The History Of The Information System

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

My name is Fuzel Data, my student ID number is 12057672 and my role in the company is trainee distribution manager.

2: Type of system (e.g. DSS, EIS etc.) and the type of decision for which the system would be appropriate (e.g. Strategic / Tactical / Operational) stating your reasons for both the choice of system and the type of decision

For my assignment I am going to choose DSS (decision support system) as it can be defined as a system that provides tools to managers to assist them in solving semi-structured and unstructured problems in their own tactical way. They are easy to use and are flexible enough to respond to the changing needs of decision making. As I am a trainee distribution manager it will help me to provide other managers with a set of capabilities that enable them to generate the information required by them in making decisions. In other words DSS supports human decision-making processes rather than providing a means to replace it. And that is why I choose DSS over EIS.

A Decision Support System (DSS) is an interactive, flexible, and adaptable computer based information system that utilizes decision rules, models, and model base coupled with a comprehensive database and the decision maker’s own insights, leading to specific, implementable decisions in solving problems that would not be amenable to management science models. Here are some attributes of DSS system.

1. Handle large amounts of data like database searches

2. Obtain and process data from different sources including internal and external data stored on mainframe systems and networks

3. Provide report and presentation flexibility to suit the decision maker's needs

4. Have both textual and graphical orientation like charts, trend lines, tables and more

5. Perform complex, sophisticated analysis and comparisons using advanced software packages

A decision support system (DSS) is defined as a system that provides tools to managers to assist them in solving semi structured and unstructured problems in their own way. A DSS is not intended to make decisions for managers, but rather to provide managers with a set of capabilities that enables them to generate the information required by them in making decisions. So it will make my task easier and also it will help me gain some experience as I am a trainee manager in the Sparx company.

3) Method of acquisition (e.g. Bespoke, In-House etc.), stating your reasons.

As a trainee distribution manager I have decided to develop software that will help run the company smoothly and the reason for that is: Every business needs software to keep store of the company’s data so that in future whenever company needs any kind of information regarding anything it won’t be hard as it will be stored in the software I am going to create for SPARX. Having information systems software is very important for every business.

Information systems have changed the dynamics of running businesses efficiently. The biggest advantage of having software is decentralization as it allows monitoring of operations at lower levels and frees up resources for departmental managers to devote time to strategic activities. An information system is there to empower its users. A database simply provides data, but an information system is all about providing the best information the user needs to do their task more effectively. It also takes into account that different users doing their own specific tasks may need to see their information presented in differing ways. The benefits of an information system follow when the user can quickly access, understand and respond correctly to that information.

Easy for upper-level executives to use, extensive computer experience is not required in operations

Provides timely delivery of company summary information

Information that is provided is better understood

Filters data for management

Offers efficiency to decision makers

4) Feasibility

Economical: for economic aspects of this project I will have to analyse of a project's cost and revenues in an effort to determine whether or not it is logically and possible to complete the project.

Technical: for technical aspects of this project I will have to see if I can do the better system for SPARX that can help run the operation of the business.

Organisational: To define the legal and corporate structure of the SPARX. An Organizational Feasibility Study may also include professional background information about the hierarchy and the principals of the business and what skills they can contribute to the business.

5.1) Description of report and explanation of the information the report provides

As a trainee distribution manager my report will provide simple report that can help other managers to do their job properly. In my report every data and information will be accurate and easily accessible to Sparx employee.

The information that will be in my report will be the information about stock, stores, employee data.

5.2) Identification of the attributes required for each report

The attributes that are required for each report are

Data

Information

Fact finding

Gathering of information

Responsibility of each group member

Conclusion

5.3) Example of a decision that each report could assist someone in making, and identify the decision-maker

In sparx every member of the team is very valuable. Whoever makes the decision has to consult the team or board member first so that can help the company run successfully.

For example if I as a trainee distribution manager have to make a decision I will have to call a meeting and ask for an other manager's opinion on what I am doing, If I am doing something wrong other manager can correct my mistakes and save the company of something bad to happen.

For decision making team opinion is the most important part you have to count on each members say and then let the board or CEO to decide the outcome.

6) Design a switchboard for your part of the system matching the ‘House style’ agreed in part 3 of the group work section of the report.

C:\Users\FUZEL\Desktop\CS4002\sparx logo.png

WEEKLY SALES REPORT

DELIVERY REPORT

EXIT

7) Learning from the exercise: What did you learn from the task? Consider technical skills, team-working, fact-finding techniques, understanding how an organisation operates, etc.

For this assignment where I had to work in group and individual work, I successfully managed to finish this assignment on time. In the beginning I faced difficulties as I did not have enough knowledge of information system. I asked my tutor for help and he suggested me to read module core text book and revise previous lecture slides.

We worked in group for this assignment and learned how important group work is for business and study both, we kept in touch with our group members we divided our work so that each member can do their job and finish the assignment on time.

Technical skills are practical and often pertain to subjects. Typically, you attain these from training and through experience in a field. For example, a computer students’ technical skills might include the ability to use and maintain computer, technical skills is very important for business now because now we live in a world where every job needs a computer so we learned new things from this assignment. We used Dropbox for our work so that each team member can upload their work in a group we made on Dropbox so that every member of the group has access to it.

Fact Finding is the formal process of using research, interviews, questionnaires, and other techniques to collect information about systems, requirements, and preferences. It is also called information gathering or data collection.

There are seven fact finding techniques:

1. Study Sampling of existing documentation, forms and databases.

2. Research and Site visits.

3. Observation of the work environment

4. Questionnaires

5. Interviews

6. Joint application development (JAD)

7. Rapid Application Development (RAD) 

During the course of doing this coursework I came across some new challenges and I tried different methods to solve that challenge. Overall I am very satisfied with the work I did for this coursework and I am sure this will help my confidence going forward.