Stage 4
UMGC Hiring Solutions, Inc. is a fictitious company designed for the UMGC IFSM 300 case study and its product, EZ-ATS is an applicant tracking
system representative of typical SaaS products. (10/19/2019 ver. 1)
EZ-ATS APPLICANT TRACKING SOFTWARE
Page 1
EZ-ATS
Br ought t o you by UM G C Hir ing Solut ions, Inc .
Applicant Tracking Software that provides
everything you need to create a high performing
Hiring Process and a great Candidate Experience!
More Efficient and Cost-Effective
Hiring!
Guaranteed!
Easy to implement..and
Easy to use!
EZ-ATS is a single platform for all of your applicant
tracking needs. We guarantee that we’ll improve
your total hiring system results or your money
back!
With EZ-ATS you’ll see:
Increased Collaboration and
Communication with Hiring Managers
Decreased Time to Fill Positions
Applicants’ Skills Highlighted
The Best Candidates Before Others Hire
Them
Decreased Cost-per-Hire
Less work for HR to Manage and Report
on the Hiring Process
Do you need to replace your paper applications
and spreadsheets, but don’t have a big
budget? We make it easy to get a hiring system
without breaking the bank!
With EZ-ATS you’ll get:
No Long-Term Contracts Required
Access to all EZ-ATS Capabilities
Global access 24/7
System and data security
Mobile device access
Unlimited Support at No Additional Cost
Pricing Based on Number of Users
($50 to $500/month)
Free 30-day Trial
What You Get
Custom Implementation
Dedicated Account Manager
Automatic Software Updates
UMGC Hiring Solutions, Inc. is a fictitious company designed for the UMGC IFSM 300 case study and its product, EZ-ATS is an applicant tracking
system representative of typical SaaS products. (10/19/2019 ver. 1)
EZ-ATS APPLICANT TRACKING SOFTWARE
Page 2
Use EZ-ATS to:
Attract top talent with a responsive, professional interaction
with applicants.
Retain and motivate top HR talent with a flexible, workflow-
driven applicant tracking system.
Align hiring goals with corporate goals with clear visibility
into how efficiently hiring the right talent contributes to the
success of the organization.
Drive a strategic, end-to-end hiring strategy with a single,
integrated system for all hiring-related activities.
Customers love our:
Configurability: Arrange your dashboards and workflows
however you like, to meet your needs.
Custom Reports: Create customizable reports to track
performance and recruit more effectively.
Workflow: Expedite approval processes for job openings,
candidates, and formal offers.
Customer Support: Our mission is your success our
customers are our top priority.
Cloud-Based Software as a Service (SaaS)
Connect Anywhere Just connect with Internet or WIFI
Use Any Device PC, laptop, mobile devices
No New Hardware Systems at our data centers
Unlimited data storage Online and archived data
Secure Your Data Professional protection
UMGC Hiring Solutions, Inc. is a fictitious company designed for the UMGC IFSM 300 case study and its product, EZ-ATS is an applicant tracking
system representative of typical SaaS products. (10/19/2019 ver. 1)
EZ-ATS APPLICANT TRACKING SOFTWARE
Page 3
Everything You Need to Track and Manage Applications
Preparation: Work seamlessly with hiring managers to develop job requisitions that will allow automatic
screening.
Advertise: Post your job to hundreds of job boards, social media sites, workforce services, colleges, and
associations with a click of the mouse.
Screening: Automate your screening of new applicants by having the system compare the application to the
requisition and highlight resumes with requisite expertise and/or experience.
Evaluation: Easily review and evaluate candidates to ensure minimum qualifications are met.
Workflow: Use the system to automate your company’s steps in the hiring procedure workflow from recruiter
to reviewer to hiring manager as tasks are completed working the way your company already works.
Dashboards: All authorized stakeholders in the organization can have a custom dashboard with relevant
information and notices of actions that need to be taken in the system.
Collaboration: Quickly coordinate actions while maintaining transparency and security in the hiring process.
Interview Scheduling: Coordinate electronic calendars to schedule interviews to include all participants.
Selection: Obtain the best candidates before they are hired by others by using a streamlined hiring process.
Communication: Efficiently and effectively communicate with job seekers and hiring managers throughout the
hiring process using our integrated email and QuickText communication inbox.
