ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTION:
Zodiac cycle part manufacturer (ZCM) is a small firm based in Eastern Melbourne. They have
registered a slow growth over the last few years. Still, their current in-house Information
Technology (IT) infrastructure and Business Information Systems (BIS) are not able to cope with
increasing demands for efficient information and state of art technology from users, e.g.,
employees, customers, and suppliers.
ZCM would like to enhance and upgrade their IT infrastructure and BIS. However, given the
tough and ever increasing competition, they would like to make informed decisions about
investments and various other aspects relating to the issue.
They have hired you as their IT consultant. You are required to present a report in a
management meeting to enable directors to make an informed decision about future directions
for the company’s IT needs and meet the challenge of satisfying all stake holders. Your report
should discuss organisation, management and technology dimensions of Business Information
Systems and establish an argument in favour of cloud computing that it is a viable option for
Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as compared to the traditional in-house hosting.
You’re Task in Report
1. Discuss why information systems are so indispensable in today’s businesses? Identify the
trends in the business environment that have made information systems so essential.
2. Discuss the management challenges involved in building, operating, and maintaining
information systems in Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
3. Define what is Cloud computing, and different types of Cloud services, which can be used by
ZCM?
4. Make recommendations to implement successful Cloud computing for SMEs, with at least
two examples of companies that have successfully migrated to Cloud services.