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Case Study On Management Information System

Submitted to: Mohammad Anisur Rahman Guest Faculty FBS, BUP

Submitted by:
1) Inzamul Hossian Rakib B1102003 2) Md. Sadman Sakib B1102015 3) Eshraq Raihan Ahmend B1102028 4) Adnan Khan B1102035 5) Saba Tahiruba Anthea B1102040

Date-06.03.2013

Case Studies: CAN TECHNOLOGY SAVE SOLDIERS LIVES IN IRAQ?

Q1: What features of organizations are relevant for explaining the performance of information systems during the Iraq War? Information systems and organization influence one another .The features of organization that are relevant for explaining the performance of information system. The Chain of Command from the top to the bottom.

Q2: What difficulties did U.S. military forces in Iraq encounter with information systems? What management, organization, and technology factors contributed to these difficulties?

It was less efficient than it was thought to be originally. Communicating data, the units had to be stationary to send and receive the information causing the units to vulnerable attacks. Slow download speeds, software problems and lockups lasting as long as10 to 12 hours at any given time. Q3: Describe TIGR and explain why it has been so beneficial to U.S. patrol groups in Iraq.

TIGR stands for Tactical Ground Reporting System. This is a multimedia reporting system for Soldiers at the patrol level that allows them to collect and share information to improve situational awareness and to facilitate collaboration and information analysis among junior officers. It is a Web-based software application that runs on the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPR). Source: http://www.army.mil

This is more or less a visual database system, like merged Google Map with Wikipedia where each position in the map has a brief about it which can be updated by the patrol leaders in the Warfield. This application has a display interface which gives the user access to the database to get information about any point on the map.

According to the case there are several benefits TIGR offers to the roaming soldiers: The soldiers must get clear knowledge about the area they are going to roam. This needs detailed information and database and most importantly a network system. TIGR is useful here because it provides not only necessary knowledge but also the authorized users can update the information about any place which is undoubtly necessary for the other patrols.

The units which have a scheduled patrol in the war zone must have routes and connections with other units. Troops can use TIGR to make schedule round sector. This can also be useful to arrange meeting with others finding the safe areas.

Q4: Why is TIGR an example of horizontal technology?

In general, the information flow in a traditional hierarchy is time and effort consuming. It goes through several levels of hierarchy to reach the final destination. This system is useful in the corporate organizations but in specialized fields such as Warzone, the system is outdated where information system needs easy accessibility. For this, the horizontal technology is introduces. Horizontal technology involves the transfer of technical knowledge and hardware from one geographic location to another. Through this system anybody can access into any desired database and get information and can add up other necessary information too.

The TIGR can be a good example for horizontal technology. This system allows departing units to transfer tactical information to their replacements. When the troops return from patrols, they feed information back into the system, adding to the data available to the next patrol leader. By simply clicking on icons, they can bring up not only sites of past hostile action but also photos and background on local leaders, some to see and others to avoid, videos of hostile and safe places, and reports from previous patrols. So we can say the characteristics of TIGR follows the concept of Horizontal Technology being a good example.

Q5: How helpful will TIGR be in the future military campaigns?

Effective information system has a vital role in Warfield .Poor communication and insufficient systems dont just waste money, they increase soldiers risk of being injured or killed. The TIGR is a possible solution towards reducing the time gap between the sender and receiver of information. The Army's adoption of this program takes advantage of the military's most effective and valuable information gathering resource. It supports a wide range of users and manages data in a challenging communications and networking environment. Soldiers and commanders record the observations and events that occurred along their routes in TIGR. It provides a unique multimedia patrol preparation and debriefing tool tailored to the needs of the patrol leader. With its successful GPS and capacity to update relevant data, the system performs searches locally to insure rapid response and thus will overtake previous technologies. The soldiers who have used it earlier have praised it because it enabled them to monitor areas that have experienced IED activity previously. Hence taking all these into account, TIGR would be helpful in locating areas under attack previously. It will provide important and detailed information about those areas that was collected by others. It will also give details of the experiences of the soldiers there and also meet soldier needs.

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