Assemblit, Inc., is a medium-sized parts manufacturing company based in London with distribution outlets in the major cities throughout Great Britain. It has a mainframe computer in its London headquarters. Distribution outlets all have microcomputers that are connected via communications lines to the London mainframe.

As a member of the external audit team of the company, you have gathered the following information on its operations:

1 All the company's major application systems are computerized; some are online real-time update systems, and some are batch systems.

2 The company uses a database management system. The system was purchased initially to aid bill-of-materials processing (online real-time update system), but now it is used extensively with other application systems.

3 All application source data is captured at microcomputer terminals in head-office branches and each distribution outlet.

4 The mainframe runs six days a week, two shifts a day. Sunday and the third shift are available for "hands-on" development and testing of application systems by programmers and analysts. During normal operations, however, only the operators and the system programmer have access to the computer room. Access is controlled using a card lock system.

5 Assemblit's mainframe computer facility is located in the basement of its head office. A floor plan is attached (see Figure 7-12).

6 The following information systems staff are employed:

a An information systems manager b Six analysts c 15 programmers d Five operators (one-two per shift; shifts rotated)

e One control clerk (day shift only)

f One system programmer g One librarian (day shift only)

7 The control clerk and the analysts set up daily processing schedules a day in advance.

8 During the week, programmers and analysts use microcomputer terminals for development and maintenance work. The company has purchased powerful software to support online programming work.

9 Program development and maintenance work must be authorized by the analyst in charge of an application system.
10 Copies of all disk files are taken twice a week for backup purposes. The backup files are stored on site in a special fire-resistant vault room.
11 The vendor has promised to provide backup hardware within a few days if an emergency occurs.
12 Output is placed in trays just outside the computer room. Every hour the control clerk picks up output and forwards it to users. Users reconcile input to output and notify the control clerk if there are any discrepancies.
Required. On the basis of the information you have so far, write a short report for your manager indicating suspected control weaknesses.

Transcribed Image Text:

Disk Units FIGURE 7-12. Floor plan-Assemblit mainframe facility. 15 Stoge Control Tage racks Tape Console unit Main name Disk Units Impact Laser priater printer Output tray's Exit to street +1 Kacapin desk droctes hand held fire extinguisher Analysts ++ Conference mom H Elevator Stairs 1.irarian Programmers +1 Toilet Toilet (female) (male) Tixit, to car park+