Strategic Information System: Westpac Bank

This report discusses the development of Information System for Westpac Bank, its business process definition, ER diagram, business requirements, system requirements, software and vendor selection.

Running head: STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEM
Strategic Information System: Westpac Bank
[Name of the Student]
[Name of the University]
[Author note]

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Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
Discussion:.................................................................................................................................2
Business Process Definition: Westpac Bank:............................................................................3
ER Diagram of the basic operation of the bank:........................................................................5
Development of the business requirements:..............................................................................5
Determination of the requirements of the System:....................................................................7
Hardware related requirements:.............................................................................................8
Software requirements:..........................................................................................................9
Software and Vendor Selection:.................................................................................................9
Ways of Utilizing the Technology:..........................................................................................11
Evaluation of the efficiency level:...........................................................................................12
Potential Security Risks:..........................................................................................................13
Possible ways of mitigating the risks:......................................................................................13
Conclusion:..............................................................................................................................14
References:...............................................................................................................................15

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Introduction:
This report would be discussing about the development of Information System, which
would be responsible for providing support to the various kind of initiatives of the
organization Westpac Bank. There is present of different types of commerce initiatives which
are commonly dependent relative upon the form of commerce or association (Laudon and
Laudon 2016). Strategic Information System is generally sued for the purpose of helping the
organization in achieving success by fulfilling all the goals and objectives that the
organization is having. SIS would also be responsible for providing the Bank with different
kind of competitive advantages so as to make it more popular amongst the customers
(westpac.com.au, 2018). SIS would also be associated with providing some typical services
along with delivering of various type of services which would be of more interest for the
customers.
SIS would also be related with spotlighting upon the different parts of the marketplace
as well. One of the major advantage of adopting the SIS is that, this provides a lot of new
innovations which would be helping the organization in becoming more innovative with
respect to the various kind of operations and processes that the bank is having. The SIS
would be acting as an important section of the Information system that is to be adopted by the
bank. This adaptation would be helping the bank in storing, processing, categorizing and
lastly the transformation of the information is an easy way.
Discussion:
ERP or the Enterprise Resource Planning is to be integrated with the various
processes that the bank is having in order to make those processes become more efficient and
effective. The ERP is also defined as the Integrated Management System which are being
accepted by the bank in addition to would also be interceded by a variety type of software

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(Arvidsson,Holmström and Lyytinen 2014). Westpac Bank is considered to be one of the top
four banks of Australia.
Fig 1: Organizational Structure of Westpac Bank
Source: (westpac.com.au, 2018)
Business Process Definition: Westpac Bank:
The dissimilar processes of an organization are normally observe to be co-related with
one an extra and the major basis which lies following the variation of this procedures is for
the reason of gaining achievement in a exacting business area. For depicting the business
processes a flowchart is often used and besides this a certain sequence is followed by the
organizations for the purpose of conducting the different kind of processes or
activities(Wong, Veneziano and Mahmud 2016). Another major advantage of the business
process is that the satisfaction of the customers is provisioned in a proper way along with
which various kind of features like the agility of reacting to any kind of alterations or changes
is also provided by the business processes.
Business processes can be classified into three major categories which mainly includes
the operational processes, management processes and the supporting processes. The
operational processes are responsible for defining the major process of the organizations
along with the creation of preliminary value streams. The management processes are
responsible for overseeing the various operational processes which mainly includes the

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involvement of the corporate governance along with the oversight of the employees and the
budgets overview(westpac.com.au, 2018). Lastly come the supporting processes which are
responsible for giving support to the main operations that the business are having. In the later
sections some of the major business processes of the organization Westpac Bank has been
listed and this mainly includes the following:
1. Offering of Personal Loans: Individuals are provided with loans for their personal
need and also for other purposes.
2. Offering of Business loans: This is the second most important process of the Bank
and is associated with providing of loans to various businesses so as to help the
business in expanding.
3. Providing of loans for security: This are mainly the type of loans which are
provided to the business as well as to individuals for various kind of security
purposes.
4. Customer accounting: accounting of the consumers is taken to be an added
significant business procedure which the Westpac Bank is having.
5. Processing of the Cheques: This is one of the significant business procedure that the
Westpac bank is including.
6. Process of the other means of Payments: Various means of payments exists and all
this payments needs to be processed and for this reason this is considered to be
another important business process that the Westpac bank is having.
7. Conducting of the Cash transactions: Handling of the various cash transaction
along with the liquid cash are to be handled by the bank so this is also included in the
list of important business process of the bank.
8. Maintaining of the accounts: The customers are having their accounts in the bank
and all this accounts needs to be managed

