Computer_Information_System_Paper

Computer Information System Paper Jimmy Johnson ACC/542 June 21, 2010 Anita Rodriguez, M.A., CPA  Introduction Technology has created numerous avenues to improve computer systems more effectively integrated to meet Kindler foods business needs to improve accounting operations. After conducting an environmental scan for key elements that were disseminated and are detailed below. These key elements represent accounting information systems and programs to consider when seeking upgrading current operating procedures. Key Business and Accounting Information needs The current accounting system is based on revenue transactions or debit or credit transactions. 85% of sales of sales consists of electronic transfer of funds is not it is important that an accounting information system has the capability to grow and is simple to learn for employees. The dependence of electronic transfer of funds, and security issues involve what those transfers need to be fully addressed to the point where there no doubts about the information coming from the different location currently maintain Kindler. Strengths and Weaknesses of current Computer System and Technology A major strength Kindler Fine Foods is point-of-sale (POS) module captures and reports all retail sales in detail. “Each cash register entry results in data transmitted to the: General Ledger (GL) Electronic Payment Clearing House Purchasing Function Data transmitted to the GL automatically calculates the merchandise Inventory based of FIFO.” (UOP) Glaring weaknesses are the multiple bank accounts, and the dilemma cash transactions create for the employees of the company. The company power problems in California, and the absence of the written policies that oversees security of the finance and accounting systems and answers and the absence of formal company policies or audits of the financial and accounting systems. Threats of Current Systems A major threat to the current accounting system entails the use of the public internet for transmitting data and funds the absence of written policies that oversees security of the finance, and accounting systems. The chance of human error and deceitfulness by employees, and security of company information and its customers are also a risk with the current system. By purchasing the more sophisticated software such as Tivoli, which is excellent security, network intrusion prevention software is a must to ensure security of the computer network. Opportunities in Accounting Technology Technology has grown at an accelerated pace with numerous accounting software in the market that does a variety of different things. The Tivoli Security Network Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) supported by the latest firmware (version 4.1). “IBM Security Network IPS is proactive by design, driven by high-performance hardware, and informed by the IBM X-Force® research and development team – one of the best-known commercial security research groups in the world.”(www.ibm.com) IBM Security Network IPS can “detect and block malicious threats to an organization's network before impact to business operations.”(www.ibm.com) Policies can be created, edited, or new policies added very easily over time, as policies are tuned more and more closely to the organization's specific requirements, security becomes more and more effective. In fact, costs will fall because automation is increasingly leveraged.”(www.ibm.com) Network Management: On the network management side accounting for business Splunk is search software that indexes any fast moving IT data as it happens, making it possible to actually see inside the data center at runtime. From your Web browser, you can navigate logs, configuration files, message queues and database transactions from any system, application or device. System administrators, developers and support staff everywhere will have it ability see and resolve problems faster resulting in shorter mean time to repair (MTTR), this translates into better service availability and reduced cost of incident response. Another accounting is the “Nagios accounting network management software displays the real time status of each host and network node and each service running; and display warnings and raises alarms when a service failure is detected. When then integrated with SDT Connector and Opengear console servers you gain point and click access and control of all these hosts and services from your central Nagios console. It provides alarms with notification mechanisms that alert you of potential problems and highlight critical events that require immediate attention and escalate the alerts if not rectified.”(www.nagios.com) Collaboration tools: Traditional project planning and project management software tools put the burden of creating and updating project plans on the managers shoulders. “Tenrox makes your project planning and management quicker and easier by using simple and effective workflow tools to help you get the job done quicker and easier. With work breakdown structures to mirror the way you do business, Tenrox allows you to easily map your projects to your corporate structures: Capture and track project data at any level of detail, mirror every business operation area with distinct functional and approval hierarchies, and summarize or drill down into your project workforce financials.” (www.tenrox.com) Tenrox is the perfect “online enterprise project management software solution to align your projects and workforce with your business goals. With online project management tools by Tenrox, you obtain real-time information on costs, expenses, revenue, profits, project status, schedules and issues, ensuring successful project management planning and delivery. Tenrox Project Workforce Management Software meets the needs of both service organizations for professional services automation and for internal project management offices so you can manage and view both process and financial impact in real time.”(www.tenrox.com) Suggestions using technology Suggestions for using technology encompasses, purchasing software that is expandable and reliable and security. There's not much that can be done about power outages in California or in any other state. When there is a power outage. There need to be assurances that data is not lost in this outage, and when electric power is resumed no information that was transferring at the time of the power outage, reached his destination accurately. Training managers and employees in the use of any new accounting software is essential to ensure that data is probably in your and managers are aware how to access all the functions that are present in the new software. Works Cited 1. www.ibm.com 2. www.tenrox.com 3. www.nagios.com 4. www.openear.com 5. UOP Kudler virtual organization