1.4-2 The hence budgetary controls are not developed. Three more systems were purchased at high prices for the managers of the Ladies, Children and Men’s Departments. The characterized by a managerial need to explain the potential of computer applications to alienated users. Due to the shortage of qualified individuals, implementing these employees results in high salaries.
1.4-3 The stage - The management of duboutique realise that there is so much spent on this technology and there is a lot of risk involved hence control and budgetary measures wear introduced. The expenditure on the new system include the purchase of the system, specialist fee, trainings, software and securities. The management reacted against excessive and uncontrolled expenditures of time and money spent on the computer systems, and the major problem for the management was the organization of tasks for control of computer operating costs.
1.4-4 At this stage, the new technology became part of the business strategy. The whole staff began to gain interest In the new system. Staff began to see the system as an essential part of the organistion’s growth and not a rival. it becomes ever more important for the business to keep up with the development. A larger data processing budget growth exists. The managers put in place better management controls and set relevant standards. the staff were equipped with the information on the new system, Duboutique staff were skilled, the business no longer require ousider to use the system
1.4-5 - There is identification of data similarities, its usage, and its meanings within the whole organization. The new point of sale provides more information for the organization as the collected data such as sales, stock level continually help the organization in providing useful information for other activities such as re-ordering stock.
1.4-6 The maturity stage -Duboutique is presently at this stage. “The point of sale Systems” now reflect the real information needs of the organization. Compiling all of the information and experience of the previous five stages allows the organization to function at high levels of efficiency and effectiveness. Greater use of the resources help to develop competitive and opportunistic applications, the management is able to control; the sales record, the stock level, the purchases, marketing and financial.
1.5 Introduction- With reference to Duboutique, I will discuss how the ward and grffith’s model is utilised to get the best out of technology. Duboutique now has a website with log in for customers and suppliers. Customers can purchase their items online and suppliers can log in to the back office online for their dealings with the company. Planning for information systems, begins with identification of needs. In order to be effective, development of this information system is a response response to the need. The information management is aimed at ‘to add value by exploiting information as a core business resource’ (Ward and Griffiths 1996, 363) and therefore, it should to be based on core competences of an organisation.
1.6 The WARD AND Griffith’S modell“Ward and giffiths state that the implication for the organisation are that a complex inheritance must be appropriately supported, improved and replaced while current opportunities are exploited and future possibilities explored” This model suggest that organisation need to adopt four information system planning strategies. The model shows the necessity of strategic it planning, it emphasises on the fact that strategic it planning should be treated as a strategic resources. The model includes ; changing the external relationship in an organisation, improved integration for internal processes, enable the introduction of new or enhanced products or services and providing information to support the development of business strategy.
1.7- 1 Changing the external relationship in an organisation - The internet and technological advances in communication speed permit consumers and supplier of duboutique to communicate with one another rapidly, at any hour, any day of the year. The growth and strengthening of the global economy has fashioned a fast paced environment where an organization must be efficient/provide value to remain competitive. Customers and suppliers of the company has direct access to their accounts online, they can update their information without attending the shop physically. The system changes the relationship between the supliers and customer hence it is strategic.
1.7-2 Improved Integration for Internal processing - This evolve around Nolan’s integration stage. The computerised point of sales system became part of the business strategy. Staff began to see the system as an essential part of the organistion’s growth and not a competitor. The information system covers wide areas of activities in the firm, it, made all activities in the company such as sales, stock control, JIT, accounts and services efficient. Effective integration of information in vAlue- addig processes were in place.
1.7-3 Enable the introduction of new or enhanced products and services - The EFTPOS allows the retail outlet to debit the bank account or credit card account of the purchaser at the point of sale and, at the same time, to credit the retailer’s bank account. Details of the transactions are transmitted electronically by means of a computer link
either immediately or, normally, at the end of the day. Customers can also pay for their items online and the company can pay the suppliers too.
1.7-4 Provide information to support the development of business strategy - An organisation’s success is more than just a matter of a good choice of products and markets in which to compete; instead, success many be attributable to its unique resources. The resources of a firm will provide the basis for its survival and success through time as external conditions in the environment change. Those strategic resources are critical to strategic planning and information management. Planned strategy involves the management of Duboutique, formulating their intentions as precisely as possible and then strive for its implementation. The organisation articulated its intentions in the form of a plan and then elaborate on this strategic plan in as much detail as possible. Duboutique highlights on Full and active executive support, Effective communication within and outside the organisation, Employee involvement, Thorough organizational planning and competitive analysis, and Widespread perceived need for the strategic planning.
1.8 The Relevance of the Nolan hypothesis and Ward and Griffith’smodel to today’s business worlsd and strategic it planning. According to a recent Business Week article, "Technology has taken over as the number one capital expenditure in business today." Simply put information technology is no longer just a "utility" or expense center.
1.8-1 In my own view The Nolan’s Hypothesis is relevant in today’s business world to some extent. “Despite The Limitation, Nolan’S six stages still provide a way of viewing the development of information system in an organisation” (graham Curtis. 2005)
1.8-2 In my view, The Ward and Griffiths model is relevant in today’s business world and strategic it planning to some extent - the model provide an in-depth evaluation of the companies external operational factors such as the cutomers, suppliers and the competitors. It emphasis on a definitive outline of the organisations objectives and goals, it lays emphasis on better products and services—and their unique selling features, it values a comprehensive analysis of the present and potential customers, it reviews the organisations top competitors and an aggressive reduction plan. Good strategic system is the most critical contributor to the success of any business.
1.8-2-1 Strategic information system is important for strategic information technology planning, It helps to look at all angles of an organisation’s operation and pinpoint the current position of the company, and where the company needs to be positioned for growth and profits. the Ward and Griffith’s model draws the roadmap to guide organisations on the path of success. It is useless to make strategic IT plannings when the information system is not in place. Management information system or MIS is important for organisations because it provides information which will assists these management in analyzing, planning and implementing and controlling business activities. Peter keen explains that “Major failures in using information technology are often based on much better technology and bad business visions. In todays world Success comes from both updated technology and clear uderstaning of the customers”
1.9 Aspects of Irrelevance of the models - you will notice that I pointed out that the models are relevant to some extent, I will furtherly discuss the aspect of irrelevance in the models individually.
1.9-1 Limitations of Nolan’s Hypothesis The need to integrate new systems quickly
1.9-1 Limitations of Ward and Griffith’s models - in my opinion, The model demonstrated that IS growth stage and its performances were primarily determined by the policy and strategy of top management in supporting the IS functions, and, to a lesser extent, by the length of experience in IS usage.
1.10 Changes in the Business - The digital age has literally transformed the way companies operate. Traditional marketing solutions don't work anymore. You must have Internet marketing strategies that include a high-profile website, a high-visibility Internet advertising plan, and electronic communication capabilities if you want to succeed in today's business world. Even if businesses goals haven't really changed much over the years, Their marketing strategies and practices should look very different. The way of communication internally and externally, the way of transacting business, the way companies project their image, the way compnies advertise to new prospects—all these are changed in todays’s business world, it become big problem areas if an organisation lost sight of the big picture. “Information technology is one of those rare business resources that delivers more capability at a lower cost each year, providing for business to more with less” ( matin curly. 2004)
Today's business environment requires a robust, enterprise-wide plan to deal with the unexpected. Company reputation and brand, as well as the trust and loyalty of stakeholders, are all critical factors in the background of the organizations. managements play a strategic role in organizational sustainability to contribute tangible deliverables through advance preparation, including safety and security initiatives, leadership development, talent management and solid communication plans to support the success of a business.