W4P1 T4.3 IS

Businesses use numerous information systems to perform different procedures. Information Systems used in business refer to a business application of computer systems. The system consists of several components including databases, application programs, networks, hardware, personnel, infrastructure and machine procedures that substitute manual procedures. These systems consist of computer systems that do the processing to produce information needed by the business for different purposes. Information Systems have organization, management and technology elements [1].

Businesses can employ different information systems depending on the intended purpose. In most cases, businesses use their own Business Information Model (BIM) for defining the key business functions of the business. Some of the common information systems include Transaction Processing Systems, Decision Support Systems and Management Information Systems. All these systems may have different functionality, but their key role in business includes collecting, processing, storing, analyzing and disseminating information needed for a given purpose. Information Systems perform both primary functions and Support functions of the business. Primary functions include product design, product manufacture, product marketing and sell, and product distribution. Support functions include business planning, human resource management, finance management, operations management and information management among others. Information systems consist of machine instructions that instruct computers about how to accomplish scheduled activities.

Operations management lies in the heart of every business and, therefore, the role of Information system in operations management is critical. Businesses employ Information Systems that apply to business research, production control, product development and product manufacturing. The daily work of Information Systems in terms of operations management involves an interactive processing of transactions such as updating customer files, inventory files and the business’ master file. Information systems help the business to locate and contract prospective customers, to process customer’s orders and provide customer support service.

Information Systems such as DSS use information from other Information Systems to support non-routine decision making for the management of the organization. They provide materials for analyzing the solution to a problem [2]. DSS uses models to analyze data and focuses on how to extract and analyze information from large amounts of data from other systems. Information systems that support decision making provide the business with administrative functionalities that enable managers to monitor and control the business. Businesses that have in-house data processing functions use Information Systems to provide structure for database managers, programmers and data administrators to coordinate on business projects.

Information systems also function as finance and accounting systems for business. They support financial assets management, financial records management and capitalization of the business. This helps the business management team to establish long-term investment goals as well as providing a broad forecast for the financial performance of the business. Information Systems also help management to oversee and control financial resources.

In human resource management, Information Systems support activities that attract, develop and maintain the work force of the organization. Information systems help the senior management to identify manpower requirements such as skill and education level needed to meet long-term business plans. Information Systems help managers to track, recruit, monitor, allocate and compensate employees depending on the information provided by a DSS. HR Information Systems reflect the flow of workforce through the organization [3].

Businesses use Information Systems to achieve operational excellence, develop products and services, achieve customer intimacy and improve decision making processes. Information systems provide businesses with easy procedures that reduce manual work, promote competitive advantage and ensure survival of the business.

References

[1] http://www.mahmoudyoussef.com/aagsb/mba/mis/Lectures-2-and-3-Questions.pdf

[2] http://www.angelfire.com/rebellion2/jsmith/case_2.html

[3] http://www.umsl.edu/~joshik/msis480/chapt12.htm

Electronic Business (e-business)

Electronic Business (e-business)

Electronic Business is the use of computer technology and related technologies in the day to day running of a business. This also features the provision of services in the internet (e-service). Electronic business involves the interaction of the business with its customers, suppliers, other organizations and other stake holders. These interactions are basically centered on the provision of goods and services. E-business facilitates effective interactions within and outside the business through interconnected data handling setups [2].

E-business is carried out in the internet, Web, internal or external computer connections. The entire process of purchasing and sale of goods and services is conducted through these platforms [1]. Information dissemination and sharing can be facilitated by E-business. Electronic business can be applied in the internal affairs of the business through managing customer relations, personnel, documents and the management of the business possessions. Communication is another important area where electronic business comes in handy. It includes the use of e-mail, Web-telecommunication and information control systems among others. The interaction of the business with other businesses and customers applies E-business in marketing (online marketing), setting online shops and a supply chain that is web based and managed [3].

Electronic business has developed over time to overcome some hindrances. The issue of information confidentiality and prevention of access of business data by unauthorized persons has been addressed [3]. Data encryption and enabling firewalls are solutions to this concern. Firewalls are also used to prevent unauthorized data alterations so as to promote data integrity and secure storage.

