systems. This helps the company use their resources more efficiently, and focus on the final goal, rather than focusing on figuring out what the goals are.
Decision Making: Using these components also facilitates decision making because since the information is shared, many departments within the company are able to access the information and analyze it. This helps the company be more efficient in the long-term. Thus, communication is also enhanced within the company because information travels quickly and safely.
Learning from past data: Being able to access old data and compare it to current data helps the company learn how to approach different situations more easily. By using IT, the company is able to recognize trends, and approach them appropriately based on past experiences. Store controllers are also able to compare data from other stores by using the common database. This could help them approach a problem differently by seeing what other stores did to fix certain problems.
Uniformity: Debbi was able to indirectly, but willingly, enforce her culture on the stores by using systems that organize every aspect of the company. The DP allows the store managers to get sales goals, and appropriate baking levels, while the crew schedule helps him manage the employees and not use more resources than required. This is implemented through every store. This allows the company to run smoothly since all the processes are similar.
Q4. Fill in the table.
BI Systems
Describe a specific example of how each is used in one of the 3 ISs or if not used how it could be.
What would be the business benefits of such a use?
Simple Reporting
– Once Lui inputs the type of day it is, the DP assesses that information and provides Lui with projections
– Based on the day it is, the BI system is able to provide Lui with specific results such as levels of sales required
– Facilitates this process by automating it
– Lui does not need to make any estimates, and therefore uses his time efficiently by focusing on achieving the requirements set by the system
OLAP
– OLAP is used with the Store Status IS, because it allows the store controllers to analyze the different data from different stores, and OLAP helps them identify the issues that are present
– OLAP helps organize the information in different ways, by creating pivot tables
– These pivot tables help the controllers approach the data in many ways
– The on-line aspect of this BI is important because it means the data is protected, and the data does not utilize computer storage
Analytics
– Analytics is used by the Crew Scheduler when the IS uses projected sales and average times of production to create a schedule that would satisfy these projections
– The BI systems provides the schedule that it believes will optimize the resources
– Analytics saves Lui a couple hours a month by automating the process of creating a schedule for the employees
– This saved time can be used to work on more important things such as suggestions given to Lui by the store controllers
Knowledge
Management
– Debbi’s expertise and knowledge are tacit, however she was able to make it explicit through the use of the crew scheduler
– Debbi was able to introduce her methods without forcing the managers to use them, however without even realizing, the managers are following in her footsteps
– Knowledge Management helps the company grow by becoming more knowledgeable of an expert’s (Debbi) knowledge and expertise
– Creates a kind of uniformity to the way the managers conduct business
Q5. Complete the following system diagram for the Day Planner (DP) and Store Status (SS) systems with the following circles. Show only the information flows needed for these systems on the diagram. Note that these systems share data. If one system has produced some data/information it then shares it with the other systems through the shared DB at HQ if needed.
Key:
Black arrows: Sales data (includes customer information, and it is data available to Lui, and tracked throughout the day by corporate)
Red arrows: DP inputs (type of day inputted by Lui)
Blue arrows: DP outputs (based on DP input: hourly projections)
Green arrows: Growth trends that help Lui and other store managers make sales forecasts
Purple arrows: SS analysis and suggestions
Orange arrows: Sales requirements information
Q6. Give 2 specific examples of data at Mrs. Fields that should be made secure and briefly explain why. List and briefly explain four technologies you could use to enhance the security of this data? Structure your answer.
Data that should be secure:
1. Customer information is the first example of data that should be secure, because in case of a cyber-attack on the company, customers want to know that their information is not available for everyone to access, and that their payment information is safe. This security will help Mrs. Fields prevent any loss of customer in case there is a cyber-attack.
2. Sales data should also be secure because this data contributes greatly to the company’s success by allowing the DB to process it and provide the managers with suggestions. If this data is not secure, external parties could get access to it, and if it is lost or damaged, this could also cause a problem for the company. Since Mrs. Fields relies mainly on the daily predictions to increase efficiency, it is important that this information be secure.
Four technologies to enhance security:
1. Corporate Firewall: The firewall would protect any information that travels via the internet such as,
a. Information about employee schedules from Crew Scheduler
b. Data from POS sent to HQ
c. Sales data
2. Data Encryption: Using a symmetric (session) key encryption would protect sensible data, such as customer information
a. Symmetric key encryption is relatively free
b. Quick encryption for long messages
c. This would ensure data protection
3. Intrusion Detection Systems: This technology is important because it would help monitor the entire infrastructure
a. This technology would detect any unusual activity, and if sales data is accessed in an unusual fashion, the monitors could alert security
b. This system is important because it would also help locate the machine or data that is being accessed, and would locate the source
4. Data backup system: This technology is important because it would allow Mrs. Fields to protect the data against any threat
a. Because of the amount of data that is generated daily, it is wise to have automatic or scheduled backups.
b. Since the company relies on data from years back, it is important for the company to have a backup of the data