2. Keeping Up Communications ii
Keeping Up Communications
Courtesy Corporation’s Investment in New
Computers
Prepared for
Mr. Mike Donze
Area Supervisor, Courtesy Corporation
Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650
Prepared by
Angela Steiner
Swing Manager, Courtesy Corporation
Baldwin, Wisconsin, 54002
November 10, 2015
3. Keeping Up Communications iii
Letter of Transmittal
Courtesy Corporation
580 Baldwin Plaza Drive
Baldwin, WI 54002
November 10, 2015
Mr. Mike Donze, Area Supervisor
Courtesy Corporation
2700 National Drive, Suite 100
Onalaska, WI 54650
Dear Mr. Donze:
In this report you will find the research requested earlier this summer. I have analyzed the
problem and provided relevant and useful information in order to make a
recommendation for replacement of the computers in use at the Baldwin store.
My analysis of the condition of the computers at the Baldwin store covers several
important factors that will help Courtesy Corporation decide whether to invest in new
computers. To help make my recommendation I researched their current value, capacity,
quality, security, speed, and compatibility with other devices. This research has led me to
recommend Courtesy Corporation invest in new computers for the Baldwin store. It is my
firm conviction that new computers in place will help the Baldwin store become more
profitable and efficient as a business entity.
I used several resources while conducting my research. First hand experience from
working at the Baldwin store, combined with interviews from co-workers were very
helpful in answering my questions. Retailers provided information on finding a
replacement for the computers.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to research the status of the computers in place
at the Baldwin store, and for allowing me to recommend a solution. I would be happy to
further discuss my research or recommendations. Please contact me (715-410-9320,
angie.steiner@my.uwrf.edu) regarding any questions, comments or suggestions you may
have. In regards to this report, I anticipate building a professional relationship with you in
the future.
Sincerely,
Angela Steiner
Swing Manager, Courtesy Corporation
4. Keeping Up Communications iv
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Letter of Transmittal ......................................................................................................... iii
Executive Summary............................................................................................................ v
Introduction........................................................................................................................ 1
Purpose...........................................................................................................................................................................1
Scope................................................................................................................................................................................1
Assumptions .................................................................................................................................................................1
Assumptions, continued ..........................................................................................................................................2
Methods...........................................................................................................................................................................2
Limitations.....................................................................................................................................................................2
Definitions......................................................................................................................................................................2
Criteria.............................................................................................................................................................................2
Criteria, continued......................................................................................................................................................3
Numerical Data Analysis.................................................................................................... 3
Time Interval Data Collection................................................................................................................................3
Time Interval Data Analysis...................................................................................................................................3
Processor Error Tally................................................................................................................................................4
Empirical Data Analysis...................................................................................................... 4
Current Value................................................................................................................................................................5
Capacity...........................................................................................................................................................................5
Quality..............................................................................................................................................................................5
Security ...........................................................................................................................................................................5
Speed................................................................................................................................................................................5
Compatibility With Other Devices.......................................................................................................................5
Recommendations and Conclusions.................................................................................. 6
Recommendations......................................................................................................................................................6
Conclusions....................................................................................................................................................................6
Appendix A: References..................................................................................................... 7
Appendix B: Interview........................................................................................................ 8
5. Keeping Up Communications v
Keeping Up Communications
Courtesy Corporation Investment in New Computers
Executive Summary
Analysis of the condition of the computers at the Baldwin store covers several
important factors that will help Courtesy Corporation decide to invest in new computers.
To help make my recommendation I researched their current value, capacity, quality,
security, speed, and compatibility with other devices. This research has led me to
recommend Courtesy Corporation invest in new computers for the Baldwin store. It is my
firm conviction that new computers in place will help the Baldwin store become more
profitable and efficient as a business entity.
