Running head: SERVICE REQUEST SR-RM-012

Service Request SR-rm-012
University of Phoenix
BSA 310

Service Request SR-rm-012
Introduction
Riordan Manufacturing Inc., a global company that employs 550 people with annual earnings at $46 million, listed as one of the fortune 1000 enterprise owned by Riordan enterprise that has earnings that gross over $1 billion, is looking at expanding the business system at Riordan Manufacturing. Riordan Manufacturing is a company that produces plastic beverage containers and is in need of a complete business systems/sub-systems renewal. Riordan Manufacturing is looking for system that can move them ahead of the industry; systems which could in turn boost productivity, revenues, and save the company money while cutting labor cost.
History
Dr. Riordan noticed there was a commercial need for his idea by 1992, he received venture capital for the purchase of a plant in Pontiac, MI. It was at this point that the company was renamed Riordan Manufacturing. Today, they are a leader in the industry of polymer materials which provide several types of solutions to all of its customers. The Hangzhou, China location produces plastic fan parts. When it comes to research and development, this is all done at the Corporate Headquarters located in San, Jose California. Riordan's main focus is to remain an industry leader in identifying industry trends.
Systems
Web Site
Riordan Manufacturing has a history of being a front-runner in its industry. It was created in 2003, with very small changes made to it since then. Some of the main changes made are information about other companies that have been purchased and links to a layout of its current Information Technology and Communications. The site is lacking in the areas of attracting customers that visit the site.
Networks
Systems that are using outdated equipment that may still work are not very efficient. The old Cisco 2950’s are out dated. There are faster and more efficient switches and routers made by HP which are very cost effective and out perform the old 2950’s in many ways. The same goes for the Linksys hubs which are not efficient at routing data, and have a high chance of locking up verses using switches that are more efficient and reliable.
Printers
It appears there is a single color printer which is supporting the entire company including Marketing, Finance, HR and Corp Offices. Riordan could use several regular, non-color laser printers which would greatly cut down on the cost of ink since color printers use multiple inks.
Human Resources and Legal At first glance, Riordan’s has a HRIS system, which is software or online solution system used for data entry, data tracking of information that is needed for Human Resources, and payroll management. Accounting functions are included within this software package. Riordan’s current system was installed in 1992 at a time when the company was smaller and it severed its purpose hosting the latest features at that time.
Employee Personal Information For starters, their current system requires the employee to submit changes to their personal data in writing on a special form, and then it is approved and verified by manager, then to be entered into the system manually by the payroll clerk. Today's system does this all online within each employee account with the same level of security. The same holds true with the Seniority Data, Vacation Hours, and Pay Rates. All of this information is within reach of each employee while maintaining multiple levels of security with certain pages or data that are read only.
Training and development With the new HRIS system, this information is also tied right into the system. No external files are needed as the old system required. Employees with the new system are notified via e-mail and the intranet as to all company changes or other personal information. Employees can also provide feedback through company surveys to improve future systems.
Personal Employment Records With the new HRIS system, all records are kept on a secure server in one location. The employee files will not need to be held by individual managers who will now have access to this data via the intranet. Also available online are all employee FMLA absences, and the ADA, and paid time off. Any scheduling opportunities could still be monitored by management. This system will also maintain all company related information such as employee handbooks, emergency evacuation procedures and safety guidelines.
Legal
Within this area, Litteral & Finkel should be using a business system that will integrate with Riordan’s accounting systems which gives them access to information to help Riordan make better decisions within the areas of tax law real-estate transactions and keep up with the ever changing employment laws. With this integration, not only Accounting but also Human Resources will be kept up to date with any changes within the areas of Employment Law, Immigration matters and civil litigation.
Sales & Marketing
Riordan is on the right track as far as having a Marketing Information System; however, it appears they have not been getting the full value from these systems. The company needs a MIS that is a continuing and interacting with people, equipment, and procedures to gather, sort analysis, evaluate, and distribute accurate information to decision makers. Another task our marketing system will offer is a sub system that will allow for the generation of several reports from the same data that is being used by your team.
Operations
Some of the greatest challenges at Riordan are that it has been running on several entities or different information systems within the company. This factor has been long bottle-necking the company's progress. Operations have been the main driving force keeping these systems in place. This is where we will start by implementing a windows based enterprise resources planning system designed for manufacturing, distribution, and financial along with this system and the operations management system which is concerned with overseeing designing and redesigning business operations in the production of goods and/or services. This information will then be put into the OMS system in a logical manner allowing for teams to improve the efficiency of data utilization. This equates to a better product quality throughout, and in a time cycle that's cutting variability and waste.
Conclusion
We have shown how implementing a few IT and IS changes could improve operations significantly, thus improving sales, customer service, and employee productivity. If these changes are addressed in a timely manner, Riorden will continue to be a leader in plastics for many generations to come. References
Agriculture and Consumer Protection. (2011). Chapter 9: Marketing Information Systems. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/docrep/W3241E/w3241e0a.htm
Apollo Group. (2007). HRIS System. Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/cist/vop/Business/Riordan/HR/RioHRHRIS001.htm
Elite, a Thomson Reuters business. (2011). Elite | Enterprise Financial Management. Retrieved from http://www.elite.com/enterprise/financial-management/
Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (November 19, 2011). Marketing information system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketing_information_system#cite_ref-Kotler_0-0