Metrics: Generate real time hiring metrics to help you identify opportunities for improvement in your process
and job requirements.
Integration: Easy integration with your corporate email, existing systems, website, and social media sites.
Impress the Candidates: Impress applicants with the efficiency of the process and professional
communication, including offer letters.
Capture Skills of New Hires: As applicants are hired, their information and skills can be exported to your
employee management system.
Try EZ-ATS for FREE!
FREE 30-day trial
No obligation, no credit card needed. Getting started is as easy as 1-2-3!
Test drive EZ-ATS and when you have decided it is the system for you, visit our website and sign up!
UMGC Hiring Solutions, Inc. is a fictitious company designed for the UMGC IFSM 300 case study and its product, EZ-ATS is an applicant tracking
system representative of typical SaaS products. (10/19/2019 ver. 1)
EZ-ATS APPLICANT TRACKING SOFTWARE
Page 4
Launching EZ-ATS
1. Select the services you need at a price that fits your budget
Up to 25 system users $50 per month
25-100 system users $100 per month
101-1000 system users $200 per month
Over 1000 system users $500 per month
One-time system setup fee $1,000 to initialize system connections
One-time configuration fee $2,500 to individualize system for your company
Web-based training $295 for “Train the Trainers” course
Unlimited data storage Included in licensing fees
Comprehensive security Included in licensing fees
System maintenance Included in licensing fees
Regular updates Included in licensing fees
Offsite backup and recovery Included in licensing fees
2. Sign the User Agreement with the vendor and provide credit card or purchase order information.
3. When your User Agreement and payment are received, your dedicated Account Manager will contact
you to help you with the configuration steps and preparation to “go live.”
Use your company name and logo
Link to your corporate email and social media sites
Link to the LinkedIn and job boards you use to post job announcements
Show you how to
Set up custom reports
Set up user accounts for your employees
Set up your custom workflow
Redesign and upload your job requisitions to use the automated screening function
Test each function to ensure it is working as intended
Deploying EZ-ATS is just as simple!
1. Train your employees
Using free EZ-ATS website videos
Using EZ-ATS training resources to develop on-site training to meet your needs
2. Provide users with account and login information, including one-time password
3. Identify user support resources provided by your company
Using the system is even easier!
1. Authorized users can access EZ-ATS
From any device
From any location
At any time
2. System maintenance does not interrupt user experience
3. Security and other updates are automatically installed with no action on your part required!
UMGC Hiring Solutions, Inc. is a fictitious company designed for the UMGC IFSM 300 case study and its product, EZ-ATS is an applicant tracking
system representative of typical SaaS products. (10/19/2019 ver. 1)
EZ-ATS APPLICANT TRACKING SOFTWARE
Page 5
About Software as a Service (SaaS)
What is Software-as-a-Service?
Available to customers over the Internet; available from anywhere
Application is hosted by a third-party provider; typically no additional IT
infrastructure or expertise required for customer; low startup costs for customer
Updates and data backups automatically available
Subscription services available; cost based on number of users; predictable
scheduled payments
Key Benefits of EZ-ATS Cloud-based SaaS to Your Organization
Cost efficiency and fixed payment schedule
Saves time and money on implementing a solution; low up-front costs
No disruption due to product installation
Frees staff to focus on key business activities
Greater flexibility available anywhere, anytime, from any device
More efficient support controlled environment managed by experts
Safety and security of systems and data through access control, network security
using firewalls, and data encryption
Easy scalability as business grows
Free upgrades and enhancements
Reference Listing and Citation for this Brochure
UMGC Hiring Solutions, Inc. (2019). EZ-ATS Brochure [Course Resources]. In IFSM 300: Information
Systems in Organizations. Retrieved from http://learn.umgc.edu
In-text citation (UMGC Hiring Solutions, 2019)
http://learn.umgc.edu/ Stage 4: System Recommendation and Final BA&SR Report
Before you begin work on this assignment, be sure you have read the Case Study and reviewed the feedback received on your Stage 1, 2 and 3 assignments.
