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CIS 500 – Information Systems for Decision-Making

© 2017 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.

CIS 500 Page 1 of 3

Case Study 1: Transforming the Organization

Due Week 5 and worth 175 points

Congratulations! The executives are taking your information system proposal seriously. In fact, they think
it has the potential to transform the way the organization works.

The CIO asked you to read Connelly (2016) to think about what resources you’ll need to get your new
information system up and running. Please also review the five case studies in (Basu 2015, p. 32-35) so
you can recommend a change management pattern for your company to follow.

Write a memo to the CIO that describes how to implement your information system into the organization.
Please focus on these topics:

1. How much of the implementation work can you handle? What additional resources (people,

information, time, money, etc.) will expedite the process so you don’t end up like Susie Jeffer?

2. Outline a change management strategy: What new equipment and software are necessary? What

training and support will the staff need? How will the staff complete their work during the transition

period? Do you anticipate other areas of resistance?

3. The CIO is very skeptical, so provide evidence that your assessment is accurate and complete. It

can be difficult to admit to personal limitations!

Your memo should be 3–5 pages long.

References:
Basu, K. K. (2015). The Leader’s Role in Managing Change: Five Cases of Technology-Enabled

Business Transformation. Global Business & Organizational Excellence, 34(3), 28-42.
doi:10.1002/joe.21602.

Connelly, B., Dalton, T., Murphy, D., Rosales, D., Sudlow, D., & Havelka, D. (2016). Too Much of a Good
Thing: User Leadership at TPAC. Information Systems Education Journal, 14(2), 34-42.

http://www.eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1136256

http://libdatab.strayer.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=101113779&site=eds-live&scope=site

CIS 500 – Information Systems for Decision-Making

© 2017 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.

CIS 500 Page 2 of 3

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and
language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 175 Case Study 1: Transforming the Organization

Criteria
Unacceptable
Below 70% F

Fair
70-79% C

Proficient
80-89% B

Exemplary
90-100% A

1. How much of the
implementation work are
you able to handle? What
additional resources
(people, information,
time, money, etc.) will
expedite the process so
you don’t end up like
Susie Jeffer?

Weight: 30%

(52.5 points)

Inadequate
description of
strengths and
limitations, only
described one or
the other

Limited
identification of
resources, unclear
how resources will
expedite process

Inadequate
connection to the
case study

Somewhat
described strengths
and limitations

Reasonable
resources
connected to
limitations, info on
how process will be
expedited

Reasonable
connection made to
the case study

Described
professional
strengths and
limitations

Identified additional
resources needed
based on
limitations,
described how
process will be
expedited

Applied case study
lessons learned

Identified project
risks and scope
creep, offered
advice on mitigating
both

Provided thorough
understanding of
the case study and
applied lessons
learned to the
information system

2. Outline a change
management strategy:
What new equipment and
software are necessary?
What training and
support will the staff
need? How will the staff
complete their work
during the transition
period? Are there other
areas of resistance that
you anticipate?

Weight: 30%
(52.5 points)

Inadequate
explanation of why
new equipment
needed

Did not propose
staff training

Limited explanation
of how staff will
continue to work

Inadequate
anticipation of
resistance stated

Somewhat
explained why new
equipment was
needed

Did not propose
staff training

Reasonable
explanation of how
staff continue to
work

Reasonable
anticipation of
resistance

Explained why new
hardware and
software are
needed

Proposed staff
training

Explained how staff
would continue
work during
transition

Anticipated areas of
resistance

Connected need for
change
management to
business needs

Organized structure
for staff training on
implementation
strategy

Recommended
approaches to
address resistance

3. The CIO is very
skeptical, so offer
evidence that your
assessment is accurate
and complete. It can be
difficult to admit to
personal limitations!

Inadequate
evaluation of
alternative
assessment

Limited explanation
of why the

Evaluated one
alternative
assessment

Somewhat
explained why the
alternative

Evaluated
alternative
assessments

Explained why
alternative
assessments are

Proposed how to
mitigate personal
and team limitations

Proposed
considerations that
would interest other

CIS 500 – Information Systems for Decision-Making

© 2017 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.