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ER Diagram of the basic operation of the bank:
Fig 2: ER Diagram
Source: Created by Author
Development of the business requirements:
Business requirements generally refers to the various kind of specifications which are
needed and when they are delivered once, then they are responsible for providing certain
values. Besides this the values which are delivered are responsible for proving of proper
definition of the various features of the system. In commerce there is existence of a variety of
kind of needs and these requirements can also be distinct as the Stakeholders Requirement
Specification or the StRS (Laudon and Laudon 2016). Different kind of systems associated
with the different products, processes and software are to be included in the proper methods,
which would in turn be responsible for helping the bank in determination of the different kind
of procedures that are responsible for delivering the various kinds of business requirements.

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This requirements are associated with satisfying the requirements of the business along with
meeting the requirements of the business. Various kind of business requirements are often
referred and utilized for the reason of initial and procure a new system or software in a
appropriate way.
Below are the listed business requirements of the Westpac bank and this requirements
can be categorized into various types.
1. Good personal credit: Good credit is generally measured to be the generally main
business constraint which the Westpac bank is having. With respect to the loans the
personal credits are evaluated(Galliersand Leidner 2014). This bank is better than any
of the other banks while considering the schemes related to providing of personal
credits and this feature of the bank acts as an effective and important feature of the
Westpac bank which operates in all the units of this bank.
2. Good Business credits: This is taken as second and an additional business necessity
of the Westpac Bank. At the time of starting a business in the beginning of the
financial year a business is provided with credit scores that are generally responsible
for the incorporation in a legal way and along with this they are also provided with a
specific tax ID number. The credit report provided is responsible for showing the
different kind of obligations, the debts and other things which are entirely associated
with the bank requirements(Pearlson, Saunders and Galletta 2016). Besides this the
records of payments are also shown. The bank generally looks into the credit score of
the bank while providing the loans to a particular business.
3. Base of larger assets: Third and a different business constraint is the unlike category
of larger assets that the Westpac bank is covering. The business loans that are
provided are made secure by taking into account a particular asset. The organization
that is the Westpac bank is associated with making use of this assets so as to proceed

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with the business and become better in the operations that they conduct. This
particular thing is done by means of receiving the loans from the parent bank (Cassidy
2016). This is responsible for helping the bank in proper acquiring of the various
business processes.
4. Concrete nature of the Business Plan: the business plan that the Westpac bank is
having is generally considered to be another important business requirement. All the
profits that are obtained in the future by the bank are generally reflected in the
business plan of Westpac bank. The business plan is generally framed so as to obtain
finance which is subsequently related to the organizations requirements (Galliersand
Jarvenpaa2018). In addition to this the commerce plan is also connected with
forecasting the interest rate for all the capitals.
Determination of the requirements of the System:
The systems which are used inside the Westpac Bank has a requirement of various
kind of hardware components as well as software components. All this requirements are
needed in order to conduct the operations of the bank without any kind of difficulties. The
resources are utilized as a guideline and this is generally opposed by the basic rules that are
existing. Requirements can be categorized into two types and this includes the minimum and
set of requirements that are recommended. Besides this the introduction of new versions of
the software also consists of processing power which is very high and is also having the
capability of handling the new resources(Rezvani, Dong and Khosravi 2017). This in turn
helps in increasing the speed of the business processes. This type of requirements can also be
defined as the requirements which are responsible for fulfilment of the design that is
presented in a particular design or in some other sub system. Before initiation or during the
time of initiation of a business it is necessary for the organization to maintain the
requirements of the systems and this would initially be responsible for achieving success in

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the different kind of operations or processes that the organization is having(Chuangand Lin
2017).
The system requirements of Westpac bank is an important factor as they have to deal
with numerous customers in a day besides this they also need to manage their money as well.
There are different kind of security requirements and they have been listed below:
Hardware related requirements:
Hardware Compatibility List or the HCL is generally considered to be the most basic set
of requirements that helps in determination of the information related to the required
hardware. The hardware requirements are generally needed for the purpose of making the
operating Systems work in a proper way and help the employees of the Bank to work in an
efficient and effective way. The general hardware requirements of the bank has been listed
below:
a. Architecture: The operating systems used by the bank are generally designed in
accordance to the architecture of the computer. Besides this all the applications of the
software are to be restricted so as to make sure that the operating system is working in
association with the computer architecture(Chuangand Lin 2017). Absence of a
proper operating system would lead to numerous problems like the inefficiency of the
operating system to work in a proper way.
b. Processing power: CPU or the Central Processing Unit is responsible for the basic
processing and this is mainly responsible for making the entire system work with
effective speed and in a proper way. Along with this the timepiece which is existed
inside the CPU is usually accountable providing of appropriate definitions for the
processing power.

