Strategic Information Systems - Assignment Example

Name : xxxxxxxxxxx Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : Strategic Information Systems Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx @2010 Strategic Information systems Introduction Strategic information systems are computer based systems which implements business strategies or those which information services are applied to strategic business opportunities in a way that the computer systems have an effect on the products and operations of an organization. Their work is done through the use of testing tools. 1 (a) Potential problems and disadvantages of introducing such a tool, considering its effect on your staff, management, and clients. The use of these testing tools is time consuming as the methods applied are very complex. This is mostly felt if the area of concern is intensive hence requiring quicker attention. Most of the test tools are packed together with the vendor script written in different languages and for some, the users are required to learn them in order to be able to use the machine. This breaks the interaction of the testers and developers as the machines they use depend on the languages of their interests and some are reluctant to learn new or many different languages (Polk, 2002). If the testers and developers make mistakes in the testing script, uncontrollable problems are likely to develop as it will be carried forward through out the whole process. The individual concern may have difficulties maintaining the test because if any form of interference happens on it, the whole process has to be repeated to get other new tests. Data are also difficult to maintain incase a single test script is used on more screens. (b) Application of the four steps of Deming plan-to-do-check-act cycle to identify a suitable automated testing machine. i) The Plan step       This step requires one to recognize a potential opportunity and plan for a change. This is possible by establishing the goals and processes which can be implemented to deliver results according to the intended output. Focusing on the expected results will enable on to choose the testing machine which is best suitable for the processes to be undertaken. ii) The Do, Check, Act steps The Do and the Check steps calls for one to slowly adapt the new processes as well and keenly examining them to check whether they work towards achieving the targeted results. The last step is to analyze the differences between the processes and decide whether it is necessary to adapt the new machine or retain the original. If a machine tested through all these steps does not show any need for improvement it, the scope to which these steps are applied should be refined (Milgram et al, 2000). 2(a) Benefits and disadvantages of business implementing Tick IT and CMMI Benefits Tick IT explains the generic standard for use in the industry of software which has been modified to reflect the updates of the standards of the ISO 9001. Its certification bodies auditors have an IT background or are from software. Tick IT improves the marketing of the company it certifies because the customers will have confidence with its services. CMMI provides organizations with elements which are necessary in the improvement of their operations and performance in general. It leads the improvement of the processes across all levels including a project, division, or entire organization. It ensures all the activities taking place in an organization are related to the objectives intended to be achieved. The visualization of the activities is improved to ensure that all the services and products are to the expectations of the target consumer (Van Bon & Verheijen, 2006). Disadvantages Certification through Tick IT and CMMI is costly compared to the other bodies of checking and developing. The process is also time consuming because of the many activities that are involved. (b) i) Sub characteristics of ISO 9126 relevant to the development and marketing of computer games for children Interoperability is the capability of the software to relate with other existing systems. Maturity means that the software must have been used for sometime so as to discover the faults and get rid of them. Compliance is the level at which the related standards and legal requirements can be applied on the software. For example, auditing requirements. Learnability means that the software should be easier and cheap to learn. It should have simple nested menus for the kids to easily master. Stability means that there is a low risk of modification to the software that one chooses so as to avoid unexpected effects. Resource behavior is the amount t of resource that software uses within a specified time. ii) Collection of metrics for the sub characteristics The interoperability of a software is measured by the checking the circumference of the widest area it can cover. The maturity is checked by the length of the time the software has existed and the work it has done together with the failures it has underwent. Its compliance is checked from the records of the auditors and the reports of the government officials compared to the initial recommendation. Stability is how the software can respond to the modification done to fit in the present needs. Resource behavior can be checked by the maximum time that the software can run and the amount of outputs that it has produced within that time and the quantity of resources it uses (Freiling et al, 2008). 