This blog post for this week asks me to discuss the four System Changeover methods that are given in the course textbook and are used while implementing a New Information System online and deleting the Old Information System from the operational business. This System Changeover method may be useful in changing the manual operations of Capricornia Car Pool System (CCPA) and implementing the new system the way they would like to and is feasible to them. The Four Changeover Methods are:-
1) Direct Cutover is when the old system is deleted with immediate effect without taking into account the risk factor “Nor” by taking any backup of the data stored and used by the old system. 2) Parallel Operations is when both the New System and the Old System are made to run together for a given period of time which is also the slowest method.
3) Pilot Operation is when the new system is implemented and used as a test system by some people and a part of the organization for an undefined period of time. 4) Phased Operation is when the changeover from the old system to the new system is done in parts over a period of time slowly and steadily.
The benefits and problems associated with implementation of these methods in CCPA are discussed below.
Direct Cutover:- The Direct Cutover method is such very quick way of implementing a new information system and is the most cost effective way of changing from old information system to new information system. It is also easy to manage as the resource people just have to manage one system at a time which they can do without any problems, and with the CCPA which had been working on manual system earlier on it would not be that difficult to implement and then maintain the new system. There are a couple of problems with the implementation of Direct Cutover method as there is a high risk involved with such changeover methods as there are no backups are taken while implanting such a method. In this sort of change over even small errors are hard to resolve as the root or extent is hard to find since error can occur at any time or place and by anyone who is using this new system. Parallel Operation: -This type of changeover methods is a good way of implementing the new as in this system both the new system and the old system are made to run parallel to each other the one major benefit is the level of risk involved with such a method is very low as they always have the old system to fall back on if by some means the new system does not work or crashes or develops a error.
The major drawback of implementing this type of changeover method is that it is very expensive.The other problem is that if the old system and the new system are not compatible this system changeover method can not be implemented.
Pilot Operations: -In this type of system changeover method the new system is implemented in a organization in specific location while the old method is still running in the rest of the locations were the organization has it operations this method can be very useful for CCPA as it would be able to review the new system for some time and if they find it useful they can implement it throughout the CCPA. There is less risk involved and the cost involved is also very less with this type of system changeover. Phased Operation: -This is one of the least risky way of system changeover as it only implements the new system by parts and if any thing goes wrong with the new system only the places or systems on which the new system was implemented are effected and the rest are not affected at all since the new system was not employed on all the systems. It is also less expensive than the full parallel operation as we only work on one part of the system at one given time and not the complete system.
I would recomend the Phased Operation as it involves the least cost and the least amount of risk which is the main point of focus.
