One page paper on information systems?
Q:
Suppose that you had an information system designed for a small auto parts store. In one page answer the following questions:
1. What changes would be needed to scale that system up to handle the medical records for a hospital?
2. What changes would be needed to handle a system the size of the Web?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
1: Changing search functions to correctly model people as opposed to auto parts. Probably change indexing to some extent. Possibly add cryptographic functionality, access limitations or other security features to the system, and a log system logging users that look up patients, as this is likely necessary to avoid litigation. Maybe look at generating and keeping metadata. Should change focus of the system from auto parts to individuals that will undergo various types of treatment. Backups both on-site and off-site much more important than before.
2: Decentralize, decentralize, decentralize. Loose coupling between independent systems. Provide generalized RESTful interfaces or XML capability to handle legacy data. Try to keep processing on the edges rather than through any one centralized server. The most sensitive bottlenecks need to be replicated on separate physical networks throughout the system - consider DNS architecture as an example.