Section
1: 33 Marks - Short Answer – 50
Minutes
Often managers need help in making decisions and
they use they might use a DSS. The simplest DSS is a spreadsheet that is used
to test out different scenarios by asking ‘what-if-questions’. (Fitzpatrick page 25)
Expert systems are used on a day-to-day basis to
automate problem solving in different ways. Expert systems have stored in them
the knowledge of an expert in a particular area such as prescribing medicine,
finding problems in motors, locating minerals, diagnosing diseases, analyzing
stock market information, and the writing of insurance policies. (Fitzpatrick
page 24)
The most fundamental information system in
business organizations is a TPS. These systems record and keep track of all the
data involved in transactions such as sales and production. (Fitzpatrick page
23)
3x2=6 marks
Often problems arise in organizations that cause
the organizations aims and objectives not to be achieved.
There is an immediate problem that prevents a
product or service being provided adequately eg A supply company may not be
getting their catalogue to their retail outlets early enough.
A detailed system analysis of the current system
requires data to be acquired to establish the capabilities and deficiencies of
the current system. (Fitzpatrick p 106)
The rest of the SDLC is based on the Analysis
phase. If
the analysis is not done correctly, unnecessary
time and cost will be wasted.
2+2=4 Marks
Interviews, observations, surveys and
questionnaires, collecting sample documents and files, researching similar
systems. (Fitzpatrick pp 107,108)
Advantage: Interviews: further information can
be elicited.
Disadvantage: Interview: Can be time consuming and/or inconvenient for the
interviewee.
Context
diagrams, data flow diagrams, data dictionaries, flow charts, decision tables,
decision trees, grid charts, structured English, IPO charts, hierarchy charts,
structure charts. (Fitzpatrick p109)
Operational, economic, technical, developmental,
conversion method, efficiency objectives, effectiveness objectives.
(Fitzpatrick pp100,101 and 109)
b.
Describe
what they would be assessing in that area.
Operational feasibility determines whether a
project can be put into place. It also looks at how the people will be affected
and whether there will be unintentional effects that may occur as a consequence
of the change.
1+2=3 marks
Analysis
phase or Design phase
b. Explain the purpose of a context diagram.
A context diagram is the highest
level of a data flow diagram. It gives a general description of the system and
indicates the relationship between the system and the external entities.
1+2=3 marks
The logical
design consists of the details of what the new system should do. The physical
design is a description of how the aims and objectives are to be achieved.
(Fitzpatrick page 144)
2 marks
Internal
documentation may include a description of the variables and file and data
structures used. This would assist in maintaining or updating the program.
Internal
documentation might be used to explain lines of code that are not easily
understood. This could aid a programmer, other than the author, who may need to
modify the program. (Fitzpatrick page 11)
2 marks
Customers calculate the total of their order and this
is not always correct.
The figures on the weekly reports do not match the
amounts going into the bank
The long turn-around time between placing an order and
receiving the goods has customers complaining.
Products names on the printer order are inconsistent
Communication between the departments is disorganized
3
Marks
The
company’s influence has spread throughout Australia, and has growing interest
from overseas enthusiasts. The company’s management see that this as a prime
opportunity to expand their business using newer, efficient, and effective
methods of online merchandising. The current system does not cater for this
possibility.
3 Marks
a. Identify three data
sources that could be used during system analysis and design, one has been provided
for you.
Data Source |
Data provided |
Collection method |
Customers |
Ease of
ordering merchandise. Satisfaction with range and quality of merchandise.
Value for money. |
Survey via
return coupon or phone (when ordering) |
Staff |
Areas of
customer complaints. Number of customer complaints. Problems with current
system. |
Interview
staff, probably as a group (‘brainstorm session’) |
Management |
Areas of
the company that are most profitable and those that are least profitable. |
Financial
reports |
8 (1+1, 1+1+1, 1+1+1) Marks
SECTION 2 Part B – Design
1.
a. State three system goals that
would help achieve these organization goals.
b. State three system objectives
for each system goal.