Overview
As the business analyst in the CIO’s department of Maryland Technology Consulting (MTC), your next task in working towards an IT solution to improve the hiring process at MTC is to write a justification and implementation plan for a system that the CIO has decided will meet MTC’s needs. The system, EZ-ATS, is described in the vendor brochure provided with this assignment. The vendor, UMUC Hiring Solutions, Inc., and EZ-ATS are fictitious names created for use with this case study but based on real-world SaaS application information. In this Stage 4 assignment, you will explain how the selected system meets MTC’s requirements, and what needs to be done to implement the system within MTC. You will combine Stages 1-4 to provide a complete final BA&SR Report.
Assignment BA&SR Section IV. System Recommendation and Summary & Conclusion
The first step is to review any feedback from previous stages to help improve the effectiveness of your overall report and then add the new section to your report. In addition to the Stage 4 content, part of the grading criteria for this final stage includes evaluating if the document is a very effective and cohesive assemblage of the four sections, is well formatted and flows smoothly from one section to the next
Section IV of the Business Analysis and System Recommendation Report will explain how the selected system helps MTC achieve its strategy, improve its hiring process, and meet its system requirements, and you will explain how each implementation area might be addressed to help ensure a successful implementation of the technology solution.
Using the case study, assignment instructions, vendor brochure, Course readings (in particular, Implementing a SaaS Solution and Developing a System Proposal) and external research, develop your Section IV. System Recommendation. Approximate lengths for each section are provided as a guideline; be sure to provide all pertinent information.
As you review the case study, use the assignment instructions to take notes to assist in your analysis; in addition, review information provided in earlier stages of this report to identify where the proposed solution can address the needs and requirements.
Use the outline format and headings provided and follow all formatting instructions below.
IV. System Recommendation
A. System Justification
Provided with the Stage 4 Assignment Instructions is a brochure that describes an IT solution that the CIO has selected, with the HR Directors endorsement, to meet the needs of improving MTCs hiring process. In Stage 1, you analyzed the strategy and objectives for MTC and how a technology solution to improve the hiring process would contribute. In Stage 2, you analyzed how to improve the hiring process with a technology solution, and in Stage 3 you identified specific requirements. After reviewing the EZ-ATS Brochure, briefly describe the recommended solution. Then, describe how that selected solution aligns with achieving the strategy, improves the process, and meets the requirements. Write two to three clear, concise, well-organized paragraphs to summarize this assessment. Dont just repeat information from previous stages but synthesize this information and provide strong information and justification to explain why this proposed solution is a good fit for MTC. Dont describe details of the functionality but address overall how this solution will address the current issues with the manual hiring process and benefit MTC. Remember you are writing a report to your boss, the CIO of MTC, that he can use to convince the leadership team why this is the best solution based on your analysis.
B. Implementation Areas
To successfully implement this technology solution, MTC will need to develop an Implementation Plan and below is a list of key implementation areas that should be included. First, provide a brief introduction to this section what it contains and why an Implementation Plan is so important for MTC. Then address each of the seven (7) areas below to explain what MTC needs to do (with support by the vendor). Provide the numbered heading and then write one to two paragraphs to address the area. The sub-areas (a,b,c, etc.) contain questions and areas to help guide your thinking about what should be covered and should be incorporated within your response to the major category. For an explanation of the implementation areas, refer to the Week 7 Reading “Implementing a SaaS Solution” as well as conduct additional external research. The vendor brochure provides information for some of these areas, but you need to include what MTC must do as well. Remember you are writing this section to help MTC plan for a successful implementation. It is not sufficient to just indicate Vendor provides or employees need to be trained.” In addition to incorporating course content, external research on implementation areas will strengthen your understanding and explanation. The goal for this section is to help MTC know what needs to happen in each area and who might be responsible for given activities to help support a successful implementation of EZ-ATS.
1. Vendor agreement (MTC must enter into a contractual agreement with the vendor before full implementation. This identifies responsibilities as well as costs.) Incorporate answers to the following questions in your paragraph do not include the questions themselves.
a. What does the vendor require from MTC to be able to start using the system?
b. How much will it cost to get access to and configure the system for MTC’s use?
c. How much will it cost per month to support 60 system users?
d. What option is offered for MTC to just try out the system to see how it works?
