This article discusses social networks across the global and how important it has become to businesses conducting business internationally. The reason these social networks such as facebook and Myspace have become so dominate and important is because of the amount of users it has managed to draw in. There are many networks developed in different countries for example Bebo is a popular site acquired from AOL that is popular in the U.K., there is also Friendster which is very popular in Southeast Asia, and in China two popular patchwork social networks are 51.com and the portal tencent. One of the ways theses social networks impact international businesses is through there marketing. They have to establish a different stream of marketing techniques depending on the country the way that they conduct business there. They also have to take into account what networks are popular in each of the markets and also what groups of people are attracted to them. This helps them market to that particular group and network of people at that given country. Facebook has remained a dominant global position that cannot be dismissed with its amazing traffic and signups. Facebook strong position has caused other markets to lose grounds such as Orkut a social network operated by Google that has lost ground in India.
Relating this article to what we have discussed in this last chapter we see how international business is about taking in different cultures, conducting business in a different way and learning new ways. It takes a lot for a business to be able to operate abroad because of all the different policies they have to comply with but in the end if well executed it can be a major success. Businesses that take up social networks such as Facebook highly succeed because they take up the culture and likes of those people participating in those networks and learn how to market there business in that market. It gives them insight to what that country likes and this allows them come up with a strategy on how they present their product to that particular market.
Lamont, Ian (2009). Facebook Dominates Global Social Nets- For Now. Retrieved November 16, 2009. From PC World: http://www.pcworld.com/article/174293/facebook_dominates_global_social_nets_for_now.html
Windows 7 may be secure, but are windows users safe?
The article that I found for this chapter is about Microsoft’s new Windows 7. It discusses how this is Microsoft’s most secure software. Taking it nine years to come out all for the purpose of holding up againsts viruses, this new system had been put through various stress-tests to make sure it can with stand. It took a long time from it launch of its Windows XP to make sure this system could withstand more bugs than before. “Craig Mundie the man behind Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing initiative states, We’ve made huge progress with respect to security around the core OS technology in the Windows PC. But as we did that and the Net becomes more prevalent the bad guys continued to evolve their attacks.”
With most people using PC’s running on Windows they have been the most targeted with malicious attacks because there is a higher amount of people using this software. The way attacks take place are through customized e-mail messages that come with malicious attachments. “A report by congressional advisory panel found that targets are carefully selected, and then sent very believable e-mails with maliciously encoded attachments that exploit bugs in a product such as Adobe Reader — something that’s outside of Microsoft’s control. The victim opens the .pdf and suddenly attackers have a foothold on the network.”
Microsoft is working on developing a solution to this type of problem by improving the way people identify each other on the internet. It is taking an initiative with its Windows CardSpace identity management software. This software would allow people to get a better sense of who they are really dealing with on the internet but it is yet to be determined if the industry will run with this new software.
Relating this article to the chapter we see how Microsoft has taken 9 years to improve their software but going through the systems development life cycle. From planning, analysis, design, development, testing, implementing and maintaining. All these steps have been taken to make sure this trustworthy computing system can withstand more viruses.
McMillan, Robert (2009). Windows 7 may be secure, but are windows users safe? Retrieved November 10, 2009. From PC World: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/181894/windows_7_may_be_secure_but_are_windows_users_safe.html
This article discusses the new software by PhoneTopp that will be bringing Web conferencing to smart phones. PhoneTopp will be a subscription service that will charge $8 a month per meeting participant which is on top of the usual meeting-service charges. Currently Web conferences use tools such as Microsoft’s live meeting and WebEx these tools usually depend on desktop clients with this new software by PhoneTopp customers will be able to sign up to PhoneTopp which will then provide account information to their supported web conference service and then participants will download client software on their iphones or blackberry devices.
After participants download the software PhoneTopp will automatically be notified and provided with the phone numbers of invited participants. As the conference time comes up the mobile participant will receive the call will will launch the application and automatically enter them to the conference. PhoneTopp will support Adobe Connect, Live Meeting and WebEx this gives individuals the flexibility to conduct business off of the desktop and at any convenient location. The software is also going also allow its users to use PowerPoint presentations with interface features that allows them to navigate through the slides something that isn’t even possible on desktops.
