TABLE OF CONTENT
DECLARATION
Approval II
ABBREVIATIONS iii
Table of Content iv
CHAPTER ONE 1
INTRODUCTION 1
1.0 introduction
1.Oi Case study 2
1.2 Background of the study 3
1.3 Statement of the problem 4
1 .4 General Objectives 4
1 .4.1 Specific objectives 5
1 .5 Research question 5
1.6 Scope of the study 5
1.7 Significance of the study 5
1.8 Justification of study 6
CHAPTER TWO 7
LITERATURE REVIEW 7
2.1 Background 7
2.2 Collaborative information systems overview 9
2.2.1 Existing example — DHL America 10
2.3 Collaborative Technologies 12
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2.3.1 Electronic communication tools .12
2.3.2 Electronic conferencing tools 12
2.3.3 Collaborative management (coordination) tools 13
2.4 Review of a CIS in Clearing and Forwarding field 13
2.4.1 Magaya cargo system - freight management software 13
2.5 Application of CIS technologies in Clearing and Forwarding 15
2.6 Suggested system 16
CHAPTER THREE 17
METHODOLOGY 17
3.0 Introduction 17
3.1 Research Design 17
3.2 Sample Selection 17
3.3.1 Formal Interviews 18
3.3.2 Direct Observation 19
3.3.3 Content analysis 20
CHAPTER FOUR 22
SYSTEM DESIGN 22
4.0 Introduction 22
4.1 Conceptual design 22
4.1 .1 Business process reference model 22
4.1 .2 business process definition 23
4.1 .3 software architecture 24
4.1 .4 Technology architecture 25
4.1 .5 network architecture 26
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4.1 .6 system architecture 27
4.1.7 class diagrams 28
CHAPTER FIVE 29
SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION AND TESTING 29
5.0 system implementation 29
5.2 system testing 38
CHAPTER ~ 40
CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH 40
6.0 conclusions 40
6. I Recommendations 40
6.2 Future research 40
REFERENCES 41
Appendix A: budget for the graduation project 2012 43
Appendix B: Schedule of the Project Activities 44
Appendix C: Data Dictionary 45
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION Information is content generated to be used to reduce uncertainty on an issue or topic of discussion and goes beyond predictions for they are uncertain (Shannon CE, 1949) An information system (IS) is typically considered to be a set of interrelated elements or components that collect (input), manipulate (processes), and disseminate (output) data and information and provide a feedback mechanism to meet an objective (Muhammad, 2007). A collaborative information system is a system that allows partners, customers and organizations management to work together in order to achieve something especially the organizations goals. It is usually associated with individuals or organizations not physically co located, but instead working together across an internet connection. It can also include remote access storage systems for archiving common use data files that can be accessed, modified and retrieved by the distributed partner members (Wikipedia). There are three aspects of a Collaborative Information system. o Conversational interaction — Clearing and Forwarding firms are supposed to use this aspect to freely exchange information between staff and clients. Communication technology such as telephones, instant messaging, and e-mail are generally sufficient for conversational interactions. o Transactional interaction — Clearing and Forwarding firms carry out transactions with clients’ and associate firms. One participant exchanges money for goods and becomes a customer. Transactional interactions are most effectively handled by transactional systems that manage state and commit records for persistent storage. o Collaborative interactions - Clearing and Forwarding firms use real collaboration technologies to deliver the functionality for many associates to augur a common deliverable. Record or document management, threaded discussions, audit history, and other mechanisms designed to capture the efforts of many into a managed content environment.