Replacement Systems - Essay Example

System analysis is widely adopted while creating replacement systems. While solving real practical tasks of system analysis a person often uses such important notions as objects and models. They have sufficiently exact and unique definitions in traditional branches of science. Still in system analysis these standard notions are being significantly developed and expanded. This process is based on the modern specificity of problems and tooling of system analysis, features and characteristics of the subjects of system investigation, the conditions and features of formalization and solution of system task. Replacement system is a kind of complex systems. As the object of investigation complex system is a certain sphere of system investigation, which is chosen/selected, formed or created by person (expert) as the unit from the point of goal achievement. This system can be material object or some model of material or abstract object of investigation. In the first case, system - is a real object. Its technological or organizational structure is hierarchical, multilevel system of interconnected/interrelated, different- or single-type functional elements, which are concentrated in the certain space. The system of state power in different countries of the world may be given as example of real complex system with hierarchical, multilevel organizational structure. The same complex systems are wide spread in industrial, economic, social and other spheres. For example, real complex systems are: multi-profile industrial combine, railway system, telecommunicational network and other same material objects. The variety of replacement systems using is wide. So let's analyze the structure, main principles and goals of some specific replacement systems. Erez Zadok (p. 69, 1994) pointed out that in the hot replacement of replicated read-only file system (with application to mobile computing) the developers described a mechanism for replacing files, including open files, of a read-only file system while the file system remains mounted; the act of replacement is transparent to the user. Such a "hot replacement" mechanism can improve fault-tolerance, performance, or both. This mechanism monitors from the client side, the latency of operations directed at each file system. When latency degrades, the client automatically seeks a replacement file system that is equivalent to but hopefully faster than the current file system. The files in the replacement file system then take the place of those in the current file system. This work has particular relevance to mobile computers, which in some cases might move over a wide area. Wide area movement can be expected to lead to highly variable response time, and give rise to three sorts of problems: increased latency, increased failures, and decreased scalability. If a mobile client moves through regions having partial replicas of common file systems, then the mobile client can depend on the mechanism to provide increased fault tolerance and more uniform performance. According to MMIS project specialists, the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) is the claims processing system for Nebraska's Medicaid Program. In addition to processing claims, the MMIS also supports coordination of benefits, surveillance and utilization review, federal and management reporting, and case management. Without diving too deeply into significant problem areas of their past system (before using new MMIS) and the benefits of a new MMIS, let's just investigate the MMIS alternatives, which were analyzed (it can help us while designing new project): 1. MMIS Procurement: A replacement MMIS is transferred or developed by a vendor and maintained by state staff or the vendor. 2. In-House Development: A replacement MMIS is developed and maintained by State of Nebraska staff. 3. MMIS Replacement with Fiscal Agent Maintenance: A replacement MMIS is developed and maintained by a vendor. The vendor also performs all system maintenance and claims processing functions, including activities to manage providers. 4. Enhance Current MMIS: Modification of the current MMIS performed by either a vendor or by state staff, but maintained by state staff. While designing replacement system it's necessary to think through the correct replacement policy. To investigate this problem we'll take, for instance, proxy server cache replacement policies for educational multimedia video dissemination. Computers and multimedia are being used to augment educational experiences in exciting ways. For many universities and corporations, one of the most inspiring applications is for just-intime distance learning. By taking advantage of computer workstations on the learner's desk and a fast computer network, educational multimedia can be delivered directly to the computer's desktop. Albert I. Reuther (p.2, 2000) indicated that in several years, Purdue University would probably have a central archive of multimedia modules that were served throughout campus to students at their workstations all across the campus. That central archive is located in the main library and is implemented with a large number of file/media servers called a server farm. This server farm has access to all of the archived media modules, which are stored on hard disks, optical storage devices, and/or tape storage devices. Each building on campus that has computer labs, including residence halls, will then have proxy servers. A proxy server is a server that stores a subset of the media on the main server farm. This media subset is stored on a portion of its hard disk array called the proxy server cache. The