RAD: Rapid Application Development

Thomas Janovic

Info. Tech.

Week 13 Task 1

11 December 2011

Rapid Application Development

            “Rapid Application Development (RAD), is a process in software development that builds usable systems quickly (less than six months), without extensive planning.”[1] With the use of RAD, systems technicians can achieve rapid prototyping with very little planning efforts. RAD technology has been in existence for over 20 years and revolutionized the way software applications are built.

            A problem existed in the early 1970s where processing procedures were quite limited as far as time goes. The time it took to develop applications was failing to meet client requests mainly due to the fact that by the time software developers were able to complete the manufacturing process, the needs of the clients had already changed. In simple terms, software applications were not being produced fast enough to meet market demand. When larger products were finally completed, the main result was complete systems that were unusable.

            There was a major concern for dilemma and many developers tried to come up with a quick solution. “During the late 1980's Scott Shultz and James Martin refined the ideas of prototyping and iterative development into a methodology called Rapid Iterative Production Prototyping (RIPP) that focused on developing systems in a short time frame with small teams of highly qualified, motivated, and experienced staff.”[2] Shortly after, James Martin formalized this idea and in 1991, wrote the book “Rapid Application Development.”

            The major advantages to RAD are mainly speed and quality. Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE tools), which transforms the needed applications into a usable line of code, and Time Boxing are the tools needed to develop software applications quickly. The use of RAD ensures a low maintenance cost as well as a timely delivery of applications that meet the needs of the user(s). Some of the disadvantages to using this product are “Reduced Scalability” and reduction of features in the applications software. Reduced scalability means that the software app might not fit well with other information systems. Some of the newer more advanced features of the apps are pushed forwards to the development of future apps to ensure they are delivered in the required time. In the end, the business must decide for itself whether or not RAD fits their needs and meets the requirements of the organizations to help them effectively achieve their goals.

Works Cited

1. http://www.customapplicationdevelopment.org/rapid-application-development/what-is-rapid-application-development.html 
2. http://www.blueink.biz/RapidApplicationDevelopment.aspx

Management Information Systems and Decision Support Systems for Organizational Use

Thomas Janovic

Info. Tech.

Prof. Vengerov

11/16/11

MIS and DSS for Organizations

            MISs, management information systems, and DSSs, Decision Support Systems are highly effective tools for businesses and organizations to make better decisions which ultimately allows them to increase their competitive advantage and improve the organization’s overall success. Managers must not only have a complete understanding of the business they’re in and how to compete in the marketplace, but also should “understand how to use software tools, including DSS (decision support systems) and MIS (management information systems) to make the best decisions.”[1]

            MISs and DSSs grant managers and businessman of all industries entrance to a greater amount of information and data, improve their credibility, standardize information throughout the organization, and help businesses to become flexible and more adaptable. MISs and DSSs are two different things and their functions must be understood completely to achieve effectiveness for the firm as a whole. “A management information system (MIS) provides information needed to manage organizations efficiently and effectively, and is used to analyze operational activities in the organization through people, technology, and information.” [2] A “decision Support System (DSS) is a specific class of computerized information system(s) that supports business and organizational decision-making activities.”[3]

            The function of a MIS and DSS is to provide large amounts of information to managers in an understandable form so they can make intelligent decisions based on factual information and data. These systems provide ongoing support by analyzing the business’s performance on a regular basis, providing long-term trends and analysis of sales, costs, revenue, marketing, and equity, while updating the organizations financial information. A manager of decision maker may reorganize this information as they need to achieve the individual needs of the firm and produce various types of helpful documents such as charts, balance sheets, and graphs.

            There are many different types of DSSs and MISs to choose from which are individually based on the goals and objectives of the organization. Many of these systems are highly complex and expensive which may be needed by larger businesses with a heavier work load and bank account. However, there are also MISs and DSSs that are made for small and medieum-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well. The MISs many businesses use today are created to assist managers in all aspects of decision making, while DSSs are much more “narrow in scope” and focus more on the financial information of the org.

            Once these information systems are initiated into the organization they allow for a greater flow of information. Managers and executives in all branches of the business can create and share documents which will ultimately reach all areas of the firm, rather than just one or two. These systems require all users of the system to store and retrieve data using the same interface, allowing information to be accessed easier, decreasing the burden on employees of learning a new information system. Managers can now share this information with each other and since they utilize the same information system, can work together faster to come up with better business solutions.

Works Cited

1. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/mis-dss-benefits-company-15243.html
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Management_information_system
3. http://www.informationbuilders.com/decision-support-systems-dss

Methods of Decision Making: Kepner-Tregoe Method

Thomas Janovic

Info. Tech.

