SADM 7/ed CTTS Case Study Milestone 8: System Proposal Solution

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MILESTONE 8 THE SYSTEM PROPOSAL

Activity 1 Candidate Matrix his matrix could be could completed many ways. Very few students should come up with the same answer unless additional constraints are provided to them to narrow down their list of choices.

Students should have brainstormed and researched alternative candidate solutions and described the candidates in the candidate matrix. At least one of the solutions should include a software package (buy solution). While it may be difficult for them to find a single software package that supports most of the requirements for a new customer response system, it is highly likely that they can find a package that supports some functions. The important thing for the students to realize is that a variation in one of the cells of the matrix constitutes a different candidate. Therefore, one could come up with several different candidates. The matrix appearing on the next pages is one example of a possible solution. Instructor Notes:

Prepared by Gary B. Randolph for Systems Analysis & Design Methods 7ed by J. L. Whitten, L. D. Bentley, & K.C. Dittman

Copyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 2007

SADM 7/ed CTTS Case Study Milestone 8: System Proposal Solution

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Characteristics Description of System

Portion of System Computerized Brief description of that portion of the system that would be computerized in this candidate. Benefits Brief description of the business benefits that would be realized for this candidate. Servers and Workstations A description of the servers and workstations needed to support this candidate. Software Tools Needed Software tools needed to design and build the candidate (e. g., database management system, emulators, operating systems, languages, etc.). Not generally applicable if applications software packages are to be purchased. Application Software A description of the software to be purchased, built, accessed, or some combination of these techniques. Method of Data Processing Generally some combination of: on-line, batch, deferred batch, remote batch, and real-time. Output Devices and Implications A description of output devices that would be used, special output requirements, (e.g. network, preprinted forms, etc.), and output considerations (e.g., timing constraints). Input Devices and Implications A description of Input methods to be used, input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, etc.), special input requirements, (e.g. new or revised forms from which data would be input), and input considerations (e.g., timing of actual inputs). Storage Devices and Implications Brief description of what data would be stored, what data would be accessed from existing stores, what storage media would be used, how much storage capacity would be needed, and how data would be organized.

Candidate 1 SQL Server database for backend. ASP .NET web application written for service request system. VB .NET desktop application written for component & configuration system. Entire Customer Technology Tracking System. Fully supports user requirements. We have the tools and competencies to develop this quickly. No additional servers or workstations. Microsoft SQL Server Windows Internet Information Server Visual Studio .NET

Candidate 2 MySQL database for back-end. Both service request system and component & configuration system written as web applications in PHP. Same as candidate 1

Candidate 3 Purchase i-Sight Service and Complaint Management for service request system. Write VB .NET desktop application for component & configuration system. Same as candidate 1

Fully supports user requirements. This solution would be 100% web application and probably more portable should we decide that we want to sell the system to others. Same as candidate 1

Fully supports user requirements. Would have the benefit of getting the service request system running immediately and the entire system finished more quickly. Same as candidate 1

Free MySQL database server Any web server running on office server and, remotely, on technician notebooks

Microsoft SQL Server Windows Internet Information Server Visual Studio .NET

Custom solution

Same as candidate 1.

i-Sight system plus custom-written add-ons. Same as candidate 1.

Client/Server with distributed data N-Tier Web Architecture Existing LAN Printers

N-Tier Web Architecture

Same as candidate 1

Same as candidate 1

Keyboard and Mouse Would need to add barcode scanners for technicians' notebooks.

Same as candidate 1

Same as candidate 1

Microsoft SQL Server, which fully supports data replication and synchronization.

MySQL supports data replication and synchronization. Or we could write our own synchronization routines by logging offline SQL statements and running them later against the master server.

i-Sight database plus Microsoft SQL Server. The database management system used for iSight is not currently known. There could be data integration issues.

Activity 2 Technical Memo nswers will vary depending on whether barcode scanning or data synchronization is researched and depending on what products are currently on the market. Look for correct and thorough analysis of the solution alternatives and for an understanding of how each solution alternative would fit the user requirements.

Prepared by Gary B. Randolph for Systems Analysis & Design Methods 7ed by J. L. Whitten, L. D. Bentley, & K.C. Dittman

Copyright Irwin/McGraw-Hill 2007