System Implementation - the Fourth of Five Phases in the Sdlc

System Implementation is the fourth of five phases in the SDLC. It includes application development, documentation, testing, training, data conversion, system changeover and post-implementation evaluation of the result which will be discuss later on.

* Data Conversion

Data conversion is an important part of the system installation process.

- important part of the system installation process

- existing data is loaded into the new system

- can be done before, during, or after the operational environment is complete

- develop data conversion plan early

- test the conversion process when the test environment is developed

* Strategies

* old system to new system, automate data conversion

* might be capable of exporting data in an acceptable format for the new system, or in standard format, ASCII or ODBC, Open Database Connectivity allows DBMSs from various vendors to interact and exchange data.

* If standard format is not available, develop a program to extract data and convert it to an acceptable format.

* When converting from manual process to an automated system, data conversion is more difficult because all data must be entered manually, unless it can be scanned.

* Security and Controls

- Since it is essential that the new system will be loaded with accurate, error-free data, certain security and control measures should be implemented during the data conversion process

* maintain strict input controls - when data is extremely vulnerable

* system control measure is operational

* to protect data from unauthorized access

* to prevent erroneous input

* users are required to verify all data, correct all errors, and supply missing data


* System Changeover

- the process of putting the new information system online and retiring the old system.

- can be rapid or slow depending on the method

* Direct Cutover

* light switch that instantly changes over from the old system to the new, when the new system becomes operational, although I said it’s like a light switch you can’t really revert to the old system as a backup option if some major