Prof. Vengerov

11/8/11

Decision Making Methods: The Kepner-Tregoe Matrix

            Decision making can be a person’s most vital weapon in the ways of the world. The many different types of decisions we make in our lives directly influences who we are as people. Some decisions can lead us to greatness and some can lead us straight into the gutter. Therefore, the decision making process we all experience thousands of times a day plays a crucial role in determining where our lives have been going, and more importantly where they are headed.

There are all different types of decision making methods in the world, many of which can be very helpful in determining how one makes his or her own decisions. One theory on decision making methods that was proven successful was that of Charles Kepner and Benjamin Tregoe in the 1950s. The Kepner and Tregoe Method was built on the notion that people could be taught how to think critically. “It is essentially a method for fault diagnosis and repair rather than for disorganized or systemic problem domains, or those where freshness of vision is essential.”[1] They believed their techniques could help people make unbaised, risk-assessed decisions.

This method is about making the best possible choice, not the most perfect one or the one that sounds the best. According to kepner-tregoe.com, “The Kepner-Tregoe approach is based on the premise that the end goal of any decision is to make the "best possible" choice.” One of the main ideas in this approach is to properly evaluate the important decisions you make while at the same time lessening the risk associated with it. This method instructs you how to set clear and precise goals or objectives, while attacking them from every angle, weighing the alternatives and deciding on the best route possible. Those alternatives must be weighed and compared with each other until one final solution is obtained. When a major decision is thought out in this manner it allows you to better forecast certain problems or obstacles that might present themselves at uncertain times and places. Those complications can easily be squashed if you have properly prepared yourself before hand, immediately allowing you to have control over the situation much better than you would have without the proper thinking techniques.

            The main objective in this approach is to help you to make unbiased, cold calculated decisions. Allowing your decisions to be made on emotions and/or gut-instinct will only hinder your decisions to be tunneled into your “pre-conceived beliefs or prior experiences.” Do not feel discouraged, this is the mold in which we were created. The Kepner-Tregoe approach is set up to limit that archaic, biased thinking and establish a more controlled and efficient thought structure, allowing risk analysis and goal prioritizing to rein supreme.

Works Cited

1. http://www.mycoted.com/Kepner_and_Tregoe_method
2. http://www.kepner-tregoe.com/AboutKT/AboutKT-History.cfm

B2C E-Commerce

Thomas Janovic
Info. Tech.
Professor Vengerov
10/30/11

Business to Consumer E-Commerce

Throughout the technological environment of the modern era a new form of commerce has emerged allowing people from all over the world to purchase goods and services over the Internet, or World Wide Web if you will, called E-Commerce. This new type of buying and selling has revolutionized the way consumers purchase goods and services, altering the whole aspect of how consumers and businesses interact. Business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce has come about due to this revolutionary idea of buying and selling online, in which “the conducting of commerce by companies, government agencies, and institutions is orchestrated with consumers over the Internet.”[1]
A typical example of B2C e-commerce is Amazon.com, which is one of the most highly competitive e-business in the world. Some other examples include Drugstore.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and InMotion.com. B2C e-commerce is not only commerce between businesses and people, but involves a whole array of procedures which includes customers collecting information on various types of products. There are two main categories of goods which can be sold online; physical or tangible goods (books, clothing, anything you can touch) and virtual goods (things which are sold electronically over the internet such as computer software, or e-books).
B2C e-commerce happens to be the earliest form of e-commerce as well as the second largest type of e-commerce. Purchasing tangible products or virtual products online aren’t the only benefits of B2C e-commerce. “The more common applications of this type of e-commerce are in the areas of purchasing products and information, and personal finance management, which pertains to the management of personal investments and finances with the use of online banking tools.”[2] The importance and economical values of B2C e-commerce are massive given that in the year 2000, $59.7 billion dollars was generated in revenue, which then climbed over $200 billion dollars by the year 2004.
There are numerous benefits to shopping online which may help consumers and businesses save crucial time and money, ultimately increasing the overall efficiency of the economy. B2C e-commerce helps to lessen transaction costs by allowing consumers to obtain information more quickly with less interference. Consumers are now able to compare the prices of different goods and services online to acquire the best price they are looking for with the click of a button, rather than traveling from store to store wasting valuable time and money. Benefits of B2C e-commerce not only apply to consumers, but also to businesses as well. The costs of creating an online store are much cheaper than building a physical brick and mortar structure, decreasing “market entry barriers.” The various online retailers who sell virtual or intangible goods are at an even higher advantage because they “save firms from factoring in the additional cost of a physical distribution network.”[3] For example, if an online distributor of applications software had to endure the process of creating physical storage devices to sell the applications software on and then distribute it to various locations, would be missing out on the benefits and reduced costs of allowing individual consumers to download the app. Software right from their web browser.
There are millions upon millions of products and services offered online, which metaphorically transforms your computer into the largest retail store imaginable, and it’s all made possible through e-commerce. B2C e-commerce has forever changed the way businesses and consumers interact, allowing both to save time, money, and valuable resources, which in turn improves the overall efficiency and speed of the economy.



