Midsouth Chamber of Commerce (a) the Role of the Operating Manager in Information Systems

SAGE NIELE'S NEXT MOVE 

2Abstract

Midsouth Chamber of Commerce (MSCC), a successful non-profit, quickly outgrew currentinformation technologies. Acknowledging information fueled the organizations growth, MSCCneglected to hire additional permanent staff to manage ongoing upgrade efforts by outsideconsultants. New system integration become more complicated as proper checks were not in place to oversee replacement product and vendor selection and due diligence was cast to the side by responsible parties. Additional complications from a neglected contract presented by the newsoftware supplier and heavily favored the software supplier to the point where MSCC had nolegal recourse once signed. Negligence throughout the history of MSCC with respect to legaland IT selection has led to strained relations and wasted resources. A new Vice President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer, Sage Niele, is in a difficult position that must behandled with great forethought to assuage internal players and the software supplier. Once done, persuade the MSCC executive board to make one more strategic investment and finally move beyond the 8 year old crisis.

Midsouth Chamber Of Commerce (B):Sage Niele's Next MoveSaga Niele had been hired in December of 2010 to fill many gaps in Midsouth Chamber of Commerce (MSCC) organization. She began her first week as Vice President of Operationsand Chief Financial Officer however shortly after had additional responsibilities heaped on her shoulders including the effective information systems manager for MSCC and principle for asaga that began a year earlier involving Leon Lassiter, a recently appointed president, and DataManagement Associates (DMA), a vendor whose relationship with MSCC was severelystrained. With few options available, Niele must create a precise and thoughtful plan tosuccessfully calm all parties, deliver the necessary information technology tools that meet theneeds of different divisions in MSCC and, ultimately, be...