Barriers to IS Implementation

Rhine Marketing Corporation - Computer Division (RMC-CD) isa a leading manufacturer of personal computer, and distributor of a complete line of peripherals and other computer related services.

It has been our adopted company in our group for MIS Group Sharing. Mr. Cris, the MIS head of RMC-CD accomodated us well in the interview. He has told us about the MIS of RMC-CD. We have found out that RMC-CD branch in Davao City has adopted an in-house programmer. The Rhine System,(name of their IS) was developed by their self-employed personnel.

The Rhine system address to their needs of a more systematic fow of their transaction in sales. Originally, the IS of RMC-CD had started the renovation of the system way back 2000.

The system was mainly consist of Sales Inventory, Sales Income and for service and maintenance documentation. Sir Cris had told us that the implementation of the system was not easy. First, the makers of the system must identify first the needs of the company. Second, to identify the importance of addressing this needs. Third, will it cost to have a system? Fourth, will the system be user friendly? What's its framwork?

After answering the question, then you can proceed to the design and framework of the system. In the planning the design, According to Sir Cris, the programmer must choose a programming language that will suits to his capability so that he can make the system effectively. He has mentioned that every database administrator must update from the internet latest advancement in programming. A programmer has to update his knowledge because nowadays technology is fast paced ang constant to change.

Sir Cris had told us the barriers they have encountered in the implementation of the system. Sir Cris had enumerated some barriers in their IS/IT implementation:

1. Cost - the major barrier of IS implementation is the cost and expense of IS. Making a system is impossible without financial support. From the hardware to software, all of this has a cost. That's why, a company must have good financial capacity to cater expense of systems.

2. Adoption of System - it is very hard to teach user about the implementation of system, if the users are illiterate in using computers. According to Sir Cris, most senior staff or employee of Rhine has trouble in using the computer and the system. It took the senior staff ample time before they could fully understand the use of system. Because of this, most transactions are delayed. In contrast, those young employee or young age employee that has knowledge about computer has less difficulties in using the system.

3. Downsizing of Manpower - because of the implementation of IS in the company, most bookkeeper of Rhine has been dismissed. The manual system before are now automated causing deduction of manpower. It has 5% downsizing of manpower from Rhine, when the IS has took place in the transactions.

4. Feedbacks - users generates feedback. Either negative or positive, all of this could be barriers to IS implementation. Most negative feedbacks are about the features of system - functionality and accessibility. Most users complaints are about the unexpected changes of the transactions. For example, instead of manual written receipts, receipts are now printed because of IS. Some users were disappointed because their expectation was not reached.

5. Maintenance - After installation, maintenance took place. Each media and equipments are maintain in good conditions to generate an error free transactions. Maintenance are done by Is staff who are knowledgable in maintaining the performance of IS.

Rhine CMD has easily adjust to the implementation of IS. Most of the users had undergone orientation of system flow and activities so that they are equip with the new system. The MIS staff has assumed that users has nothinf to learn with computer, that is why they tried their best to make the system user friendly. They just make the system as what the manual systems before look like.

Sir Cris added that discrepancy of datas are unavoidable. But it can be address by up-to-date checking of systems and minimization of cheating.

Constant updates of systems is a good pratice in maintaining the IS functional.Updates from internet are plus factors.