This is a fictitious company.
The course project for the ITM 125 course is that you are an Information Technology Manager
working as a consultant responding to an RFP (Request for a Proposal) from Hilo OPTS
Industries. The expectations for the look-and-feel of this submission are found under “Scope.”
The paper will be submitted to TurnItIn.com, a service that identifies sources used for papers. It
is VERY good at identifying sources used in other papers. TurnItIn also allows your instructor to
comment on your papers so that you can see those comments, in the TurnItIn space. Your
paper should not be more than 15% copied or paraphrase without the proper citations and
quotes. Once you have submitted your Case Study Project you will need to go back to TurnItIn
and confirm the specified percentage requirements have been met.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Hilo OPTS Industries
Hilo OPTS Industries is inviting responses to our project. Hilo OPTS is a well-respected
manufacturer of wireless electronic sensors such as RFID’s and “dangerous situation”
monitoring devices. With many of their sensors used in construction machines, Oil-ridges,
Military Operations, and the current drone industry.
Hilo OPTS is considering entering the self-flying drone market. A drone that differentiates itself
from the many other drones on the market with a particularly easy-to-use set of controls,
enabling the operator to manage the drone from anywhere in the world.
Project Overview
The successful proposal will provide a SWOT analysis and a Problem-Solving Solution (from the
book) for Hilo OPTS’s current state of readiness to enter a completely new, and highly
competitive market, based on the goals and intended outcomes shown below.
Goals
The overarching goal of the project is to provide a comprehensive but brief analysis of Hilo
OPTS’s current use of information technology:
- Analysis of the current IT and database systems.
- What approaches are you considering when it comes to expected changes, challenges, and
culture. How are you going to assist Hilo OPTS’s managers in motivating their teams to get on
board with the process? - Best use of social media. How will social media help both the new drone project and
improve their existing social presence in business market?
Scope
Cover Page
Abstract/Executive Summary
Body of paper – 5 pages (Introduction, body of paper, and a conclusion)
Reference page as needed
You need to choose two enterprise solutions from the book.
Hilo OPTS Project Roadblocks
The current home-made SQL database system functions okay for an in-house system. There are
many times throughout the month that slowness occurs over the proprietary network system –
usually when there is high use from the CAD engineers and Finance running their monthly
reports. To upgrade the current network infrastructure and the device to throttle the flow of
data over the proprietary network would be too costly.
Other issues include the way Hilo OPTS manages customer orders. Orders are done over the
phone. Because the organization’s historical success was built on personalized service to its
clients, branch managers had almost total autonomy to manage their branches in the manner
that would be most satisfactory to their clients, considering local customs, services expected,
and government regulations. Presently, no on-line ordering.
The 11 US branches reports directly to CEO Donald Dewar. The relationships between Donald
and his branch managers are excellent. He had reasonable confidence in their judgment and
was kept informed through phone conversations, faxes, and email transmissions of Excel and
database spreadsheets. Donald made semi-annual visits to all the US branch offices.
Donald also managed vendor relationships with manufacturing partners in Taiwan and China.
He did not visit these sites but made it a point to enter solid contracts and have good longdistance collaboration with each vendor site managers. Orders are completed by sending an
email to the vendor. The vendor inputs the data into their Enterprise SCM.
Hilo OPTS has no current social media presence: such as LinkedIn or Instagram. The company
has a Facebook page that is sporadically maintained by a single employee, every now and then.
Word of mouth is how their business stays successful. Online ordering, visual product
databases with product descriptions, online help desks, interactive web sites and weblogs were
becoming common in many organizations. Competitors even had managed Facebook pages
and started creating marketing videos that could be searched for and found on many internet
platforms such as: Google and YouTube. - The question is, should Hilo OPTS move from an in-house hardware / site specific tools
(home-made database system) to a cloud-based environment? How can Hilo OPTS
leverage information technology more effectively? Should Hilo OPTS use a Public,
Private or Hybrid system? If so, what? What would some of the risks be? Technology
changes will require capital investment, which could threaten management bonuses –
how will this be handled? - With change, comes resistance. How will you address resistance from the current
employees? What are ways to drive corporate culture? Large scale changes involve not
only implementation problems, but significant changes to the business culture. - Addressing Hilo OPTS’s rudimentary presence in the world of social media. The company
has a Facebook page that is sporadically maintained by a single employee, every now
and then. How would more social media accounts help Hilo OPTS? What others
platforms do you recommend? - The company has a typical website. What would the importance of an e-commerce site
do for Hilo OPTS? How will an e-commerce site help track customer data? - How will Hilo OPTS track the logistics of their vendors and supplier’s?
Proposal Evaluation metrics
Evaluation Rubric Hilo OPTS RFP project, ITM 125
Grade A
The paper is formatted as per the assignment requirements; it is submitted on time.
The introduction of the paper briefly summarizes the Seminole situation, an tells the reader
what the paper will discuss.
Spelling and grammar are as per standard written English”, that is, nearly error free
There is no awkward or ill-considered phrasing; diction (word choice) is appropriate.
Pronoun referents are clear
Headings are used appropriately; there are appropriate transitions between paragraphs
The conclusion closes the circle” for the reader; that is, the conclusion ties back to the
introduction (theme and purpose) of the paper.
Grade B
The matters in the Grade A” section are generally addressed.
There may be a few spellings, punctuation, diction, phrasing, pronoun referent errors.
The introduction will be less clear in its summary and statement of purpose. There may be
errors of understanding (usually caused by not reading closely) in the Seminole company s
situation and current state.
Organization of the paper will show signs of haste. Headings and transitions may not be clear or
grammatically appropriate and correct.
The relationship of the introduction and conclusion is less clear
Grade C
The C paper shows signs of haste and last-minute writing and organization.
There will be errors in diction, punctuation, phrasing, and pronoun reference.
The purpose of the paper will not be stated, or not stated clearly. The reader will not be clear
about the paper s purpose from reading the introduction
The paper is not developed well; it shows signs of draft writing”, that is, the submitted paper
may be an appropriate first draft, but is not appropriate for submission.
There will be numerous errors in formatting.
The relationship of the introduction and conclusion will be unclear, or not present.
Grade D
A defining characteristic of the D paper is evidence of haste.
The format of the paper will only loosely reflect assignment expectations.
Development of the paper is absent or not clear. The reader can sense the writer s lack of
involvement with the assignment.
There will be numerous errors in expression. The reader may have to reread portions to get
meaning or infer meaning that the writing does not make clear.
There will be numerous errors in diction, spelling, punctuation, and phrasing.
The paper may not be submitted late.
Grade F
The paper is not submitted and or does not meet the case study requirements.
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