CIS 500 Page 3 of 3

Weight: 30%
(52.5 points)

alternative
assessment is
inaccurate or
incomplete

Limited evidence as
to why the
assessment is
accurate and
complete

assessment was
inaccurate or
incomplete

Reasonable
evidence that the
assessment is
accurate and
complete

not as accurate or
complete

Provided evidence
that the assessment
is accurate and
complete

members of the C-
suite

4. Clarity, persuasion,
proper communication,
writing mechanics, and
formatting requirements

Weight: 10%

(17.5 points)

Unclear structure,
not persuasive,
major grammatical
errors

Somewhat clear
structure, limited
persuasion,
grammatical errors,
language too simple
or too wordy

Clear structure,
persuasive writing,
minor or no
grammatical errors,
length and format
within requirements,
plain language

No grammatical
errors, plain
language,
organized by topic,
references business
needs, connects to
technical specs,
persuasive

RUNNING HEAD:

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

1

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 8

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Jai Rodriguez

Professor Robert Hofkin

Systems Analysis and Development

January 14, 2018

Introduction

My sister owns a small clothing store. She mentioned being frustrated and tired because of having to manually input the store’s inventory while also tracking which items are selling best, least, or not at all. She suggested that she needed an automated system, but she doubts whether her budget can afford one. Being that she is family, I agreed to design and develop a system to automate her manual business transactions by utilization of efficient equipment that fits her budget. She explained all the services that she renders in the small clothing store. She also mentioned how the goods reach the market. That was necessary information that will help me in designing an automated system towards the clothing store goals and objectives. Inventory forms a very vital part of a business. Given that these are the products that the clothing store deals with, it is then vital that my sister be able to keep track of the inventory at all times. So, we will set up a system to track from ordering all the way to making the sale ensuring a smooth operation.

Necessary equipment

A portable data terminal will be needed as data will need to be input into the system regularly and a dedicated data terminal will also come in handy. With a data terminal, my sister has the capabilities of data entry while on the move. These data terminals are also made to be durable with rugged features that can withstand harsh condition for a long time (Siewiorek, 2014). Most of the portable data terminals have touchscreen displays to ease the data entry process and also have cellular and wireless connections for communication.

A portable computer may be used to hold the inventory management software that is needed. I have decided to use an HP laptop instead of data terminals, which can be more costly. Using the laptop, my sister gains the capability of accessing wireless networks as well as wired. The computer comes equipped with a preloaded Windows 8.1 operating system which provides the platform for the inventory software to run as well as offering a graphical user interface to interact with the users. It also has Bluetooth drivers which can be used to connect to other inventory equipment.

Barcode scanners will be required for scanning items for entry into the system; barcode scanners will be primary data capture technique for the products. The barcode is meant to provide products with their own unique identifiers. With that, all the transactions involving a particular will be done using its id. This will be the very first step of inventory management. With a smartphone, all one does is downloading a barcode scanning app from Google Play Store, Windows Market or App Store. The smartphone utilized will be a given that it is pre-owned meaning that is of no cost at all. Should a proper barcode scanner be needed, the internet has various sites where one can find quality second-hand items for a fraction of the price of same or similar devices.

Barcode printer – items will need to be labelled and this will be by barcode labels. These will be made using a barcode printer. The barcode can be used for scanning the product into the system and also at the point of sale. A second-hand thermal barcode printer can be used to make the labels. This printer can produce thousands of barcodes in hours and do so at a low cost.

Smartphone – while this has been aforementioned as a good candidate for being a low-cost scanner, it can also be used for creating and maintaining a spreadsheet of the data collected from the items. Mobile spreadsheet applications work just as well as the desktop versions and can provide most of the same functionalities. With online storage available, the data can be stored and accessed from any internet connected device in future. The phone can then be installed spreadsheets application from an app store which will come bundled with other document applications. This means that queries can be made to it and reports can be generated on demand.

Costs

To keep the costs as low as possible, the items purchased for the inventory system will be second hand. By opting to buy these things from reputable online sites that should ensure that they are in good working condition and capable of doing what is meant for them (Natarajan, 2013). They need to be strictly inspected to check if they are in an excellent working condition and can comfortably fulfil their purpose for use. My sister can use the current smartphone that she is instead of having to buy a new one. This will help in maintaining a low-cost budget.

