Systems In Local Government
35 mins, 2006 Local councils are often huge organisations, providing a wide variety of services, from running libraries to keeping the roads free of ice. Critical to their operation are information systems. This film visits Cornwall County Council to explore how five of these information systems work. ADMINISTRATION: Councils are vast bureaucracies generating mountains of… Read more »
Managing Personnel
26 mins, 2006 Jenny Wooledge has one of the most important jobs in a supermarket – personnel manager. Crucial to her job is a computer system. This film tells the story of what she does in Sainsbury’s, Thanet branch. RECRUITMENT: First you need to get the workers to manager. Sainsbury’s goes in for what’s called… Read more »
What’s Going On In Market Research?
28 mins, 2005 Market research is big business, with clients demanding more and better ways of finding out what their customers want. Case studies show how market research is changing and the impact of new technology. CLASSIC DIVISIONS: The internet is now widely used in market research – as are mobile phones and other new… Read more »
Systems In A Theatre
27 mins, 2005 A star from Eastenders, Toyah and a load of corny gags – the pantomime at the Marlowe Theatre has the lot. But how do their information systems work? TICKETING: The computerised ticketing system reserves you a seat and even warns if there’s bad language in the show. But the real prize is… Read more »
Systems In A Factory
27 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 »
Systems For Leisure 2
26 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
29 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
23 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
26 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
25 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
25 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
29 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 »