1.1.3 Outline compatibility issues resulting from situations, including legacy systems or business mergers. Flashcards
What is a business merger?
A business merger is a combination of two entities or more, especially companies, into one.
What are some issues to be considered in a business merger?
1) Languages differences
2) Part of business operating in a different country that host using an older version of a system.
3) If workers delegate, will their laptops work in other departments?
4) If an American and a European business merge, their unit system needs to be merged.
5) Businesses not using same software environment.
What are the 4 merger strategies?
1) Keep both information systems and develop them to have the same functionality (high maintenance cost).
2) Replace both system with a new one (increased initial cost).
3) Combine the best information systems from both companies (employees may struggle working with an information system from another company).
4) Select one company’s information system and drop the other (policy issues).
What is a legacy system?
A legacy system is an old method, technology, computer system, or application system, that may or may not be supported / available for purchase anymore.
Name 4 famous legacy technologies.
Hardware:
1) Floppy disk
2) Parallel printer cables
3) Connections like PS2
4) CD/DVD
Software:
1) Windows XP
2) Movie Maker
3) Industry specific software
Computer systems:
1) Amiga
2) Commodore 64
Why might a legacy system still be used?
Its data cannot be converted to newer formats or the application cannot be upgraded.
Name 4 issues that a legacy system may cause.
1) Expensive to change since programs may be disorganised and documentation may be missing.
2) Compatibility issues such as old programming languages.
3) Difficult to recruit staff familiar with older technology.
4) Typically pre-internet and need an interface program to interact with the system.