(The system analyst
has identified the following as organizational
goals:
1. To supply the racing and car enthusiast community with a range of high
quality racing and vehicular merchandise
2. To ensure efficient quality customer service
3. To ensure accurate and prudent financial management
4. To provide accurate and
timely product information to local and international members of the racing and
car enthusiast community.)
System Goal |
System Objectives |
Example: System Goal: To ensure system data integrity and security |
Example: Objective 1: to have an
accurate back up of the customer database at all times Objective 2: all users to have usernames and passwords |
System Goal 1: To ensure the customers are satisfied with the quality of the products offered. |
Objective 1. All products to be manufactured by a reputable supplier Objective 2 Customers are able to exchange items that they are not
entirely satisfied with |
System Goal 2: To ensure that customer orders are processed at the fastest possible rate. |
Objective 1 To dispatch all orders within 24 hours of the receipt of the order Objective 2 To compensate customers who do not receive their order in
the specified time by giving a discount on their next order |
System Goal 3: To ensure that the data entered into the system is accurate. |
Objective 1 To validate electronically as much the of data as it is input Objective 2 To compare projected income with actual income |
9
(1+2, 1+2, 1+2)Marks
2.
Fill in the blanks on the data flow diagram
for the proposed system.
3.
Consider the customer file and construct a simple data table.
Data Item
|
Description
|
Characteristics
|
Eg: Firstname Surname Street_address Suburb State Postcode Country Payment_method Credit_card_number CC_expiry_date Customer_ID_number |
First name of customer The customer’s surname The customer’s street address The customer’s suburb or town The customer’s state or county The customer’s postcode or zip code Payment method – Visa or Mastercard CC number CC expiry date Unique identity number (the key field) |
String, 20 char X(15) X(30) X(25) X(30) 9999 X(30) X(10) 9(16) 9999 9(8) |
8
Marks
4.
Describe the key networking hardware and software that will be needed by
Zoom to implement this new online ordering system.
Hardware/Software |
Purpose |
server |
To process data and manage the workstations |
Workstations (PCs) incl k/board, VDU, mouse |
For the input of data and output of information |
NICs and cabling |
So that the workstations can be connected to the
server |
HDDs |
For the storage of data and to hold OS/startup on
workstations |
OS on server and PCs |
So that the workstations can run applications
s/ware and server can manage users and peripherals |
Internet connection (ISP), modem, cables,
dedicated phone line |
To provide an on-line system |
Firewall (h/ware & s/ware) |
To protect the system from
potential hackers |
Printer/s |
For printing orders (as a backup), financial
reports, warehouse invoices etc |
Applications s/ware |
A RDBMS for managing customer DB, an accounting
program eg MYOB for managing the finances, a secure financial transaction
program to enable secure transmission of credit card nos. |
5.
For the following system objective:
Objective 1: to have an accurate back up of the customer database
at all times
a.
Identify two possible hardware/software solutions
Hardware/Software Solution 1 |
Hardware/Software Solution 2 |
Tape drive, tapes, drivers (s/ware) for the tape
drive, backup/scheduling software |
CD burner, CDs, CD burner s/ware eg Nero,
scheduling s/ware for automatic backup |
4 Marks
b.
Using the four feasibility factors compare both alternatives
Feasibility |
Solution
1 |
Solution
2 |
Economic |
More expensive for both tape drive and tapes |
CD-R/W are cheaper at about $2 each cf tapes at
$25 each |
Operational |
More difficult to restore data from tape |
Data easily restored from CD |
Technical |
Far greater capacity than CD (up to 80Gb) |
Limit of 650Mb of data |
Scheduling |
Takes far longer to backup data |
|
4 Marks
c.
Recommend one solution
Solution
2. Most likely the cheaper of the two alternatives and also far easier to
restore the system in case of a ‘crash’.
The main limitation is that the CD capacity is only 650Mb.
3
Marks
6. For the new online
ordering system develop three criteria that will be used to evaluate the new
system.
Criterion 1: Economic – have income increased as a result of offering the
option of ordering online
Criterion 2: Operational – has the number of customer complaints been
reduced.
Criterion 3: Operational/scheduling – has the time taken for an order to
processed been reduced
3 Marks