2. Hardware and telecommunications (Although this is a SaaS solution, MTC must ensure that its IT infrastructure can support the use of the system and that its employees can correctly access the system.) Include the following:
a. List the types of hardware MTC employees can use to access the system.
b. Identify what kind of telecommunications will be used for the solution, including local connectivity inside MTC and Internet access from outside MTC.
c. List any other considerations related to ensuring employees can access the applicant tracking system.
3. Configuration (Even SaaS solutions require a degree of configuration for each client. What needs to be done to implement the MTC job requisitions, workflow, reports, terminology and/or logo/graphics?) (Include the answers to the questions below, but not the questions themselves.)
a. What options does the vendor offer for configuring the off-the-shelf system to MTC’s needs?
b. How will the configuration be done and by whom?
4. Testing
a. Once MTC has signed up and configured the system, how will it test the system to see if it is working properly for its needs? Describe how MTC will conduct User Acceptance Testing. (This would be a good area for you to research.)
b. Choose one of the user requirements (listed in Section III of your BA&SR Report) and explain how that requirement will be specifically tested to ensure it is working properly and the requirement is met.
(Note: A free trial period does not suffice as software testing)
5. Employee preparation and support Identify what MTC should do in each area below to prepare the employees (including the hiring managers in the various departments) for the introduction and use of the new applicant tracking system. Identify who (by their title or role) should do what in each area. (Incorporate information from Course readings on Leadership and Change Management.)
a. Leadership (2-3 sentences)
b. Change Management (2-3 sentences)
c. Training (2-3 sentences)
d. User Support (2-3 sentences)
6. Data Migration Consider what existing data (applications in process with the manual process) would need to be entered into the system to get started and how this might be accomplished.
7. Maintenance How will updates and enhancements to the EZ-ATS system be made? What will the vendor be responsible for and what should MTC address?
Summary and Conclusion: Close your Business Analysis and System Recommendation Report with a summary of the key points including the benefits MTC can expect to gain from this solution and the alignment with strategic objectives. (One well-written paragraph). Dont just repeat information presented earlier but put it in context of a conclusion to provide a strong finish to this report. Just as your introduction informed your reader about why youre writing and whats to come, the conclusion should provide a clear and concise final paragraph to reinforce/emphasize key points and a compelling argument for the chosen solution and it should urge the reader to take action.
Formatting Your Assignment
NOTE: This final submission should be a cohesive Business Analysis and Systems Recommendation Report for the CIO of Maryland Technology Consulting. The formatting should be consistent throughout the document, and the writing should flow well from beginning to end. Headings, section and page numbering should be correct for a final submission. Although you prepared this in stages, the final product should not seem to be piecemeal or disconnected. Any track changes or feedback from previous versions should be removed once addressed.
Consider your audience you are writing in the role of a MTC business analyst and your audience is MTC and your boss, the CIO. Dont discuss MTC as if the reader has no knowledge of the organization. Use third person consistently throughout the report. In third person, the writer avoids the pronouns I, we, my, and ours. The third person is used to make the writing more objective by taking the individual, the self, out of the writing. This method is very helpful for effective business writing, a form in which facts, not opinion, drive the tone of the text. Writing in the third person allows the writer to come across as unbiased and thus more informed.
In Stage 4, you are preparing the final part of a 4-stage report. Use the structure, headings, and outline format provided here for your report. Use the numbering/lettering in the assignment instructions as shown below.
IV. System Recommendation
A. System Justification
B. Implementation Areas
1. Vendor Agreement
2. Hardware and telecommunications
3. Configuration
4. Testing
5. Employee preparation and support
6. Data migration
7. Maintenance
Summary and Conclusion
Begin with Sections I, II and III, considering any feedback received, and add Section IV to your final report.
Write a complete, well organized paper that includes the four sections of the Business Analysis and System Recommendations (BA&SR) report. Use the recommendations provided in each area for length of response. Its important to value quality over quantity. Length for Section IV should not exceed five (5) pages in addition to Sections I, II and III.
Content areas should be double spaced; table entries should be single-spaced.
Ensure that each of the tables in the final report is preceded by an introductory sentence that explains what is contained in the table, so the reader understands why the table has been included.
Continue to use the title page created in Stage 1 that includes: The title of report, company name, your name, Course and Section Number, and date of this submission.