The low-cost options for a barcode scanner include a smartphone and a second-hand barcode scanner. The barcode scanner application will be downloaded from the app store. By buying a second-hand bar code scanner from a reputable site, the budget conscious user should get access to a capable device that should work just as efficiently. Most barcode scanning apps will also provide you with the capabilities for scanning and reading QR codes as an added option. If at all my sister chooses to go for the handheld barcode scanner, then it should be got from an online retail shop. Most of these barcode scanning is free, able to be used by anyone. There are also paid for options which will come with options for future upgrades. They should be in good working condition and as such ideally suited for the low budget cost as my sister wants it.

Buying a barcode printer can be done either way as most users with a low budget prefer a second-hand barcode printer. It will create a professional look by creating barcodes which can then be placed on products. A portable data terminal can be connected to an inventory database which will be an excel spreadsheet as stated before; this too can be second hand. Its purpose will be eliminated for a full-on computer for which to place inventory data. Connected to an inventory database which will be an excel spreadsheet being used on the smartphone in the retail shop. A second-hand laptop will be purchased from an online retail shop to cut down the cost of creating the system for my sister’s retail shop.

Maintenance

The barcode printer will require that it be stocked with blank labels that will be turned into barcodes. It should also have its software upgraded too. Dust could even gather up inside the printer which can be wiped or at least stored in a place where not much dust builds up. This equipment is few but it will still require proper maintenance. Since new equipment is usually more long lasting and in perfect working condition, the second hand equipment will need more attention. To ensure that they remain in use for longer they will have to be handled with utmost care.

The smartphone owner should backup spreadsheets online just in case the smartphone is lost or misplaced. A cloud option, like Office 365 or mobile, can be used to preserve the data. Also, it should have its drivers updated to be compatible with the rest of the hardware. The handheld barcode scanner should have its drivers upgraded every once in a while to conform to any changes. Also, the scanning part should not be broken to ensure that barcodes do not appear distorted when scanned. It should not be exposed to extremes heat or cold. The laptop will need an antivirus program and daily update of the antivirus firmware to ensure it can recognize the new definitions of viruses which are emerging day after day. When a virus attacks a computer, it can slow it down or even freeze it. Also, the maintenance also involves performing a backup of files to external hard drives, USB discs or web-based storage; this is to ensure the system can easily recover in case of an attack or system crash.

The portable data terminal should have its software upgraded, and installed with antivirus software. Other maintenance activities include keeping the screen clean and avoiding dirty areas (Mackenzie, 2012). However, given the rugged nature of the device, most of its maintenance activities will be concentrated on its firmware. Online backup of all data generated should be made a priority. As it is, Google offers up to 15GB of free online storage, and this should come in handy to provide a secure place for essential data. The smartphone should be carefully handled to avoid breakage, and the user should avoid accessing and downloading harmful content to protect the device and the data in it.

Conclusion

The conjunction of the low-cost automated inventory system will help save budget and create a controlled method of quality for the retail shop. Sales, shipments, and production are tracked appropriately, which, in turn, creates an awareness surrounding which products are selling most and those that are not selling most. It also helps in predicting the entire supply and the demand curve. Shipments and deliveries are adjusted to precisely meet the needs of the business or retail owner. Inventory costs will be reduced thus helping in improving profitability. Over and understocking issues will be a thing of the past. Changes in the inventory need to be prioritized as well to enhance its effectiveness.

How the Inventory Management System Works

References
Natarajan, B. (2013). U.S. Patent No. 4,887,207. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Salvo, J. J., Mackenzie, P. D., Bennett, J. S., Relyea, H. A., & Thomas, A. M. I. (2012). U.S. Patent No. 6,341,271. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Siewiorek, D., & Swarz, R. (2014). Reliable Computer Systems: Design and Evaluation. Digital Press.

CIS 500 – Information Systems for Decision-Making

© 2017 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.

CIS 500 Page 1 of 3

Case Study 1: Transforming the Organization

Due Week 5 and worth 175 points

Congratulations! The executives are taking your information system proposal seriously. In fact, they think
it has the potential to transform the way the organization works.

The CIO asked you to read Connelly (2016) to think about what resources you’ll need to get your new
information system up and running. Please also review the five case studies in (Basu 2015, p. 32-35) so
you can recommend a change management pattern for your company to follow.

Write a memo to the CIO that describes how to implement your information system into the organization.
Please focus on these topics:

1. How much of the implementation work can you handle? What additional resources (people,

information, time, money, etc.) will expedite the process so you don’t end up like Susie Jeffer?