Another pressing issue is genuineness. One can be easily duped through this business because of lack of physical presence of parties involved in the transaction. However, this hurdle is being addressed through Virtual Private Network (VPN) to ensure only allowed persons access business information. Another way to solve this menace is by the use of credit cards, PINs, passwords and electronic signatures. This way, evidence as well as identity can be verified when conducting electronic business [2].

Among the businesses that embraced electronic business in the recent past, Dell Computers and IBM reported increased sales with increasingly more people able to access the internet. More and more businesses are embracing e-business by the day due to the efficiency in offers [1].

Electronic business has revolutionized business operations in nearly all sectors of the economy. Developed countries have almost made everything online. Booking of tickets in airports can be done online, manufacturing industries now run their operations using computerized machine and the military has embraced technology in their activities.

References

[1] Aziz, H. (2006). ‘Business to business Electronic Commerce’ retrieved from

http://www.slideshare.net/hazman

[2] Business Canada (2010). ‘Electronic Business in the Canadian Industries’ retrieved

from <http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/dir-ect.nsf/eng/h_uw00348.html

[3] Westfall E. (2010). ‘Privacy: Electronic Information and the Individual’. S. Clara University, retrieved from

http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid14_gci761640,00.html

Apps & Services

Apps and Services
List of Applications

1. Marketo Application is gives a software that is used to enable automation of marketing. Its features include kits to assess success of marketing, cheat sheets and book club. These applications are essential in online marketing success.

2. Facebook is a social network platform that can be used by an organization for communication. Its features include photo storage ability, document sharing ability among others. Facebook can be used to pass information to the public.

3. The Google computer engine enables internet users to access information in the internet easily and faster. Users doing research in the internet find Google useful to find information.

4. Amazon kindle application enables users to download and read eBooks and magazines. This application has made it possible to read documents and other materials without having to buy the hard copies.

5. Microsoft Office 365 includes features like calendars, email, file sharing and online conferencing among others. This application has improved business management. It is faster and easy to use. Once purchased, it can be used for a long period which lowers the cost of business.

6. Mendix application contains features such as rich app interface, workflow, domains models etc. Companies like insurance organizations use Mendix to make entries of new customer businesses.

7. Eucalyptus uses Eucalyptus EC2 Interface. It enables interaction of Cloud services between customers and service providers.

8. Force.com is a platform used for social and mobile enterprise applications. It enables businesses to adopt technology. It is fast and reliable.

The use of these applications and many more others has enables businesses to increase productivity. This is because the use of computers enables users to avoid mistakes and errors. This increases efficiency. These software applications are used in various business departments. Communication has been greatly improved as a component of business management. Marketing has been made easy too. Through the internet, the customer base is broadened to even international level.

https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?OBJID=841281000000003023&STANDALONE=true&ZDB_THEME_NAME=blue&DATATYPESYMBOL=false&REMTOOLBAR=true&SEARCHBOX=true&SHOWHIDEOPT=true

W3P2 T3.8 Super Store

W3P2 T3.8

I added a new chart – Average Sales-VB

1. Click on New – New Chart View

2. On Graph Tab I dragged the date to the X-axis and Sales to the Y-axis

3. Generate Chart

4. Changed the chart view to a bar chart

https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?OBJID=841281000000005153&STANDALONE=true&ZDB_THEME_NAME=blue&REMTOOLBAR=true&INCLUDETITLE=true&INCLUDEDESC=true

Blogs

Cloud computing has also found a way and revolutionized the social interaction from simple texts to full multimedia content as people share their experiences. A blog is colloquial for a Web Log which is essentially a website in which people share experiences and discuss common interest topics with the view of information or sheer random expressions [1] .It is interesting to see how blogging has been revolutionized by cloud computing as the blogging sites incorporate cloud computing capabilities to make it possible to store large files in the cloud space. The modern day blogging website has the functionality of the users uploading even video tapings of experiences that they feel should be interesting. Most of the video and audio contents are often screened by moderators before being published but nonetheless it is an interesting thing to see people sharing high definition video files over the blogging website.

