Business Information Systems
Generic word count requirements The word count for this assignment is 2500 words. You must state on the front of your assignment the number of words used and this will be checked. The main text for this assignment must be word-processed in Arial, font 12, double spacing, minimum 2cm margins all around. You must observe the word count specified in this assignment brief. The School has a policy of accepting variations to the recommended word count of plus or minus 10%. What does this mean for you? Markers will mark your work up to the word count maximum plus 10% and then will stop marking; therefore, all words which are more than the word count plus 10% will not be marked. Where your word count is more than 10% below that specified, it is likely that this will result in a lack of analytical depth or relevant content, which will be reflected in the mark assigned. What is in the word count? The word count includes: -?the main text, including in-text reference citations and quotations. The word count does not include: – Appendices. These may be used to include supporting data, which may be too detailed or complex to include as a Table. They are not a device to incorporate material, which would otherwise cause you to exceed the word limit. – Title page – Contents page – Abstract/executive summary – Tables, figures, legends – Reference lists – Acknowledgements Assessment Instructions In all, six essay style questions are presented with their weightings. You are required to show evidence of reading and use examples of relevant business information systems to support your answers. The question in Section A is compulsory. You should answer only TWO questions from Section B. Assessment Section A is compulsory (Total Marks 40) (1000 Words) Question 1 (1000 Words) You are an Information Systems consultant for an ICT company. Café Blue is a successful small regional café chain. Currently Café Blue does all their information management on paper! This includes, supply chain management and ordering, pay roll and accounting, and customer relations. They approach you as they want to move to an integrated computerised business information systems platform. Provide a concise overview, suitable for Café Blues board of directors, of the different levels and types of Information Systems, and the benefits they could provide to SMEs like Café Blue. (40 marks) Section B Candidates should answer TWO questions (Total 60 Marks) (1500 Words) Question 2 (750 Words) Modern integrated business information systems platforms are used to collect large amounts of highly detailed data about company staff and customers. Using examples from real companies discuss the ethical and data security implications of collecting these types of data. What impact on society might these types of data collected have? (30 marks) Question 3 (750 Words) Knowledge management systems improve how knowledge and expertise are managed in a company. Critically evaluate how knowledge management systems help make sure that all employees of a company have appropriate access to knowledge information when they need it. (30 marks) Question 4 (750 Words) Cosmic Engineering is a high-tech manufacturing start up. The company has been expanding and their Information Systems platform needs updating. Should Cosmic Engineering develop their own bespoke business information systems platform, or buy an off the shelf solution? Critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches. (30 marks) Question 5 (750 Words) A company wants to expand its business and improve its relationships with its customers. Using examples, evaluate how business information systems can assist companies with customer retention and building customer relationships. (30 marks) Question 6 (750 Words) Using case examples to support your answer, critically evaluate how relevant business information systems can improve the efficiency of a companys supply chain, and its relationship with its suppliers. (30 marks) END OF ASSESSMENT
