Module 1Activity 1.1Company executives or the board of directors will evaluate the importance on whether the technology investments are appropriate to the business. The users and their line managers will research and evaluate the new technology and put forward the case to upper management. This will be reviewed among various other business proposals and decided through review of improvement worth and value to company.

Activity 1.2

Technology investments are owned as assets, such as skills, knowledge and trademarks are. This spend needs to be valued as adding net worth to the company measured by more output for less cost. This is not reflective of being faster therefore adding profit. The business proposal will include technology lifetime expenditure and whether this is to earn or save the company money. It will also include alternative cases for not spending and other options.

Agrisales is a large corporation with processing factories in NZ, a large corporate headquarters and offices around the world. The mainframe system is expensive and ageing and runs inflexible business critical systems. Users are disgruntled using outdated technology.Management have decided to look into an integrated suite of information systems based on distributed mid-range and networked personal computers.

Replacing the older Dell personal computers will enrich the asset value of the company. The current outdated technology is slowing staff output and decreasing efficiency.

Activity 1.3Technology spends are taken from capital funds. Often there is not enough funds or borrowings to spend on assets. Businesses use capital rationing and the spend needs to have its merits looked at as being able to assist in profits.When considering this technology upgrade as a project, the company may find itself better positioned to take bite size parts of the upgrade to implement over time. Spend some time up front to gain visibility of the best cost gain opportunities that ultimately turned into profit.

There are two implementation phases to this project.The initial phase would be to replace the mid-range server ensuring the general ledger and planning systems on Oracle software is the latest tested version. Increase the standard personal computer specification and review the shipping and packaging systems and performance on a suitable networked environment accessing the internet adding security so business critical transactions are possible.

Phase two is to replace the aging and high maintenance mainframe. This also saves on floor space, minimize air con required and replaces fire system to become compliant and not risk insurances. New mainframe can reduce amount spent on resources programing and to keep up to date with customer’s software versions.A test server is required and production server to reduce downtime of users and customers. Change control for the company is thorough and rollback precautions are understood.

Module 22.1

Cost Strategy: Costs associated with staff time and system development can be reduced by creating a better working environment by implementing better information technology in the company. These cost savings can be reflected in product cost and benefit the consumer. Development of tools to assist customer to see current price of exports could automatically fluctuate with exchange rate or consumer demand and allow them to buy online.Differentiate Strategy: Such online tools as above may be new to industry or advanced in design. If we can create customer satisfaction and personalised customer screens and shipment tracking, a noticeable increase in market share would be a great outcome.Innovation Strategy: To become a market leader Agrisales could redesign business processes. By creating full customer service online whereby the business is conducted through complete automated processes. New interconnected databases that are flexible and efficient which also query exchange markets for costing, freight tracking for delivery, and order status throughout their processing and storage lifecyle could create the innovative technology to set Agrisales apart from others, taking market leadership.Growth Strategy: Agrisales can increase in global market and diversify into related product exports. Leading tools and workflows will suit other business areas in the AgrisalesNZ networks and in its appearance in 30 other countries.Alliance Strategy: As Agrisales find advantage internally with better databases and system tools, its online activity can introduce interenterprise information systems linked by Internet and extranets with customers and suppliers.

2.2I note in the textbook ready a paragraph I find answers this question:“ you can have all the best software, hardware, highest availability, best people BUT if you don’t follow best practices you render all that useless”.Technology is dynamic and changing constantly. Managers must have the ability to adapt to this. To be competitive managers must have the understanding not just about development but security, reliability, intuitiveness and cost.

Module 33.1Key Computing erasPre 1801 maths, calculus, abacus, slide rule.1801 punch card computing1930-60 IBM leader, desktop calculators, analog computational1940-60 emerging digital.1st generation – the ABC & ENIVAC using vacuum tubes.2nd generation the revolutionary Transistor.>1960 3rd generation, integrated circuits, large storage, high power processing.21st century CPU’s, multicore1973 client server invented.

3.2The MIDRANGE computer is a high end network server suitable as a platform for Agrisales. It will be less costly to buy, operate and maintain compared to the larger mainframe. Midrange computers can help manage internet websites, corporate intranets and extranets and other networks.It will work well with integrated business application, data warehouse, mining and online analytical processing.Midrange computers are commonly used in industrial process control and manufacturing plants and are good technical workstations.