For Section IV, use at least three resources with APA formatted citation and reference. One reference must be from an external source, one must be the EZ-ATS Brochure, and one must be another reference from the IFSM 300 course content. Course content should be from the class reading content, not the assignment instructions or case study itself. For information on APA format, refer to Content>Course Resources>Writing Resources.
Finalize the Reference Page for resources required for all sections of the report. The final document should contain all references from all stages appropriately formatted and alphabetized.
Running headers are not required for this report.
Compare your work to the Grading Rubric below to be sure you have met content and quality criteria.
Submit your paper as a Word document, or a document that can be read in Word. Keep tables in Word format do not paste in graphics.
Your submission should include your last name first in the filename: Lastname_firstname_Stage_4
GRADING RUBRIC:
Criteria
90-100%
Far Above Standards
80-89%
Above Standards
70-79%
Meets Standards
60-69%
Below Standards
< 60% Well Below Standards Possible Points How the Proposed IT Solution Meets the Requirements How the IT solution aligns with achieving the strategy, improves the process, and meets the requirements 14-15 Points Clear, complete, compelling and related to the Case Study and Vendor Brochure; demonstrates sophisticated analysis and writing. 12-13 Points Complete and related to the Case Study and Vendor Brochure; demonstrates effective analysis. 10-11 Points Provided and related to the Case Study. 9 Points Incomplete, inaccurate and/or not related to the Case Study. 0-8 Points Content missing or extremely incomplete, did not reflect the assignment instructions, showed little or no originality, demonstrated little effort, is not supported with information from the Case Study; and/or is not original work for this class section. 15 Implementation Steps An introduction and all areas (vendor agreement, hardware/ telecom, configuration, testing, employee preparation, data migration, and maintenance) Generally, 0-5 points each. Both quantity and quality evaluated. 31.5-35 Points Clearly and thoroughly included introduction and covered all areas, strongly derived from the Case Study and vendor brochure, and demonstrates sophisticated analysis and writing. All 7 areas well done. 28-31 Points Clearly covered and included introduction and all areas, derived from the Case Study and vendor brochure, and demonstrates effective analysis and writing. 6 areas covered. 24.5-27 Points Covered and included introduction and majority of areas and related to the Case Study and the vendor brochure. 5 areas covered. 21-24 Points All areas not covered, and/or are not related to the Case Study and/or the vendor brochure. 4 areas covered. 0-20 Points Content missing or extremely incomplete, did not reflect the assignment instructions, showed little or no originality, demonstrated little effort, is not supported with information from the Case Study; and/or is not original work for this class section. 3 or fewer areas covered. 35 Summary and Conclusion Summarizes the BA&SR and provides a compelling explanation of benefits to be gained 9-10 Points Provides strong, clear and concise summary; demonstrates sophisticated analysis and writing. 8.5 Points Provides clear summary; demonstrates effective analysis and writing. 7.5 Points Provides summary. 6.5 Points Lacks sufficient information to provide adequate summary. 0-5 Point Content missing or extremely incomplete, did not reflect the assignment instructions, showed little or no originality, demonstrated little effort, is not supported with information from the Case Study; and/or is not original work for this class section. 10 Research Three or more sourcesone is the vendor brochure, one from within the IFSM 300 course content, and one external (other than the course materials) 14-15 Points Required resources are incorporated and used effectively. Sources used are relevant and timely and contribute strongly to the analysis. References are appropriately incorporated and cited using APA style. 12-13 Points At least three sources are incorporated (vendor, course content and external) and are relevant and somewhat support the analysis. References are appropriately incorporated and cited using APA style. 10-11 Points Fewer than 3 resources properly incorporated, and/or reference(s) are not cited using APA style. 9 Points A source may be used, but is not properly incorporated or used, and/or is not effective or appropriate; and/or does not follow APA style for references and citations. 0-8 Points No course content or external research incorporated; or reference listed is not cited within the text 15 Complete BA&SR Report Well organized and clearly presented information for all four stages. ` 14-15 points Document is a very effective and cohesive assemblage of the four sections, is well formatted and flows smoothly from one section to the next. 12-13 Points Document is a good assemblage of the four sections with appropriate formatting and flow. 10-11 Points Document includes content for all four stages; lacks a cohesive presentation and flow. 9 Points Incomplete stages; lack of continuity of flow and presentation of final information. 0-8 Points Incomplete report, missing stages, is not supported with information from the Case Study; and/or not well compiled and presented as a cohesive document. 15 Format Uses outline format provided; includes Title Page and complete Reference Page including sources for all 4 stages. 