Course Title: Business Systems Analysis Design Not Informati

Course Title Isbusiness Systems Analysisdesign Not Information Syste

Course Title is Business Systems Analysis/Design, not Information Systems. This is not a technical course. So far throughout this course, you have been looking at different facets of the company from database needs and options to website needs and options. For your Milestone Four assignment, you will be looking at hardware and software needs and hardware and software options. You will be using the Milestone Four section of the template to complete this assignment. Refer to the Sharpe Style scenario for details on the current state of the company and the business owner’s goals.

Begin your response by explaining why it is important to consider the current IT infrastructure when integrating new e-commerce features to a website (the specifics of which you looked at last module). Discuss how the business’s current IT affects the costs of data storage and processing. You should also discuss how the current business’s current IT affects customer satisfaction with the purchasing experience. Next, explain the hardware and software infrastructure currently in place at Sharpe Style. Refer to the scenario and the Final Project Template for an IT flowchart depicting the hardware and software in place.

Use the flowchart to describe what the company has, and state what it is the company lacks. Draw conclusions for how the current state is negatively impacting business processes. Now that you have systematically gone through and identified needs and options to present to Mary Sharpe to help her migrate into online sales, complete the Matrix of Options in Appendix C of the Final Project Template to help organize the research you have done to persuasively communicate your ideas. See the prompt in the Appendix of your Final Project Template. After completing your matrix of options, you can now address some additional considerations.

For example, what compatibility issues exist with the different options? Explain your response in terms of how these issues affect the business process. In proposing solutions to these conclusions, what factors should the business owner consider when deciding whether to use in-house or external IT resources and services such as cloud computing or companies that specialize in hosting online stores? What are the short-term and long-term trade-offs? Use the Milestone Four section of the template as well as Appendix C, and submit the template to your instructor for feedback.

Remember to incorporate instructor feedback before your final submission in Module Seven. For additional details, please refer to the Milestone Four Guidelines and Rubric document and the Final Project Guidelines and Rubric document in the Assignment Guidelines and Rubrics section of the course. Utilize chapters 3 and 5 for reference. Please follow the rubric!

Paper For Above instruction

Integrating new e-commerce features into a business website requires a comprehensive understanding of the existing IT infrastructure. The current IT setup of a business significantly influences the costs associated with data storage and processing, as well as customer satisfaction levels with the purchasing experience. Analyzing these factors provides the foundation for effective planning and implementation of new online capabilities.

The importance of considering current IT infrastructure stems from its impact on operational efficiency, scalability, and user experience. For instance, outdated or insufficient hardware may lead to slower website performance, negatively affecting customer satisfaction and potentially driving clients to competitors. Similarly, limitations in software systems can restrict the ability to integrate new features smoothly, resulting in increased development costs and extended deployment timelines. Furthermore, an understanding of current IT helps in estimating the costs associated with data storage and processing, which are critical as online sales generate larger volumes of data requiring secure and scalable storage solutions.

At Sharpe Style, the existing hardware and software infrastructure can be described through the IT flowchart provided in the Final Project Template. Currently, the company has basic hardware such as point-of-sale systems and desktop computers, though these may be outdated and insufficient for supporting expanded e-commerce activities. The software infrastructure includes pre-existing inventory management and sales systems that may not seamlessly integrate with an online store platform. This setup results in siloed data, manual processes, and potential delays in data sharing across departments. The company's lack of modern web hosting solutions, integrated CRM systems, and scalable cloud storage services further limit its ability to offer a seamless customer experience and scale operations effectively.

Analyzing the flowchart reveals that Sharpe Style lacks several key components essential for a robust e-commerce operation. For example, the absence of a dedicated web server, e-commerce platform integration, and reliable data backup solutions hamper the company's ability to provide a secure and responsive shopping experience. These deficiencies negatively impact business processes by causing delays, data inconsistencies, and potential security vulnerabilities. Such issues can lead to customer dissatisfaction, reduced sales, and operational inefficiencies.

To address these deficiencies, the next step involves completing the Matrix of Options as outlined in Appendix C of the Final Project Template. This matrix organizes potential solutions based on criteria such as cost, compatibility, scalability, and security. For example, options may include upgrading existing hardware, adopting cloud-based hosting services, or outsourcing IT functions to specialized vendors. Each choice involves trade-offs: in-house solutions offer control but require significant capital and maintenance, while external services reduce upfront costs but introduce dependency on third-party providers.

Compatibility issues must also be considered, particularly how new technologies will integrate with existing systems. For example, choosing a cloud hosting provider must align with current software platforms to ensure data interoperability. These compatibility considerations directly influence business processes by affecting the speed and reliability of order processing, inventory management, and customer relationship management.

When advising the business owner, it is imperative to weigh the factors of in-house versus external resources. In-house solutions provide greater control and customization but entail higher upfront costs, ongoing maintenance, and a need for skilled IT staff. Conversely, external cloud services and specialized hosting providers offer greater flexibility, scalability, and lower initial investment but may involve recurring charges and reliance on third-party security measures.

The short-term benefits of external hosting include rapid deployment, reduced capital expenditure, and access to scalable solutions. However, in the long term, dependency on external providers may lead to challenges related to data sovereignty, compliance, and continued increasing operational costs. Similarly, in-house solutions may be advantageous initially for tailored needs but could become less cost-effective over time if IT infrastructure becomes outdated or if maintenance demands grow.

In summary, a strategic approach considering these factors will allow Sharpe Style to select the most appropriate IT resources for migrating into online sales. This includes evaluating the compatibility of new solutions with existing infrastructure, understanding trade-offs between in-house and external options, and planning for scalability and security. The final decision should align with the company's growth objectives, budget constraints, and customer satisfaction goals.

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