Systems In A Theatre
155 200527 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 »
McLibel: McDonald’s PR Disaster
152 200554 mins, 2005 What happens when you criticise the world’s most famous multinational company? This is the story of two people who took on McDonald’s in what became the biggest corporate PR disaster in history. The story begins when two ordinary people, Helen Steel and Dave Morris, refuse to apologise for publishing a leaflet criticising… Read more »
Inside A Factory 2: Cadbury’s
159 200529 mins, 2005 This is the story of how Cadbury’s makes a chocolate bar. TV personality Alison Hammond takes us round their famous factory and explains the systems that underpin the process. QUALITY CONTROL: The process begins with the raw materials – beans brought from Ghana. Quality control and process control systems are vital to… Read more »
A Decent Factory?
167 200532 mins, 2005 With the fastest growing economy in the history of the world, China is the workshop of globalisation. But are workers paying the price for a manufacturing revolution? This unique fly-on-the-wall documentary uncovers the hard realities of working conditions in a Chinese factory. The film focuses on a German-owned company in Shenzhen, China,… Read more »
Systems In A Factory
164 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 »
Systems For Leisure 2
143 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
164 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
157 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
163 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 »
Bullying: A Case To Answer?
154 200325 mins, 2003 Bullying at work is a major personnel issue – but it’s hard to prove. This dramatised case study focuses on a thorny problem. Simon’s job is to change the way his department operates. To most he seems friendly but he comes into conflict with conscientious admin worker Viv. Problems start when Simon… Read more »
Systems In Travel
175 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
155 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 »