CW Rensleigh and MS Olivier, "A Cost-effective, Low-risk Model for Consultant Engagement in Small-business Computerisation," SAAA Conference, Johannesburg, July 1998
The small business is becoming ever more important to economies worldwide, and in South Africa it is even more so. Information Technology (IT) promises the small-business many benefits: automation of repetitive tasks, enhancing the image of the business, potentially supporting customer service or business processes and, perhaps, even providing (or enhancing) skills that are not (adequately) available within the business. To realise such benefits, it is important that such small businesses acquire appropriate technology. The prices of computer technology have reduced to a level where almost all small businesses can afford it. The small business environment is different to a large business and that is why the consultation model for the computerisation of a large business cannot be successfully implemented in the small business environment. Research has indicated that computerisation using a formal methodology has a greater success rate. The amount of research in the small business computerisation field is insignificant compared to that of large businesses. This paper discusses a consultation model for small business computerisation. This model consist of eight distinct phases and is designed to be cost effective and have very low risk to the small business. It describes the roles of the senior consultant and in particular the role of the junior consultant and the small business owner/manager. Furthermore the model shows the interaction between these individuals, and the criteria that the consultants must apply to improve the possibility of a successful implementation. This model will be particularly useful to new (junior) consultants entering into this field.
Small business, computerisation, consultation model, junior consultant, end-users, computer knowledge, communication level, vendors, hardware, software.
@INPROCEEDINGS(saaa,
AUTHOR={Chris W Rensleigh and Martin S Olivier},
TITLE={A Cost-effective, Low-risk Model for Consultant Engagement in
Small-business Computerisation},
BOOKTITLE={SAAA Conference},
ADDRESS={Johannesburg, South Africa},
MONTH={July},
YEAR={1998} )
The full text may be downloaded from http://mo.co.za/open/saaa.pdf (PDF, 403K).
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