Rocky Mountain Outfitters and Its Strategic Information Systems Plan
Figure 1-7 Components of an information systems strategic plan Information systems strategic plan
Application architecture plan
Set of integrated information systems needed by the organization to carry out its business functions
Technology architecture plan Set of hardware, software, and communications networks required to implement all of the planned systems
ROCKY MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS AND ITS STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS PLAN
To demonstrate the important systems analysis and design techniques in this text, we follow a system development project for a company named Rocky Mountain Outfitters (RMO). RMO is a sports clothing manufacturer and distributor that is about to begin development of a new customer support system. You will encounter RMO customer support system examples in all chapters of this book. For now, try to get a feel for the nature of the business, the approach the company took to define the information systems strategic plan, and the basic objectives of the customer support system that is part of the plan.
INTRODUCING ROCKY MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS (RMO)
RMO started in 1978 as the dream of John and Liz Blankens of Park City, Utah. Liz had always been interested in fashion and clothing and had worked her way through college by designing, sewing, and selling winter sports clothes to the local ski shops in Park City. She continued with this side business even after she graduated, and soon it was taking all of her time. Liz had been dating John Blankens since they met at a fashion merchandising convention. John had worked for several years for a retail department store chain after college and had just completed his MBA. Together they decided to try to expand Liz’s business into retailing to reach a larger customer base. The first step in their expansion involved direct mail-order sales to customers using a small catalog (see Figure 1-8). Liz immediately had to expand the manufacturing operations by adding a designer and production supervisor.
Application architecture plan
Set of integrated information systems needed by the organization to carry out its business functions
Technology architecture plan Set of hardware, software, and communications networks required to implement all of the planned systems
ROCKY MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS AND ITS STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS PLAN
To demonstrate the important systems analysis and design techniques in this text, we follow a system development project for a company named Rocky Mountain Outfitters (RMO). RMO is a sports clothing manufacturer and distributor that is about to begin development of a new customer support system. You will encounter RMO customer support system examples in all chapters of this book. For now, try to get a feel for the nature of the business, the approach the company took to define the information systems strategic plan, and the basic objectives of the customer support system that is part of the plan.
INTRODUCING ROCKY MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS (RMO)
RMO started in 1978 as the dream of John and Liz Blankens of Park City, Utah. Liz had always been interested in fashion and clothing and had worked her way through college by designing, sewing, and selling winter sports clothes to the local ski shops in Park City. She continued with this side business even after she graduated, and soon it was taking all of her time. Liz had been dating John Blankens since they met at a fashion merchandising convention. John had worked for several years for a retail department store chain after college and had just completed his MBA. Together they decided to try to expand Liz’s business into retailing to reach a larger customer base. The first step in their expansion involved direct mail-order sales to customers using a small catalog (see Figure 1-8). Liz immediately had to expand the manufacturing operations by adding a designer and production supervisor.