Analysis & Design

This document provides an overview of the systems development project that will modernize the Bead Bar’s business practices. Some of Bead Bar’s goals include “globalization (the system of interconnected capitalist economies), digitization of goods (the ability to convert goods into computer files), and increased speed of commerce with ability to purchase anytime and from anywhere” (Ross, 2005). The project will provide an excellent opportunity to control, monitor, and ensure user and customer satisfaction. The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) phases will allow Bead Bar to manage and track development of this project.

Bead Bar personnel and the project team will meet and agree on software framework, software maintenance, and detailed activities in the process for the development of the project. The project teams describes the work they will do, develop estimates of mutual efforts, develop a schedule, plan their management and technical approaches, and develop a risk management approach. Bead Bar is committed to replace its current paper-based system with a brand new and modern computer-based system.

Bead Bar’s requirements for this plan include new or upgraded software, hardware, and a database management system. Bead Bar’s current system cannot fulfill the company’s goals. The new system will help reduce or eliminate delays, lost orders, and invoicing problems. This analysis will provide Bead Bar with an information development system that meets the company’s goals.

The implementation of a new information management system will enable Bead Bar and its divisions to integrate a system to meet management’s goals and will meet the interests of the company to move into the global market. This improved Information Technology (IT) solution is the required solution for Bead Bar’s globalization and e-commerce.

The team will consult Bead Bar and develop the required project for Bead Bar’s company goals. Bead Bar’s organization will share an information management system that automates management, finances, and inventory. This plan defines the projects requirement of tasks and resources needed from beginning to end. Identification of objectives is monitored and allows for adjustments that will ensure the conclusion of the project.

Bead Bar’s IT team analyzes existing requirements of the system and will prioritize processes to present to the management staff for approval. One requirement will include the need for Bead Bar’s organization and the project team to develop and implement an enterprise Database Management System (DBMS). Bead Bar needs to store large amounts of data and has multiple locations which require a DBMS that can serve many functions. A distributed database system can ensure smooth access to users simultaneously and at the appropriate time will maintain synchronization of updated copies of the database at each location.

The implemented DBMS is a relational database model which is relatively flexible and simple to use (see figure A). This is a widely used database model that relates tables and links them together through a common field. A DBMS such as IBM’s DB2 Universal Database Enterprise-Extended Edition can use primary keys and foreign keys to confirm information and can be developed and integrated to deal with many-to-many relationships.

Bead Bar will integrate a data warehouse that works with any transactional database system and is necessary for querying and reporting. This copy of transaction data contains information from all of the companies’ internal data that will assist management in decision making. Data mining is a powerful process that applies analytical and statistical methods to find patterns. This information can be used for marketing and sales campaigns.

This design for Bead Bar includes a documentation of high-level computer network design: network topology, network architecture, network protocol, and a network architect. This plausible design will provide the software and hardware requirements for the physical design and implementation of a high-level network that will utilize the necessary mix of technology for adequate management.

The team will present a physical design and specifications that describe the components needed for functionality and will also provide necessary hardware and software for implementation. This grouping of computers that share data, applications, and peripherals will enable Bead Bar employees to have the flexibility to access the network via Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). This will allow employees to work in conference rooms and common areas without being wired.

Bead Bar’s network design specifies the network infrastructure, which includes network topology, network architecture, and network protocol. The network infrastructure will utilize the right mix of bandwidth for the user’s needs. Bandwidth intensive applications will require management software to help alleviate bottlenecks. Load balancing will allocate bandwidth to improve overall network performance.

Bead Bar’s complex use of data will be moved from paper-based records to a database. Bead Bar has many locations so it is necessary to implement a relational database system. The company’s data is handled with an enterprise DBMS such as Oracle’s Oracle 9i Database. Oracle’s DBMS allows the addition of a data warehouse and data mining which can be added as needed in the future.

Bead Bar’s implementation of an enterprise database system requires computers and peripherals to be connected through a telecommunication system and computer network. The studios will need to be connected to each other and the headquarters. Bead Bar