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c. Memory: This is considered to be another hardware requirement that the Westpac
bank is having. By memory it commonly refers to the RAM or the Random Access
Memory. The memory is associated with the storage of different kind of information
and data which might also be consisting of few sensitive and confidential data as
well(Wu, Straub and Liang 2015). The memory isto be selected according to the
needs of the Bank and the amount of data they are going to store.
Software requirements:
This is generally considered to be second and another important business requirement
of the bank. This requirement manly includes the selection of proper software which would
be responsible for making the various processes of bank more easy and efficient. This
software are to be installed into the computer along with the operating system so as to make
the systems work with more efficiency and in an effective way. Some of the major software
requirements have been listed below:
a. Platform: The most imperative software requirement is the collection of a
appropriate platform. By platform it generally refers to the computing platform that is
to be used by the Westpac Bank and which would be responsible for providing of
various kind of frameworks that are related to the software which re going to be used
by the bank(Deolankar, Deshpande and Lokhande 2016). Besides this selection of a
proper OS or Operating System is also one of the major security requirement.
b. Web Browser: This generally refers to the web applications that are to be used along
with the software and this web applications are generally dependent upon the internet.
The bank would be connected with the practice of the default browser.

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Software and Vendor Selection:
Westpac Bank is one of the top four banks of Australia and it is possible for the bank
to make its different processes much better by making use of a proper ERP system or
Enterprise Resource Planning System. The ERP system that has been chosen for this purpose
is the SAP. SAP is one of the most significant ERP vendors which is particular in order to be
functional in the organization, Westpac Bank. This implementation of the ERP system would
be helping the bank in improving its performance by adaptation of eas and simple ways. The
processes which are likely to be improved by making use of the ERP mainly includes the
Finance, accounting, sales and production(Friedl and Pedell 2017). Human resources are also
incorporated in the business procedure in addition to this are normally exist in an
incorporated situation which are very much important for the association. Along with this the
other type of integration are also performed which are mainly done for the purpose of making
the flow of information much easy from the SAP to the other corresponding components even
in the absence of particular needs related to the redundant entry of the data. This are generally
responsible for helping the Bank in managing those processes which are generally associated
with the enforcement of different facts and this mainly includes the legal enforcements,
financial enforcements and processing control(Khan 2017). Another basis lying following the
convention of this SAP is that it offered the improvement of using all the possessions in an
effectual way and this employment might also be counting the production capacity, machine
capacity in addition to manpower.
Below are the listed advantages for which the SAP has been chosen and this mainly
includes the following:
a. Competition: Usage of the SAP is very useful as it would be helping the organization
Westpac Bank to gain a competitive advantage. The major reason for this is that the
SAP is associated with the enhancement of the competition existing in the market, and

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b usage of the SAP the organization would become capable of working more
efficiently(Chang 2016). This would be initially responsible for gaining a lot of
customers than the other banks.
b. Efficiency: This is another major factor that is needed by the organization Westpac
Bank. Usage of the SAP would help in the elimination of the various repetitive
business processes which would be initially responsible for making the bank to
become more efficient(Bretschneider, Leimeisterand Mathiassen2015). The usage of
the SAP would also be responsible for eliminating the basic requirements related to
manual entry of the data or information. In addition to all this this the SAP helps in
streamlining of the various business process.
c. Collaboration: Another significant Advantage that would be brought by making use of
the SAP is collaboration. SAP helps in creating a collaboration between the different
departments of the bank that operates separately(Lorenc and Szkoda 2015). SAP helps
in centralization of the data.
d. Cost saving: This is another benefit of using the SAP and the main reason lying
behind this is due to reason that no huge costs are incurred.
e. Scalability and flexibility: Usage of the SAP would also be associated with making
the system become more flexible and scalable. The usage of the structured ERP would
be helping in making of amendments for the new users and for this reason it can
stated that the system is flexible(Chowdhury and Nayeem 2017).
f. Integrated form of Information: SAP helps in integration of the information and for
this reason the SAP is integrated with the CRM in order to manage the information
properly.
g. Streamlining of the processes: The operations of the Westpac bank can be considered
to be complex in nature which give rise to the need of streamlining of the processes

