1 Information Systems CS-507 Lecture 28

2 Critical Success Factors (CSF). Critical Success Factor (CSF) is a business term for an element which is necessary for an organization or project to achieve its mission.

3 Critical Success Factors (CSF). Examples Safe transport of customer consignments Timely delivery of consignment Online status confirmation system to inform customers Proper packaging and handling

4 Sources of Critical Success Factors Industry CSFs – resulting from specific industry characteristics; Strategic CSFs – resulting from the chosen competitive strategy of the business e.g. quick and timely delivery may be critical to courier service business Environmental CSFs – resulting from economic or technological changes; and Temporal CSFs – resulting from internal organizational needs and changes.

5 CSF vs. Key Performance Indicator A critical success factor is not a key performance indicator or KPI. Critical Success Factors are elements that are vital for a strategy to be successful. A KPI measures the achievements.

6 CSF vs. Key Performance Indicator A CSF for improved sales may be adopting a new sales strategy through better and regularly arranged display of products in the shop windows. However, the KPI identified would be the increased/decreased Average Revenue Per Customer as a result of the strategy.

7 CSF vs. Key Performance Indicator Key Performance Indicators directly or indirectly measure the results of implementation of Critical Success Factors. KPI’s are measures that quantify objectives and enable the measurement of strategic performance.

8 AspectCentralizedDistributed ProcessingManaged at one serverOn multiple machines Computing Power Low (since processing managed at one machine) High (since more than one machines are involved) Data processing capability Depends upon the central machine Can be increased by distributing the task on multiple machines System Management Controls Integrated but limited to central server Controls integrated but distributed to the various servers SecurityHigh (Physical and Logical Controls) High (Physical and Logical controls distributed to all servers, therefore requiring high level of security management) Centralized vs. Distributed Processing Comment Draw from top to bottom row wise.

9 Web Based Environment In Web based environment, clients connect to the application through broad-band or base band/dial up connection. Application is located on the enterprise server which is accessed by the client through the internet connection. Access may be given to a single application software or the entire operating system. Web based environment can be combined with and applied to both centralized or decentralized environments to optimize the performance.

10 Web Based Diagram Remote User A Remote User B

11 Internet An interconnected system of networks that connects computers around the world via the TCP/IP protocol. Users contact Internet service providers for availability of connection which allows them to be a part of internet.

12 Intranet An intranet is a private enterprise owned communication network that uses internet protocols, network connectivity, and public telecommunication system to share organization's information or operations with its employees, and enables the employees to communicate with each other.