br />Management Information System
Statistical Research and Methods for Management Decision
March 2, 2004
Abstract
In this study, choices of respondent are evaluated to aid the Authority in preparing the
scope of services to be used in an RFP for the selection of a Firm able to provide IT
Management System services. Respondents participated in focus group as well as answer
questions to a questionnaire that was tabulated that will aid in the sampling of data
collection and data analysis.
Problem Statement:
The Housing Authority of the City of Camden (HACC) needs to upgrade the Management
Information Systems (MIS) to address the constant changes of the organization. Presently,
HACC is using a system called Emphasys Flex Systems. Due to the requirement for a
competitive procurement process, HACC is presently preparing to put together a Request
for Proposal (RFP) to obtain a qualified firm to provide IT Technical Support to HACC
MIS Department for maintaining the network system.
In order to identify these needs, a questionnaire was developed and completed by staff in
key areas. Our intention is to learn through this study the areas of deficiencies that are
hindering the ability of the staff to use to the present system to full capacity as well as to
determine future upgrades necessary to keep up with on going growth of the agency. Three
main areas that were identified as a problem to staff were as follows:
HACC Hardware is outdated:
One of the main concerns expressed thus far, is that the desktops, server hardware and the
software used by the agency are outdated and need to be replaced. Staff are not able to
properly utilize the present system due to the current hardware infrastructure.
Community Management offices do not have enough PCS able to properly operate:
Staff offices at the Community Management Offices include the Community Managers,
the Maintenance Supervisors, and community clerical staff. Currently, staff members must
take turns using the only computer available for running Emphasys Flex.
HACC staff is unable to get meaningful reports from Emphasys Flex System:
HACC staff enters data into Emphasys System on a daily basis but the reports supplied do
not provide the information needed.
Method:
To measure the effectiveness of staff participation, HACC conducted personal interviews
and focus groups to allow for staff participation and explain the questionnairethat was to
be disseminated among five departments. It was also explained that not all staff would be
required to participate and that the department heads would select the participants based on
the utilization of the system by the identified staff. This was done because we understood