The MAINFRAME in its current state at Agrisalesare known to be on their way out. These large fast and powerful systems are reducing in cost and are slimming down. The air conditioning needs are not what they used to be as they are now air-cooled. There is also reduced power consumption, floor space requirement and ongoing operating costs are all reduced.This may still remain too large for Agrisales. You would find them more suited for major corporations, government agencies and companies with high transaction processing volumes or complex computational problems.

3.3As parts of the business are developed in professional ways, greater collaboration is obtained by building more consistent set of tools to simplify processes and maintenance.High quote estimations can often be considered unreasonable as it is easy to underestimate time required to design and build good record keeping systems. Assessment of requirements will need to be fully scoped to avoid delivering of wrong system. Going forward with a single spreadsheet based system will be costly in the long run. Many areas of the business and customer will need to access shipping details at different times and for different needs. To avoid duplication of information or errors in data entry and constant maintenance of a spreadsheet which will require cross referencing of information I would recommend other solutions.An online form would be quite functional for data entry from the users. This could be queried by staff or customer to check shipping status. The backend could be a simple relational database containing tables such as customer, ship, goods and details. Relationships between these tables can provide more powerful queries to cross check information to avoid miscommunication or error information. Such database would be located on the network and forms and screens designed for the intranet or extranet.

Module 55.1Electrical noise from unshielded cables may cause issues with current tenant or store and customer transactions, I would consider asking if they are experiencing communications problems and to what level is it unworkable.Other Agrisales issues seem to be around the 20 year old building design and lack of upgrade. It does not seem unusable but there is a lot of time involved setting up new workspaces and contracting of linemen to run cabling.Main points are; The ceiling space is complex and untidy as each building trade has worked quite separately. The communications have considered being ‘intelligent building’ where the wiring runs together up service ducts. Dropping from ceiling requires Unsightly plastic trunking for cable protection. Relocating staff problems when no extra outlet.The current cabling is considered suitable to most business requirements but is known for noise transmission when in close proximity to other electrical appliances.The company should encourage deployment of wireless LAN technology in difficult areas, it will slower than wired buy may offer temporary and portable solution when required.The most likely solution to fix immediate issues of interference and complex electrical trade wiring would be to re-run ceiling spaces areas. This would be done one level of the building at a time and may require temporary re-location of staff while the process is completed. This would guarantee the business a further 10+ years of modern computing.

The ceiling space should be carefully re-run moving cable routes away from sources of interference such as lift shaft, air con motors, and fluorescent light fittings. Where this is unavoidable insert screening material.Agrisales could also consider while already disrupting staff and having access to the ceiling space a re-cabling of building automation systems. This would allow real ‘intelligent building’ cabling where there is simplified electronic communication between all systems. This will solve the already considered Agrisales cabling issues during changes to office layouts and allows cost effective moves to newer technologies as they become available.As the company looks to future office security systems, video, heating, ventilation, air con and fire alarm better planning now will address cabling requirement for communications connectivity.

5.2Email status should change as having a clear direct open path of communication includes managers. It offers better collaboration of groups, quicker response times, and a more ordered structured way to organise and manage processing of important messages.Agrisales should consider revising business policy on Email code of conduct. Suggest that if breached serious consequences such as written warning and dismissal for misuse.Electronic transactions are faster and cheaper than any other form. Email can send files internally, images, links and meeting requests or appointments.They can be adopted as the main form of transmittal as the participants on the email can use their inbox as a store and sorting mechanism to assist in searching by person, date or subject for recall of particular business problems that maybe under scrutiny.Secretaries can have a copy of the manager’s inbox so they can monitor and control messages and diary events all electronically and from one system.The information technology department ensures use of passwords and firewalls to prevent unwanted intruders. Alarms will notify of any attempt.Company procedure should inform staff of correct email protocol. Business concerns should always be raised with line managers and where that is not possible then next in charge or HR if it is a staff matter.

