DIS511 sep-dec 2019 ASSIGNMENT

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

DIS511: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

GROUP ASSIGNMENT

LECTURER- NAME

Names Reg:number signature

John kabucho mwangi D61/33121/2019
Rakiel ogake kaoka D61/35448/2019
Damaris kawita kiambati D61/34595/2019
Josephine muthoni runji D61/34100/2019
Kennedy kisoi D61/3414/2019
s.g.gitemi D61/30140/2019

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Question one (Polepoe limited)

Possible causes of the slow response in Polepole intranet

Intranet is a network inside an organizations that uses internet technologies into provide an
internet like environment within the enterprise for information sharing communication
collaboration and the support of business process (marakas, 2013)

There are several cases that cause slow response of the internet as follows;

i. Memory capacity

The processors needs millions of the memories spaces to quickly read or write, process or
transmit data and information. Small memory capacity in a system slows the entire
Polepole intranet .Some older devices may need additional memory to get the best speeds.

ii. Bus/electronic paths

It is the path that transport electronic signals. The intranet speed in Polepole is affected
by the width of the bus and the distance from the computer to the company website. The
limited path in the company may be the cause of the slow intranet

iii. Registers

the size of the register is also called the word size and it indicates the amount of data or
bits which the processors can work at a sing time ,the smaller the word size the slow the
computer and the intranet system

iv. Obstructions:

Where polepole Wi-Fi gateway located is would also be a matter of concern. Walls
containing studs, metal pipes and glass surfaces can all cause noticeable slowdowns.
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v. Jamming:

The problem may not be on the company. It could be the result of an overloaded or
jammed channel

vi. Viruses:

If you have any viruses or unnecessary software running in your computer’s

background, it may reduce the amount of processing power and speed available for
data from the internet.

vii. Telecommunication Software:

Pole pole computer and the intranet system might need updated telecommunication
software, such as an operating system patch.

Suggestion of the solutions

a) Memory capacity

By enhancing the memory capacity, Polepole Company will be assured of fast

processing and transmission of data within the intranet

b) Number of user –

The number of user in the intranet should be defined and limited since a large number
of users jams the systems and slows down operation

c) System security and controls

The pole pole limited need to be aware the safety of the computer and maintain strong
control and security measures of the computer and intranet channels

d) Updating and regular maintenance of the system

replacive maintenance arises when the system becomes to slow or too old to process
and transmit data and information. The management should replacing the system
software and hardware with the a fast technology

Question two

A chain of hotels uses personal computers (PCs) for its transaction processing. It is
the suggestion of an ICT consultant that the PCs be replaced now. However, hotel
management suggests that the replacement be effected after two years. Discuss the
strengths and the shortcomings of each suggestion.
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STRENGTHS OF REPLACING THE PCs NOW

1. Competitive advantage;

This will enable the chain of hotels be at par with the technological changes in the
industry and thus be competitive hence attract more customers than the
competitors.
2. Efficiency:
If the computers are replaced now, the processing speed will increase hence
serving the customers faster. Customers hate delays and a faster service will make
them loyal.

3. Costs reduction;

Once personal computers are replaced with better ones, costs will be reduced. This
is because better computers will need less human labor to operate them.
4. Improve worker productivity;

There is employee motivation that accompanies new technology. Since the

replacements will be making work easier, the end user will be more productive.
5. Value for money;
With replacements being done right away, the value for resources used will be
noticed as compared to waiting for two years.
6. Capacity of Users;
Changing the computers now would lead to increased number of users in the same
software.
7. Enjoy opportunity cost:
Forego the cost of repairing of machines, performance problems, increased
memories capacity, by replacing with new machines.
SHORTCOMINGS
1. Resource constraints;

If replacement is done now, there is a likelyhood of financial constraints on the

firm since the capital foe purchasing new computers will not have been budgeted
for.
2. Lack of skills and trainings;

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Every program in a computer comes up with different instructions. So if personal

computers will be replaced now, the staff will lack the skills and technical
knowhow to operate them
3. Users resistances
Possibility of the replacements being unsupported by the employees due to their
lack of involvement; The staff who will be operating these computers will be
dissatisfied since an abrupt replacement wont have been prepared them enough on
how to go about them.

STRENGTHS OF REPLACING THE PCs AFTER TWO YEARS

1. Proper planning and budgeting;
After two years, the firm will have budgeted the resources for personal computer
replacements hence no financial constraints will be experienced.

2. Trainings and skills gain;

New technology comes with new programs and therefore the management will have
trained the end users on how to operate the new computers to increase accuracy.
3. Minimal rejection by staff;

In two years time, the management will have involved the staff in planning for
personal computer replacements. With the end users being made aware of the benefits
that will come with it, there will be a smooth transition.
4. Opportunity cost of profitable ventures:
The company would have invested the resources in other profitable ventures.
SHORTCOMINGS
1. Opportunity cost;

The firm will suffer from the forgone best opportunity of not replacing the
computers two years earlier.
2. Technological obsolescence;

Technology keeps changing every now and then. Therefore waiting for two years
to replace the personal computers will render the current computers to be of no
value due to their prolonged obsolescence.
Question three
Question three

A) Shortcomings of the system used by wekeza before database implementation

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a) Data inconsistence

Wekeza had a number of problems ,due to computer -based information systems for instance
customer codes are not common across branches or line of business hence this has led to date
inconsistence therefore he is not able to determine how profitable its individual customers
are, it also cannot able to negotiate favourable purchasing agreements wi5th its major
suppliers.