Works Cited

1. http://www.digitsmith.com/ecommerce-definition.html
2. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/E-Commerce_and_E-Business/Concepts_and_Definitions
3. http://www.asaresearch.com/ecommerce/ecommerce_types.htm

Web Applications

Thomas Janovic
Info. Tech.
Prof. Vengerov
10/26/11
WEB APPLICATIONS

Web applications have been around before the World Wide Web was popular or heavily used by people throughout the world. Web apps started out quite simple in the beginning during the late 80s, and became much more complex into the 90s. Web applications are applications programs accessed over the internet or extranet. “Web applications are, therefore, computer programs allowing website visitors to submit and retrieve data to/from a database over the Internet using their preferred web browser.”[1] Any application that uses the browser as a client is considered a web application.
Web apps can as simple as a sign-in book on a website, or complex such as a word processor or spreadsheet. The term ‘client’ refers to the program a user utilizes to start the application. Web apps are beneficial to web programmers because they do not have to build a specific ‘client’ for a specific computer. Instead, the client runs in a web browser, allowing people with different computer or operating systems to run the program. “Web applications commonly use a combination of server-side script (ASP, PHP, etc) and client-side script (HTML, Javascript, etc.) to develop the application.”[2] The presentation of information is portrayed using client-side script while the storing and retrieving of the information is designated by the server-script.
Web apps fall into two general categories, presentation-oriented, and service-oriented. Presentation-oriented web apps are applications which create web pages where the user can interact. These types of apps contain many types of markup languages including HTML and XML. Service-oriented web apps “implement the endpoint of a web service.”[3] Common web apps used frequently today are webmail, online retail sales, and wikis.
Many web applications are vital for use in the world of business. Many software-based companies are reaching out to adopt a new strategy in which they provide web access to software previously distributed as local applications. Some of the web apps available may require a whole new browser-based interface or altering it to present the information in a logical manner. These programs are available as a monthly or yearly fee for using these software applications instead of downloading them onto your hard drive, which takes up space. An ASP (application service provider) is a company that uses this type of software strategy. Web applications are Software as a Service when used in cloud computing models. There are many business applications provided as SaaS and require a fee dependant on their usage or can be a fixed fee. However, while some web apps cost money, many of them are free to use.

1. http://openclassroom.stanford.edu/MainFolder/CoursePage.php?course=WebApplications

2. https://www.owasp.org/index.php/What_are_web_applications%3F
3. http://blogs.office.com/b/officewebapps/