It is highly recommended that Courtesy Corporation invest in new computers at
the Baldwin store regardless of the manufacturer. The replacement closest to the
computers already in place would be another Windows system. After performing the
most generic search for “new 2015 dell desktop computers” a new version is available
from Amazon.com, for $372. This is very reasonable based on how long the company
plans to use the computers. However, it is my personal recommendation that Courtesy
Corporation invest in a different company’s machines. Apple produces a compact iMac
desktop computer available for $1,299. The processor is larger and faster, and includes a
large 1TB hard drive. Although it is much more expensive than the Windows machine,
the iMac would not lose value over time due to wear and tear. The iMac also offers more
storage and iMacs generally do not need any antivirus protection as most viruses are
written specifically for Windows machines. Apple is engineered for business
professionals and Courtesy Corporation strives for business excellence.
The computers in place at the Baldwin store are not acceptable for the duties
employees need to accomplish on a daily basis. A financially viable option is to purchase
another Windows machine, or an Apple iMac that would be superior in creating reports
and documents. Research was conducted to determine exactly how much time employees
spend on loading software programs and processing data that should not take much time
to complete. Time is lost because employees must restart the program or troubleshoot
why it fails to open. This evidence was also clarified by interviews with employees. In
order to benefit the business, increase employee productivity and improve efficiency,
new computers should be purchased and installed in the manager’s office.
6.
7. Keeping Up Communications 1
Introduction
To compete in the business world, Courtesy Corporation has requested an analysis on
their current computers at the Baldwin store. I have researched the computers to
determine if Courtesy Corporation needs to make an investment in newer technology.
Purpose
Mccourtesy.com states that Courtesy Corporation has opened 54 McDonald’s restaurants
in Western Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, and Decorah, Iowa. It has continued to
grow substantially since the first store was purchased in La Crosse, Wisconsin, according
to their website. The Baldwin store was opened in 2000, operating today with almost all
of its original technology, including the computers. Functioning in a competitive market
can make it difficult to determine ways in which a business can internally improve in
order to benefit the organization. One improvement that is often overlooked is
communications. The purpose of my research is to determine whether the Baldwin store
needs to invest in new computers to benefit all business interactions performed
electronically.
Scope
This report discusses the current status of the computers in place at the Baldwin store. It
examines their current value, capacity, quality, security, speed, and compatibility with
other devices. It also evaluates the overall effectiveness and usefulness of the computers’
software performance that assists with daily responsibilities. Finally a recommendation is
made towards the purchase of new computers. My research does not include software
updates the computers have received, or the initial price of purchase. This report does not
contain the various reasons why the computers run slowly other than standard wear and
tear. It also does not include specific data regarding exact download/upload intervals per
data file. However this report gives an average timed interval that it actually takes to
perform duties versus how long it should actually take (approximately 5 minutes per
task).
Assumptions
The recommendations made after researching the current computers at the Baldwin store
are made under the assumption that they have received normal wear and tear. When the
store was opened, two Dell desktop computers were installed, and these computers are
still used in the manager’s office used for communication and financial report analysis. It
is assumed that the recommendations made will be for replacement desktop computers.
8. Keeping Up Communications 2
Assumptions, continued
It is noted that the timed intervals are based on the assumption that each data input
contains relatively similar amounts of information. Another assumption made within the
body of the report is that Courtesy Corporation McDonald’s uses their computers for
strictly business matters, as personal use is strictly prohibited. All employees who have
access to the computers have familiarity with the software defined below. A final
assumption is that Courtesy Corporation McDonald’s operates within a competitive
market and has a good name brand established in the United States.
Methods
One of the methods used for gathering the data within the report is by timed intervals, or
measurements of the time it took for the software to open and process the data input. A
secondary method used for gathering data was a tally taken of the amount of times the
processor failed during software use. Additional information is taken from online
resources and interviews questions from those who use the computers on a daily basis.
Recommendation information is based on current sale prices from Amazon, eBay and
Apple.
Limitations
The information contained within the report is limited to the sources of information
available. Data analysis was also limited to accessibility, for certain files and software
programs are protected on the hard drive. Conclusions are limited for the general access
of the computers for the majority of users. Recommendations are limited to the most
financially viable options to meet the needs of the business.
