APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 3: Sky-High Internet Services

Sky-High Internet Services 

Situation:

Sky-High Internet Services is a leading Internet service provider in a metropolitan area. The new customer billing system has caused an increase in complaints. Tammy Jones, the office manager, asked you to investigate the situation. After interviewing data entry operators and observing the online data input process, you are fairly certain that most errors occur when data is entered.

1. Write a brief memo to Tammy explaining the importance of data validation during the input process.

MEMO

TO: TAMMY JONES
FROM: AHMER ROSE
DATE: APRIL 28,2018
SUBJECT: DATA VALIDATION

A data validation check improves input quality by testing the data and rejecting any entry that fails to meet specified conditions. Responses should point out that the best defense against incorrect data is to identify and correct errors by using data validation checks before they enter the system.

2. Suggest at least three specific data validation checks that might help reduce input errors.

• Sequence Checks - used when the data must be in some predetermined sequence.
• Data type Checks - ensure that a data item fits the required data type, such as numeric or alphabetic.
• Validity Checks - used for data items that must have certain specified values.

3. Would a batch input system offer any advantages? Write a brief memo to Tammy stating your views.

MEMO

TO: TAMMY JONES
FROM: AHMER ROSE
DATE: APRIL 28,2018
SUBJECT: BATCH INPUT SYSTEM


Implementing the batch input system is good and has many advantages but still got some disadvantages. I think that f you will implement the batch input system, you must be aware of these disadvantages:

• Computer operators must be trained for using batch systems.
• It is difficult to debug batch systems.
• Batch systems are sometime costly.
• If some job takes too much time i.e. if error occurs in job then other jobs will wait for unknown time.

These are my views about the batch input system. Just let me know if you have questions, thanks.

4. Suppose that Sky-High is predicting 25% annual growth, on a current base of 90,000 customers. If the growth pattern holds, how many customers will Sky-High have in three years? If it takes about 12 minutes to enter a new customer into the system, how many additional data entry operators will be needed to handle the growth next year? Assume that an operator works about 2,000 hours per year. Also assume a 30% annual attrition rate for existing customers

If there is a 25% of increase per year:

A = 25% of 90,000

90000 + A = 112,500 (The number of customers in the next year)

B = 25% of 112,500

112,500 + B = 140,625 (The number of customers in the next year)

C = 25% of 140,625

140,625 + C = 175,781 (Number of Customers after 3 years)


An operator that works for 2,000 hours per year and can update records by 12 minutes, the operator could update records of 10,000 customers per year.

The previous information has 43,945 customers who subscribe in the year and there are around 27,000 customers who cancel their subscriptions per year so there would be 5 operators required to update records for new customers.