To make this possible, there has to be a temporary storage for the cache of the audio or video file and cloud computing makes it possible to provide that caching memory required to make the playing of videos and music continuous and possible without having to be saved on local directories first. Music and videos have become more accessible than ever before and the cloud computing architecture allows musicians to distribute their songs through subscription based services or online radio stations [2]. In general, cloud computing has also made entertainment experience better. To borrow a few tips from the first point above about cloud computing, the blogging website designers have come up with an ingenious way of incorporating cloud applications into the blogging websites too. To illustrate how designers of websites for blogging make use of Rich Internet Applications to enhance the blogging experience, the modern day blogging websites feature fully functional video editors and picture editors for people who may be having slow connectivity to trim the videos or change them to a format that takes up little space [3]. As if that is not enough , some blogging websites have video capture software that automatically detect the web camera on the user’s PC and allows the use to capture real-time videos and podcast them real time; as would be the case of somebody taking a tour of a game park then comes across an interesting natural experience. The rise in mobile computing has also pushed designers to accommodate mobile devices like tablet PCs and smartphones [4]. This means a person could be on a road trip and literally broadcast the experiences real time en route through a smartphone .Podcasting is also an important aspect that cloud computing has made possible owing to the large sizes of audio and video podcasts that have to be made available to users.

[1] http://www.problogger.net/archives/2005/02/05/what-is-a-blog/

[2] http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2011/03/14/the-future-of-cloud-based-music-streaming/

[3] http://www.koozai.com/blog/social-media/video-marketing/top-free-online-video-editing-software-8878/.

[4] http://www.examiner.com/article/quickbooks-the-cloud-compitable-with-smartphones-and-tablets

Cloud Computing

One of the interesting aspects of cloud computing is the facilitation of rich internet applications .Cloud computing has made it possible for powerful applications that are web- deliverable applications like Photoshop express, Google Docs, and Xcerion to graduate from the conventional notion of an online library to an a mature computing platform that makes the online experience with the applications no different from the desktop clients of these powerful [1]. It is because of cloud computing that individuals and companies no longer have to keep track of installation DVDs and license serial numbers in case commercial software becomes unstable. The experience with web-based productivity applications has over time become so seamless the online platform can arguably substitute the desktop environment. This comes as good news for business professionals as well as IT experts who are constantly on the move. Cloud computing has made it possible for any sophisticated IT expert to travel light without a laptop or a cache of application DVDs because a person can check into an internet café with the minimum requirement being any web browser for business as usual. These web –based applications, as mentioned before, feature the complexity and functionality that is found in their desktop counterparts and never need a local install [2]. This mobility that comes with web-based applications is an interesting aspect of cloud computing. To give an example, the SkyDrive® by Microsoft or Google Drive® by Google allow users to create and modify sophisticated documents and spreadsheets as well as database files online without the hassle of locally installing an office software. The good thing about web-based applications is the interoperability as the programming languages for these applications make them as interoperable as possible with the only requirement being a web browser and other miscellaneous hardware requirements. The Rich Internet Applications have made it possible to view videos and listen to high quality music online. An example is the sophisticated online video player used by the You Tube website. Online Entertainment and media are also areas where cloud computing has played a critical role [3].The fact that videos and music can be listened to online rather than downloading them first the listening on a locally installed media player is an important capability of cloud computing. These are all made possible through contents streaming whereby large media files are transferred over the internet such that the voice or video plays continuously as it is being downloaded.

[1] www.capgemini.com/ctoblog/2010/11/rich_internet_applications_the/.