Definitions
There are some terms used throughout the report that require prior explanation. Three of
the software programs used by Courtesy Corporation are the POS, ISP, and R2D2:
POS (Point of Sale): the location where goods are tendered and stored for
purchase, process of purchase via cash/credit
ISP (In Store Processor): database for all financial and administrative records
R2D2: Chart and report generator used for product assembly
Some terms are used with an administrative association:
Labor: percent of profit spent on payroll/salary
Projections: daily sales predicted from prior year’s same-day sales
Level: amount of product needed to match projections
Criteria
Before a recommendation can be made towards investment in new computers, there must
be favorable criteria collected from the data analysis both numerical and empirical.
9. Keeping Up Communications 3
Numerical data will contribute to 50% of the recommendations made and empirical
observations will contribute the other 50%.
Criteria, continued
Numerical data was gathered by timed intervals. Empirical observations are based upon
an evaluation of the computers’ current value, capacity, quality, security, speed, and
compatibility with other devices. Favorable or unfavorable conclusions will be drawn
upon each empirical criteria listed above. A minimum of 70% criteria in favor of
investing in new computers is necessary to make the recommendation to make this
investment.
Numerical Data Analysis
In order to make a balanced observation of the current computers located at the Baldwin
store, numerical data was collected to complement the empirical data researched. Based
on a four-week trial during the month of October, data was collected and stored in an
Excel worksheet. Data analysis was performed in order to evaluate the average utility of
the computers. Figure 1 displays the information collected.
Time Interval Data Collection
Efficiency is highly valued in business. In order to improve efficiency within a business,
it is necessary that employees have up to date information accessible from a software
program or database. At Courtesy Corporation it is essential to have communication
between the ISP and POS. However, many times communication between the two
programs is very slow, due to many reasons not included within the scope of this report.
Because of this problem, research was conducted and collected in Excel to chart the
average speed of the computers using the three software programs highlighted in the
definitions section.
Time Interval Data Analysis
Time intervals began when the program is opened, and end when the data input has
finished processing. Taken by a stopwatch, time intervals gave a good estimate of how
long it took an employee on average to complete the data input process.
Figure 1 displays the raw data collected for the time intervals.
10. Keeping Up Communications 4
Figure 1: Average Speedto Process Data Input
Overall, the ISP takes the longest amount of time to process data. This is also the most
frequently used program on the computer, and most important to the internal operations
of the business. It is essential that employees have access to the ISP—however this is not
always the case at the Baldwin store, for during the timed intervals I noted how many
times software was unable to open on the computers.
Processor Error Tally
Over the course of the month I gathered my research, I kept a tally on a separate Excel
spreadsheet marking the amount of times the processor failed to open a program or
process data. This information adds support to the investment of new computers, as the
tally does not have a single day where every program functions as it should. As noted in
the timed intervals, the ISP takes the longest amount of time to process data. It also is the
software that the processor consistently fails to load.
Empirical Data Analysis
In addition to the numerical data that supports the investment of new computers,
empirical data was collected in order to give a recommendation. The computers under
analysis are Windows 1998 desktop computers. Empirical data contains a brief evaluation
of the computers’ current value, capacity, quality, security, speed, and compatibility with
other devices. In regards to each component, a favorable or unfavorable suggestion is
made.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
POS
ISP
R2D2
POS
ISP
R2D2
POS
ISP
R2D2
POS
ISP
R2D2
10/4/15 10/11/15 10/18/15 10/25/15
Series1
11. Keeping Up Communications 5
Current Value
Windows computers from 1998 are fairly uncommon to find in a workplace today. You
cannot find them in stores unless they are used or refurbished. Based on research from
Ebay.com, their current sale value is roughly $100-$250. This is unfavorable for a system
that contains all financial data.
Capacity
The capacity of the computer’s hard drive is 75GB according to the system preferences.
At the Baldwin store this is not enough space, so there is a second tower to store
information. This is a relatively small hard drive for a business that stores information for
several years for financial analysis. This is also unfavorable.
Quality
The quality of the reports and documents derived from the computers is still high.
Although they may be slow, they still produce the same quality of documents and reports
that they always have combined. Although the reports produced are still favorable, newer
versions of the software used would create much higher quality documents with
interactive components and advanced ways to show data.
