Junk Van Case Prep

Problem/Issue Statement

Information handling errors are pervasive

·         Clerks accidentally sent the wrong version of the database to the morning operator, and as a result some jobs that were already booked no longer showed in the database

·         Some did not make their way onto the spreadsheets used by the drivers

·         Fixing the database was extremely time-consuming

·         While fixing the database, no new reservation could be taken as there is only one live copy

Situation Assessments

·         Drivers relied on instructions delivered through an e-mail system, and when this information was incomplete or incorrect, customers suffered the consequences

·         Essential to design a system of information flow that improved the quality of day-to-day operations

Criteria/User Requirements

·         Needed a central database

·         Internal information should no long be transmitted by email

·         Database should be accessible remotely since everybody would be working on it simultaneously from different locations

·         E-mails to customers to be sent automatically from the system in order to avoid mistakes and the resulting delays

·         Solution has to be easy to implement and operate

Evaluation of Alternatives

	Alternatives
User Request	M.S Access	Cus.App.	Goo. Docs	PaaS	ERP
Provides Central Database	P	P		P	P
Internal Information not transmitted by email	P		P	P	P
Database accessible remotely		P		P	P
Ability to send E-mails to customers automatically from the system in order.			P	P	P
Solution has to be easy to implement and operate	P			P	P

 Microsoft Access Database

·         Relatively short time and on a small budget

·         Installed on a centralized server to be accessed remotely through internet and VPN

·         Not allow remote access, and so each instance of the database would have to be updated manually, everyday

·         Require to delve into significant amount of technical information

·         Might require user licenses

·         Costs of hosting the shared server

·         Required professional development assistance

Custom Application

·         Web-based system, meets the requirements of a central database and provide remote access

·         $2000 upfront price but did not provide for any changes or adjustments that might be required

·         No way to predict how much maintenance would be needed

·         Custom-made software simply could not be seen beforehand

Google Docs

·         Work simultaneously on the same file

·         Set different user profiles

·         E-mail distribution was also supported

·         Free up to 10 user accounts and cheap for small business users

·         Can’t be cross referenced in the way it usually is in relational databases

·         Lack of formal customer support

·         Users did not own the tools and resources used to store sensitive company data

Platform as a Service

·         Through Internet

·         Users could utilize common applications

·         Build their own unique applications

·         Different providers had slightly different offers

·         Easily built forms and connected tables

·         Long-term contracts were not required

·         Scale the service up or down at any point, or cancel the service with one month’s notice

·         On-site Trial

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System

·         Built around central database

·         Accessible remotely

·         Integrate business process by covering every aspect of the business

·         Very costly

Recommendation

Quality recommendation

·         Custom Application

·         PAAS

·         ERP System

Logical recommendation

·         Considering Kinko’s criteria I believe going with the PAAS is the most logical recommendation.