Workflow Management System - Thesis Proposal Example

Workflow management system 16-Jan After management ities at computer Fix Company have approved the proposalI will focus on the actual development of the system. This documentation is a summary of the issues that could be affecting the system such as system security, functionality and accessibility among others (Bagad, 2009). This will also include identification of the resources required for the implementation such as hardware and software requirements. There being various programming languages that can be used to develop the online system, I will also evaluate them and come up with the most suitable for this kind of system. I will also identify similar systems with the same functionality of workflow management and use it as a blueprint for developing the proposed system. The system that can be closely related to the workflow management system is the airline reservation system also known as passenger service system (Ren, 2000). This system is used in airline companies where customers can access service, seek assistance and book flights from any location as long as they have internet connectivity and they can access the online system. Passengers can as well access their travel, ticketing records and ticketing tariffs from the system since they are signed in using their personal account (Ren, 2000). Similar to the proposed workflow management system, airline reservation systems help improve the quality of services offered to the customers. It also increases accessibility of the services since users can access services from anywhere therefore reducing customer contact and traffic (Prasad, 2003). Similar to the proposed workflow management system, airline reservation systems also ease the operations of the organization. For instance, it would be easier to track past operations of the system using the system log rather that looking for written records (McDermott, 2002). I will also cut on labour costs due to its diverse functionalities. Additionally using the airline reservation systems, the management can view the requests submitted by the customer and take the necessary measure to ensure that their requests have been fulfilled. This is also similar to the workflow management system where the management respond to the customers’ job requests. A large number of people will access the proposed system on an online platform where it will be implemented. This therefore means that the system is prone to various security threats where unknown users get unauthorized access to the system. These systems are vulnerable to many threats that could lead to crashing of the system loss of data or malicious manipulation of data among other threats (Makaras, 2001). These threats could either be from the internal or external environments. Threats from the internal environment are where employees with all the rights to the system and can access the data use it for negative intentions. The online system is also prone to hackers who illegally access the website for negative intentions. This is considered as an external threat. The hackers may damage, manipulate or steal the information stored on the system. They could be working for other competitor organizations with the purpose of stealing vital information. The competitors could also be aiming at damaging the system to paralyse the operations of the company. The information system also uses hardware and software systems that are prone to virus attacks, which could as well damage the system or paralyse the functioning of the system. To enhance integrity, the system will only be accessible by limited parties, which include system administrators, management, customers, and the some staff member allocated the responsibility of managing the customer requests (Whitten & Bentley 2007). The responsibility of system administrators will be managing the system and ensuring it is functioning as required. They will also be tasked to allocate different users different levels of rights to the system for instance manager will be able to add or remove customer and employee accounts from the system (Laplante, 2004). Additionally to ensure confidentiality, the employees will have to maintain confidentiality so as to access the system. Employees will however have limited rights as compared to the managers and system administrators. Customers will also access the system online where they can check on the available services, book services, check on the job progress and also consult the technicians to seek support (Yourdon, 2000). Customers accessing the system must have personal accounts that contain their personal information. Customers therefore sign up with the system by creating an account where they will be required to key in their personal details including name, gender, age and residence among others (William, 2007). After signing up, the customer is allocated a company official identification. They also create the personal password that they use to access the system. After verification of their details, the system administrators issue them access rights where they have access company services (Hoffer, 2007). With internet access, all users of the system can log in to the system from anywhere. When a customer logs in using their identification and password, they book the service they would like to have. The employee then accesses the booked services and allocates tasks to the relevant people. The management can access the account anytime to track the operations of the company as well as assessing the delivery of services to clients (Diane, 2003). The table below shows a comparison between the proposed workflow management system and an airline reservation system; Airline reservation system Work flow management system Access mode Accessed online Accessed online functionality Provision of passenger services Provision of customer services Implementation In operation In the development process Programming languages used in development PHP, MYSQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript PHP, MYSQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript Despite the vulnerability of the system to security threats, various measures can be taken to protect the system and a data from malicious activity. To avoid internal security threats from the employees, they should be well informed on the operation of the system and other applications related to it (Steward, 2007). They should also be trained of security measures taken to enhance the system security; this could include making sure they log out of the system after they have completed their task. They should also not share their log in details with other external parties. If employees are found to sabotage the systems policies, the management should down size them and delete their accounts from the system. Due to the risks related to virus attacks, the company should take necessary measures to ensure that the computer systems are always using an updated version of an effective antivirus. With availability of internet access, the system administrators and users should frequently check their systems to ensure the antivirus is updated. It is also important for the users and system administrators to make use of strong authentication (Edwards, 2010). This is where they use strong usernames and passwords to protect the system from vulnerability to hackers. The users are also advised to frequently change their passwords to prevent hacking. The system administrators will also implement a secondary server for back up of data to ensure continuity of operations even after the primary system has failed (Kindred, 2005). Similarly, users will be urged to back up data frequently in case of any security threats. The physical security of hardware systems such as servers and client computers will be enhance to protect them from physical damage. To enhance better functionality and usability, the system will have a friendly user interface (Senn, 2000). This will help ensure better human computer interactions. The user interface will be integrated with all the functions available for the user to select. The home page of the online system will also have a clear guide showing the different users the steps they should take to access the services they need. The homepage also contains links to other pages that can be accessed by different users depending on the rights granted to them. Additionally, to enhance usability, the system contains a link to the support team for guidance. I preferred to use PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript programming languages for development of the system due to their stability thus the proposed system will be reliable and convenien (Williams, 2005). These languages are also easier to use therefore making the development process faster. I also preferred to use SQL database system for storage of data due to its stability and high level of security (Hoffer, 2008). This will help enhance the confidentiality and integrity of highly sensitive data. In addition, I found these languages to be the best for creating a user-friendly interface. The implementation of the workflow management system will be beneficial to computer Fix Company since it will have an advantage over other competitors in the same industry in the industry (Eliason, 2007). The system will also help ease the managerial functions as well as cut on costs related to labour. List of references Bagad, V, 2009, Management Information Systems, Technical Publications, Maharashtra. Diane, 2003, Computer Reservation Systems, DIANE Publishing Company, Collingdale, US. Edwards, P, 2010, Systems analysis & design, McGraw-Hill, New York Eliason, L 2007, Systems Development, Scott Foresman, Chicago. Hoffer, 2007, Modern Systems Analysis and Design, Pearson Education, New Jersey. Hoffer, 2008, Modern Database Management, Pearson Education, New Jersey. Kindred, A, 2005, Data systems and management: an introduction to systems analysis and design, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey. Laplante, P 2004, Real-Time Systems Design and Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, New York. Makaras, G, 2001, Systems analysis and design: an active approach, Prentice Hall, New Jersey. McDermott, P 2002, Zen and the Art of Systems Analysis: Meditations on Computer Systems Development, iUniverse, Bloomington. Prasad, 2003, Embedded Real Time Systems, Dreamtech Press, Delhi. Ren, D, 2000, An Online Airline Reservation System with XML, Georgia Southern University, Georgia. Senn, J, 2000, Analysis and Design of Information Systems, McGraw-Hill, New York. Steward, D, 2007, Software Engineering with Systems Analysis and Design, Cole Publishing Company, Stamford. Whitten, J & Bentley, L 2007, Systems analysis & design methods, McGraw-Hill, New york. William, A, 2007, Systems development: a practical approach, Mitchell, New York Williams, R 2005, Real-Time Systems Development, Butterworth-Heinemann, London. Yourdon, E, 2000, Modern Structured Analysis, Yourdon Press, New Jersey. Read More