The Shore & More Bicycles Firm’s Information Technology Gap

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Table of Contents

Key Aspects
Gap Analysis
Infrastructure Upgrade Proposal
Three-Year Plan
Human Resources
References

Key Aspects

To effectively satisfy the company goals and organizational plans, the IT Department will need to upgrade, enhance, or add to several areas of the current IT System. To support the organization’s growth plan, the following elements must be in place:

Scalable Payroll System

A scalable payroll system is an employee payroll system that can adapt to staffing demands and increase the functionality of timekeeping as the company continues to grow. This adjustment implies that less time would be spent on payroll, fewer mistakes would be made in employees’ wages, more loyal and happier employees, and lower overhead costs.

Email System

A company’s email system refers to a personalized email communication system that matches business requirements while using the company’s domain. Adopting an improved cloud-based email system will provide scalability, mobility, increased communications, and guarantee access regardless of the location of a staff member.

Online Ordering

The Internet ordering option allows customers to order and make payments for parts and products over the Internet. Shore & More will gain a strategic advantage by including internet ordering choices within the company’s website.

3D Design System

A 3D design system is an application that is currently used by Shore & More Bicycles to model different products offered. Upgrading the current 3D design system will allow the company to collaborate and share styles with other sites and gain additional approval.

Data Backup and Recovery

Data backup and recovery is a process that allows Shore & More Bicycles to create and store copies of their data to be used for later use in cases of data loss. The plan to improve data backup and recovery will simplify the company’s current processes of storage and backups while also adding automation and redundancy.

Sharable Data Through Cloud Computing

Data sharing is the company users’ ability to share data resources with other users or applications. By improving on data sharing techniques that Shore & More Bicycles currently uses, a new data management system would provide all sites and employees with access to the company’s most recent information and documentation.

All System Integration

Applying all systems integration within the company brings all the subcomponents of the whole business operation into one functional system. By incorporating the servers that are secure within the company to run different applications, there will be an easier and safer way to run the business applications from one place.

Internet Access

The current internet used by the company is provided by a local internet provider and is not reliable. Even though an internet connection is already in place, an upgrade should be made to ensure that when future expansion is made, the bandwidth will sustain all the applications used and run other operations requiring internet access.

Gap Analysis

Aspect	Current State	Future State	Gap
Scalable payroll system	Meets the current needs of the company. Available but limited to support the growth of the company.	It should be available for access through the network securely. Should be able to support the future expansion of the company.	A payroll system is available but is not scalable. This gap can be solved by implementing a system that can be easily accessed by the employees and securely.
Email System	Available for only 100 users.	It needs updating to manage a higher number of users and spam filtering. Need to be available for use on many sites for approvals and collaborations.	An email system is available, but scalability is limited. The issue of limited email users can be solved by upgrading the email system subscription to allow flexibility in adjusting the number of users.
Online ordering	Currently available through phone calls and dealer’s web pages. Orders get sent through email together with a monthly report.	Need to have an online ordering system to monitor customer order status. It needs only one system for handling customer orders.	An online ordering system is not available. The solution proposed for this gap is to drop ordering through calls and design a new online ordering system.
3D design system	Currently available with the following features; Designs can be viewed in 3D. Ability to make and style 3D models by one user and test design limitations on a computer.	It needs to provide the ability for use in other sites to allow chances for approval and collaboration.	3D design cannot share functionality with other sites. Has limited screen usage. The proposed implementation towards solving this gap involves the redevelopment of a more scalable 3D design system with all desired functionalities included.
Data backup and recovery	Available	Provide a better solution for future adjustment.	Regular backups are done on many external hard drives. Increase in data loss probability. The proposed solution uses a more scalable data backup and recovery system, cloud storage.
Sharable data through cloud computing	Available only to standalone PC users without network integration.	It should be made available for access across the whole network securely.	Only available for email and standalone PC users. The solution involves the use of cloud computing to provide scalability.
All system integration	Different application data is accessed and stored on individual PCs.	Incorporation of servers that are secure to allow safer and easier accessibility.	Data from other applications are not accessible to other PCs. The proposed solution involves using one main application to provide access to all small applications used within the company.
Internet access	Accessible through a local provider. Workstation PCs are connected using ethernet from the switch. Wireless access has password protection.	It needs to be upgraded to withstand the currently available issues that are not handled.	Internet access is available but is not robust, has connection issues, does not support applications with high bandwidth, and has no noise cancellation.

Infrastructure Upgrade Proposal

Company’s System Support Needs

Shore & More Bicycles has several facilities, including a call center, training and sales facilities, manufacturing facilities, headquarters office, performance testing and compliance facility, and a final assembly facility. Although the company’s present IT infrastructure is competent, it is not flexible, which is required for its growth strategy to succeed.