Types of Networks

Thomas Janovic
Information Technology
Week 7 Task 3 Research
October 19, 2011

Types of Networks: LAN, WAN, MAN, and Area Networks

Computer networks are made up of interconnecting groups of hardware and computers, connected through communication channels, or telecommunications equipment, ultimately for the purpose of sharing valuable information and resources among users. “One popular method used to categorize the different types of computer network designs is by the criteria of their scope or scale.” [1] Networking types can be broken down into four basic categories including personal area networks (PAN) which is based on Wifi wireless network technology, local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN), and wide area networks (WAN). Other sub types of area networks include wireless local area networks (WLAN), storage area network/system area network (SAN), campus area network (CAN), and desk area networks (DAN).
Computer networks are established through a wide array of connected hardware and software devices, as mentioned earlier. “Computer networks can be established using different hardware structures such as Ethernet, optical fiber or merely using wireless connections.”[2] The most common media type used to establish a network connection would be an Ethernet cable. Ethernet cables work by physically connecting the computer hardware devices through a network of wiring.
The first types of networks to come onto the telecommunications scene were LAN and WAN. The rest have quickly emerged as modern technology has evolved, mainly based off of those two technologies. LAN, or local area network, is a type of area network which connects network devices and telecommunications equipment over small distances. “Local area network resides within a small geographic area.” [3] Some typical examples of where LAN may be utilized are in schools, office buildings, and homes. It is not uncommon for a building to have more than one local area network operating at one time. LANs typically run throughout a limited amount of space and are usually owned and overseen by a single person or organization. The most common mediums used in LANs are uncoated, copper wires, sometimes twisted together, although fiber optic cables are becoming a widely excepted medium as well. LANs can be built to connect personal computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, or even powerful mainframe computers.
WAN, or wide area network, is an area network which spans over large distances. The largest WAN known to mankind is the internet, which literally spans over the entire world. WANs happen to be collections of separate LANs, all connected and working together through “routers,” physical devices used to join multiple wireless or wired networks together. One major difference between the LAN and WAN network types is the fact that while LANs are typically owned by one person or organization, WANs are “under collective or distributed ownership and management.” [4] If a company has many offices in different cities, sometimes people will need information from another server located in another branch location. In this case, a WAN network may be designed and appropriated to mediate this informational communication problem. As mentioned before, LANs may become interconnected, forming a better information system and ultimately creating a wide area network. Whenever a user accesses the internet to gather data from servers geographically located in another state or country or makes a long-distance phone call, they are using a WAN. WANs also provide network connections across national borders in which international laws and procedures are designed to regulate the flow of electronic data, often named “transborder dataflow.”
Personal area networks, or PANs, are wireless networks which connect various forms of information technology devices close to one person. They can be connected using either a wired device or wireless connection. The geographic range a PAN may work on typically reaches 20-30 feet in distance. Through this type of network, a digital camera or portable printer may be attached to the laptop or HPC without the need for wires, ultimately allowing the flow of data to be less complicated and easier overall. Calendar appointments, email, digital photos and music transfers are all practical and common uses for personal area networks. A fantastic example of a PAN is Bluetooth, which has become the industry standard for mobile PAN communications.
Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) are telecommunications networks which connects users with their computer systems in an area spanning an entire city or a University, usually up to 50 kilometers in distance. MAN can connect separate LANs in a city and combine them to form one large dragnet of larger networks. MAN has a variety of practical uses in certain facilities such as banks, online reservation systems, and in some military operations. MANs are known for providing high speed data, voice and internet traffic, in various locations which improves the operational capacity of the organization using it. Even though MANs are larger than LANs, they are quite smaller than other networks such as WANs, which span over entire cities. Metropolitan are networks, in many cases owned by one large corporation or government organization.
All of the networks listed above can be established using a wired or wireless network, depending on personal or organizational goals. The most important purposes of networks are to share various types of data and files which pertain to a business’s goals. Networking provides a much more cost effective technique as well as provides more storage space for files of data among users. Through a web of interconnected area networks, businesses or regular people can enjoy the benefits of downloading complex and expensive software all at a reasonable convenience. Networks have eliminated communication problems nationally and in many circumstances have closed the communication gap over the entire globe.



Works Cited

1. http://compnetworking.about.com/od/basicnetworkingconcepts/a/network_types.htm
2. http://www.freewimaxinfo.com/computer-networks-types.html
3. http://www.utilizewindows.com/networking/networking-basics/64-types-of-computer-networks.html
4. http://www.sensible-computer-help.com/computer-network.html

Databases: Microsoft Access

Thomas Janovic
Info. Tech.
10/4/11
DB Research
Database Products: Microsoft Access

“A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form.”[1] However, not every collection of data is a database so to speak, usually the data used in the database is in some form used in the organizational sense, such as managing and manipulating the personal and contact information for millions of customers, for example. There are many different types of databases to choose from, each offering a variety of organizational and personal benefits, depending on the specific needs of the individual or firm. There are desktop databases, which “are oriented toward single user applications, and server databases, which are geared more towards multi-user activities on high-performance servers.” Many types of database products exist on the market today and have offered users an un-paralleled way of organizing information.
One of the most widely known and popular database products is “Microsoft Access,” which is a “relational database management system from Microsoft that combines the relationalMicrosoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software development tools.”[3] In simple terms, MA is a tool to effectively manage, store, and manipulate a person’s or firm’s data or information. It runs pretty cheap, around 100-150 dollars depending, which is great for business firms that cannot afford the more expensive database products. With MA, one can reference their information at any time, report it to other users, and analyze information, transforming it into something useful for the person or the business. Microsoft Access is mainly for those who do not have such high requirements for data processing and data storage, not to say that MA cannot handle large amounts of information. MA is typically needed to “help you overcome the limitations found when trying to manage large amounts of information in Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet applications.”[4] Navigation thought MA is very easy given the “graphical user interface.”
MA is commonly used on personal computers, however, can also be used through a network, where people from anywhere can have exchange information at a smooth and regulated flow. For small businesses, MA is a highly valuable tool, allowing users to manage personal information, also known as Personal Information Management (PIM). Many businesses use MA to collect and manage data on finances, human resources, employee relations, and other important genres of the business world. Nobody has to be an expert to use MA, and with the new database features, analyzing data and interpreting trends is easier than ever. Databases can be built faster and quicker than ever before using MA, as well as helping managers and business owners create better reports and business projects. People can also post their databases on the web, similar to what our class did in ZOHO. Adding your databases online can offer a variety of advantages, like viewing and editing them from the web on your mobile HPC or desktop. Another benefit to Access is it’s ability to import and export database information into other applications with ease including Microsoft excel, office, word, ect.
MA is available to everyone and makes organizational and personal life a lot easier when it comes to managing ones own information and data. “Whether your a large corporation, a small business owner, non-profit organization, or if you’re just looking for more efficient ways to manage your personal information, Access 2010 makes it easier to get what you need done more quickly with more flexibility, and with better results.”


