Module 1

Activity 1.1
Company 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 Users are disgruntled using outdated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current outdated technology is slowing staff output and decreasing efficiency.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 1.3
Technology 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 customers 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 2
2.1
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.

2.2
I 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
dont 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 3
3.1
Key Computing eras
Pre 1801 maths, calculus, abacus, slide rule.
1801 punch card computing
1930-60 IBM leader, desktop calculators, analog computational
1940-60 emerging digital.1
st
generation the ABC & ENIVAC using vacuum tubes.2
nd

generation the revolutionary Transistor.
>1960 3
rd
generation, integrated circuits, large storage, high power processing.
21
st
century CPUs, multicore
1973 client server invented.

3.2
The 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.

3.3
As 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 5
5.1
Electrical 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.

5.2
Email 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 managers 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.

5.3
Globally 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 1
Limited to 2 points
Can build complex meshed leased lines between sites
Cheaper than dial up on high volume
Public switched data network (PSDN).
LAYER 2
Optimised data transmission
Only need to connect to data network
Carrier handles transmission, switch, management
Two 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 3
Low error rates
Reduced delay
Improves 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 companys 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.

5.4
Even 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.

5.5
Agrisales 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 6
6.1
Intranets are private, internal
Sharing; communications, team collaboration
Support business processes
Secure authorised usage
Data retrieval
Accessed by business partner intranets (extranets)
Web publishinglinking to internet
Used to deploy critical business applications

6.2
Enterprise 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 wont be paralysed by data silos and disparate systems.
E-commerce means need to build two new channels of access in to ERP systemsone 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.

Urgent
Intranet
ERP: 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 urgent
Extranet
CRM: providing services and products that are exactly what your customers want
offering better customer service
cross selling products more effectively
helping sales staff close deals faster
retaining existing customers and discovering new ones

Least urgent
EAI: 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.
PRM
KM

Module 7

ERP CROSS DISCIPLINE
Enterprise application focus on accomplishing fundamental business processes in concert
with a companys 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 system
ECS enterprise collaboration systems