ITC System Failure

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There are constant changes in accounting information systems and it is challenging for companies to migrate from their current system to a new system. This research paper will identify three to five factors that contributed to the Interactive Teller Capture (ITC) system failure within BayPort Credit Union and the impact it had on the business. This paper will assess the responsibility of senior management for the information system failure and the steps they could have taken to avoid the failure. System failures can occur during the design, implementation or operational phase of the process. An evaluation will be conducted as to which stage the failure occurred and what could have been done to avoid the failed outcome. This research will …show more content…

First, there was a lack of communication between management and the third-party vendor Profit Stars during the planning and developmental phase of the ITC software as to the exact capabilities needed to properly perform shared branch check transactions. There is a glitch in the ITC system that does not properly image, endorse and link the check(s) information to the shared credit unions Symitar database. Once the imager scans the checks, they are not properly indexed or linked to the guest member’s account. The system does not record all the pertinent information from the check(s) such as account, routing and check numbers and check amount which requires the teller to manually input that information. The imager does not properly endorse the back of the check(s) with the guest member’s account and routing number, date and teller identification stamp and BayPort logo as the processing credit union. Second, management did not properly assess the new accounting system by first testing the system on “dummy accounts” before issuing a live version to its tellers. Lastly, tellers received insufficient training on how to properly use the ITC system and what to do if they encountered a problem. Tellers were unaware of requirements for imaging bulk checks (minimum of 25 checks per transaction), unfamiliar with error messages due to the system …show more content…

Managers that are not a part of the developmental phase are unaware of how systems are designed making it difficult to communicate its capabilities to the end-users. The purpose for developing the software was to ensure the check imaging and endorsing process of shared branch transactions would be more efficient for the end-user instead it was complicated and time consuming. End-users were not involved in the design phase of the ITC system therefore they could not convey their expectations and/or needs. Inadequate involvement of users in the design process is cited as a major factor contributing to the shortfall between expectation and reality (Damodaran, L., 1996). There are advantages to end-user involvement such as; improved levels of acceptance, accurate user requirements and better understanding of the system resulting in more effective participation. BayPort should have first identified and involved all the key participants such as information steering committee, management, users, project development team, system analyst and programmers in the design phase of the project in order to obtain commitment to the new system. It is important to specify each of the key player’s responsibilities for aiding in the development of the ITC system. Specific reports and other documentation, called deliverables, must be produced periodically during system development

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