(MMI), a pharmaceutical firm, provides discounted prescription drugs through direct mail. MMI has a small systems staff that designs and writes MMI’s customized software. Until recently, MMI’s transaction data were transmitted to a third party for processing on their hardware. MMI has experienced significant sales growth as the cost of prescription drugs has increased and medical insurance companies have been tightening reimbursements in order to restrain premium cost increases.
As a result of these increased sales, MMI has purchased its own computer hardware. The computer center is installed on the ground floor of its two-story headquarters building. It is behind large plate-glass windows so that the state-of-the-art computer center can be displayed as a measure of the company’s success, attracting customer and investor attention. The computer area is equipped with high-tech fire suppression equipment and backup power supplies.
MMI has hired a small computer operations staff to operate the computer center. To handle the current level of business, the operations staff is on a two-shift schedule, five days per week.
MMI’s systems and programming staff, now located in the same building, have access to the computer center and can test new programs and program changes when the operations staff is not available. As the systems and programming staff are small and the work demands have increased, systems and programming documentation are developed only when time is available. Periodically, MMI backs up its programs and data files, storing them at an off-site location. Unfortunately, due to several days of heavy rains, MMI’s building recently experienced serious flooding, which reached several feet into the first floor level and affected the on-site hardware, data, and programs.
Based on the preceding narrative, describe at least two specific computer weak-nesses for MMI. For each weakness you identify, suggest a way to compensate for it.