Works Cited

1. http://databases.about.com/od/administration/a/choosing_a_db.html Choosing a Databse for Your Organization.
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/microsoft_access Microsoft Access
3. http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemld=1075422987&type=RESOURCES Benefits of Databases: Types of Database Systems
4. http://www.opengatesw.net/ms-access-tutorials/what-is-microsoft-access-used-for.html What is Microsoft Access Used For?
5. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access/access-2010-database-software-features-and-benefits-HA101809011.aspx Access 2010 Database Software Features and Benefits.


Answers to Questions

1. The newer versions of Access have newly introduced properties and many of the default settings have also changes such as formula applications for instance. Failure to investigate or update yourself on new information regarding MA can make a huge difference in the quality of database you create. Some of the problems with creating a new database are as follows. All the versions of Access, year 200 and later, have a property called “name auto-correct.” According to allenbrowne.com, “It tries to help users who rename a table field, so that queries, forms, and reports automatically recognize the new field.” One must turn off this app for each database you decide to create or a number of problems may occur with queries, forms, reports and it may not work with macros and code ect ect. For MA 2007 and later, it may be beneficial to uncheck the box “Enable Design changes for tables in datasheet view” when making different databases, depending on your specific tasks. Many of the default settings must be changed in some instances to get the most out of whatever the use is for your database.

2. Microsoft Access offers a huge competitive advantage in the business world, allowing that business to become more organized, and have a larger pool of data and information to draw from, which are used in the process of making important business decisions about the company’s future. MA allows a business to increase it’s efficiency, quality of service, and improving the work lives of it’s employees. Smart businessmen understand that competitive advantages can be attained with a highly advanced database management system tailored to fit their specific purpose(s). The reason MA is one of the most popular database management system products is because it allows customers of all educational backgrounds to cost-effectively solve many of their database problems. Organizations can analyze and interpret various forms of data using simple tools to get more done in less amount of time. Problems that can be solved using MA can be done so a lot cheaper than with alternate solutions, which in turn maximizes the organizations return on investment. Other advantages of MA include rapid application development, integration with other software such as excel and word, interfaces with many database formats, and generates reports in a more efficient manner. These other advantages can also help an org. gain a competitive advantage.

3. Although there are many advantages to using MA, lets not assume there is nothing Microsoft Access cannot improve on. For MA to stay on top of the list of database products it has to constantly evolve with new technology and consumer needs. For instance, Access is not ideal for Web Solutions. This means Access is not designed to make web sites and that the data access pages have limited use on intranets. There are also too many versions of Access and updating Access databases when updates are released is also challenging. There are certain programs that may be used to fix these problems, however, those features do not automatically come with MA. Access can also improve on certain security features for data and information protection. Even though MA is password protected, it doesn’t have the security features other SQL server or mainframe database systems have. The last thing I would suggest MA improves on is the size of certain databases on their program. There are databases on MA that are limited to 2 GB. If someone has data which exceeds the storage requirements, they cannot use Access to solve the problem entirely. Microsoft Access should allow for larger databases within their system to ensure that users with unusually large amounts of information can utilize their system.

Query Table 1

https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?OBJID=397013000000006113&STANDALONE=true&privatelink=1fca187f8e24a20286feba92ab00cc6a&WIDTH=400&HEIGHT=300&ZDB_THEME_NAME=blue&DATATYPESYMBOL=false&REMTOOLBAR=true

Hardware and Software for Mobile Businesses

Thomas Janovic

Info. Tech.