[2] http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/2011/04/12-excellent-cloud-computing-operating-systems.html

[3] http://www.frost.com/sublib/display-market-insight-top.do?id=232686044

DB Lab

https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?OBJID=841281000000002024&STANDALONE=true&ZDB_THEME_NAME=blue&DATATYPESYMBOL=false&REMTOOLBAR=true&SEARCHBOX=true&SHOWHIDEOPT=true

This was kinda tricky but i think I did it right
Steps:
1. Create a new database/table in zoho
2. Add columns for product, cost, revenue, profit and profit margin
3. Format columns
4. enter formulas for profit & profit margin
5. Publish database
6. copy to blog & forums

Blog List

My Blog List

• 
  Jeffrey Mayhew

  Assignment: A1.3 Value Chain

  1 day ago
• Gabriel Davis

  Zoho

  1 day ago
• 
  Jared Penn

  Hardware and Software: How it can relate to Mobile Business

  2 days ago
• Kevin McAvoy

  Introduction

  5 days ago

DB Research

With the advent of technology, many business organizations have invested in database system to automate their process and data processing. Vöckler (01) defines data system a term generally used to encapsulate all the factors that make up a database, database management system, and data model. He goes on to define a database as an organized pool of related information and data. This data and information is stored logically in the information and data structures within the database. A Database Management System is computer software whose main aim is to provide the interface between a database and its users. Database Management System can be divided in to two categories that include desktop databases and server databases.

 
 While working in one of the IT business organization in one healthcare center in my home area, I gained a lot of with a Server Database Systems. The organization I was working for used a Server Database System. This is a very important system and very efficient. It helped the organization store its data and information in a safe way. The Server Database System was also be used to analyze data and give accurate results that can be relied on by an organization management team and other stakeholders when making important decisions. This was made possible by the fact that the Server Database System had various computer components (Allan 01). These components use computer software and programs that made it possible for the server to receive data, summarize it and thereafter analyze such data and information. In other words, this Server Database Systemse system could easily convert raw data into useful information.
 

Answer to questions

 
 There are many challenges that the organizations IT professionals face when implementing the healthcare Server Database System. One major challenge they faced was ensuring that the Server Database System they were implementing suited the organization needs perfectly. Each organization has unique needs. For this reason, IT professionals implementing database in any organizations should ensure that the Server Database System being put in place could meet all these needs. Server Database System that does not meet an organization need is worthless and can lead to huge financial losses (Allan 01). Another major challenge people implementing database face is that they are supposed to come up with a database that the majority of the employees will be able to use without major challenges. For this reason, IT professionals implementing a Server Database System should ensure that the database they are implementing has all the functions needed and at the same time ensure it is user-friendly system.
 

Health care institutions such as the center I was working for employ the use of Server Database System enjoy many advantages that give them competitive edge over other healthcare institutions. One major advantage of Server Database System is that it saves time. Database stores and organizes data in a way it can be accessed in easily. This helps healthcare workers save time when retrieving data as they can do this in a very short time (Nicholas 01).

 

Another advantage of database is that they aid in communications. Large business organizations with more than one branch such as the health care facility I was working for can implement a central database that would be accessible to all employees. News and memos should be posted to this Server Database System making them available to all healthcare workers within the institutions quickly. This is a very effective communication. One can also argue that databases are more secure making it impossible for competitors and people with bad intention accessing important data of an organization (Nicholas 01).

 

Even though there has been Server Database System help people handle data and process it quickly, there still exists room for major improvements. One way to improve Server Database System is to ensure that they are much more secure (Nicholas 01). The rate of cyber attacks has been on the increase. Many of these attacks have been directed to business organizations databases. For the reason IT as a profession should come up with more secure Server Database System.