5.3Globally dispersed companies such as Agrisales need a WAN, technologies include:Ordinary telephone line/modem.Traditional slow, low quality any to any.Point to point leased lines. LAYER 1Limited to 2 pointsCan build complex meshed leased lines between sitesCheaper than dial up on high volumePublic switched data network (PSDN). LAYER 2Optimised data transmissionOnly need to connect to data networkCarrier handles transmission, switch, managementTwo types – circuit (flexible, expensive, transmission burst) and packet (efficient packet switching, not costly, adds latency, errors) switched.Secure internet transmission, Virtual private network (VPN). LAYER 3Low error rates

Reduced delayImproves packet switching

Organisations have right of way to lay lines in their premises but not between sites. They must then turn to a carrier as they have rights of way. This is regulated. Trunk lines connect carrier switching offices and the circuit may go through multiple switches or carriers. Dedicated leased lines (circuit-oriented) such as T1 lines are still common, although expensive. The advantage of leased lines is that they are private, no one else shares the line, offer high speed access, VoIP and dedicated.

WANs can also be constructed across the Internet by implementing VPN (virtual private network) technology. With VPNs private circuits are emulated in the form of encrypted tunnels from one site to another. They are high bandwidth and low cost and remain as secure as leased while making use of public network internet infrastructure. By removing the need for long-distance leased lines and reducing long-distance telephone charges VPNs can incur considerable cost savings.

The always-on nature of leased lines exposes a company’s network to malicious threats but VPN offers security to business transactions by creating a "tunnel" through the internet from one site to another. The traffic that goes through this tunnel is encrypted to protect any sensitive data.

5.4Even though the Napier office is small there are benefits from sharing access on the network. A dedicated server elimates additional modems and printers.Business information is shared.Collaboration of tasks and services by staff at any site.Share databases and records.Common access to latest business critical records, policies and procedures.Other sites can stream information saving confusion or questioning.

5.5Agrisales has determined need for technology upgrades in several areas of the business; upgrade cabling, improve email and communications tools, create VPN access, and upgrade networking environment.As Agrisales progresses through the upgrades benefits will come as costs cut, shortened business lead times, response times, support e-commerce, improve collaboration of workgroups, develop online operational process, shared resources and barriers of geography, time and cost are overcome.Budget allows necessary improvements to:Headquarters: improve business partnerships, market ing and e-commerce.Suppliers: allow access to inventory, update stock, send documents over secure links.Remote offices: internet connections, virtual teams, interactive comms, collaboration and computing.Customer: customer satisfaction with web service and support.Business partners: use internet of email, file exchange, discussion and other internet resources as required.

Module 66.1

Intranets are private, internalSharing; communications, team collaborationSupport business processesSecure authorised usageData retrievalAccessed by business partner intranets (extranets)Web publishinglinking to internetUsed to deploy critical business applications

6.2Enterprise applications focus on accomplishing fundamental business processes in concert with Agrisales customer, supplier, partner and employee stakeholders.As Agrisales has immature information technology new applications will be easier to deploy, they won’t be paralysed by data silos and disparate systems.E-commerce means need to build two new channels of access in to ERP systems—one for customers (otherwise known as business-to-consumer) and one for suppliers and partners (business-to-business). These two audiences want two different types of information from your ERP system. Consumers want order status and billing information, and suppliers and partners want just about everything else.Customer relationship management (CRM) is about tracking and managing business relationships. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is about managing business materials and processes. Together they can transform a business.

UrgentIntranetERP: internal business processes; integrated logistics, Integrate financial information, Standardize HR information, Reduce inventory, Standardize and speed up manufacturing processes, Integrate customer order information, production planning. And if the ERP does not already contain the SCM module;SCM: supply chain life cycle; commit, schedule, make, and deliver.

Moderately urgentExtranetCRM: providing services and products that are exactly what your customers wantoffering better customer servicecross selling products more effectivelyhelping sales staff close deals fasterretaining existing customers and discovering new ones

Least urgentEAI: middleware central message routing hub to connect major e-business application CRM (front office) & ERP (back office) if not designed from suite of tools from same vendor.PRMKM

Module 7

ERP CROSS DISCIPLINEEnterprise application focus on accomplishing fundamental business processes in concert with a company’s customer, supplier, partner and employee stakeholders.

ERP for Agrisales would provide efficiency to internal production, distribution and financial processing.Where there are extensive network of overseas offices and many processing factories throughout New Zealand, ERP EAI – enterprise application intergration = middleware connecting several business applications.TPS- transaction processing systemECS – enterprise collaboration systems