Security
The security on the computers in place is very low. Passwords are often very simple and
there is no virus protection or firewall in place. The ISP and POS data corrupts often.
Computers have crashed and caused a communication breakdown multiple times, which
is very unfavorable for a business.
Speed
The speed of the computers is very low. Often programs crash and require
troubleshooting. Slow speed is very unfavorable for the company.
Compatibility With Other Devices
The computers in place are not compatible with other devices. Attaching an Android or
Iphone by USB to the computer corrupts all of the data. Flashdrives also corrupt the data.
This is very unfavorable when employees need to share data or work on data files at
home.
12. Keeping Up Communications 6
Recommendations and Conclusions
After performing research and collecting data on the computers already in place, there is
much evidence in favor of investing in new computers. Numerical data displays the
actual time employees are forced to spend on tasks that should take no more than 5
minutes to complete as noted in the introduction. Empirical data shows how the
computers are outdated for the tasks employees need to perform.
Recommendations
It is highly recommended that Courtesy Corporation invest in new computers at the
Baldwin store regardless of the manufacturer. The replacement closest to the computers
already in place would be another Windows system. After performing the most generic
search for “new 2015 dell desktop computers” a new version is available from
Amazon.com, for $372. This is very reasonable based on how long the company plans to
use the computers. However, it is my personal recommendation that Courtesy
Corporation invest in a different company’s machines. Apple produces a compact iMac
desktop computer available for $1,299. The processor is larger and faster, and includes a
large 1TB hard drive. Although it is much more expensive than the Windows machine,
the iMac would not lose value over time due to wear and tear. The iMac also offers more
storage and iMacs generally do not need any antivirus protection as most viruses are
written specifically for Windows machines. Apple is engineered for business
professionals and Courtesy Corporation strives for business excellence.
Conclusions
The computers in place at the Baldwin store are not acceptable for the duties employees
need to accomplish on a daily basis. A financially viable option is to purchase another
Windows machine, or an Apple iMac that would be superior in creating reports and
documents. Research was conducted to determine exactly how much time employees
spend on loading software programs and processing data that should not take much time
to complete. Time is lost because employees must restart the program or troubleshoot
why it fails to open. This evidence was also clarified by interviews with employees. In
order to benefit the business, increase employee productivity and improve efficiency,
new computers should be purchased and installed in the manager’s office.
14. Keeping Up Communications 8
Appendix B: Interview
The purpose of the interview was to determine the employee’s opinions of the computers
in place. Two employees (Shelby Liddle, Clarence Rogers) were interviewed. The
responses to the questions below are not labeled with their names, per request of
interviewees. Questions are asked in bold and responses are in italics. Contact
information for interviewees is available upon request.
1. How often do you use the computers?
At least 10-15 times a day. I’m always going to the office for a Daily
Activity Report or to check time punches on the ISP.
Usually every day a couple times. Most of the time someone else is on the
computer so I don’t always get access.
2. How long does it take you to get in to the program and extract the
information you need?
Sometimes it takes forever. The computer will freeze or it will take several
minutes to retrieve information so I’ll just walk away, or start working on
another task while waiting for the computer to catch up.
Usually longer than it should. I’m always sitting in the office waiting on
the computer.
3. Do you think the store should buy new office computers?
Yes. Finally we would be able to communicate using Outlook and not have
to wait 20 minutes for an email to send.
If it’s in the budget. I know we need to purchase a new shake machine
once the current one wears out the belt. That will take a huge amount of
money to finance.
4. What is the slowest program (ISP, POS, R2D2) in your opinion?
I would say that the slowest program is the ISP. It can take forever to load
and connect to the server.
ISP always. Sometimes the POS will be slow too but normally its just the
ISP.
5. In lieu of a Christmas bonus or security goal gifts, would you like to save the
money that would be spent on those things in an account specifically for
purchasing new computers?
No. I like the Christmas gifts and don’t use the computer as much as some
managers do.
Yeah, I would give it up. I don’t really care about the security goal. I
could see myself spending my bonus towards buying something that would
help the whole management team.
