Systems Analysis And Design
SoftWear, Limited (SWL) is a continuing case study that illustrates the knowledge and skills described in each chapter. In this case study, the student acts as a member of the SWL systems development team and performs various tasks.
Background
SoftWear, Limited, manufactures and sells casual and recreational clothing for men and women. SWL was formed about 10 years ago when a national firm sold the division during a corporate downsizing. A group of managers obtained financing and became owners of the company. With clever marketing, competitive pricing, and efficient production, SWL has grown to more than 450 employees, including the corporate headquarters and manufacturing plants. Last year, SWL had sales of $700 million.
The company employs 90 people at its Raleigh, North Carolina, headquarters, including officers, managers, and support staff. Another 30 salaried and 340 hourly people are employed at production facilities in Haskell, California, and Florence, Texas. The company also is considering new factories in Canada and Australia.
SWL maintains a Web site with information about the company and its products. SWL’s Web site features text, graphics, and audio and allows customers to send e-mail, order products from the SoftWear catalog, and request special promotional items, including beach umbrellas, hats, and T-shirts customized with the purchaser’s logo. SWL also is studying other ways to use the Internet to boost product sales and expand its marketing efforts, including a special European promotion designed to increase awareness of SWL’s Web site.
Organization
SWL’s headquarters includes the executive, operations, marketing, finance, and human
resources departments. Figure 1-38 shows the organization chart of the management positions within SWL. Notice that the director of information technology, Ann Hon, reports to Michael Jeremy, vice president of finance. The director of the payroll department, Amy Calico, also reports to Mr. Jeremy.
The IT department includes Ann Hon, the director; Jane Rossman, the systems support manager; Zachary Ridgefield, the user support manager; and Ella Trung, the Web support manager. Figure 1-39 shows the organization of the IT department. At SWL, the systems support group also handles new systems development, network administration, and database administration.
Systems analysts and programmers report to Jane Rossman, systems support manager. Systems analysts primarily analyze and design information systems. Programmers primarily develop, test, and implement code necessary for systems development, enhancements, and maintenance. In addition to the current staff, SWL is planning to hire a programmer-analyst who will divide his or her time between systems analysis and programming duties. The technical support staff members are responsible for the system software on all SWL computers. They also provide technical advice and guidance to the other groups within the IT department. The operations staff is responsible for centralized IT functions, including SWL’s mainframe computer, and provides network and database administration.
Current Systems
SWL uses a manufacturing and inventory control system at its factories, but the system does not exchange data with SWL’s suppliers at this time. The company’s sales processing system handles online and catalog transactions, and produces sales reports.
The marketing staff, however, wants even more information about sales trends and marketing analysis data. A company intranet connects employees at all locations, and provides e-mail, shared calendars, and a document library. Most administrative employees have workstations with Microsoft Office applications, but SWL has not provided company-wide training or help desk support.
SWL Team Tasks
1. Write an employment advertisement for a new systems business/analyst position at SWL. Perform Internet research to locate examples of advertisements for business/systems analysts, and consider SWL’s business profile when you write the advertisement.
2. Should SWL consider any of the following systems: ERP, business support, or knowledge management? Why or why not?
3. Describe four organizational functions of a typical business (Human resources, sales marketing, and operations) and their information requirements. Could user productivity software play a role in that effort? How?
By Shelly & Rosenblatt (2011)
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