Create a "System Request" for the SSL Inc. The systems request should describe the sponsor, business need, business requirements, and potential value of the project, including any constraints or issues that should be considered.
Use the provided information below. (Number values can be arbitrary)
Showtime Sound & Lighting (SSL) Inc Showtime Sound & Lighting (SSL) Inc. is one of three small businesses owned by Tom Smith. SSL's line of business is centered on providing services for the local entertainment industry as well as other organizations such as civic groups and churches in need of support for large gatherings. SSL's services range from simple DJ services to rental and sale of audio, video, and lighting equipment. Support may be provided on either a continuous or a one-time basis. SSL has noticed a progressive decrease in productivity, which Tom attributes to an inefficient information system, duplication of data in the business processes, and poor time management SSL has experienced a booming business and plans on expanding from the current three full-time employees, but it is concerned about the ability of the existing system to handle a larger volume of business. SSL is competing with several other small businesses that provide sound and lighting services, all of which are becoming more sophisticated in their approach to customer service and management. Tom feels that the level of service he is able to provide to customers is deteriorating as his business grows. He is concerned that this deterioration will begin to hamper repeat business, a critical factor in the successful long-term growth of the business. CURRENT SYSTEM A manual system consisting of a series of clipboards is used to hold information until it is entered into a computer system. The current system is the one that evolved as the company grew from a part-time, one-man business to a full-time operation with permanent employees. The system currently does not ensure that customer information is readilylable to support daily operations, nor does it provide information needed for decision making by management. It does utilize computers; however, Tom is aware that they are not being utilized in a way that takes full advantage of their capabilities for supporting business operations. Proposals, orders, and invoices are prepared from information manually collected on the clipboard system and stored as formatted MS Word documents. As a result, much of the information in the set of customer files is repetitious. This system was sufficient when SSL was first established. However, the volume of business has overwhelmed this simplistic system, resulting in inefficiency that has caused activities of servicing existing customers and obtaining new business. SSL personnel to become distracted from the core Tom uses Excel spreadsheets to perform business analysis. The paper or computerized invoices, however, must be manually searched for the raw data needed to support decision making. This is a very time-consuming process that often forces Tom to make decisions without the benefit of the necessary data. Tom needs to know which equipment is committed to customers so that SSL avoids committing the same piece of equipment to multiple customers at the same time. A history of equipment rentals is required to support the planning and purchase of new equipment in order to better support customers and increase operating profits. SSL does not want to purchase equipment that will not provide a return. At the same time, it does not want to have a shortfall in equipment that is highly demanded by customers. When the business was small, Tom was able to adequately judge the demand of the small number of clients with whom he personally interacted. However as the business has grown, the number of clients has increased. Customer interaction is now often
