As one of the systems analysts assigned to work with the U.S. distributors of Sipps, begin your analysis by listing some of the key symptoms and problems you have identified after studying the information flows, ordering process, and inventory management, and after interviewing Mr. Straw and his assistant. In a paragraph describe which problems might indicate the need for a systems solution.

Felix Straw, who represents one of the many U.S. distributors of the European soft drink Sipps gazes unhappily at a newspaper weather map, which is saturated with dark red, indicating that most of the United States is experiencing an early spring heat wave with no signs of a letup. Pointing to the paper as he speaks, he tells your systems group, “It’s the best thing that could happen to us, or at least it should be. But when we had to place our orders three months ago, we had no idea that this spring monster heat wave was going to devour the country this way!” Nodding his head toward a picture of their European plant on the wall, he continues. “We need to be able to tell them when things are hot over here so we can get enough products. Otherwise, we’ll miss out every time. This happened two years ago and it just about killed us.