Case Study 10
Albassami's Job Is Not Feasible Without IT
Question 1
What systems are described
here? What valuable information do they provide?
Answer
The system needed the
facility to serve specific sectors in the organization, in addition to
providing information throughout the group. The system is based on clustered
Dell servers running Windows 2003 and connected to over 270 Window XP clients.
The database management system, used as the backbone of the system, is Sybase
Adaptive server, whereas clients use SQL Anywhere. There is replication between
the server at headquarters and the client’s branches. Throughout the
replication, branches’s data is sent to the server and aggregated to create the
most updated database version, and the sent back to the branches. This means
every branch has the most recent version of the client list, truscks’
availability, and new shipping contracts so that any customer is able to deal
with any branch at any time.
Entreprise-wide knowledge
management systems are firmwide efforts to collect, store, distribute, and
apply digital content and knowledge. Enterprise content management system
provide databases and tools for organizing and storing structured documents and
tools for organizing and storing semistructured knowledge, such as e-mail or
rich media. Knowledge network systems provide directories and tools for
locating firm employees with special expertise who are important sources of
tacit knowledge. Often these systems include group collaboration tools, portals
to simplify information access, search tools, and tools for classifying
information based on a taxonomy that is appropriate for the organization.
Enterprise-wide knowledge management systems can provide considerable value if
they are well designed and enable employees to locate, share, and use knowledge
more efficiently.
From the study, digital
form is the company had to establish several infrastructural components such as
the computer network, backup system and security policy this enabled the
implementation of various systems including time and attendance systems this
has saved a lot of lost working hours and has been linked to the ERP. Next,
website having an attractive and informative website has become a major need
.the website helps many functional departments including marketing HR, sales,
and customers services.
Lastly, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is the company has picked
Oracle E-business Suite after meeting planning what would really fit their
needs. The modules chosen to help automate the business processes were: Oracle
financials, inventory management, manufacturing sales and marketing, order
management and procurement. CEO and it consultant involvement in the project steering committee and
adequate training and change management.
Question 2
What value did the IT/IS
investments add to Albassami?
Answer
Since the system is based
on clustered Dell servers running Windows 2003 and connected to over 270 Window
XP clients. The database management system, used as the backbone of the system,
is Sybase Adaptive server, whereas clients use SQL Anywhere. There is replication
between the server at headquarters and the client’s branches. Throughout the
replication, branches’s data is sent to the server and aggregated to create the
most updated database version, and the sent back to the branches.The IT/IS
investments add to Albassami achieving some strategic business objectives which
are operational excellence, new products, customer and supplier intimacy,
improved decision making and competitive advantage.
Question 3
How did implementing the
Shipping Information System address the business needs and information
requirements of Albassami?
Answer
The shipping information
system used at Albassami maintains all the sender information such as the sent
car, the truck number, the sender and receiving branches, and it also send an
SMS to the client acknowledging the arrival of the car. The system also records
the client’s data, and holds maintenance information. Linking the data of
vehicle maintenance centers with the transportation service helps to enhance
company performance and achieve better customer service. The system also
enables standard reports to be provided to top management and head sectors
about the productivity of each branch, resulting in accurate identification of
needs for different regions and thus proper budget allocation. In addition, the
system allowed a better audit on all drivers’ tracking information.
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