3 a) Handling and use of laptops and other portable devices during journeys and outside the office environment So as to ensure that there is the tight security of data which are stored in laptops and other portable devices, the management should think of installing a network system in an organization which connects all the computers thus whatever information is in one computer can be accessed through the others or all the data is monitored by a common computer. This means that if a laptop is lost the information it contained can be retrieved from the shared data through the installed network. The management should also come up with a tracking device which can help them trace and recover the stolen device thus recovering the stored data. This should be done immediately before the information is erased. A software can be installed which can be used to rock any information saved in the machine thus no information can be erased unless it is unblocked. This should work together with the one of tracing the device so that one recovers it together with all that which it contains. (b) Procedures of maximizing the protection of the organization’s data to minimize the risk of laptop or data being stolen 4) a) Risks associated with online trading and possible counter measures The operator is on his own to decide what is good or bad to buy or sell without anyone to negotiate with hence high chances of making mistakes. The process is easy with low commission charged and fast to spread hence it is easier for the trader to overdo it. More customers will be available to trade online as they carry out others activities. Leverage can also be a disadvantage if it pushes trading with high risk for a specified strategy. This requires a carefully devised plan of managing money before engaging in this extremely competitive business. In the online business there is no mentoring relationship between an online trading account holder and a professional broker thus an unwise decision can be made hence recording a loss instead of profit. (b) The membership of the Business Continuity planning team This represents the organizations which provide the critical functions of a business. It ensures that the business recovers its activities back to its original position in case of any failure. When selecting the members of the business continuity team one should ensure that all the necessary areas are considered and balanced. The areas to be involved includes: team leaders, technician team, supporting team and business team. The team leaders ensure that various talents are used at the right place that is the workers are allocated in the relevant areas where they best fit. The business process team should be wide enough to represent every area of interest however, each should be productive. The technical area should also be considered due to its sensitivity, it is meant to ensure that there smooth running of the activities of the organization by maintaining the machines. The team supporters act to give the necessary support to the other workers so as to enhance their success (Fulmer, 2005). (c) The content of the Business Continuity Plan This contains information on how the progress of the business or the methods which can be followed to en sure that the activities of an organization are ongoing. This is shown by a cycle which contains all that is involved to keep the business operations successful. The figure below shows an example of a business continuity cycle. Like in the steps of the Deming cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act). The business identifies a solution or design of doing things, implements it, tests it to determine whether it is worthy acceptance, maintains it and finally do an analysis of its outcome (Fulmer , 2005). 5) a) The implications of teleworking from the perspective of the management of the organization Teleworking enhances the process of horizon compression in which the processes all the business series are combined to a single movement. This has little attention on management. It makes it easier for the workers to make decisions hence the management is able to consider decisions depending on the views of the members. Reconciliation is reduced since no hard copies are used to communicate hence sh0ould be matched but all the communication which takes place is online. This reduces the work of the managers. The workers are empowered to work hard since they are not controlled or supervised by anyone but are monitored with all the freedom of making choices. It ensures that the workers are self-reliant with good communication skills. (b) The implications of teleworking from the perspective of the potential teleworkers for the organization Teleworking has some positive impacts on the potential workers of an organization. First it offers fuller employment by increasing the employ ability of those in areas far from the working centers and also reduces the congestions in the centers. The energy and time spent as workers move to their working places is reduced thus increasing the output. The work morale is also increased because they do not spend time thinking of the responsibilities they left at home hanging or leave strangers to look after their premises but are there through out. The process also increases the savings of the workers because they cut the costs of fuels and reduces the spread of illness which could consume a lot of money as they try to treat them. The workers are not affected by unpredicted change of environment like rains and colds because they are able to take the necessary measures to respond to the changes like putting on warm clothes. (c) The actions that management could take, and the features available, to minimize problems associated with teleworking for this organization. The management should ensure that the infrastructures needed for the success of this type of work are available and adequate. This is possible by either reducing the costs or provid9ing them to their workers. To ensure that there is a security of their data the management should ensure that there is a good system to connect the whole organization and monitor all the operations taking place. This also ensures that all the workers are performing as expected. So as to ensure that the social needs of the workers is catered for, a system of connecting all the workers should be implemented through which the workers can interact and chat online. The workers should be well trained on the uses of the machines which are used by this process like the computers and others for the online job (Fenson & Hill, 2003). Bibliography Freiling C., Eusgeld I. & Reussner R., 2008, Dependability metrics: advanced lectures, Springer, New Jersey. Fenson B. & Hill S., 2003, Implementing and managing Telework: A guide for those who make it happen, Greenwood Publishing Group, Greenwood. Polk W., 2002, Automated tools for testing computer system vulnerability. DIANE Publishing, New York. Van Bon J. & Verheijen T., 2006, Frameworks for IT Management. Van Haren Publishing, London. Fulmer K., 2005, Business continuity planning: a step-by-step guide with planning forms on CD-ROM, Rothstein Associates Inc, Panama. Milgram L., Spector A. & reger M, 2000, Managing smart: 325 high-performance tips every manager must know, Gulf Professional Publishing, Oxford. Read More