Project Deliverable 1: Project Plan Inception
Section 1: Project Introduction
Background Information of the Company
Metro Corp is an American based e-commerce company that deals in selling different types of products. The company has continued to experience growth and is expected to experience rapid growth in the next two years. The expected growth resulted in the company to consider a new facility that would host the company operations. Information is considered the most important asset of Metro Corp’s business operation and functioning, which should be provided based on emerging technologies, latest outlays, and regulations. Therefore, the paper aims at providing an information technology plan that Metro Corp would implement to locate the new facility. The company plans to start its operation in the new facility with ten employees with revenues of $5 million, with the expected growth in two years requiring the company to have thirty employees with revenue of $3 million.
Details of Business
Metro Corp’s business processes revolve around selling products to their customers. The company deals with a wide variety of products, including physical products that are dropshipped to customers, such as clothes, phones and accessories, appliances, computers, and bath bombs. It also provides digital products to customers, such as ebooks and audio and video downloads (Shopify, 2020).
A Description of The Information Systems
Database
The growth anticipated in the next two years requires the company to have a scalable and flexible database capable of sustaining expanding business needs. The database is significant to the company as it holds vital information regarding the business operations, including that of products, such as pricing, orders, shipping details, and description. Customer information, such as shipping location, payment details, and personal information, is also stored in the database. The proposed database that would support the company operation is the SQL database, which is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) that effectively support e-Commerce web applications.
Systems Analysis
The company requires to have an adequate system analysis and design method to ensure its e-Commerce platform is fully functional and user-friendly. The e-Commerce system will incorporate a merchant account that will support credit and debit card payments. The payment gateway will also be required to facilitate the payment process between customers and the website. The system objectives will include displaying goods, providing information about the products, accumulating customer information, displaying transactions, and providing customers with after-sale support. The software needed includes an ordering system, an inventory management system, and a distribution management system (Rajput, 2009).
Security
The company will implement proper authentication mechanisms to maintain the security of the system. The firm’s database will remain accessible to authenticated users through the use of login ID and passwords. All computers of the company and employee personal computers used for the company work will be installed with antivirus and anti-spyware protection. The company requires biometrics for server area authentication, with physical security deployed on gates and main doors of the facility. Automatic daily backups of the data will be conducted and saved on the cloud.
Networking
Networking is a vital aspect of a company dealing with e-Commerce. The company requires a stable and consistent network to be able to conduct its operations. The firm will utilize Cisco products to set up networking due to the ability to remain reliable with low downtime. Networking access through the new facility will be achieved by installing Cisco routers throughout the building to wireless network access to offices and guests visiting the company. The firm will also implement a Local Area Network (LAN).
Computer Infrastructure
Metro Corp requires computer infrastructure that is easy to use, considering it is a startup company. It will also require computers that are portable to facilitate remote working. The company will provide its employees with a Lenovo ThinkPad, which can be utilized as a desktop. Lenovo offers a docking station for laptops that can be used to hook up a desktop monitor to achieve a desktop pc effect, which will eliminate the need for the company to purchase desktops for employees.
Human-Computer Interaction
The employees would be able to access the company resources through their computers, which will be connected to one server. However, other infrastructure for setting up and running the e-Commerce platform would be delivered through cloud services, which will enable the company to reduce the need for additional hardware by introducing only software needs.
Web Design
Metro Corp e-Commerce website design will involve an investment for the web domain names and webspace. A web developer expert will be deployed by the company to build the website. Different sub-systems will be incorporated into the website to handle different functionalities in business operations. The website design will also incorporate an SEO for a good ranking that will allow the website to gain online visibility on various search engines. The website would be linked to different social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, for marketing. The web will include an ordering system, an email response system, and item searching and filtering capabilities to enhance user experience (“BPlans,” 2014).
Section 2: Project Plan
Phase Tasks Subtasks Timeframe
Initiation Define project parameters Project charter 5 days
Initial scope 3 days
Initial schedule 5 days
Budget estimate 2 days
Identify risks and quality standards List of risks 5 days
Quality standards 3 days
Develop initial project plan Communication plan 6 days
Initial project plan 10 days
Planning Refine project parameters Project scope 4 days
Baseline schedule 3 days
Project budget 2 days
Assess risks/ define QA and QC Risk management plan 7 days
QA/QC procedures 5 days
Refine project plan Project plan 8 days
Execution Manage project parameters Updated schedule 2 days
Actual budget 3 days
Monitor and control risks and quality QC results 5 days
Manage project execution Change control log 3 days
Issues log 2 days
Status report 2 days
Acceptance forms 2 days
Operations and Maintenance Performance assessment 10 days
Maintenance 4 days
Performance boost 5 days
References
E-commerce Start-up Business Plan. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.bplans.com/e-commerce_start-up_business_plan/strategy_and_implementation_summary_fc.php
Shopify. (2020). What is Shopify? https://www.shopify.com/blog/what-is-shopify#:~:text=Shopify%20is%20a%20commerce%20platform,in%20person%20with%20Shopify%20POS.&text=Shopify%20is%20now%20the%20leading,for%20businesses%20of%20all%20sizes.
Rajput (2009). E-Commerce Systems Technology Infrastructure. Retrieved from http://www.ieee.cz/knihovna/Rajput/Rajput085-ch06.pdf