2. Outline a change management strategy: What new equipment and software are necessary? What

training and support will the staff need? How will the staff complete their work during the transition

period? Do you anticipate other areas of resistance?

3. The CIO is very skeptical, so provide evidence that your assessment is accurate and complete. It

can be difficult to admit to personal limitations!

Your memo should be 3–5 pages long.

References:
Basu, K. K. (2015). The Leader’s Role in Managing Change: Five Cases of Technology-Enabled

Business Transformation. Global Business & Organizational Excellence, 34(3), 28-42.
doi:10.1002/joe.21602.

Connelly, B., Dalton, T., Murphy, D., Rosales, D., Sudlow, D., & Havelka, D. (2016). Too Much of a Good
Thing: User Leadership at TPAC. Information Systems Education Journal, 14(2), 34-42.

http://www.eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1136256

http://libdatab.strayer.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=101113779&site=eds-live&scope=site

CIS 500 – Information Systems for Decision-Making

© 2017 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.

CIS 500 Page 2 of 3

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and
language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 175 Case Study 1: Transforming the Organization

Criteria
Unacceptable
Below 70% F

Fair
70-79% C

Proficient
80-89% B

Exemplary
90-100% A

1. How much of the
implementation work are
you able to handle? What
additional resources
(people, information,
time, money, etc.) will
expedite the process so
you don’t end up like
Susie Jeffer?

Weight: 30%

(52.5 points)

Inadequate
description of
strengths and
limitations, only
described one or
the other

Limited
identification of
resources, unclear
how resources will
expedite process

Inadequate
connection to the
case study

Somewhat
described strengths
and limitations

Reasonable
resources
connected to
limitations, info on
how process will be
expedited

Reasonable
connection made to
the case study

Described
professional
strengths and
limitations

Identified additional
resources needed
based on
limitations,
described how
process will be
expedited

Applied case study
lessons learned

Identified project
risks and scope
creep, offered
advice on mitigating
both

Provided thorough
understanding of
the case study and
applied lessons
learned to the
information system

2. Outline a change
management strategy:
What new equipment and
software are necessary?
What training and
support will the staff
need? How will the staff
complete their work
during the transition
period? Are there other
areas of resistance that
you anticipate?

Weight: 30%
(52.5 points)

Inadequate
explanation of why
new equipment
needed

Did not propose
staff training

Limited explanation
of how staff will
continue to work

Inadequate
anticipation of
resistance stated

Somewhat
explained why new
equipment was
needed

Did not propose
staff training

Reasonable
explanation of how
staff continue to
work

Reasonable
anticipation of
resistance

Explained why new
hardware and
software are
needed

Proposed staff
training

Explained how staff
would continue
work during
transition

Anticipated areas of
resistance

Connected need for
change
management to
business needs

Organized structure
for staff training on
implementation
strategy

Recommended
approaches to
address resistance

3. The CIO is very
skeptical, so offer
evidence that your
assessment is accurate
and complete. It can be
difficult to admit to
personal limitations!

Inadequate
evaluation of
alternative
assessment

Limited explanation
of why the

Evaluated one
alternative
assessment

Somewhat
explained why the
alternative

Evaluated
alternative
assessments

Explained why
alternative
assessments are

Proposed how to
mitigate personal
and team limitations

Proposed
considerations that
would interest other

CIS 500 – Information Systems for Decision-Making

© 2017 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.

CIS 500 Page 3 of 3

Weight: 30%
(52.5 points)

alternative
assessment is
inaccurate or
incomplete

Limited evidence as
to why the
assessment is
accurate and
complete

assessment was
inaccurate or
incomplete

Reasonable
evidence that the
assessment is
accurate and
complete

not as accurate or
complete

Provided evidence
that the assessment
is accurate and
complete

members of the C-
suite

4. Clarity, persuasion,
proper communication,
writing mechanics, and
formatting requirements

Weight: 10%

(17.5 points)

Unclear structure,
not persuasive,
major grammatical
errors

Somewhat clear
structure, limited
persuasion,
grammatical errors,
language too simple
or too wordy

Clear structure,
persuasive writing,
minor or no
grammatical errors,
length and format
within requirements,
plain language

No grammatical
errors, plain
language,
organized by topic,
references business
needs, connects to
technical specs,
persuasive