Midlands Auto-Parts Limited - Assignment Example

 Midlands Auto-Parts Limited 1- Executive Summery Information system plays an important role in using the business. They provide great help in businesses or organizations’ development. So the implementation of these systems requires massive skills and resources. This report presents detailed analysis of new information system based project implementation for the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited (MAP Ltd). This project report is aimed to provide a detailed analysis of requirements of the system as well as goals for which this system needs to be developed. In this report I will present the detailed overview of tasks and operations that system will perform in the future. This includes the identification of principal users of the information system, information inputs, information needs. and storing of the information. 2- Introduction Midlands Auto-Parts Limited (MAP Ltd) is doing business as a retailer of Motorcar parts and supplies accessories to the public. This business has spread to lot of areas and incorporated huge number of suppliers to purchase motorcar parts as well as accessories. As with the emergence of information technology we have seen huge transformations in the overall operational structures of all businesses. In this scenario each business is trying to reestablish and transform its business structure according to new standards of technology based business. These transformations offer great benefits regarding the enhancement of the business revenue and taking a better competitive edge in the marketplace. Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business is also dealing with some of difficulties regarding the effective management of their business operations and dealings. Presently the business of Midlands Auto-Parts Limited is working through the customary paper based approach of business operations handling. This approach is complex, time consuming, hard to manage and less flexible. After the detailed analysis and consultations Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business has decided to start a new project regarding the implementation of new information technology system for the enhanced management and handling of the business at Midlands Auto-Parts Limited (Case Study). 3- Principal Processes This section will discuss the processes regarding the new system implementation at Midlands Auto-Parts Limited. These processes need to be assessed and analyzed for the effective implementation of new online information system. 3.1- Product Information The concern in this new technology implementation is ‘updated product availability’ to customer that offers him opportunity to view the current product list with the price tags. In this way customer will view the motorcar parts and accessories available to the store and also assess the cost of the products. 3.2- Customer Communication The next main principle process we are going to implement is regarding communication with the customers. In this scenario customer can contact the company and can discuss about the product and services offered by the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited. Here we will also have the facility of the telephone for the customer link to sales representative. 3.3- Storing Customer data The new system will offer the facility regarding the storing of the order and product information on the business database. This information can be entered through the web based links. The sales operators can also enter the data through the system terminal located in the business center. This data can be provided by the customers through calling at the business center or visiting at there. 3.4- Online payments The new system will also need to incorporate the online payment facility. By using this facility customers will be able to pay for the motorcar parts and accessories on the business website. This online web based payment facility will improve the business as well as increase its business circle to huge number of people. 3.5- Computerized Order dispatching Through the implementation of this new technology based system it is expected that order dispatching process will become easier. In this regard the dispatching and delivery period will be minimized to the 24 hour. This will offer a better and more enhanced competitive edge to business in case of faster delivery of products to the expecting customer. 4- Principal users of the information system This system is aimed to offer the overall business structure a new life regarding the better handling and processing of orders. Here we will utilize the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited new technology based structure at each level of business operations. In this scenario I have tried to divide the business data and motorcar parts and accessories record into multiple levels. These levels and potential users of the information system are given below; 4.1- Entry Level At this level we are have the main and principle users of the system. The customers of Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business will access the website information system and order for the product. In this case they will enter their personal information on the system and proceed for the transaction. Here customers will also be able to view the information about the products on the website. The second maim principle users of the system are sales operators. These people make the transaction on the behalf of customer, each time when customer calls for the product purchase. They also enter the data for new arrivals of motorcar parts and accessories record. 4.2- Processing Level At this level the order processing staff of the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited will take the list of orders uploaded on the website. This information is in the form complied list of orders came on the website. Then order processing staff will arrange the urgent orders. Compile the list of orders in the current date, after this staff will dispatch the orders to the destination. 4.3- Management Level Management staff includes the sales and retails manager those look after the sales and stock of the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited. The management staff will take the information from the website based information system. For this system they will assess the processing of the orders and sales. In this way they will be able to effectively handle the project in a better way. Therefore this class will be the principal users of the system. 4.4- Auditing Level In this scenario auditing executives will assess the periodical report of the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business process and analyze the overall sales and stock of the business to detect any error or mishap. In this case the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business information system will offer the facility to effectively handle the business operations and deals. Therefore this class of users will also be a most important class of the principal users of the system. 4.5- Administration Level At this level the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business executives will be the principal users of the system. In this scenario they will assess the business information and record about the business deals and sales. And they will be able to make effective decisions. This information system will offer a better support to assess the main business process and decline. Therefore business executives will be the main principal users of the system. 