Work cited

Allan, Fisher. (2012). Choosing a Database for Your Organization:Desktop vs. Server Database Systems. Retrieved on 05 January 2013 from http://databases.about.com/od/administration/a/choosing_a_db.htm

Nicholas, Stephens. (2012). Server Database systems- Advantages & Disadvantages. Retrieved on 05 January 2013 from http://www.cl500.net/pros_cons.html

Vöckler, Jens-S. (1999). Database Implementation. Retrieved on 05 January 2013 from http://www.squid-cache.org/contrib/seafood/deliverable3.pdf

Analyzing Value of an Information System

E-Commerce & M-commerce

Organizations adopt and implement the concept of information systems in order to address the needs and goals within the market and industry. In order for the information used by organizations to be valuable and essential in the achievement of the goals, it must portray several attributes. These include completeness, accuracy, economical/cost effective, flexibility, reliability, relevancy, simplicity, currency, verifiability, accessibility, and security aspects in relation to implementation by the relevant business organization. There are several types of the information systems applicable in the context of modern organizations or business entities. Some of the valuable systems applicable in the context of business entities include E-commerce and m-commerce, TPS and ERP, MIS and DSS, and specialized business information systems.

E-commerce refers to any business transactions under the influence of electronics to enhance interaction between relevant entities. E-commerce facilitates interactions between companies, companies and clients/consumers, consumers and other consumers, business entity and the public sectors, and consumers and the relevant public sector. This is critical towards the achievement of the goals and objectives thus the aspect of developing competitive advantage within the market and industry. The organization has the opportunity to compete effectively in relation to effective and efficient application of the e-commerce concept in marketing and interaction with other entities. Mobile Commerce (M-commerce) refers to the application of wireless devices such as mobile appliances in the order placement and other transactions of business activities. Organizations have the ability to enhance their stock prices and market value through an extensive application of the e-commerce in the transactions of business and interaction with relevant entities within the market and industry. There is also the concept of electronic business (e-business) that refers to the application of information systems and internet in the execution of business-related tasks and duties.

Input

This refers to the concept of gathering and capturing raw data in order to initiate the process of developing information and valuable knowledge in relation to the market and industry. The organization has the ability to obtain data from the internet sources such as websites. This is through extensive monitoring of traffics of the website visitors. Organizations also have the opportunity to obtain data through the development of interactive websites or platforms thus the chance of inviting interaction from consumers and other relevant entities. This is possible through the aspect of internet and advanced technologies.

Processing

This refers to the conversion of raw data to useful or valuable information or output by the organization in the process of addressing the needs and requirements of the organizations and other entities during interaction. E-commerce and m-commerce enable organizations to process the collected data into meaningful output thus implementation to the concept of the business.

Output

Output in this context refers to the production or manufacturing of valuable information, usually in the aspect of documents and crucial reports to aid the efforts of the organization in meeting the demands of storage and referencing. E-commerce and m-commerce will enable the organization to store relevant information electronically thus applicable for future referencing.

Feedback

This refers to the information extracted from the information system applicable in the development of changes to the input or relevant processing activities. E-commerce and m-commerce are also applicable in the development of feedback in relation to the situation facing the organization. This involves application of the collected data into solving problems or challenges in relation to business aspects such as marketing and promotion. The organization also has the ability to improve its services and products through implementation of the feedback from the consumers or other interacting partners.

Hardware/Software

There is a selection of hardware and software items that a small company can use to extend the use of information systems into the mobile regime of work. Hardware items are the physical devices that will make this possible. They include a laptop, wireless modem and a smart phone.

The laptop is a light weight computer that is convenient to carry, has high processing power and high capacity batteries to store charge and allow use of the machine without constantly plugging into a mains power source. The features make it possible and convenient to move it around and carry out tasks from different locations. The plug in modem is portable and is enabled by an internet service provider to connect to the internet. The device facilitates internet connection from different locations to facilitate the exchange of data using the laptop. The smart phone can further extend information systems into mobile regime by facilitating voice communication and to some extent, data exchange.

The small company also needs a number of software to extend the use of information systems into the mobile regime of work. Software will help the user, and the computer/mobile phone to work together to perform a task. The operating system is the first software this small company needs. The operating system makes it possible for the user to perform operations using the computer or the phone. It is also required if the user intends to add other program to the computers. In the case of this company, other soft wares or program are required, and for them to be installed, the operating system must be installed first.

This company requires browsing software to access the internet. In this case of a mobile regime of work, the company needs the plug in modem that will work as the source of network for the internet as it is a portable hardware. These two items (browsing software and the modem, which is a hard ware) will enable the small company access to the internet. The company can reach more clients through the internet, and also get a chance to commercialize its products by creating a website where the world can read about the company and its products.

