SpringAhead Payroll application
Assignment Instructions
Instructions for Analysis Essay #2
In this essay, you will provide an overview of the server-side and client-side hardware and software requirements of your information system. You will then focus the bulk of your essay on analyzing the competitive advantage that your information system provides to users of the system (or to the company who created and maintains the system) and on proposing your own recommendations for improving and enhancing the information system with additional features and functionality.
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SpringAhead Payroll application
Introduction
The effectiveness and capability of an information system are dependent on the hardware and software aspects of both the client and server-side. Information systems are vital in organizing and analyzing data in the process of turning raw data to useful information for decision-making purposes. In this regard, the client and the server-side must align with each other to produces the desired results. Equally important, the five components of an information system need to be inclined and designed to meet the purpose of the information system. The five components of the information system entail the computer hardware, computer software, telecommunications, databases and data warehouses and human resources and procedures. The computer hardware entails the physical technology that interacts and works with information such as computers, smartphones, and peripheral devices such as routers, external disk drives and keyboards. On the other hand, the computer software entails the operating system part that enables the information system to function as it should such as the iOS and windows that manage the operations of the hardware. The operating system can handle different functions and operations such as designing a web page, spreadsheets and creation of documents. Additionally, Springhead needs to develop an information system to manage and operate all the payroll applications between the client and the server. The organization needs an effective information system to conduct payroll function in the interest of the employees and the organization. Information system needs to effective and efficient hardware and software aspects of the client and server-side to enhance the competitive advantages of the system as well as implementing the recommendation to improve and enhance it.
Analysis of the server-side hardware requirements of the information system
The server side entails the internet service provider and concentrates on the interconnection various users and routing them to other networks. In this regard, the server-side hardware entails the components, equipment and devices that enhance the interconnection between the servers and the client. The server-side hardware different equipment such as personal computers with monitor, CPU, expansion cards, main memory (RAM), optical disc drive, mouse, hard disk drive (HDD) and keyboard for the purpose of feeding the stem with data for processing to information useful in decision making (Ramani, Babu and Hoffmann, 2003). Consequently, graphic cards enhance powerful and stronger processing capabilities in terms of rendering and editing payroll functions. Furthermore, there are the network interface cards such as LAN adapter, network adapter and network card. The NICs ensures computers communicate and interact over a computer network. Cables are used in the transmission of data over a network cable, computers and printers. Additionally, other requirements performance guidelines to guide implementation of different activities, basic system to manage overall payroll operations, a typical two server system (database and web server) to enhance security in the system, loading balanced system to configure and spread incoming requests.
Analysis of the server-side software requirements of the information system
The server-side software ensures operation and management of payroll applications takes place within a web server. The server-side software processes the data to ensure that it is effectively analyzed for decision making. The software, in this case, enables the communication and iteration between different hardware (Ramani, Babu and Hoffmann, 2003). The server-side software requirements include the operating system to support the computer functions that are directed towards the payroll functions. The operating system also regulates the functions of the computer peripherals to ensure they work to meet the expectations. The operating system is key in managing software and hardware resources and grants specific payroll services to other computer programs. This approach means that all the payroll aspects are managed and operated under a single system thus achieving the desired goals and functions with ease. Consequently, SharePoint is a requirement in the server to enhance the collaboration and management of documents. SharePoint uses the content management system and intranet for internal purposes to bring the organization together in meeting the goals and objectives.
Analysis of the client-side hardware requirements of the information system
Client-side hardware enhances the architecture adopted in the client-server in terms of structures to differentiate computers or clients ordering information from servers and the hardware that gives process and information process (Ramani, Babu and Hoffmann, 2003). The client-side software enables the client to interact with the system by keying data for processing. The desktop, laptop and mobile platforms are vital enable the client to fill forms through them. The client accesses the different hardware by logging in using their passwords to access a platform to key in the required data for processing.
Analysis of the client-side software requirements of the information system
The client-side software links the client with the server hardware and software to enhance an effective interaction. The client-side enables the client to perform different payroll tasks to affect the client-server relationship (Ramani, Babu and Hoffmann, 2003). The client-side software requirements include the operating systems such as windows server 2008, windows 7 or the Microsoft net framework 4. The operating systems enable the client to access the payroll system to effectively implement or request different functions. Additionally, organizations adopt operating systems that are effective and secure for client operations. This fact is approached through adopting compatibility settings.
Analysis of competitive advantage provided by the information system
The information system with said client and server hardware and software had competitive advantages to ensure that the payroll function s is effectively and efficiently conducted in the interest of the server and the client. To start with, the information system is flexible to ensure that the client and server can make changes and alteration in the interest of an appropriate client-server relationship. The information system is created with space to accommodate changes and new features directed to ensure that payroll functions are effectively conducted (Anica and Cucui, 2009). The flexibility gives the client and server freedom to have changes that enhance the security of information such that the two can secure their communication and interactions. Consequently, the information system forms a strategic information system that can respond to business and corporate world initiatives. The system appreciates the fact that things and issues are dynamic across the globe and the system is modelled towards ensuring the organization with the system remains competitive and updated with global issues. This feature enables the concerned organization to allocate, process, store and move data in the interest of the future. Moreover, the information system is multipurpose such that it has additional tasks to enhance the activities surrounding payroll operations. In this case, the information system can be used as an operations support system, management support system and for strategic management purpose. This fact makes the system to achieve a wide range of achievement.
Recommendations for enhancing/improving your IS with additional features and functionality
The information system needs to be improved by incorporated new features that are backed up with innovations and technological advancement. First, the information system can be improved by incorporation of an information infrastructure feature such as nautical charts (Oinas and Harjumaa, 2009). The feature ensures that the users can access chart data, a system for collecting and disseminating real-time data on employee issues, and electronic information exchange systems. The feature ensures that the users of the information system can effectively and efficiently interact making operations simpler. More so, the system needs to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) feature to ensure that it has human-like traits such as analysis of data and decision making. The feature enables the normal operations to run without the physical assistance of humans. Finally, the information needs to have graphic features to enhance presentations and interactions with the client. The graphics enable the users to have quality presentations and feedback thus making the system presentable and appealing.
Conclusion
The information system effectiveness in meeting in goals is dependent on the client and server hardware and software aspects. The hardware and software aspects are created and modelled towards meeting the different goals and objectives. In this case, the information system is tasked with implementing payroll applications in the interest of the server and the client. The new information system has a competitive advantage over the others as it can be flexible in the interest of change, being strategic to respond to future needs of the business and ability to handle different management tasks. On the other hand, the information system can be improved by incorporating different features such as artificial intelligence feature, widening the information infrastructure, and incorporating graphics for presentations. Therefore, the software and hardware aspect of information system determines the success of the system and the same needs be enhanced to have a competitive advantage by addition of new and effective features.
References
Anica-Popa, I., & Cucui, G. (2009). A framework for enhancing competitive intelligence capabilities using decision support system based on web mining techniques. International Journal of Computers Communications & Control, 4(4), 326-334.
Oinas-Kukkonen, H., & Harjumaa, M. (2009). Persuasive systems design: Key issues, process model, and system features. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 24(1), 28.
Ramani, K., Babu, M., & Hoffmann, C. (2003). CADDAC: Multi-client collaborative shape design system with server-based geometry kernel. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 3(2), 170-173
