ALTITUDE ONLINE: SYSTEMS INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS CONSIDERATIONS In the earlie

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ALTITUDE ONLINE: SYSTEMS INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS CONSIDERATIONS
In the earliest chapters of this book, Jon and his team determined that Altitude Online desperately needed an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to pull together the information and systems being utilized by the various branches of the organization. In the chapters that followed, Jon and his team analyzed various components of the companys information systems: hardware, software, telecommunications, databases, and various business systems; to prepare for the major undertaking of implementing an ERP.
As the system components were analyzed, in some cases, new systems development projects were initiated and implemented that would not impact the ERP. For example, in Chapter 8, Jons team initiated a systems development project to update and improve the companys online presence. In other cases, preparations were made for a new ERP. For example, in Chapter 6, Altitude Online beefed up its WAN in order to support additional data transfer loads required by an ERP.
All of this effort has been a part of the organized approach to information systems development known as the Systems Development Life Cycle. In the early stages, Jon and his team met with key stakeholders in the system to determine the requirements. This is an important component of Systems Investigation. John met with upper management to determine if a major undertaking of this nature was financially feasible at this timeanother important component of Systems Investigation.
As the team has analyzed the components of the current systemsoftware, hardware, telecom, databases, etc.it has undertaken the second phase of systems development: Systems Analysis. In this stage the team has determined the exact specifications required for a new system in terms of system input, processing, and output. This information is recorded in a document called a systems analysis report. The systems analysis report includes the companys exact expectations for the new ERP.

Read about the Altitude Online case in attached document and answer the following questions.

Discussion Questions

1. What important activities did Jon’s team engage in during the systems investigation stage of the systems development life cycle?
2. Why are all forms of feasibility considerations especially important for an ERP development project?

Critical Thinking Questions

3. Why is the quality of the systems analysis report crucial to the successful continuation of the project?
4. Why do you think Jon felt the need to travel to communicate with Altitude Online colleagues rather than using email or phone conferencing? What benefit does face-to-face communication provide in this scenario?

Explanation / Answer

Question 1

Jon’s team engage in different part of the systems during the investigation stage of the systems development life cycle. The team were looking into the hardware, software, telecommunications, databases, and various business systems.

Question 2

The Altitude Online was looking for an ERP system desperately so that they can take out different information together from the various branches of the organization. So Jon's team have to check the feasibility of all the parts like the hardware, databases and so on so that it can technically support the new system. If any of the part is not able to support then it may hamper the whole system. That’s why all forms of feasibility considerations especially important for an ERP development project.

Question 3

The system analysis report includes the exact requirement for the ERP system which is to be built. One side the developers will use this document for developing the system of any point mismatch or any requirement is not noted , or any requirement is wrongly judged will be a problem for the system. And on the other hand the system analysis report will be submitted to the company officials who in turn will check it for any anomaly and if there is any then it may have a negative impact for the team. In that case the company can cancel the development of the project. Hence the quality of the systems analysis report is crucial to the successful continuation of the project.

Question 4

The stakeholders are the main backbone for the company because it's their money which is invested for the business ongoing. So Jon’s meeting with stakeholders is important one that too a face to face one. First of all the official things cannot be done using the telephonic conversion and also having a face to face discussion will help Jon to understand on what extent the company is financially strong and also the ERP system will be financially feasible or not.

Face to face communication have many benifits.First of all having a face to face comunication the person explain the needs in a much simpler and thorough way. Secondly convincing any person is much easier while having a face to face communication. This are some of the benefits of the face to face conversion.

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