Information Systems Review ©

It is estimated that 70% of all computer systems in use today are not utilized properly. People tend to select functions with which they are comfortable, and not explore other alternatives available to them. As a company has a periodic review of the financial affairs of the business, so too should they have a periodic review of their operations. Hence, we introduce the Information System Review (ISR).

What is involved?

We will review your organizational, operational, sales and accounting functions - both manual and computerized. Our review will include discussions with management and key personnel to determine where new procedures or functions might be implemented or upgraded to increase efficiency and productivity, reduce manual processing requirements, reduce costs, improve profitability and provide better management information.

We will review existing security and control procedures to determine whether they provide adequate safeguard against malicious, fraudulent or inadvertent loss of information. We will also review the adequacy of normal processing procedures to determine their ability to detect inadvertent errors and unprocessed transactions.

Based on our findings, we then prepare a report of our findings and recommendations which will identify your present methods of operation, your needs, your alternatives and our ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS to help improve your bottom line. These recommendations can include...
 

o Staff/store
o Vendors
o Departments
o Product Lines
o Cash flow analysis.

... which includes recommendations for actions that you must take to improve productivity and the bottom line.

How is it done?

We meet with management to understand their goals and objectives - both short- and long-term, their view of the organization, problem areas that they perceive, strengths and weaknesses of the company, how competitors and customers perceive the company and other such information.

We then meet with supervisors and key personnel throughout the organization to determine where improvements can be made to increase efficiency, reduce manual processing requirements, reduce costs and provide better management information. Key personnel are the people who perform the tasks in various departments, i.e., an accounts payable clerk, an order entry/customer service person. It is not necessary to interview everybody in the company.

Once we have finished interviewing management and staff, we work at our office analyzing our findings in order to prepare a report of our findings and recommendations. Our experience has shown that we spend 3-5 days reviewing our findings in order to prepare a proper report.

How long does it take, both time and duration?

We will spend 1-3 days at your office reviewing your operations. We will then prepare our report, which will normally be mailed to you within 15 days of our review.

What you can do to prepare?

Have available an organization chart that defines functions and key people. We will review this chart and determine who must be interviewed. If you do not have an organization chart available, we will spend some time with you preparing one so that we can better understand your organization.

Alert your staff that we will be conducting an Information Systems Review, and that we need their time and cooperation. Have them prepare samples of all reports, forms and procedures that they use before we meet, so that we can make the most of everyone's time.

What are the results and benefits?

The tangible results of this service will be a written report of our findings and recommendations outlining your business operations, your needs and our recommendations for improvement.

The intangible results of this engagement includes:
 

1. An unbiased opinion and evaluation of your business.
2. Application of technical expertise and experience to this service, gathered by the evaluation of the operations at various types of businesses.
3. A review by project-oriented professionals who are not hindered by the day-to-day operation and internal corporate structure.
    

What does it cost?

Just as no two business are alike, so too, no two Information System Review's are alike. Hence, we need to address each ISR individually. If you will complete the ISR form, we will provide you with a quote.

When can we begin?

This review will be scheduled with you on a mutually available time schedule.   


SUMMARY:

While we do not profess this to be a total Operations Review, Organizational Review or Internal Controls Review, as may be provided by your outside auditors, we do believe it will provide you with enough information to make better use of your information system and increase your productivity. For those who do need a more thorough review, we are available to performs such services at an additional charge.

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