The case study Personal Trainer was selected from the Shelly & Rosenblatt (2014) textbook, but it was copied below for convenience. There is no need to look for the textbook, as the assignment and questions are given here. The Case is about analyzing part of the systems design phase to implement an ERP or cloud system for the Personal Trainer company. It is important to remember that the purpose of selecting an application system is to ensure that this system is intended to provide the best solution for the company.
Personal Trainer, Inc.
Personal Trainer, Inc., owns and operates fitness centers in a dozen Midwestern cities. The centers have done well, and the company is planning an international expansion by opening a new “supercenter” in the Toronto area. Personal Trainer’s president, Carol Cassie, hired an IT consultant, Susan Park, to help develop an information system for the new facility. During the project, Susan will work closely with Gray Lewis, who will manage the new operation.
Background
Susan and Gray finished their work on the user interface, input, and output design. They developed a user-centered design that would be easy to learn and use. At this point, Susan turned her attention to the architecture for the new system.
Susan wanted to consider Enterprise Resource Planning, total cost of ownership, scalability, web integration, legacy systems, processing methods, and security issues. She also needed to select a network plan, or topology, that would dictate the physical cabling and network connections, or consider a wireless network. When all these tasks were completed, she would submit a system design specification for approval.
Your paper will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Precision: You see what the module is all about and structure your paper accordingly. You draw on a range of sources and establish your understanding of the historical context of the question. You carry out the exercise as assigned or carefully explain the limitations that prevented your completing some parts. (Running out of time is not generally considered an adequate limitation).
Support for assertions: You use examples, citations (especially from the required readings), and elaboration to support assertions. You provide evidence that you have read the required background materials.
Clarity: Your answers are clear and show your good understanding of the topic. You see what the module is all about and structure your paper accordingly.
Critical thinking: The paper incorporates your reactions, examples, and applications of the material to business and illustrates your reflective judgment and good understanding of the concepts. It is important to read the “Required Reading” in the Background material plus other sources you find relevant.
Breadth and depth: You provide informed commentary and analysis—simply repeating what your sources say does not constitute an adequate paper. The scope covered in your paper is directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning outcomes of the module.
Overall quality: You apply the professional language and terminology of systems design and analysis correctly and in context; you are familiar with this language and use it appropriately. Your paper is well written and the references, where needed, are properly cited and listed. Refer to the Trident Online Writing Lab at https://mytlc.trident.edu/files/Trident_APA_basics.pdf