Week 3 Task 3

9/21/11

Hardware and Software for Businesses on the Move

            The technological age we live in today has unwittingly sparked an evolution of business that has reached far into our atmosphere, even in outer space. With today’s technology, people can now conduct their businesses anywhere in the world without having to deal with the limitations of traveling or physically being at a computer, thanks to the new innovative information systems we have today, such as satellites and the internet for example. Many new hardware and software devices have been created to supplement these revolutionary technologies and have expanded the mobile counterpart of the business world

            Businessmen/women have a variety of options to choose from when acquiring new hardware and software for business in the mobile regime. Devices such as cell phones and smart phones have become very popular throughout recent years. “A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone that combines the functions of a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a mobile phone.”[1] Smart phones can access the internet, providing a plethora of information databases right at your fingertips. Portable media players and digital camers are other useful features available on smartphones. USB ports are available on some brands of smartphones as well. This allows businesses to travel around with large amounts of important business data and information while taking up as much space as a pack of gum. IOS, Blackberry, and Android are all types of handheld mobile devices. There are many other hardware devices to accent smartphones such as mobile printers and bluetooth. Laptops, such as the Ipad, are another great way for businesses to operate and strategize on the run. Laptops might be a little larger than smartphones in most cases, however offer many more applications and storage devices.  

            Once the proper hardware is found, it is then time to find the best possible types of software needed to fulfill your personal business goals, whatever they might be. Different types of software usually either come with the phone or laptop or need to be downloaded. “Business software is generally any software program that helps a business increase productivity or measure their productivity.”[2] Accounting software is a great tool for businesses to record and process certain business transactions to organize payroll, finances, and other helpful facts. Microsoft office is an example of software used on mobile devices which offers many useful applications to help a business with its financing, decision making, data interpretation, and operating systems through Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Microsoft OneNote is another feature of microsoft office which allows you to take notes for referencing later on. “There is another type of software that helps businesses called Human Resources Software,  in which the system records basic demographic and address data, selection, training and development, capabilities and skills management, compensation planning records and other related activities.”[3]

            There are so many more hardware and software devices businesses may utilize to improve their business or achieve their goals out of the office. Most software on desktop pcs is now able to fit within the handheld mobile devices of this generation. Therefore, busineses have more tools than they need to manage, operate, and lead like never before.

Works Cited

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphones Smartphones.
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_software Business Software’
3. http://www.sybase.com/products/allproductsa-z/m-businessanywhere M-Business Anywhere.

Business Information Systems

Thomas Janovic

Info. Tech.

Week 2 Tasks

9/18/11

Business Information Systems: Electronic and Mobile Commerce

            Most people have come across different sorts of business systems throughout their life. Many of these business organizations thrive on the proper type of electronic systems such as software designed for mobile commerce or processing transactions, and are used in pretty much every aspect of the business world. Electronic and mobile commerce has been on of the most revolutionizing methods of communication in the world, used by nearly all businesses, and is one of the most important information systems available.

            Many people have heard the term “E-commerce,” whether it is on TV or in the newspaper. Business transactions made electronically either from business to consumer, business to business, or consumer to consumer are all examples of e-commerce. This system offers a cheap way for businesses to market and sell their product in a global market at a very low cost, rather than being subject to the limitations of geographical location. This idea has now taken flight and with technology today, people can conduct their business, make or change orders, or go online with a click of a button on their I-phone or laptop anywhere in the world. This is referred to as mobile commerce. Wireless devices such as phones, laptops and other mobile electronic equipment are essential for a company’s success and are great tools for businessmen/women to use so they do not have to be 10 places at once. E-commerce provides a uniquely efficient way to balance and save time. Now that entire business processes are automated, that extra time that was saved can now be put to another use to benefit the company.

            Not only does e-commerce save useful amounts of time and money, it can also increase a company’s stock prices and market value. Going even further, there are many businesses that are completely internet and IS-based called E-businesses, in which all business related tasks such as accounting, accounts receivable, or human resources are accomplished through business information systems.

            Information systems such as e-commerce or m-commerce involve various inputs, processing and outputs, which then provide adequate and informative feedback on whatever task one may be attempting to tackle. For example, an Ipod or mobile phone must have a network connection to access the internet. Once the device has a proper connection the person adds input such as book orders, a text to a friend, or an email to a loved one in another country. When the information, or input, is given, it starts to get processed into meaningful information. Imagine if you received a text from your friend in computer code. When the information is processed it becomes output. Through this process one may attain positive or negative feedback about the process.

            Business information systems such as e-commerce and mobile commerce serve as an extraordinary way for people to communicate and run their business through the most effective and efficient ways possible. It allows for a much more organized society and culture, as well as a newly evolved way of completing tasks that normally would have taken a day or two with conventional methods.  

Value Chain

Thomas Janovic

Info. Tech.