proxy servers are connected to the central server farm using wide area network (WAN) technology. All of the workstations within buildings are connected to the proxy servers using local area network (LAN) technology. For example, a student is in the engineering library sitting at a workstation. When that student requests a media module, the engineering library proxy server acts like the central server farm, if it can, by delivering the requested media module from its proxy server cache if a copy of the requested module is available in the cache. If a copy of the requested module is not available in the proxy server cache, then the proxy server requests the media module from the central server farm at the main library. The central server farm then serves the student's request, and the engineering library server must decide whether to place a copy of the media module into its proxy server cache. The cache replacement policies are generally simple there, easy-to-calculate algorithms. The algorithms use such statistics as the time since the last access, number of accesses of the cached data, and document size. In order to keep the calculations simple and fast, usually only one of the above statistics is used. Because the potential cost of making an error in predicting the expected demand of a media module is much greater than for other applications, it is reasonable to spend more calculation time by using more sophisticated cache replacement policies to give a greater ability to make better predictions. There was proposed such a method as combining several of the above-mentioned statistics as well as adding more computationally-intensive, higher order statistics like mean time between accesses and standard deviation of mean time between accesses to better predict the expected demand. As usual there are some features of the current system. Molly Montgomery (2000, p.2) considered that, for example, for degree audit enhancement they are: The current system cannot handle double majors or minors. Requirements must be checked manually. The current system cannot handle the proposed General Education requirements changes. Additional academic units, including Graduate Division and Law School would like to use the system. The current system was developed when requirements were simply. Additional stability is required. The current system does not easily interface with other applications. Now let's pay attention exactly to computer replacement programs and their support. For instance, Information Technology Services (ITS) follows several procedural guidelines for the Computer Replacement Program to ensure that employees can request and receive upgraded technology in a timely manner. Specialists of University of San Diego (2005) offered the next sequence. Eligible employees should contact their faculty/staff representative, area technician, or a staff member in ITS as the third anniversary of their desktop equipment approaches or to find out if their computer is up for replacement. Prior instances of this practice resulted in a shortfall of recycled workstations for part-time faculty, staff, and student employees not eligible for equipment through the Computer Replacement Program. More importantly, with the recent changes in state law, there is an increased liability associated with accidental release of personal information. The developers need to ensure that all disk contents are removed before a workstation is reallocated for other uses, even if this is within the same office. They also need to ensure that workstations are maintained with current security patches and updated anti-virus software. After client receives his new computer (or if he has received a computer through the replacement program in the past), he cannot swap the system with a co-worker. At no time is it permissible to exchange equipment with other co-workers or other departments. ITS inventories machines by employee name and computer serial number and exchanging equipment makes it difficult for ITS to locate and collect equipment when it is needed for return. The process of technology replacement plan is also very important. For example, The College of DuPage in 2005 has initiated a cyclic Technology Replacement Plan to ensure that all technology on campus is kept up-to-date.Previously only computers in academic labs and a small portion of administrative areas were updated on a regular cycle.Many computers on campus were not under any formal replacement plan.The result was a wide variance in the capabilities of computers within a department, time consuming ordering process and a costly cascading process. In fact the goals of the technology replacement plan are to: Assure that appropriate computing resources are available in shared and departmental computing facilities, classrooms, and college offices to support the mission of the institution; Assure that each faculty and staff member who uses computing resources in his or her position has a computer of sufficient capability to fulfil his/her responsibilities; Implement minimum standards for computing equipment on campus (first adopted in 1997, and reviewed annually by the Information Technology Advisory Committee) and promote uniformity of technology levels within an area; Ease resource and financial planning by reducing the effort involved in departmental budgeting and planning for new computers. Eliminate the need to request capital equipment reviews, write requisitions, and request installations; Provide for the cost effective and timely purchasing and installation of new equipment while decreasing the deployment time for new equipment; Expedite the disposal of old equipment. Rapid