9-10 Points Very well organized and is easy to read. Very few or no errors in sentence structure, grammar, and spelling; double-spaced, written in third person, contains all required references, and presented in a professional format. 8.5 Points Effective organization; has few errors in sentence structure, grammar, and spelling; double-spaced, written in third person, contains all required references, and presented in a professional format. 7.5 Points Some organization; may have some errors in sentence structure, grammar, and spelling;missing some required references.Report is double spaced, and written in third person. 6.5 Points Not well organized, and/or contains several grammar and/or spelling errors; and/or is not double-spaced, missing several required references, and written in third person. 0-5 Points Extremely poorly written, has many grammar and/or spelling errors, missing required references, or does not convey the information. 10 TOTAL Possible Points 100 Stage 4: System Recommendation 03/17/2020 7 Business Analysis and System Recommendation Report Maryland Technology Consultants, Inc. Diamond Sears IFSM 300 September 28, 2020 BA and SR Report Introduction MTC is a fictitious company that deals with the provision of consultancy IT services. The company is still on its developmental stage, but it has already worked on different projects, and the future only seems to be bright. The company's goals are to ensure that its clients are satisfied with the services rendered and increase its market base locally and globally. However, like any business, the company is facing numerous challenges that it must achieve the set goals to be completed. For instance, there is stiff competition from already established companies such as Hewlett-Packard (HP), Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH). These are established companies with good profits and resources that MTC has to work against to ensure that it gets its niche in the environment. Besides that, the company also faces challenges in the hiring docket; for a long time, the company has been in turmoil in getting qualified and skilled staff that would be effective in achieving its goals (Horstman, 2019). Therefore, this BA&SR report provides an analysis of the company in terms of its challenges and the goals that have been set. To achieve these goals and overcome the company's challenges, the company must initiate the most appropriate technique that would achieve the targeted goals. The MTC's plans also have to be aligned with the prevailing business environment, especially with the advances in information technology to achieve the desired goals. As a result, through strategic planning highlighted in this report, the company should be in a position to achieve its goals. Strategic Use of Technology Business Strategy MTC has its business strategy to ensure that it remains active in the market by seeking new projects upon completion of the current projects. The strategy is to ensure that more customers are targeted and that they are in a position to win the tenders despite the competitive nature of the business. The management of this company also aims to ensure that its employees, once contracted, are kept busy not to be paid, yet they are not working (Clement, 2015). Therefore, to achieve this, they seek more projects and employ the best-skilled employees that would guarantee them higher chances of completing the project with high standards and meeting the clients' needs. The company goals of increasing its global consultant services would be achieved if its plan of getting highly skilled employees work out. The work done by the staff determines the ability to ensure that the reputation of the company is safeguarded and well built in the environment. In this regard, the new hiring system will be in apposition to identify and track the most qualified and skilled staff in different parts of the world and make them accessible to the company. This is because skills are vital for this kind of company, and it's only through investing in the best that MTC will be in a position to outsmart its established competitors in the market (Kuebiko Global, 2017). Additionally, the company's strategy to remain abreast of the technological changes and advances made in the business would be effective enough to ensure that it remains relevant. It is a vital aspect of the information technology sector where there are always continuous changes daily. For MTC to achieve its goals, there must be an acquisition of the skilled staff equipped with the modern technological skills that would make it easier to run its projects. The new hiring system will be effective enough to get the required employees from different locations and employees who understand the needs of the clients` needs, thus making it easier to meet the changes and advances in the sector. Competitive Advantage MTC has retained its competitive nature in the market by providing its consultative services to the clients. To get its clients, the company usually competitively bids with the rest of the companies offering similar services for the proposals that have been provided by business organizations, non-governmental organizations, non-profit making organizations, and governments. Besides that, the company is also gaining some momentum through the referrals and the follow-up techniques for the clients that might have been happy for the services rendered. Therefore, through the reliance on quality and its employees' expertise, the company aims to ensure that it r