Week 2 task 3

9/18/11

Value Chain

3. You have decided to open an internet site to buy and sell used music CDs to other students. Describe the value chain for your new business.

Upstream Management

Raw Materials

-         There will be no need for raw materials in this case because my company’s products are used CDs, not new ones. The CDs will be acquired from various sources such as music stores that are going out of business or we can buy up collections of used CDs from different vendors in the area. We will devise a technique to encourage people to mail in their old or unwanted CDs and maybe offer something to them such as a discount for the website or even a cash prize. Going from dorm room to dorm room might be time consuming but may be an effective technique nonetheless.

Inbound Logistics and Tracking Systems

-         The CDs that are being collected and shipped to us will have tracking devices on them so we know when they were shipped, from where they were shipped, and the arrival time of the product to our warehouse. Every single bit of information is crucial, especially time, in managing the arrival of products. It would help us to know when the product will arrive to ensure our customers receive the CDs in a timely manner.

Warehouse and Storage

-         Since the company is internet-based, a warehouse of some sort will either have to be rented/leased or purchased to store the used CDs. Locating a warehouse or storage facility with a reasonable price and enough storage space will be essential. The used CDs will be shipped to the warehouse facility location where they will be sorted and stored for future purchasing. The products will also be shipped out to consumers from this location. All this will be accomplished with a computer-based IS.

Production

-         Since nothing here is manufactured by our company, there will be no need for a manufacturing plant or facility. However, our company will need to process and enhance the CDs to make them suitable for sale. Our company will build a separate compartment in the warehouse specifically designed for the purpose of cleaning and repairing old or worn out CDs. Once the compact discs are cleaned and working properly, they will be re-packaged and labeled for sale via an automated computer printing apparatus.

Downstream Management

Finished Product and Storage

-         Once the newly furnished CDs are packaged and ready for shipping, they will be placed in a clean, temperature controlled room to protect them from water damage or any other danger. There will be an automated system in which products will be stored and retrieved with the use of a highly advanced IS. The time to single-handedly look through hundreds of thousands of CDs is a daunting task to say the least. Retrieving and storing CDs will be done in a flash with our new IS. The CDs will be stored alphabetically to prevent any confusion.

Outbound Logistics

-         CDs shipped from our warehouse location will reach customers as fast as possible with today’s most effective shipping methods. USPS and UPS will be used depending on size of orders and shipping costs. There will be tracking devices on the boxes similar to those of CDs coming into the warehouse. Customers will be able to access our website and browse information about their order that is being shipped to them. They will be able to know how much more time it will take to be delivered as well as the exact time and date it left the warehouse. If something goes wrong with the shipment, at least the customer knows the company is not at fault.

Marketing and Sales

-         Though our website, we will team up with other colleges to effectively market our product. Colleges we decide to get on board will provide a convenient link on their homepage for their students to access. Flyers, as well as paper mail will be used to get our company name into the public. For new users, we will have a one time discount to intrigue people to use the site at least once or twice. Loyal customers will receive free CD cleaning for music CDs, video games, and information CDs that have been scratched, worn out, or unreadable. We guarantee all our products or they get their money back.

Customer Service

-         As said before, customers will be able to view their order on the website and be able to know when the package arrives. Our website will contain a customer service compartment where customers can provide valuable feedback from our products and services. There will be an educated staff available via telephone most hours of the week. Surveys will be mailed out to all customers who have bought CDs which will include a section where customer service, arrival time, and website accessibility will be rated.

Information Concepts

Thomas Janovic

Info Tech

Week 1: Task 3

9/7/11

Information Concepts: Data, Information, Knowledge, and their Processes

            When I hear the words data, information, and knowledge, I automatically throw them into the same category due to the fact that the words are so similar in nature. Especially in the world of business, data and information go hand in hand so often they are thought of as meaning the same thing. However upon further scrutiny, these words can be quite different in specific ways, each having their own precise definition. In this paper I will start to identify the similarities and differences between these commonly used words and describe the processes in which they are engaged.

            The actual definition of data, as Wikipedia.com puts it, is “qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables.”[1] When I think of the word data, I see sets of numbers racing across the computer screen like that movie, The Matrix. However, data doesn’t always have to be numbers. Nor is there only one type of data. “Raw data, i.e. unprocessed data, refers to a collection of numbers, characters, images or other outputs from devices that collect information to convert physical quantities into symbols.”[2] Put simply, other certain types of data include image data, audio data, video data, and alphanumeric data (numbers, letters, ect).

