Information System Assignment Solution (GC01599)

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Task A.

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

Planning.

Analysis.

Design.

Construction.

Test.

Rollout.

Importance of SDLC.

Task B.

How SAP information system has been benefited the Brookshire Grocery Company.

Task 3.

What is data mining?.

How does data mining work?.

How data mining is beneficial for business organizations.

Example.

Conclusion.

References.

Introduction

The proper usages of resources play important role in the operational and organizational success of any business. The key resources of a business are its people, finances, technologies, and properties, where technology mainly information technology (IT) is crucial for the dynamic and modern abusiveness in the era of the digital world. This report has focused on a number of resource usages in business. Firstly, the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and its importance in the business context have been evaluated. Secondly, the advantages of the SAP information system have been evaluated in a particular business context named Brookshire Grocery Company. Finally, data mining and its benefits in the business context have been discussed.

Task A

What is System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) refers to a conceptual model applied in a business process or information system development project. This model follows six steps to conceptualize, analyze, design, develop and implement a business information system development project (Rainer and Turban, 2009). Applying this model in business effectively support organization to improve efficiency and accuracy with decreased risk level in product failure (Philip et al., 2010).

According to Philip et al. (2010), the six steps in this model are planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, and installation in the business. In the planning stage, the aims and objectives of producing the product are determined, the required resources are estimated, and all of the needed information is analyzed and the project proposal is handover to the management (Philip et al, 2010). In the analysis step, the end-user requirements are analyzed and finalized to hand over to the management to start system design (Philip et al., 2010). In the design phase, the architecture of the system, the flow of data processing, the logical structure of storage, and the mock-up screen layouts are designed forwarding to the implementation stage (Philip et al., 2010). The logical design structure and architecture come into physical system development in the development phase. In this stage, the database, the actual user interface screen and code for the data flow process are developed, the initial system is tested many times in coding the system forwarding the testing stage.

According to Philip et al. (2010), in the testing phase, all of the developed aspects of the system including its performance and functionality are tested for integration with other products and to meet user requirements. If it does not meet the quality standards of the business and consumers, it is needed to analyze the business requirements and design the system again. After the testing completion, the system is installed within the business. Then, it is updated based on users’ feedbacks as production turnover and post production (Morris, 2014).

Importance of System Development Life Cycle in businesses

A business needs to develop its system to survive in the keen competitive marketplace, to meet technological changes and fast internal demands through adopting systematic methods. The most effective and widely used system development method is SDLC which supports businesses by solving the defined problems and fitting into the current organizational structure (Bagranoff et al., 2010). A new system developed following SDLC can reduce company overall costs and gain competitive advantages. The usages of this model can also save the business from potential bankrupts and reduce threat levels in company important data and financial activities. In addition, a system developed using this model can improve business effectiveness and efficiencies. Finally, it supports the management to utilize properly the business resources including employees, finances, technologies, etc. (Philip et al., 2010).

Task B

How SAP information system benefits the Brookshire Grocery Company

According to an analysis of Brookshire Grocery Company (BGC), it was realizing that its existing information system was not able to keep up with its growth pace. The system increased business costs, slowed business processes and duplicated data. On the other hand, market competition and demand for product quality increased significantly. Consequently, BGC needed to upgrade its existing software system to integrate all of its business data and processes as business, consumers and suppliers requirements. In that system upgrading process, SAP was best installed to support BGC’s long-term strategies (SAP, 2012).

In addition, BGC has installed SAP to improve and transform many facets of its business. Firstly, the successful implementation of SAP has solved core finance and reporting, payroll, and human resources management problems. Secondly, it has provided effective solutions in procurement and inventory management, forecasting and replenishment activities. Thirdly, it has brought changes in manufacturing, plant maintenance, product costing, sales and distribution through maintenance and manufacturing projects with effective functionality. Fourthly, the SAP implementation has given easier data access with better data quality which has improved business reporting and decision-making. Fifthly, the improved efficiency in the business process has reduced BGC operational costs and improved sales revenue because of increased inventory availability and business performance. The flexible functions of SAP have supported BGC to meet the manufacturing and retail market demands and changes more quickly than ever before(SAP, 2012)………………

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