Information Systems Cases
Achieving Organizational Control Through Surveillance
Abstract
Hope Health delivers quality care with compassion. The CEO, Else, is one of Europe’s foremost business leaders and most successful entrepreneurs with nearly three decades of experience in industries including health care, consulting, technology, outsourcing, education, and e-commerce. Hope Health brings world class health care to patients’ homes and aims to make primary health care not only more accessible, but also more affordable and accountable to their patients’ needs.
Hope Health makes it possible for patients to receive hospital-quality health care in the comfort of their homes. The company facilitates lab tests and health equipment rentals, making health care more accessible to their patients. The lab test aspect of the business is critical to determining the root cause of physical issues. This case relates to the lab part of the business. Hope Health offers lab packages, individual lab tests and prescribed diagnostic tests in the patient’s home. Expert phlebotomists collect the lab samples during a home visit and process the sample at a certified laboratory, the location for this case. Lab reports are shared with patients in less than 48 hours, and so specimens cannot be lost, incorrectly tested, or be damaged due to environmental conditions. In this case, surveillance and control tactics are used to find bottlenecks or risk-oriented conditions so that supervisors can mediate negative customer perceptions of the company.
Data Storage Cost Optimization using a Tiered Data Taxonomy
Abstract
Storage is a significant cost in both physical and digital workflows. Marvin’s Marketing had a niche market in the infomercial market. They did the finishing work on productions that were made by infomercial production companies. The final versions were distributed in both high definition and standard definition. These assets were mastered to optimize their quality and then assembled in a package for delivery to broadcasters around the world. Their finished content included infomercials from car washing products to exercise equipment. The content did not matter. What mattered was that the package that included all the relevant files was of great quality and was delivered on time to broadcasters. Marvin’s Marketing had a reputation for both fine and fast work; however, in a high-volume business, the cost had to be managed. The files that were being processed consumed a significant amount of storage space. These costs had to be optimized.
Reliability Improvement Through Operational Maturity
Abstract
ChipMax was growing, but this relatively old company needed to change the way it handled reliability in its processes. The old ways were just that, old. The company was able to improve its process reliability by using the Capability Maturity Model Integration scale to measure existing processes. Consequently, a roadmap that followed the maturity model could be created that resulted in better performance. A change model was used to manage the transition from an immature state to a mature state. The consequences were reduced material and labor costs and improved profits and cycle times. The best outcome was that trust was created between all stakeholders due to predictability in the supply chain.
Rental Car Congestion Mitigation
Abstract
Another branch was opened, and Easy Rent-a-Car was in business again in a new location. Fred, the site manager, was overseeing the branch and it was chaotic. This site office was placed in a town outside of a large city and there were many hotels in the area. This was also a great place for distribution centers and their suppliers as several critical interstate highways cross paths nearby. The universities in the area contributed to the workforce. Each of these aspects of the location would be driving up rental revenues. This branch might be the fastest growing site in the company. If Fred could manage the growth, he had a great chance of being the model site. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and was given some leeway to figure out how to handle the growth. This case reveals the tactical actions he took to increase productivity and manage the growth.
Systems Support Functions and Operational Excellence
Abstract
One of the critical functions in an organization comes from system management employees. The system support leader enables profitable growth by making sure that both infrastructure and systems support the revenue-based functions in a company. Additionally, system support leaders allow for the evolution of existing processes through innovation that is ahead of market demands. Each support leader owns their financials; however, they are generally a cost center that supports profit centers. Cost centers do not recognize revenue; rather, they support operational units that add value to assets through the management of configuration changes, and then clients are billed for the capabilities that support leaders create. Excellent Noises, Inc. is in the music business. They want to grow by increasing their portfolio of services. In fact, they want to create a vertical supply chain by being a one-stop shop for musicians. Flexibility is key in this business. If an artist just wants to use one part of the supply chain, mixing, for example, that is fine. This case discusses how Excellent Noises worked its way into much higher revenues by offering a supply chain of services.
Using a Technical SWAT Team to Achieve Contractual Requirements
Abstract
A contract for a workflow system was awarded to Dental Dynamics. The CFO had to manage the development of the system and deliver it to many users, specifically dentist offices. The system would have advanced capabilities that would eliminate the two weeks typically experienced by patients while they wait for their restorations. Additionally, the finishing work that is required is reduced using advanced scanning capabilities coupled with CAD/CAM capabilities. The development team used collaborative software to develop the system on time. Not only were penalties avoided, but bonuses for early completion were awarded. The merging of technology and a dental procedure resulted in reduced cost, reduced cycle time, and an improved patient experience.
Using Super Users to Transfer Technology to Users
Abstract
Atlas is a capital company in a very competitive and regulated environment. Technology is a game-changer in this industry. The portfolio of Atlas was getting stale and they were losing market share. The time to change was now. The board decided to pursue technologies that would attract and engage customers. Client acquisition costs for one-time loans were prohibitive in light of tight margins. Leveraging initial acquisition costs by encouraging engagement with other products would keep clients contributing to profits at Atlas. These products appealed to the largest demographic market and so contributed significantly to the financial health of Atlas Capital Group.
Abstract
Software development and platform-based distribution is a significant business segment in the digital global economy. Action Design has had success in building an open platform that has attracted a significant amount of attention from game developers. Essentially, the platform has now enabled anyone in the world to influence what is on the platform providing earning potential to the submitter. The challenge is to make sure that the games that are submitted actually work. A pre-qual process is used to make sure requirements are met. Additionally, a bug clearing methodology using an S-curve Burn-Down chart is used to make sure that new release dates are met.
System Convergence at a University
Abstract
The physical network infrastructure in a network is essential for the university to function like a system of interconnected parts. The extent to which the parts of the university are connected through an ERP system indicates the efficiency of the university system. Data and access can be shared resulting in efficiencies and an improved user experience. When the growth of the university is considered then scaling adds new challenges. Not only are there more users but there are more services. IT managers need to think beyond the typical network topology and existing connected devices to include a social media atmosphere at the university. Information shortages hamper decision-making and increase the instability of the system.
Access: Leveraging Biometrics and a Requirements Register
Abstract
The use of biometrics for access controls is becoming more of a reality. The advancement of this technology offers the opportunity to enhance access controls by using personal information far beyond the capabilities of passwords. AxEs, Inc. has a development plan driven by the Business Development department to meet their customer’s needs using biometric controls. To exploit the revenue opportunities the development team will need to supply the products that their customers are asking for promptly at a suitable cost. The leadership team has installed a steering committee to make sure that development resources are being used wisely. The steering committee will also make sure that all of the products being developed are in alignment with the company’s goals and values.