The company will also require a word processor. This software enables the user to enter text, manipulate or enhance the appearance of that text and finally come up with the final product. In this company, a word processor is required in the preparation of most of its office documents like letters and application forms.

This small company requires a spreadsheet software to help in organizing an analyzing its work. This software will also help in performing calculations involving the operations of the company. Other software this company requires are the database software for storage of data in a more organized manner, and also presentation software to enable them combine text and graphics in order to show them to a person or a group of people.

Zoho-spreadsheet

This spreadsheet shows weekly gross payroll for regular hours and overtime hours. It totals the weekly payroll. This will help the business Financially - costs of payroll & funds needed to transfer to payroll account, Managers can see how much overtime hours and the costs which the orginization will need also for overhead and/or operations costs.
Steps:
Create account with Zoho
Setup spreadsheet (input data and formulas, format spredsheet)
Make spreadsheet public on zoho (go to publish menu and embed)
Go into my blog and add url to blog.

Here is my revised spreadsheet:

https://sheet.zoho.com/public/toria1228/spreadsheet-rev

Gadget

The gadget I chose was translate.

The steps I took in order to add this gadget:

1. Click on add a gadget’

2. I browed through the choices and clicked on translate for a description.

3. I did a preview and then click save.

4. I then hit view blog to check it was on my blog and worked

Translate will let visitors translate your blog into different languages. I chose translate because I speak English and Spanish. This will help any of my family who chose to read my blog. So many people speak more than one language and English is not always there first language. This gadget will help those people and I believe could bring more readers to the blog.

Services Provided by Social Media Monitoring Companies

From the article, it is evident that the services that are provided by social media monitoring companies such as Alterian, Attensity and Visible Technologies involve the traversing of social media posts for comments by users on certain products or issues in society. For a businessperson, it would be important to note that this is an invaluable source of information with regard to product development, product planning as well as problem solving. Therefore, the business idea that would be proposed is to use the services of the monitoring companies during the launch of a new product into the market and involve individuals on social media to help improve the new product.

For example, my company would develop a new sun block lotion, release it to the public then use the services provided by Alterian to listen to what the customers and consumers have to say about the new product. In order to ensure that users of social media respond to the new product, social media marketing will be used to market the new product. This will involve marketing the product on social media websites such as Facebook or twitter. This will help attract a large number of consumers who will purchase the product. Once they have purchased the product, the business will carry out surveys to collect the views of the consumers. This is mainly because social media has helped create a two-way avenue through which consumers can be able to give their response about a new product. Based on the feedback that will be received from users, it is possible to improve the product in order to ensure maximum satisfaction. This on the other hand will help the company increase its profits as well as its consumer base.

Value Chain

A business involving selling of used CD music to other students will have a value chain with both the upstream and downstream sections. In addition, it is important to note that the product is already a finished product and therefore, will not involve any activities aimed at processing and production.

The business considered in this case study uses the internet as the interface connecting the consumers to the product (used CDs) and the means of payment to the supplier. It is an e-commerce enterprise. The storage of the products before they are sold and their delivery to the consumers is conducted physically. Therefore, this implies that marketing and customer factors need to be managed effectively in order to ensure that the business is a success.

Raw materials à Inbound logistics à Warehouse (storage) à Process control systems àoutbound logistics (distribution) à marketing and sales à Customer service

The value chain shown above will be implemented on the website that will be used to buy and sell the used CD music online. The raw material is the used CD music that will be bought from suppliers; the suppliers will upload the bought music on the website. The website will have an automated sorting and storage system that will process the bought music and categorize it for sale. Distribution of the bought music will be done via a customer website. This is where all the sorted and categorized music will be sold to consumers. Marketing and sales will all be conducted online and after customers have purchased music from the website they will be offered after sales services.

Services that support the value chain include human resource management, infrastructure, technology upgrading and procurement.