Shore & More Bicycles’ ordering is limited to only calls and significantly lacks fresh information and useful tool alternatives. To meet the demands of future expansion, the website will need to be revamped. Several features such as place order, view order, cart, and order status will need to be implemented within the website to allow customers to make and track their orders from any place.

Users are currently backing up their data files regularly to external hard drives. Shore & More keeps their data using this traditional backup solution. By introducing and implementing a cloud-based storage solution, the company can store its data and access them more conveniently. External hard drives are volatile and easily destroyed storage devices, making them an issue when used by the company (Roy et al., 2022). Additionally, this method of data backup can also cause data duplication.

Data sharing is presently conducted at every location differently and saved on a distinct server at each location. Employees are currently exchanging information through email around the company to share. As part of the improvement plan, future data sharing will set up a data management system to allow easier sharing and accessibility from all locations. This streamlines processes by making information more accessible while conserving time and energy that may be spent elsewhere, providing Shore & More Bicycles a significant advantage.

Every application used by the company is accessed and used distinctively by each individual on their workstation computers. This makes running several activities that share some features take more time as users have to share data and access peer-to-peer. The organization will operate more efficiently by integrating the emailing system, payroll, and storage system. With a central cloud server, all the information and applications used within the company can be accessed and shared easily (Roy et al., 2022). Additionally, this will also allow email system adjustment as the company will be able to adjust based on the operations. A good email system is valuable because it allows for exact communication throughout the company without employees moving frequently. Having a central cloud server will help see the company move to the next level.

The internet currently has several issues that make running smooth operations within the company difficult. With the frequent internet downtimes experienced, there is a need to subscribe to a new and better internet service provider. Similarly, there will also be a need to subscribe to a package that will not hinder the usual activities within the company.

Hardware Currently Available

Servers
Desktop computers
Laptop computers used by the sales team due to mobility
Tablets, cell phones, and smartphones.
External hard drives
Network switch, router, and modem.
Wireless access point
Ethernet cable connection

Software Currently Available

An operating system for every endpoint device
An email software system that has limited users
3D design software used by the design team in Rome
Website hosted by a third-party hired webmaster
Payroll system
Human resource records database

Emerging Technology for the Proposed System’s Implementation

AI technology
3D printing
Robotics
Cloud computing

Three-Year Plan

First-Year

To build the framework for the centralization and expansion of applications and services, the proposed project must first execute essential infrastructure tasks. The project’s first milestones involve Internet connectivity and storage capacity. Starting with these improvement plans will ensure that the upcoming implementations are managed and run in an environment with proper internet access that does not limit the operation of other system applications within the company. The order will be conducted as follows;

Choice of a Better Internet Service Provider

The currently available gap of low bandwidth, weak connections, and lack of noise cancellation will be fixed in the newly selected internet service provider. When the company chooses an internet service provider that provides better packages, the internet connection will be reliable, enhancing communication and higher work efficiency (Joudeh & Dandis, 2018). The gap will need to be fixed such that when other applications within the company are used, no troubles will be noticed.

Integration of Cloud-Based Storage Service

With a cloud-based online storage system, data storage, accessibility, and backups can be made easier and more secure within the company (Yuan et al., 2022). Making cloud-based storage implementation come second in the first year of company upgrades will allow room for future expansions planned by the company. Since better internet access will have been installed within the company, integrating cloud-based storage will be easier, faster, and more secure. This will promote an easier way of sharing and accessing data from any location without using emails to send data.

Second Year

Two critical applications and services that impact every team and part of the organization are the email system and all system integration. These appear in the second year, allowing the company to adjust as it creates more room for more applications and end-users. Upgrading the email systems will ensure that the company’s size increases with the users and that it does not only get restricted to a specific number. The subsequent implementation would involve all system implementation. The gap to be addressed in this step would be to fix individual computer and application access issues. Since most users access their computers individually and each application on its own, implementing an all-system integration will allow users to access many applications in one platform (Wang & Zhang, 2021).

Next, there will be a need to cover the 3D design system used to create the firm’s existing supply of bikes since this is the essential part of the company that will guarantee its readiness to finish sales and expand. The gap in this implementation involves fixing the issue of limited screen usage from one person to two or more (Capra et al., 2019). Another important fix that will provide an improved chance for subsequent implementations is upgrading the 3D system to allow collaboration, sharing of functionality, and the ability to receive approval from other websites. Other important tasks to be included include;

Increasing the number of IT and support associates will be an additional need. Being that Shore & More is currently experiencing short-handedness, adjusting the number of customer support will ensure that more sales are created, as well as greater customer satisfaction. Besides, having enough IT support associates will guarantee a smooth running of company systems without technical problems remaining unsolved for a longer time. The support and call center expansion must come first to provide ready support for the final stages of the upgrade. This must also happen first since it is divided into two discrete phases and increases per the total IT expansion.

