Systems In A Cinema
145 200027 mins, 2000 How do cinemas use information technology? We compare two very different examples. The huge Film Works multiplex, in Manchester, has its own web-site. The much smaller Gate cinema, in London, uses e-mails to keep in touch with its customers but otherwise has much more limited IT. The Gate still issues tickets manually,… Read more »
Systems For Leisure 2
142 200426 mins, 2004 This is a completely new film which updates the original Systems For Leisure (TV Choice 1993), but featuring the same leisure complex, Guildford Spectrum – still the UK’s largest leisure centre. TICKETS PLEASE: In 2002 Spectrum changed over to a new ticketing system called TOREX. What benefits does it offer? What were… Read more »
Systems In Banking And Data Protection
163 200329 mins, 2003 Banks rely on information systems but how do they work? Dave Nellist investigates. He pays a cheque into his bank. It enters the clearing system, becomes a piece of data and finally allows him to draw out cash to buy his mum a present. Every stage in the process involves systems and… Read more »
Systems In A Theme Park
156 200323 mins, 2003 Theme parks set out to scare and excite us. But behind the fun, information systems are at work. What are they? This film takes us behind the scenes at Drayton Manor Park. Ticketing: The theme park used to issue admission tickets using adapted bus ticket machines. Now a computerised system gives them… Read more »
Inside A Factory 1: The New Mini
162 200326 mins, 2003 How is a car manufactured? Alison Hammond, of “Big Brother” fame, goes inside BMW’s factory in Oxford to provide a lively guide to the production process for its New Mini. PRODUCTION PLANNING: First comes production planning. Customers’ orders are analysed by a program called “Kiss” – this is vital to meet buyers’… Read more »
Systems In Travel
174 200225 mins, 2002 The film charts the radical changes that IT has brought, through the experience of tour operator Sunvil Travel and Internet-based travel agency Expedia. While Sunvil uses computers to put its customers’ holidays together, Expedia does everything on the web. Its website allows you to book your hotel room or seat on a… Read more »
Systems In Retailing
154 200225 mins, 2002 Bar-codes, electronic point sale systems, hand-held terminals… information technology has transformed UK retailing. At Marks & Spencer’s IT centre, mainframe computers monitor what’s been sold in all its stores and order up new stock. Computers control every step of the M&S national distribution system. And IT isn’t confined to inside the supermarket,… Read more »
Computers In Accounting
74 200229 mins, 2002 Dave Nellist presents a lively explanation of accounting systems and what they do. Bill Brookman Productions is a small street-theatre company. They use Sage software for their accounts. The basic elements of sales, purchase and nominal ledgers are explained, including invoicing. The film also looks at the accounting systems at Clinton Cards… Read more »
Systems In A Hotel
162 200027 mins, 2000 This demonstrates the systems in a large hotel. The hotel’s booking system shows the rooms available and helps maximise income from the rooms, discounting prices when things are quiet. For each guest the system records a guest history, with details of their likes and dislikes. When a guest feels a room is… Read more »
Systems In A Factory
163 200427 mins, 2004 This film looks at the key systems used in a factory. It focuses on two case studies: the Glaxo Smith Kline toothpaste factory and plastic injection moulding company, Time RPS. How do they compare? TYPES OF PRODUCTION: GSK is an example of continuous flow production: they make a million tubes of toothpaste… Read more »
Marketing On The Web
150 200028 mins, 2000 How are companies using the web to market their wares? This looks at two very different firms: giant bookseller, WH Smith Online, and specialist wine dealer, Madaboutwine. It’s estimated there is a website for everyone on the planet, so companies have to target who they want to visit them. A prime target… Read more »
The Internet In Business
161 199925 mins, 1999 The film features case studies of three US companies relying on the Internet to conduct their business. RETAILING: CDnow is a record shop – without a shop. They offer customers a vast selection of CDs which they can buy via the Internet. CDnow doesn’t have to hold any stock – this is… Read more »