Assignment - Case Study Report

Applicable course objective:

- apply ethical research and inquiry skills and demonstrate an understanding of the social impact of information technology and the need for security, privacy and ethical implications in information systems usage;

- demonstrate problem-solving skills by identifying and resolving issues relating to information systems and their components, and proficiently utilise different types of information systems software (especially gaining proficiency in utilising databases, spreadsheets, and presentation applications).

- apply academic and professional literacy skills and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of and differences between information and computer literacy; the basic types of software including system software (operating systems and utilities) and applications software (proprietary, off-the-shelf software applications and cloud computing); the basic hardware components of a computer system, including system unit, storage, input and output devices and the way that they interact to form a single computing system; understanding computer-based telecommunications and networking concepts; the basic concepts surrounding databases, database management systems and understanding the need for information management; the concepts surrounding the Internet, e-commerce/e-business and supply chain activities, and business intelligence, knowledge management and other business information system tools (TPSs, ERPs, MISs, DSSs etc) widely used in organisations today; and the processes involved in information system project management;

- apply written communication skills by understanding basic information, communication and technology (ICT) terminology for effective communication and applying it within a business environment.

Mrs Hyacinth Macaw, your manager, has set up the following tasks for you to complete this project:
Refer to the marking criteria for details of mark allocations.

Task 1: Journal (maximum 500 words)

Prepare a journal that records your activities and progress related to completing this assignment. In date order, clearly list the following:
- Date of research activity/discussion
- Full description of research activity / discussion (at least 25 words)
- Web sites visited to collect information; other references accessed (using Harvard AGPS Referencing style - submitted separate to the List of References in Task 2).
- Time duration of the activity
If you are working in a team, clearly state the activities of each team member.
Submit this journal as an appendix to Task 2. Any references to web pages and online documents, such as white papers, should be listed at the end of the journal.

Task 2: Case study (max 4,500 words)

Report Structure and Presentation
Your report should include a professional title page, computer generated Table of Contents (including List of Tables and List of Figures) and Appendices.

Note: Make sure to state the names of all students involved in the report on the title page.

Report Letter of Transmittal, Executive Summary and Introduction

Your report should include a letter of transmittal, executive summary, and introduction to the report.

Report Section 1 - E-Business and Mobile Business

How can the business move from mail order to being an online presence?
- What are the benefits and challenges that the business should be aware of before becoming an e-business?
- What are the characteristics of Web / Business 2.0? How should the business address these characteristics when setting themselves up as an e-business?
- Which type(s) of e-business model(s) should the business be considering implementing? Why?
- What type of e-commerce tools should the business consider utilising to connect and communicate with their customers? Why?
- What tools should the business use to measure their e-business success?
- Should the business also consider implementing m-business? What are the benefits and challenges Dr Dorothy "Dodo" Little will need to be aware of?
(Use Baltzan et al Chapters 2 & 3 - A Brave New Connected World / E-Business & Mobile Business to assist you in answering this topic)

Report Section 2 - Hardware, Software and Networking Infrastructure

What type of hardware and software, including networking infrastructure, should the business acquire to expand their capabilities to meet their new e-business initiative?

- Develop a computer hardware proposal (including printer(s)) to allow the business to provide up to twenty (20) staff with computer access, including current Australian prices for the equipment . Justify why this hardware is necessary for the business.

- Develop a computer software proposal, including both system and application software, to support the proposed computer hardware proposal, including Australian prices for the software . Justify why this software is necessary for the business.

- Develop a networking and communications proposal, including a suggested network architecture, topology and communication medium to support the proposed computer hardware and software proposal . Justify why this networking infrastructure has been chosen for the business.

- Include a diagram of the proposed hardware and network infrastructure to help Dr Dorothy "Dodo" Little visualise what you are recommending.
(Use Baltzan Chapter 5 - Technical Fundamentals to assist you in answering this topic)

Report Section 3 - Business Intelligence

What would be the benefits to the business of using business intelligence?

- How could the business use business intelligence? Outline for Dr Dorothy "Dodo" Little how business intelligence can assist the business decision making.

- How could the business use data mining to gain competitive advantage? What type of data mining would best suit the current businesses analysis needs? Why?

- What type of business intelligence tools would best suit the businesses current needs? Why?
(Use Baltzan et al Chapter 8 Section 2 - Business Intelligence)

Report Section 4 - Collaboration Systems

What would be the benefits to the business of implementing a collaboration system?

- How could the business benefit from using a collaboration system with its external partners? Outline how the business could implement such a collaborative system from both the structured and unstructured collaboration categories.

- How could the business benefit from using a knowledge management system? What are the types of explicit knowledge assets that could be easily managed with such a system? Why?

- How could the business benefit from the use of a content management system? What type of content management system would be of most value to the business? Why?

(Use Baltzan et al Chapter 10 Section 2 -Enterprise Information Systems: Collaboration Systems to assist you in answering this topic)

Report Section 5 - Social Media

What issues should the business be aware of when embarking on a social media presence?

- Outline to Dr Dorothy "Dodo" Little why the business should also be considering using Social Media as an avenue for communicating with their customers and promoting their brand.

- Review and critique, including providing screen captures, the social media presences of three (3) other businesses that sell similar products to Dr Dorothy "Dodo" Little's.

- How should the business manage their social media presence?

o Develop a draft Social Media Policy for the business that they can implement if they were to embark on a social media strategy.
(Use Baltzan et al Chapter 11 Section 2 - Social Media to assist you in answering this topic)

Report: Conclusions and Recommendations to the Business

Your report should include separate conclusions and recommendations sections.

- Conclusions provide a summary of your key findings from the body of the report.

- Recommendations provide a summary of the recommendations to the business based on the research conducted in the report.
Report: Referencing and Appropriateness of Sources 20%

References are required and the Harvard AGPS standard of referencing must be used. This standard is detailed on USQ Library Site .

Ensure that your reports are fully referenced, including any reference to the text book. Your report should include in-text references and a List of References.

Do not repeat verbatim large slabs of information from other sources such as the text - you must put the ideas/information in your own words.

You must use at least ten (10) academically sound sources other than the textbook in completing this report.