Third Year

The last milestone is web development, which is strongly tied to sales and will take the most time. Under this milestone, the components included are internet ordering, bike build tracking software, and a scalable payroll system. Internet ordering will come first in this section, followed by a bike-build tracking system. This order of achieving the implementation is to provide the development team with enough time to include all the necessary components to be included in the customer’s online ordering page. The gap between a customer ordering through calls and receiving reports through email will be highly adjusted, and the customers will be able to make orders themselves.

Performance and personnel systems, benefits and payroll systems, customer resource management, and financial management systems have been prioritized and ordered sequentially. The order starts from performance and personnel systems, benefit and payroll systems, financial management, and CRM systems. Developing a customer relationship management system (CRM) will result in efficient and greater marketing strategies as well as stronger security of consumer data.

Human Resources

The Web Manager and Web Development team

The development team will be required to report directly to the Web Manager. The roles and duties will be to develop and maintain the company’s mobile and global website. Recommendations for the web development team involve web development certification or a degree in a related field and should be flexible in working with team members. The web manager must have a master’s degree in Computer Science, or a related field and five years of experience as a Web manager. All applications are to be made two months before the upgrade process.

Software Engineers and Information technology (IT) Support Staff

Different positions available in this field include cloud architects, information system developers, and business analysts. The roles include 3D design systems, cloud servicing setup, email system management, and business modeling. Cloud architects and information system developers must have a computer science degree or a related field, skilled in Python, Java, C++, and Net Framework. Business analysts must be experienced in system navigation, be able to relay information and direct it to the developers, and understand the company’s business needs. IT support staff must have certification in IT or a related field and be able to manage and resolve IT-related issues. Qualified applicants are to make applications three months before the project kick-off.

Helpdesk Support Team

This team will be responsible for workstation upgrades, repairs, replacements, and other related issues. The requirements include certification in IT, business information systems, or a certificate in a related field, knowledge of computer peripherals and systems, skills in Windows, skills in computing software, and other software used by the company. Qualified applicants are to make applications one month before the completion of the upgrade process.

Globalization

Shore & More Bicycles will reach worldwide markets they could not get before the improvement and upgrade project started. The firm will be able to satisfy the global demand for its goods due to this initiative. Network connection throughout the organization enables the company to expand worldwide with unrestricted access. This guarantees its financial future. The flexibility afforded by this implementation strategy enables the organization to evolve and grow outside its expectations.

The latest rise of cloud computing is the essential developing technology that will help the organization in its current size and the expected expansion. When it comes to setting up cloud services, there are several alternatives. Infrastructure, Storage, Application Access, and so on may be developed and coupled to meet the demands of a company (Yuan et al., 2022). Because of the multiple locations and the necessity for centralizing data management in addition to security controls, exploring cloud computing possibilities will best fit the enterprise’s development in the coming three years.

Emerging technology

AI technologies will enhance bike production component processes by detecting operations that can be automated and accomplished through automated, streamlined manufacturing. This may be extended to users, and AI can assist in identifying attributes to create a customized bike for the customer. Shore & More might want to think about adding AI in the future. Using this cutting-edge technology will help humans rather than replace them, as many assume. After all, people must first design, construct, and program robotics. The firm will enhance sales by using AI to build bicycles more effectively. The company will therefore be able to remove some of the time-consuming tasks associated with bike construction, such as riveting, bolt, and screw installation.

References

Capra, M., Peloso, R., Masera, G., Ruo Roch, M., & Martina, M. (2019). Edge computing: A survey on the hardware requirements in the Internet of Things world. Future Internet, 11(4), 100. Web.

Joudeh, J. M., & Dandis, A. (2018). Service quality, customer satisfaction, and loyalty in internet service providers. International journal of business and management, 13(8), 108-120. Web.

Roy, S., Vo, T., Hernandez, S., Lehrmann, A., Ali, A., & Kalafatis, S. (2022). IoT security and computation management on a multi-robot system for rescue operations based on a cloud framework. Sensors, 22(15), 5569. Web.

Wang, Y., & Zhang, L. (2021). Design of computer information system integration based on metadata. Journal of Physics: Conference series, 1992(2), 022085. Web.

Yuan, L. X., Shuong, C. W., Wei, K. Y., Qian, A. C. Y., & Shah, I. A. (2022). Business environment in the context of cloud computing: A review. International journal of emerging multidisciplinary: Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence, 1(2), 119-133. Web.

Click Here To Order Now!