Principles of Business Information Systems

Part A: Answer all questions

Question 1

1.1 Define the term 'systems'.

Illustrate your answer with a diagram and a practical example. (5)

1.2 Identify and describe the different ways in which systems can be

classified. (10)

{15}

Part B: Answer (2) questions (50 marks)

Question 2

2.1 Explain what is meant by the term 'network' i.e. concepts, topology, and classifications (10}

2.2 Explain what is meant by the Systems Development Lifecycle. (5)

2.2. Identity and explain five (5) systems development tools and techniques (10}

3.3. Discuss some of the considerations which have to be taken into account

in the logical design and physical design processes. (10}

{35}

Question 3

3.1 Explain what is meant by a Management Information System. (MIS) (10)

3.2. Using a block diagram, explain and clearly identify, all the components of a MIS.

(15) {25}

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Part C (25 marks)

Hudson Corporation

Hudson Products Cornoration. based in Johannesburg is a window and door manufacturer. According to Gus Hudson president of Hudson Corporation, who joined the family business in 1985, the company was barely in the computer age.

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"The old ways of doing things were inefficient" recalls Hudson.

Every order the company received was written at least seven times: on a phone -order pad ,in the daily sales log, on instructions for the cutting rooms, in the receivables ledger, on invoice stationery , on a shipping ticket, and finally on a monthly statement. Even worse, the business was wasting raw materials.

"Errors were tremendous, every transcribing and math mistake meant that frames, glass and screens that didn't fit properly had to be recut," said Hudson.

Realising the company needed professional help, Hudson hired Telluride Group a computer consulting company in Cape Town. The consultant advised Hudson to procure personal computers and install custom software for quotes and calculations. In addition they suggested linking the computers and software via telecommunications to a central database. Plans for how the information system should be used also needed to be created.

Today the company has six personal computers linked into a network.

Every department has access to the company's business records, so that employees can see at a glance the state of every order from sales through shipping.

"By eliminating rewriting the orders we have reduced the office staff from ten to seven," says Hudson .The information system also allows the company to bill its customers several days faster than before.

I "This means that payments come in sooner, and we pay our suppliers faster thereby qualifying for early payment discounts," said Hudson.

I In addition, the company's production waste has been reduced, and the system makes optimal use of materials in the cutting operation that further reduces scrap.

I "Profitability came up, so we could bring prices down," Hudson says.

Despite Gauteng's stagnant construction market sales have been growing steadily.

I Hudson believes the information system played a large part in that growth.

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Question 5

a. Identify the various components of the computer based information systems at Hudson Productions. What function do they play in the new information systems?

b. How has the new CBJS made the company more efficient and effective?

c. As an independent computer consultant, suggest an alternative way in which Hudson

could computerise its business

{25 marks}

[TOTAL: 100] Page 3