5- Information inputs and outputs This section will provide the analysis of the information inputs that system need and information out puts users will need from the system. In this regard we need to assess the each aspect of the business processing cycle and order handling areas. Here I have assessed the different inputs and output in the section below: 5.1- Information inputs As we have assessed the main business cycle of the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business that main data or inputs come after establishment of user order at the business information system. The next main inputs will be entered by the sales operators on the customer request (telephone). Here we have another major source of the user inputs from the stock operators. Stock Operators input the new stock information and details on the arrival of new stock in the warehouse. They also update the catalogues of the new arrivals of motorcar parts and accessories on the web based information system. Another major input source is the products pricing information that is entered and maintained after the decisions of sales and stock managers. 5.2- Information outputs The system for the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business will involve several valuable outputs for the different classes of the system users. Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business information system will offer greater facility to the customers in viewing and assessing the products and new arrivals of Motorcar parts and Accessories on the web based catalogues. The sales representatives will also be able to view the information about the new established orders of the customer. In this scenario they will be able to view the current list of people trying to interact with them. The next main information output is about the order status. Means if the order is delivered or still in the pending list. Here we can also have valuable information about the daily sales and total cost and benefit at the end of day. Another main output of system is the stock information that offers us valuable information about the current level of the stock, so that we can order for new stock from the market. Annual report or periodical report of the system will also be the important output from the system. 6- Main Information stored We have diverse information areas in this business. Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business involves huge operational attributes we need to store the information and data about every element or attribute. Here the list of the main attributes about which we store the information for the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business. Customers information Customers orders Payment method Sales data Motorcar parts and Accessories record Motorcar parts and Accessories product information Stock information of Motorcar parts and Accessories Main record of orders to be derived Business record of overall transactions Periodical reports Employees record Customers complaints 7- How Information Stored In this system, the information will be stored in such a way that effectively offers the customer and management an easy support for business. The main aim while the data and information storage is to take care of its effective retrieval. In the scenario of information storage at Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business we need to take some positive steps regarding the selection of data entities and information storage areas. First we will select some entity that effectively incorporates the characteristics of the business processes. In this scenario we need to assess the relationship associated with that particular entity and what are the main links to other entities. In the scenario of the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited business information system we need to assess the aspects regarding the overall operations of the system and the main implementation areas. We gather the customer requirement, customer personal information and any comments about the product or services. Then we need to store the information about the new products (Motorcar parts and Accessories) in the business database and develop an updated list of the main Motorcar parts and Accessories. In the next step, the information we need to store are about the transactions performed on the website. For this purpose, we will record the customer name, phone number, credit card number, payment, list of purchases and some other data. Then we will assign an order number that will uniquely identify the order. In this way we will be able to store the payment detailed and other details regarding the transaction. 8- Advantages and disadvantages of MAP’s information system This section will describe the advantages and benefits of electronic information systems in MAP’s (Midlands Auto-Parts) business. 8.1- Advantages of MAP’s information system The implementation of new MAP’s information system will offer us following advantages Better management of orders Better support to customer information Enhanced management of transaction Effective control of stock of Motorcar parts and Accessories New technology based structure Online transactions Support of effective handling of the customer complaints More organized structure Easy cost benefit analysis Yearly and periodical audit becomes easier Daily performance report Capturing huge market through online website Easy to handle the delivery Order tracking More standardize support Less costly marketing through online website 8.2- Disadvantages of MAP’s information system Some disadvantages of MAP’s information system are: Needs more specialized people to handle the new system Costly to implement Internal politics that can affect the implementation of the information system Complex structure to implement Costly ongoing maintenance 9- Conclusion In this report I have presented a detailed analysis of the new information system based project implementation for the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited (MAP Ltd). In this report I have outlined almost all the areas of the system implementation. In this report I have described the main requirements, system data types, storage and other aspects regarding the effectiveness of the implementation of the system. I hope this project report will offer a deep insight into the analysis of the system for the Midlands Auto-Parts Limited (MAP Ltd). Bibliography Jawadekar, W. S. (2004). Software Engineering: Principles and Practice. New York: McGraw Hill. Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2006). Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm--9th Ed. New Jersey: Pearson. Pressman, R. S. (2001). Software Engineering: A Practicioner's Approach, 5th Edition. London: McGraw Hill. Sage, P., Andrew, & & Palmer, J. D. (1990). Software Systems Engineering. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Sommerville, I. (2004). Software Engineering, 7th Edition,. New York: Pearson Education (Addison Wesley). Verwijmeren, M., Vlist, P. v., & Donselaar, K. v. (1996). Networked inventory management information systems: materializing supply chain management. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management , 16-31. Read More