b) Incompatible file formats

This is an instance where files are written in different languages and so cannot easily access
each other’s files. Wekeza cannot be able to pool inconsistence data from its nine plants it has
in order to find how much it buys from each supplier. Also its codes are not common across
branches and lines of business due to incompatibility.

c) Limited Data sharing

In this case data are scattered in various files also different files may have different formats
and these files may be stored in different folders may be of different departments. So, due to
this data isolation, it is difficult to share data among different applications. In this case
Wekeza cannot share common data across all its branches about profits it makes from each
customers neither how much it buys from each supplier.

d) Data dependency

This is unhealthy dependency between data and programs. In this case Wekeza was not able
to develop or pull reports fast enough for its use since the data was dependent on the
programs which were not fast enough. Users were also not able to create customised reports
with a query or report writer.

e) Separated and isolated data

To make a decision, a user might need data from two separate files, application needs to be
written in a programming language to extract the needed data. Is this case Wekeza was not
able to pool its data because it was separated in its nine plants with different codes.

f) Duplication of Data

Often same information is stored in more than one file. Duplication wastes time and money, it
takes up additional storage space, it can also lead to loss of data integrity.
In this case Wekeza had issues due to data duplication for instance; reports would not be
developed fast enough, burden of system maintenance, it was not able to pool report due to
data inconstancies.

Question three (b)

i) Data inconsistence
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The new database management system has an development application which goes much
faster with 4GL coding technique provided by the DT/DB, this has addressed the issue of
data inconsistence, users can now query tools that give them direct access to data without
requiring MIS handling.

ii) Incompatible file formats

All its systems so that they are generic in nature hence compatibility. Wekeza has adopted a
three point program to eliminate an application backlog to ensure it does not return.
Application development is faster with 4GL coding technique provided by the DT/DB.

iii) Limited Data sharing

With the use of database management system, users can query corporate databases and create
customised reports with a query /report writer which is a DT/db database management system
capability hence they can share report easily across

iv) Data dependency

Wekeza has developed all its systems so that they are generic in nature and can be modified
and maintained easily, therefore less data dependency

v) Separated and isolated data

Wekeza has developed all its systems so that they are they are generic and can be easily
modified and maintained. With the use of database management system, users can query
corporate databases and create customised reports with a query /report writer which is a
DT/db database management system capability hence data is not isolated and separated

vi) Duplication of Data

All its systems so that they are generic in nature hence compatibility. Wekeza has adopted a
three point program to eliminate an application backlog to ensure it does not return.
Application development is faster with 4GL coding technique provided by the DT/DB.
Therefore date is not easily duplicated

Question four

(a) There are several different types of information systems at Magreb Chemical.
Identify each of them, supporting your answer in each case.
 Transaction processing systems: these are system that conduct daily
transactions and operations support systems that record and process data
resulting from business Magreb chemicals transactions are processed

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immediately and inventory updated immediately.

 Enterprise collaboration systems: These systems enhance team and
workgroup communications and productivity, and are sometimes called office
automation systems. Magreb uses its internet to connect and communicate with
customers and suppliers as they share information’s of sales. They communicate
with video conferencing and also on email.
 Process control systems: These systems monitor and control physical
processes of an organization. For Magreb data generated is captures by sensor
and processed and give possible solutions to the engineers.
 Management information system: These systems provide information in the
form of pre-specified reports and displays to managers and many business
professionals. Managers at Magreb receive management information processed
by the system periodically for alternative decision available.
 Decision support system: this a computer based information system that
provide interactive information support to managers and professional during
the decision making. These systems give direct computer support to managers
during the decision-making process in an organization. The system they use
allows managers access graphs, and text summaries which assist them in
decision making in the organization. His make them to achieve at a decision
on how to strategically deal with competition.
 Executive support system –are information system that combine many
features of management information system and decision support system
(marakas 2013) this system has additional capabilites including data
analysis ,electronic mailand personal productivity tool.
Videoconferencing and electronic mail services are part of executive supports
systems. Data generated by a chemical refinery process are captured by
sensors and processed by a computer that also suggests answers to a complex
refinery problem posed by an engineer. Managers and business professional’s
access reports on a periodic, exception and demand basis, and use computers
to interactively assess the possible results of alternative decision system .this
are function of information support system

(b) Show how information systems at Magreb Chemical support its strategic
advantage, highlighting in each case, the force and the strategy being pursued,
with reference to Michael Porter’s competitive forces model.
i. Michael porter argues that the goal of the strategist is to understand
and cope with competition.
ii. Magreb has a strategy of connecting themselves directly with the
customers. This is evidenced in the use of internet to share information
with customers and suppliers.
iii. Cost Leadership. You target a broad market (large demand) and offer
the lowest possible price.
iv. Differentiation. Magreb wants to be at its best when doing business
and thus it so needs to changes their computer-based systems to
increase the efficiency of their E-business operations and their
managers’ ability to react quickly to changing business conditions.
v. Cost Focus- in increasing the efficiency level at Magreb company,
cost will be reduced significantly

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vi. Differentiation - Magreb Chemical Corporation is differentiating its

focus market to the global market with the use of internet intranets,
extranets, and the Internet to build through forming business alliances
and using a global electronic commerce website to offer their
customers worldwide products and services.

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