changes in technology require continuous upgrade and replacement of computer equipment to guarantee access to information resources. A replacement cycle of three to five years is strongly recommended. Specialists (1998, p.1) of State Library of North Carolina developed Guidelines for developing an equipment replacement policy: Technology has become an essential means of conducting library business. Computer equipment is basic to the effective execution of duties of library staff in all areas of library service and to the public for accessing current information or materials not owned locally in print format. Acknowledging the rapid pace of changes in technology, the Rockingham County Public Library plans for the replacement of computer equipment on a schedule in keeping with the best practices of industry, currently every three to five years. In cases of insufficient funding to address all of the identified needs, priorities will be established based on (1) number of computers available on site, (2) usage, (3) critical nature of work. Supplemental funds will be sought as necessary to address gaps in need. (Rockingham County Public Library Computer Equipment Replacement Policy). Computers in the library will be upgraded at a minimum of every five years. Computers will be upgraded before that time if necessary to accommodate software releases/upgrades to the library automation system, or to enable access to new and/or improved electronic resources. (Davidson County Community College Policy for Library Computer Upgrades). Of course, there should be some criteria for selecting replacement system. Let's examine this problem on selecting the best ERP Replacement system. The coworkers of Epicor Software Corporation (2005) emphasized that an ERP system is your information backbone and reaches into all areas of your business and value-chain. Replacing it can open unlimited business opportunities. The cornerstone of this effort is finding the right partner and specialist. Your long-term business strategy will form the basis of the criteria for your selection of an ERP system replacement. Your ERP provider must be part of your vision. It is the duty of a software provider to help you get there by doing their part to make sure your next system will be your last ERP system replacement. There are 11 criteria that allow you to identify and select the solution that will meet these expectations. System Replacement Starts With A Vision. It's no light matter to replace your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The cornerstone of the efforts is finding the partner that can show you how to make this hard transition easy, and a specialist with the confidence to walk side-by-side with you until your goals are achieved. Manufacturers decide to replace their ERP systems for a variety of reasons. At the most fundamental level, the question is whether your current system supports or constrains your ability to execute business strategies that will make your company successful and establish it as an industry leader. After the decision to change is made, you must imagine what your company will look like in 10 years or more. What new developments in your industry will reshape your company How will your company lead or respond to those changes More importantly, how will you get there, what technologies will you have adopted and how will they have helped you succeed This vision will form the basis of the criteria for your selection of an ERP system replacement. They must have faced these challenges many times in their history and learned how to help manufacturers adopt new technologies. The future of your business depends on whether they have successfully made the leap from one technology curve to the next and continue to innovate and deliver technologies, which help companies like yours lead that change. At this stage in the evolution of enterprise software, it is the duty of software providers to help you get there by doing their part to make sure your next system will be your last ERP system replacement. There are 11 criteria that allow you to identify and select the solution that will meet these expectations. This document gives you the answers you need, a more detailed explanation of the 11 criteria to use when selecting the best solution, and their importance in making the ERP replacement decision. So we can see, well thought-out replacement system can be extremely useful. But to reach wishful effect you must design it according to all necessary criteria. The replacement plan is a serious condition of successful system installation. References 1. Baron, R. A. (1992). Choosing Museum Collection Management Software The Systems Analysis: Its Methods, Functions and Benefits. Available from World Wide Web: 2. Computer Workstation Replacement Policy. (2005). Available from World Wide Web: 3. Guidelines for Developing an Equipment Replacement Policy. (1998) [CD-ROM] North Carolina: State Library. pp. 1-2 4. Montgomery, M. (2000): Progress Reports. Strategic Planning Project. University of California. pp. 2-3. 5. Reuther, A.I. (2000): Distributed Multimedia Proxy Cache Replacement Algorithms. Purdue University. pp. 1-2. 6. Small Business Computer Systems Analysis Los Angeles Orange County San Bernardino California (1993) [Online]. Available from World Wide Web: 7. STARS Description (1998) [Online]. Available from World Wide Web: 8. Technology replacement plan. (2005). Available from World Wide Web: 9. Zadok, E. (1994): Discovery and Hot Replacement of Replicated Read-Only File Systems, with Application to Mobile Computing. Columbia University: Computer Science Department. pp. 1, 64. Read More