devry mgmt408 full course [ all discussions and all homework ] latest 2015

Case Study Title

Date

Course

Instructor

Introduction

An introduction is used to let the reader know:

• The main entity or entities involved
• The major question or issue being analyzed

Introductions for case studies in this course should be one paragraph in length.

Background

This is a brief overview of the main problems or questions involved. Historical information can be used as long as it has a direct bearing on the items being analyzed. Provide enough description that a reader that is unfamiliar with the case will understand the context of your analysis. For this course, background -information should be two to three paragraphs in length, maximum.

Discussion

The discussion includes an analysis of each problem or question. The analysis can include:

· The problem or question and its impact on the main entities involved.

· How the problem or question is linked to the topics we have discussed or read to this point.

· How the problem or question is linked to best practices in industry.

· A solution or multiple solutions and an evaluation of those solutions.

In this course the case studies will have at least one major problem or question. There may be secondary problems or questions but there will be, at most, one or two secondary issues. Use as much space as necessary to provide a rational analysis but if there are more than four or five paragraphs for a given question the analysis needs to be reviewed and made more concise.

Conclusion

Summarize your solutions and describe how those solutions improve the current situation or resolve the problems in the case. The conclusion should be one to two paragraphs.

References

All references must be properly cited and referenced using APA format. Refer to the syllabus for tutorials and resources on using APA format.

cenario

Baxter Manufacturing Company (BMC) is a leader in deep-drawn stampings. It has been in business since 1978 as a privately held company. The process for making these stampings is very involved and complex. BMC developed methods for efficiently producing large volumes of stampings while keeping their quality very high. BMC uses state of the art machines to make the stampings and they make all the tooling necessary for those machines. In the years since their founding, many changes have impacted the industry – especially when it comes to computer networks and software. In the 1980s many of BMC's customers went to Just In Time manufacturing which affected BMC production schedules and inventory management. Automotive customers began asking for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capabilities around 1992. All of this has affected BMCs Information Technology department. Over the years, BMC has embraced the use of computers, computer technology, and software to enhance their competitive advantage and customer relationships. They have added CAD/CAM capabilities, a homegrown scheduling spreadsheet, and financial applications. A Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) scheduling package was purchased in 1989 but the implementation was unsuccessful. Another COTS scheduling systems was purchased in 1991 but, again, the software did not match the needs of BMC. A new MIS manager, Don Collins, was hired in 1994 and he led an effort to develop a mini-computer based system to accept EDI orders from customers and allow customer service to create shipping schedules, as well as raw materials tracking, in process inventories, and finished goods inventories. These internally developed systems were so successful that the MIS department was flooded with requests for more systems. Don believes that it will take 2 years to internally develop the manufacturing software systems BMC needs to remain competitive. Lou Moore, Vice President of Manufacturing, thinks a COTS package from Effective Management Systems, Inc. (EMS) is the answer to BMCs manufacturing software needs. Specifically, he recommends the EMS Time Critical Manufacturing package. The software costs $220,000 up front and yearly maintenance contracts are available for $55,000 per year. EMS will allow limited customized changes to the software and the labor for those changes will be billed at $60 per hour. To deal with all the requests for new systems and to prioritize projects a steering committee has been established. The members of the steering committee are President Kyle Baxter, Controller Lou Wilcox, Sue Barkley (Vice President for Customer Relations) and Kyle's sister, and Don Collins. The steering committee is currently discussing the option of in-house development (make) or purchasing the EMS system (buy).Play00:00Mute

Role

Your role is that of Sue Barkley. You will recommend a course of action to your brother, Kyle, in regards to the new manufacturing software system. The obvious choices are do nothing, accept the EMS proposal and start implementation, or take Don Collins advice and create the system in-house. Are there others?

Players

Kyle BaxterPresident Lucas MooreVice President of Manufacturing Don CollinsMIS Manager Sue BarkleyVice President for Customer Relations

Deliverable

Given the scenario, your role and the information provided by the key players involoved, it is time for you to make a decision.<br><br>If you are finished reviewing this scenario, close this window and return to this Week's You Decide tab, in your course, to complete the activity for this scenario.<br><br>You can return and review this scenario again at any time.

YOUDECIDE

Activity

Write a two (2) page paper that presents your decision and supports it with evidence from the course text, lectures, whitepapers, and discussions. Outside research is not required but if you use outside sources they must be cited and referenced properly. Use the Case Study Template found in Doc Sharing.

Grading Rubric

Category	Points	Description
Understanding	20	Demonstrate a strong grasp of the problem at hand. Demonstrate understanding of how the course concepts apply to the problem.
Analysis	20	Apply original thought to solving the business problem. Apply concepts from the course material correctly toward solving the business problem.
Format	10	Write your answer clearly and succinctly using strong organization and proper grammar. Use citations and references correctly.
Total	50	A quality paper will meet or exceed all of the above requirements.

Note!

Submit your lab to the Dropbox located on the silver tab at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read these step-by-step instructions or watch this TutorialDropbox Tutorial.

See the Syllabus section "Due Dates for Assignments & Exams" for due date information

week 4

Case Study 3-8: Purchasing and Implementing a Student Management System at Jefferson County School System

Using the Case Study Template format found in Doc Sharing, submit your evaluation of JCSS selection and implementation process. What went well? What needed to be better? What could they have done to improve their results? Your case study should be no more than five pages long, including the title page.

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox located on the silver tab at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read thesestep-by-step instructions or watch this Tutorial Dropbox Tutorial.

week 6

Using the Case Study Template format found in Doc Sharing, submit your assessment of three projects that need to be implemented immediately at the Clarion School and how you would prioritize those projects. (What method and criteria would you use to prioritize the projects?) Your case study should be no more than five pages long, including the title page.

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox located on the silver tab at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read thesestep-by-step instructions or watch this Tutorial Dropbox Tutorial.