SYSTEM OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

This involves changing parts of the system according to the recommendation of post
implementation review team in ensuring that the remains functional throughout.

Reasons for maintenance

Detect defects in the system after delivery. Maintenance is done in order to detect and fix any
errors or bugs which may arise after the systems delivery.
To improve systems efficiency i.e. to ensure that there no delays in systems processing
activities
Change in user requirement
Business organizations exist in a changing environment therefore user requirement are
bound to change which may eventually influence change of a system.

N/B: System maintenance is carried out to improve the system adaptability and flexibility
where flexibility involves minor changes made in the system in order for it to cope with the
growth in business transaction volumes.
 Adaptability involves changing the systems hardware and software in order to
make it adapt to its environment.

Types of maintenance
There are main types of maintenance that can be conducted on a system.
1) Corrective maintenance
2) Effective maintenance
3) Replacive maintenance
4) Perfective maintenance
5) Preventive maintenance
6) Adaptive maintenance

Corrective Maintenance
This involves responding to the detected problems/errors and fixing them
Its objective is to ensure that the system remains functional and that it does not interrupt
the smooth running of business transaction.

Replacive Maintenance
Carried on the system when it becomes almost unmaintenable and this may be done to the
system being absolute or poor documentation /poor system design.

Perfective Maintenance
Carried out to improve the performance of the system in terms of response, user request.
It amends the systems interface to make it user friendly.

Preventive Maintenance
Carried out on a system to ensure that the system can withstand stress from external attacks
e.g. virus attack.
It ensures the integrity of the system.
Adaptive Maintenance
Involves changing the system to take into account of the changes in to its functional
environment and accommodate expected changes in the processing environment.