Running head: INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE

Information System Infrastructure An Assignment Submitted by Name of Student Name of Establishment

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE Abstract This paper provides an analysis and recommendations on implementation of information system for a car rental business. It is based on theoretical aspects of data management, work of databases and business processes applied through the web interface. The main objective of the paper is to provide two information systems possible for business implementation, provide comparative analysis, suggest recommendations and give a set of arguments on the most important aspects of information system structure in the scope of functioning within the business environment.

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT. LIST OF FIGURES. LIST OF TABLES CHAPTERS. I. II. III. IV. V. INTRODUCTION ARCHITECTURE DIAGRAMS. COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES.. DATA MODELLING DIAGRAM. CONCLUSION

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REFERENCES

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE List of figures

Figure 1. First 3-tier client-server model for car rental management system. Figure 2. Second 3-tier client-server model for car rental management system..

Figure 3. Data Modelling diagram for car rental information system... 11

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE List of tables

Table 1. The comparison of two information systems for the car rental business 9

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE Information System Infrastructure Current trends in usage of information systems for either small or big businesses demonstrate that it is important part of equation, where knowledge multiplied by technology brings incremental profit. The idea is of a competitive advantage across the business environment. Hoffer, Ramesh and Topi indicate that advantage goes to people and organizations that collect, manage and interpret information effectively (p. 3). It is particularly important while dealing with the big amount of data required to be processed without delays. In order to provide the broader view on the problem, we will analyze two possible systems applicable for car rental business, assuming the potential expansion through the markets and wide usage of online services. Before conducting an analysis on potential development models for the business, it is important to describe several critical factors influencing the business. First, the business is at its forming stage and has not operated with complex information systems before, using a home-built application for its needs. It means that the complete outsourcing model would not fit here. Second, the business expanded from car replacement structure to full rental structure since the operations spread to the airport and centres of tourism. Therefore, the business is now concerned with architecture solutions and internal communication between its parts (Enterprise Architecture, 2012). Third, the essential part of the whole approach is to make the system easily accessible and to drive excellent performance. This is also includes certain stages within the system development aimed on marketing, which is possible through the social networking and Web 2.0 tools. It means that the certain mechanisms within the system are intended to operate via converting some abstract content into the actual presentation for dealing with

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE various ways of presenting the end data for users (Web programming. Part I - XHTML, 2012). Architecture diagrams The first solution for car rental system design is presented as a 3-tier client-server model, focusing on the three parts titled as client, application server and database server (The Internet and Web Infrastructure, 2012):

LEVEL 1: CLIENT

Client hardware (computer, phone, other input/output device

Third party hardware (computer, phone, other input/output device

LEVEL 2: APPLICATION SERVER Requests processing module

Payments processing module

LEVEL 3: DATABASE SERVER

Figure 1. First 3-tier client-server model for car rental management system.

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE The above diagram provides a simple 3-tier processing system assigned as centralized data storage. On the first level the customer can access either company website or social network application, registering in a system and ordering a car. The database administrator then receives a notification through the messaging system that new order was received and processes it further. The output for the administrator is the complete database with multiple keys needs being processed with a high accuracy. It does not distribute each customer in a separate spreadsheet. However, the approach is more flexible in terms of security since not requires encrypted connection. The second diagram gives another perspective using the outsourcing software module:

PC Station 1

Database order 1

PC Station 2

Application server (distributed operations)

Database order 2

PC Station 3

Database order 3

Figure 2. Second 3-tier client-server model for car rental management system

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE In this model the outsourcing application installed on application server level, allowing distribution of each order for a specified customer. As soon as the payment was done, the account is archived. However, the problem is direct addressing and interconnection between the application and user, which could present issues with security protocols and wrong distribution of the orders. Comparison of alternatives Further research provides a comparative analysis of two information systems in a table format, indicating advantages and disadvantages for selected models:

Table 1 The comparison of two information systems for the car rental business Specification Data processing 1st model Server and terminal processing, Windows operating system Data WAN, WAN, Wireless, Web-based Advantage in wireless networking, but still with security risks and increased costs. 2nd model Distributed processing, Windows operating system Comments Second option is more userfriendly, but has particular risks on security level while distributing data under Windows applications.

communication/networking Web-based

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE Database management/data Centralized storage storage Distributed storage Outsourcing to the third party brings additional costs which is not effective for this system. Security and Management https protocol https protocol Other options might be not compatible with user systems since it is required to operate under multiple browsers and Windows versions. Flexibility and Scalability Distributed computing Both Distributed and Cloud computing CRM Functions Outsources or locally developed applications Outsources or locally developed The highest focus is on applicability of social network tools, but both systems are Cloud computing might cause additional security issues and vulnerability testing.

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applications capable of calculations.

Summarizing, the major restrictions for smooth operations are connected to security specifications and preliminary defined access to the system worldwide, given that the business is intended to be accessible across multiple geographies. The first model is more security oriented, that is why user interface might not require long-term authorization processes and late payments. The second one is more user friendly,

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE providing high speed of transactions but, to avoid security problems, might probably bring long registration and authorization processes instead. Data modelling diagram The last part of this research provides the entity-relationships modelling diagram applicable for both cases described above (Database Systems, 2012):

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has

Reservation
M

Car Car ID Rate ID Mileage Date_leaves Time_leaves Date_return Time_return Coll_damage Pers_accident Gas_amount

Rental Agreement ID Full name Rate ID Car ID Date_leaves Time_leaves Mileage Date_return Time_return
1 is 1

Agreement ID Payment ID Rate ID

1 Consists of

Driver
M has

Full name Birth Date License number State of issue

1

Customer Full name Birth Date License number State of issue Deposit ID

Rate class Rate ID

1 Consists of 1

Inspection Coll_damage Pers_accident

has 1

Extra charge Coll_damage Pers_accident Gas_amount Payment ID

1

Payment
M

Payment ID Deposit ID Agreement ID

has

Figure 3. Data Modelling diagram for car rental information system

INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE Conclusion This paper provided a short overview of the importance of information systems in current business and focused on comparative analysis of two potential information systems for the car rental business. Given the fact the business is expanding, the necessity of system application is pretty high. The first model described under this research is more focused on security, and the second brings the accessibility. The practical decision on what system to select is mostly dependent on the costs. The second approach seems to be more applicable for end users, but requires more investments for realization. Also, this paper provided several examples for practical application of data modelling. Further researches indicating additional data are possible as well.

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INFORMATION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE References Database Systems (2012). Poster session presented by Deakin University, School of Information Systems. Enterprise Architecture (2012). Poster session presented by Deakin University, School of Information Systems. Hoffer, J. A., Ramesh V. & Topi, H. (2010). Modern Database Management (Tenth ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall. The Internet and Web Infrastructure (2012). Poster session presented by Deakin University, School of Information Systems. Web programming. Part I XHTML (2012). Poster session presented by Deakin University, School of Information Systems.

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