Microsoft Office Managerial Database

MGIS 317 Group Project

Managerial Database

This report is submitted in accordance with the formal requirements for the course MGIS 317 in the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. This report has been prepared as part of an academic exercise under the guidance of the Instructor, Cam Welsh and contains information only and not advice. Please note that one or more students prepared this report and recommendations are implemented solely at the responsibility of the client or involved organization. The authors, the Instructor, the Haskayne School of Business, and the University of Calgary assume no responsibility for the results obtained in its implementation.

Executive Summary

This report accompanies a managerial bonus database built for Midas Calgary. Midas is an internationally recognized automotive service provider. Its competitive model is based on providing high quality service and limited lifetime guarantees at reasonable prices. In order to maintain these priorities Midas requires superior staff and management. In our competitive labour market, attracting and retaining these people is difficult. Midas uses its compensation package as an important tool to achieve this goal. Bonuses and incentive pay is a key element of Midas' compensation package. The information system we have designed will help Midas improve the effectiveness of its bonus system.

The Research for this project was conducted through a series of meetings with the owners of Midas Calgary and by participation in the lectures of the MGIS 317 course. The clients' information needs were gathered through a mixture of discussion and observation techniques. These needs were built into the set of requirements that was used to design the database.

The feasibility of this system has been fully assessed in terms of technology and operations. The clients will perform a more through cost-benefit analysis prior to giving the go ahead for the full-scale system. If that analysis finds the system beneficial the prototype will be further developed.

A detailed description of the system from the user's point of view is provided. The basic operations and advantages of the system are discussed. Descriptive user documentation and screen shots are featured in an appendix.

A discussion of controls and ethics examines potential issues and risks the system cold encounter. We provide a series of recommendations to counter these risks and ensure optimal performance. Strategies for development and implementation of the full-scale system are discussed and recommendations of the RAD and parallel/phased methodologies are made and supported with case specific evidence.

The theory of technology acceptance is investigated and applied to our clients' situation. We make recommendations about training and operational tactics that can be implemented to increase the probability of acceptance and wider use.

A complimentary discussion of current GIS software is applied to relevant areas of our clients' business. We look at opportunities for improved routing economy and monitoring of competitors in the direct vicinity of our clients' retail locations. An extensive analysis of the potential uses of GIS applications in planning new locations follows. We examine the tools MS MapPoint provides for making decisions in this regard as well as information that must be obtained from other sources. An appendix provides a sample of maps generated using the application.

We conclude by discussing the important area specific and general lessons we have learned by doing this project. Our successes and shortcomings are analyzed. Strategies for improvements in subsequent projects are presented.

Table of Contents

REPORT 4

1. COMPANY'S INFORMATION NEED 4

2. INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS 6

3. FEASABILITY 8

4. SYSTEM USE 11

5. CONTROLS AND ETHICHS 13

6. DEVELOPMENT ______________________________________________________ 16

7. IMPLEMENTATION 18

8. TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE 21

9. GIS WITH MAPPOINT 22

10.WHAT WE WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY _______________________________________ 25

APPENDICIES 29

A. ER DIAGRAM 29

B. USER DOCUMENTATION _________________________________________________ 30

C. MAILING LABLES 34

D MAPS 36

REFERENCES 40

Part 1: Company's Information Need

Midas is one of North America's largest automobile service providers. It is the industry leader in brake service and repair. Midas also provides services such as preventive vehicle maintenance, exhaust and suspension services, climate control, oil changes, tires, alignments, and tune-ups. The company attracts customers because of its reputation for excellent service and the limited lifetime-guarantees it provides for all brake, muffler, shock, and strut jobs. Bob and Bonnie Cantelon own and operate the six Calgary Midas locations. One manager and two assistants administer each location. An average of six technicians and other personnel staff the shops. The store management plays an important role in driving and controlling the operations, meeting sales target and fulfilling Midas's corporate values of service, quality, and reliability.

In Calgary there are approximately five hundred businesses offering services similar to those of Midas. Theses include small independent shops, automobile dealerships and other major service chains. In this competitive market, proper sales analysis and suitable compensation for skilled workers and managers is essential. Midas is a leader in the auto service industry because it provides excellent service and long term guarantees at a reasonable price. In order to compete using these strategies, the company relies on a combination of quality management,