12STRATEGIC INFRMATION SYSTEM
and the SAP would be associated with making sure of the fact that all the processes
are streamlined in an easy way.
h. Customer service: The usage of the SAP would also be associated with providing
assistance to the customers of the bank by providing them with services of higher
quality.
Ways of Utilizing the Technology:
The implementation of the new technology SAP into the system of Westpac Bank
would be used mainly for the particular reasons listed below:
a. Increase in the Productivity: SAP implementation in the system would be helping in
increasing the productivity of the Bank which would be responsible for decrease in
the complexities thereby attracting a lot of customers toward the bank(Schmid 2017).
b. Increasing the efficiency: SAP would also be responsible for increasing the efficiency
of the bank which would be helping the bank to become more effective. At the greater
levels of the bank inefficiencies would be reduced which the major reason is lying
behind its acceptance by everyone. In addition to this the business data are also stored
in the system which helps in elimination of the complexities related to the
maintainace of the data manually.
c. Improved decision making process: The decision making process would also be
increased by usage of the SAP as this make the process very easy and simplified.
Evaluation of the efficiency level:
The major reason lying behind the implementation of the SAP is for the purpose of
improving the efficiency. Evaluation of the efficiency after implementation of the SAP has
been listed below:

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a. Satisfaction of the Customers: A bank would become Successful only if the customers
are satisfied and after the implementation of the SAP the customers would be greatly
satisfied as all the business processes of the bank would be streamlined.
b. Increased profits: Usage of the SAP integrates all the business processes into a single
process which helps in eliminating of the extra costs and for the amount of profit
increases(Wong, Veneziano and Mahmud 2016).
c. Efficient controlling of the various business processes: With the implementation of
the SAP the controlling of the entire process of the bank becomes very easy thereby
making the SAP very much advantageous for the bank.
Potential Security Risks:
Westpac Bank is considered to be one of the top four bank of Australia and it has
been seen that despite of being on the top four list it is associated with facing a lot of
problems in the business process and the major issues which has been noticed is the issue
related to the security(Oishi, Hawthorne and Oren 2016). There exists various risks related to
potential data breach and many more. Some of the key significant security risks that might be
faced by means of SAP have been followed as below:
Phishing: This is one of the major security risk that might be faced by SAP. By this way it is
possible for a malicious hacker to get access to the information stored in the system that are
sensitive and confidential. Some of this data might be including the username, passwords,
credit card information and many more(Bretschneider, Leimeisterand Mathiassen2015). The
attacker is associated with disguising themselves as a trustworthy entity in an electronic
device so as to get access to the data.
Trojan horses: This is another major risk that might be faced by the SAP and in this type of
attack the malicious program present in the system is associated with misleading the real

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intentions that the users are having(Lorenc and Szkoda 2015). This attack mainly spreads by
provoking a certain user to click on a malicious link present in the emails or in some
webpage.
The above two are the possible major risks that are to be faced by the bank. besides
this there also exists certain risks like the insider attack, segregation of the duties amongst the
employees in an improper way, misalignment of the application control, security
vulnerabilities to the infrastructure and many more.
Possible ways of mitigating the risks:
Some of the important ways which can be adopted so as to eliminate the possible risks
have been listed below:
a. Alignment of the application controls: The SAP consists of a feature of auto
alignment of the application control thereby helping in elimination of the risks related
to misalignment(Chowdhury and Nayeem 2017).
b. Cyber Security Implementation: Sap also has an in-built cyber security feature
thereby helping in elimination of risk related to any kind of cyber-crimes.
c. Resolving of the Insider Attacks: SAP helps in proper segregation of the duties
thereby controlling access to various confidential files and thereby reducing the treats
related to insider attacks(Schmid 2017).
d. Management of the Infrastructure: SAP also helps in securing the infrastructure of
the bank thereby reducing the risks.
Conclusion:
The report concludes with the fact the implementation of the SAP into the system of
Westpac bank would be associated with bringing a lot of benefits. Besides this the first
section of the report helps in understanding the basic structure and business process of

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Westpac bank. After understanding the business processes a particular system has been
recommended which would be helping the bank in becoming more efficient and effective.
Besides this the report also highlights the major advantage of the SAP ERP system and also
describes the ways for which it is going to be used. Flowed by this the report also presents the
risks that are likely to be faced and how this risks can be eliminated by the usage of the SAP.

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