Reference no: EM132136734 , Length: 1700 Words
Case Study Assignment -
Case Description: Liang Global Solutions (LGS) operates in the six New England states. LGS faced an important decision: selecting network software that would maximize functionality, manageability, and end-user acceptance of the system. LGS created and followed a 4-step approach:
Step 1. Develop evaluation criteria. LGS organized a committee that interviewed users and created the following criteria:
- Scope of vendor support
- Ease of use
- Ease of network management and administration
- Cost, speed, and performance
- Ability to access other computing platforms
- Security and control
- Fault tolerance and recovery abilities
- Ability to connect workstations to the network
- Upgrade and enhancement options
- Global naming services
- Vendor stability
LGS organized the criteria into the four categories listed below and, within each of these categories, prioritized each criteria within a 5-point scale. Criteria important to short- and long-term business goals were given a 5. "Wish list" criteria were weighted a 3. Inapplicable criteria were given a 1.
1. Business criteria: overall business, competitive, and economic issues
2. Operational criteria: tactical issues and operating characteristics
3. Organizational criteria: networks' impact on the information systems structure
4. Technical criteria: software, hardware, and communications issues
Step 2. Define the operating environment. Several data-gathering techniques were used to collect information from which an IS model was developed. The model showed the need to share sales, accounting, engineering, and marketing data at three organizational levels: district, division, and home office. District offices needed access to centralized financial information to handle payroll. LGS needed a distributed network that allowed users throughout the organization to access company data.
Step 3. Identify operating alternatives. Using the criteria from step 1, committee members evaluated each package and then compared notes during a formal discussion.
Step 4. Test the software. The highest-scoring products were tested, and the product that fit the organization's needs the best was selected.
Case Questions:
1. What role did the committee play in the selection process?
2. Discuss how LGS should select committee members?
3. What are the advantages of using a committee to make the decision?
4. What are the disadvantages of using a committee to make the decision?
5. Describe data gathering methods LGS could use to assess the needs of users.
6. Describe data gathering methods LGS could use to choose vendors.
7. Discuss the pros of analyzing the operating environment.
8. What data gathering methods can an organization use to understand the operating environment?
9. How can the committee resolve scoring differences when choosing a system using the point-scoring technique? Describe at least two techniques.
10. Should purchase selections be determined on the point scoring technique alone? Why or why not?
11. Describe additional procedure(s) the committee should use when making the final choice.
Note: Follow these formatting guidelines: at least 6 - 7 pages, double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font. Also, include a clear heading for each question (e.g., type each question in bold, and directly below each question type your answer.)