This article relates to the top of video conferencing in the workplace. With the high rise of traveling costs more and more businesses are now turning to video conferencing in an effort to save money and time. By being able to communicate via video conferencing it faster and more convenient for all the participants to make a faster business decision without having to travel. This new software now takes the participants away from the desktop and gives its users the ability to connect from anywhere. Whether they are sitting at their child’s basket ball practice or waiting for their flight they can connect and conduct business as usual.
Arar, Yardena (2008). Coming soon to your smartphone Web Conferencing. Retrived November 04, 2009.http://www.pcworld.com/article/153703/coming_soon_to_your_smart_phone_web_conferencing.html
Microsoft Ties Dynamics CRM to Twitter
This article discusses how Microsoft has integrated customer relationship management (CRM) software with Twitter in an attempt to become a part of the very popular blogging site. The integration will be part of three new add-on modules which will catalog Twitter messages, and provide analytic tools. Dynamic CRM will boost sales by recording Twitter usersnames and converting them to CRM customer record or sales lead, that will include more data like phone numbers. What it will do is compile users information that can later be used to develop leads for other companies which Twitter will be able to use to sell and make more money for it’s company. At this time the new CRM integrations is only compatible with Twitter, but Microsoft plans to connects with other social networks soon. Microsoft’s move to connect with Twitter comes after an announcement made in March by rival CRM vendor Salesforce.com and a software company CoTweet which was formed around the goal of tapping Twitter’s potential for CRM. The other two CRM accelerators include a module that help customers manage sales opportunities along with partners and another for connecting Dynamics CRM systems to company portals. These modules can be downloaded at no charge and are currently available. As we discussed in chapter 9 CRM is essential to a company because of the ability to track a customers information and potentially use it a sales lead. At least for Twitter this is how CRM will benefit them it will create revenue as they start selling their CRM customer records to companies that could use the information to their advantage such as a Twitter user that blogs about looking for a new Toyota vehicle. Twitter could then turn around and sell that lead to Toyota that use it to create a sale from that customer.
Kanaracus, Chris (2009). Microsoft Ties Dynamics CRM to Twitter. Retrieved October 28,2009 from PC World: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/168163/microsoft_ties_dynamics_crm_to_twitter.html
This article is about the upcoming technology system mobile technology IMB (Integrated Mobile Broadcast) developed by IPWireless. IMB technology will open the door for more mobile TV channels and better picture quality. This new technology makes it possible to use more bandwidth per channel, along with allowing operators the ability to offer more channels to its customers. Mobile TV isn’t the only application that IMB can be used for, it also allow any application that needs to be sent to a lot of the same data to a large number of users the capability to do so. Along with this capability you’re also able to use digital radio, application and content downloads, as well as access internet services.
One of the downsides is that in order for IMB to work you phone needs to be equipped with an IMB chipset. To solve this problem IMB is coming out with an accessory that will be added to your phone. IMB decided to go this route instead of trying to get phone makers to include the chipset on the phones because they are looking for the right phones that can provided the services to support Q3 or Q4. Although it hasn’t been integrated into any phones yet some companies that are supporting the new IMB include: SingTel, Softbank, Telstra, T-mobile and Vodafone. By demonstrating the support of this companies we can see how this is something truly innovative that will be in high demand soon. As we learned in chapter 7 having a business will full online capabilities is very important now a days. By having a system such as IMB business are able to transmit more data at a faster pace and to larger amount of customers. By IMB providing more bandwidth the frequencies will allow for better picture quality of videos that you can send to customers or potential customers. Ricknas, Mikael (2009). Upcoming Technology Promises Improved Mobile TV. Retrieved October 7, 2009. From PC World: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/171667 /upcoming_technology_promises_i…
Singel, Ryan (2009). Goggle vs. Microsoft: What you need to know. Retreived September 30, 2009. From CNN Technology: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/07/15/google.microsoft.battle/index.html?iref=newssearch
Fried, Ina (2009). Windows Mobile 6.5 Phones coming Oct. 6. Retrieved September 1, 2009. From CNN Technology http://news/cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10322007-56.html?tag=newsLeadStoriesArea.1