            Information is the next step in the process of how data, information, and knowledge all fit together. For data to take on any meaning in our lives, we should be able to extract information from it. This grants data a much higher meaning beyond its numeric value. This data is now transformed into an idea in our minds, or information if you will. Information can be defined as “data that has been interpreted so that it has meaning for the user.”[3] So you see, data are the raw facts taken from any specific medium, which can be interpreted in any given fashion to produce a piece of information.  Now that we have this information, we are on to knowledge.

“Knowledge is what we know. Think of this as the map of the World we build inside our brains. Like a physical map, it helps us know where things are – but it contains more than that. It also contains our beliefs and expectations. “If I do this, I will probably get that.” Crucially, the brain links all these things together into a giant network of ideas, memories, predictions, beliefs, etc.”[4] Data and information are the first two processes in which our brain utilizes to create knowledge. Knowledge comes third in the process after data is turned into information. However, for something to be considered as knowledge there must be methods in which the data or information is patterned to create truth or it has to be undisputable. Nobody can consider something to be a piece of knowledge if there is even a slight chance that information is erroneous. Taking the time to extricate the facts not needed in whatever endeavor you might be on is a fantastic way to use knowledge to process data to information.

            To provide a conclusive understanding it always helps to hear an overall example of the processes.  An example online goes as follows “the height of Mt. Everest is generally considered as "data", a book on Mt. Everest geological characteristics may be considered as "information", and a report containing practical information on the best way to reach Mt. Everest's peak may be considered as "knowledge". [5] In conclusion, hopefully we have a better understanding of what these words mean and the processes by which each can be put together to achieve a goal.

WORK CITED

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data, DATA

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data,   Meaning of Data, information and knowledge

3. http://searchdatamanagement.techtarget.com/feature/Defining-data-information-and-knowledge Defining data, information, and knowledge

4. http://www.infogineering.net/data-information-knowledge.htm, The Difference Between data, Information, and Knowledge.

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data

Thomas Janovic

Thomas Janovic

Info. Tech

Week 2 Task 4

9/18/11

Decision Support Systems

There are wide varieties of information systems (IS) available to many different businesses and users. Once systems such as TPSs and ERPs were created and devised to reduce costs and personnel, it gave way to a newly made system called DSS, or decision support systems, which integrated the two information systems and helped business professionals and managers become better decision makers. Many areas throughout all types of businesses were improved with this new system which include marketing, human resource management, and administration.

            Managing or owning and operating a business can be difficult, therefore some businesses use highly advanced information systems, such as a DSSs to analyze and interpret data to make the most educated and responsible decisions possible. Decision support systems are vital to upper level management and are still being considered as a vital resource in the further development of information systems. “Decision Support Systems (DSS) are a specific class of computerized information system that supports business and organizational decision-making activities.”[1] DSSs were first realized in the early 1980s once computer experts discovered the decision-making properties information systems had to offer and soon implemented the first support systems that businesses could use for various purposes.

DSSs are used at different categories in the hierarchies of business infrastructures.  According to Wikipedia.org, “DSSs serve the management, operations, and planning levels of an organization and help to make decisions, which may be rapidly changing and not easily specified in advance.”[2] Any certain type of DSS will include different model components such as a model base to support decisions, a large database of raw data and information, and a set of systems and procedures used to help the user interface with the DSS. Different sorts of databases on a given DSS will be managed by certain types of software, however, this may not be true for all decision suport systems.

            DSSs may be used to gather information from all the company’s resources to decide whether it is feasible or not to embark on a new business venture. Resources from outside the firm may also be used in determining whether or not a business should expand or take on a new market.  “The DSS will collect and analyze the data and then present it in a way that can be interpreted by humans.”[3] This type of IS can also be used to analyze certain data collections, compare and contrast sales figures for different times of the present and previous years, and construct forecasts for future sales trends. DSSs have been said to be so complex and advanced that they somewhat resemble the technology of artificial intelligence, or A.I. One’s efficiency as well as their decision making abilities will become enhanced when utilizing certain types of DSSs. Other beneficial applications of DSSs include improved control and problem solving within certain types of businesses, a “competitive advantage”[3] over competitors, and helps lessen the requirements or duties of management personnel.

            Although information systems tend to be costly at times, they happen to perform some of the most important business functions such as helping a business gain an advantage over the competition, providing training for office personnel, and helping the business grow with new statistics and fresh interpretations of data and information. Everyone can benefit from decision support systems no matter what part of the country they are from or how large or small their business may be.

Works Cited

1. http://www.informationbuilders.com/decision-support-systems-dss , Decision Support Systems DCC (Definition.). I-way Software

2.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision_support_system Decision support system.

3. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/decision_support_system.html Webopedia, Decision support system.