Problem/Issue
Statement
-
Problem: Information handling errors were
pervasive
o
Clerks accidentally sent the wrong version of
the database to the morning operator, and as a result some jobs that were
already booked no longer showed in the database
o
Some did not make their way onto the spreadsheets
used by the drivers
o
Fixing the database was extremely time-consuming
o
While fixing the database, no new reservation
could be taken as there was only one live copy
Situation
Assessments
-
Situation Assessments
o
Drivers relied on instructions delivered through
an e-mail system, and when this information was incomplete or incorrect,
customers suffered the consequences
o
Essential to design a system of information flow
that improved the quality of day-to-day operations
-
Criteria
o
Needed a central database
o
Internal
information should no long be transmitted by email
o
Database should be accessible remotely since
everybody would be working on it simultaneously from different locations
o
E-mails to customers to be sent automatically
from the system in order to avoid mistakes and the resulting delays
o
Cost :
§
Business was too small to justify hiring a
dedicated IT worker
§
Solution had to be easy to implement and operate
Evaluation of
Alternatives
-
Alternatives
o
Microsoft Access Database
§
Relatively short time and on a small budget
§
Installed on a centralized server to be accessed
remotely through internet and VPN
·
Not allow remote access, and so each instance of
the database would have to be updated manually, everyday
·
Require to delve into significant amount of
technical information
·
Might require user licenses
·
Costs of hosting the shared server
·
Required professional development assistance
o
Custom Application
§
Web-based system, meets the requirements of a
central database and provide remote access
·
$2000 upfront price but did not provide for any
changes or adjustments that might be required
·
No way to predict how much maintenance would be
needed
·
Custom-made software simply could not be seen
beforehand
o
Google Docs
§
Work simultaneously on the same file
§
Set different user profiles
§
E-mail distribution was also supported
§
Free up to 10 user accounts and cheap for small
business users
·
Can’t be cross referenced in the way it usually
is in relational databases
·
Lack of formal customer support
·
Users did not own the tools and resources used to
store sensitive company data
o
Platform as a Service
§
Through Internet
§
Users could utilize common applications
§
Build their own unique applications
§
Different providers had slightly different
offers
§
Easily built forms and connected tables
§
Long-term contracts were not required
§
Scale the service up or down at any point, or
cancel the service with one month’s notice
§
On-site Trial
o
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System
§
Built around central database
§
Accessible remotely
§
Integrate business process by covering every aspect
of the business
·
Very costly
Recommendation
-
Quality recommendation
o
Custom Application
o
PAAS
o
ERP System
-
Logical recommendation
o
Considering Kinko’s criteria I believe going
with the PAAS is the most Logical recommendation.
