Management Information System - Coursework Example

Lecturer Management Information System What advantages does a wireless network provide Denver B-cycle? A wireless network helps Denver B-cycle to manage its business operations particularly being able to rent out bicycles without the need for physical contact between business managers and customers. This way, the network has helped the business to minimize operating costs and hence improve its profits. This is so because the wireless network has helped the company to reduce the number of workers needed to serve customers.

Were it not for the wireless network, the company would be having several workers to rent out bicycles, fill in hiring forms with clients and receive money from clients. The network has also helped the company to better manage its finances because clients do not pay in cash, but through credit cards. Finally, the network, especially GPS, has helped the company to track its bicycles, which is useful for operations management and security purposes. What challenges does a wireless network create for Denver B-cycle?

The main challenge is that clients who want to steal bikes may remove the RFID tag from the bicycle, which would disconnect the bicycle from the company’s database and/or prevent the company from tracking the bike. Another challenge is that wireless network does not provide a way of checking the condition of the bike when a client is returning it. This way, clients might be returning damaged bikes so long as the network will allow bike return. What information not described in the case can Denver B-cycle use with RFID and LBS data?

The company should have a mechanism of charging customers who are late to return bikes. To achieve this, the company’s database should record the ID tag of the bicycle that has left its dock, the credit card number of the client and the return date based on the time the client has hired the bike. Once the hiring period is over with the bike having not been returned (ID tag missing in the database) the system should start charging the client based on an agreed policy. Once the bike is returned, the system should check in the bike using its ID tag to complete the transaction.

How could Denver B-cycle use other wired or wireless network technologies to gain a competitive advantage? The company should also use wireless payment system that facilitates payment via mobile phone. This will help the company increase its customer base since not all customers will are able to pay via the allowed systems. wireless payment system is whereby a customer pays for a bike via mobile phone. The company sends the client a code via short message service (sms) that the client can use to unlock the bike.