Problems

$1."$T$\text{'}$m sure they won't mind if we start sending them the report on these oversized computer sheets.

All this time we've been condensing it$,$ retyping it$,$ and sending it to our biggest accounts, but we just can't now. We're so understaffed, we don't have the time," says Otto Breth. $"$T$\text{'}$ll just write a comment here telling them how to respond to this report, and then we can send it out."

a$.$ What potential problems do you see in casually changing external output? List them.

b$.$ Discuss in a paragraph how internal and external output can differ in appearance and function.

$2.$ "I don't need to see it very often, but when I do$,$ I have to be able to get at it quickly. I think we lost the last contract because the information I needed was buried in a stack of paper on someone's desk somewhere," says Luke Alover, an architect describing the company's problems to one of the analysts assigned to the new systems project. "What I need is instant information about how much a building of that square footage cost the last time we bid it; what the basic materials such as steel, glass, and concrete now cost from our three top suppliers; who our likely competition on this type of building bie he be mow hough, ises the coded tep othes ol be ere. i te no decisive for ho gets the

a$.$ Given the limited details you have here, write a paragraph to suggest an output method for Luke's use that will solve some of his current problems. In a second paragraph, explain your reasons for choosing the output method you did. $($Hint: Be sure to relate output method to output content in your answer.$)$

b$.$ Luke's current thinking is that no paper record of the output discussed need be kept. In a para$-$graph, discuss what factors should be weighed before displayed output is used to the exclusion of printed reports.

c$.$ Make a list of five to seven questions concerning the output's function in the organization that you would ask Luke and others before deciding to do away with any printed reports currently being used.

$3.$ Here are several situations calling for decisions about output content, output methodology, distribu$-$tion, and so on$.$ For each situation, provide the appropriate decision.

a$.$ A territory manager reviewing regional sales needs access to the entire sales data arranged by regions and specific sales managers over a given period of time.

b$.$ A notice is circulated in the entire organization regarding change in office hours.

c$.$ A survey report containing feedback from all employees working in a firm is submitted to the head of HR for review.

d$.$ Payroll information containing subtotals under different headings is distributed to employees every month.

e$.$ Point of sale systems access different pricing options to charge the lowest possible price applicable in their region every day.

f$.$ The head of sales reviews the past pricing information of a product and then prices it in a new market on an international scale.

g$.$ The head of sales revises the price of a product locally based on its past pricing information.

h$.$ The company invites internal applicants to work on a new project at a distant location.

i$.$ The company announces new policies with combinations of welfare practices, bonuses, and changes in work culture.

j$.$ The store manager decides on the quantity of raw foods to be ordered at the end of his shift for the next day's sales.

k$.$ Employees in sales sell concert tickets sponsored by their firm at three different store offices.

$1.$ The government plans to spread awareness about prevalent diseases and newly launched healthcare plans at hospitals.

m$.$ A user receives potential natural disaster alerts such as heavy rainfalls, landslides, cyclones, etc. through social media tracking.

n$.$ The top executives meet twice a year to discuss pitfalls in the firm's past performance and formulate future strategies.

o$.$ All sorts of information about a newly launched service by a firm is to be provided.