Business by Smartphone Smartphones are taking the business world by storm. Every businessperson today has the ability to check, monitor, and receive instant updates about their business by touching the screen of their phone. The most popular smartphones that you see on the market today are the Blackberry and iPhone. Both have similar capabilities and functions, but differ in the way they can be applied to business. Blackberry has its advantages in business due to the different type of software it uses. Microsoft is the producer of this technology and with its strong security and synchronizing abilities, many businesses chose this phone. Apple on the other hand has a larger share of the non-business market, but has its potential and functions for business as well. With comparable 3G networks, both companies are on the cutting edge of revolutionizing business. Smartphones allow individuals to work on the go and have every bit of information they need at the swift move of a finger. The ability to buy and create applications to suit each users needs, smartphones are beginning to transform the way business is conducted forever. Many phone companies allow people and business to create personalized applications to suit their needs. For example, Break Down Way, a guitar lesson learning application, allows people to download the application and immediately access thousands of different lessons from their iPhone. The creator of this application, David Wolf, plans to give people a free sample of his application so that people can see the advantages of learning guitar without an actual instructor. Subscribers of the application can view and study different lessons by various artists such as Jorma Kaukonen from Jefferson Airplane and Michael Falzarano from Hot Tuna. While Wolf awaits his application approval from apple, he hopes to join the application buying frenzy and stay in touch with the vast expanding possibilities of technology. These technological advances of Smartphones and applications are affecting the business world at an alarming rate. Business are now using the capabilities of their smartphones and developing ways that increase the efficiency of their operation and communication. Now business people are able to access more personal information than every just by accessing their handheld phone. This allows employees and executives to closer manage and monitor their operations and find problems as soon as they occur. The integration of Smartphones into business would not be possible if it wasn’t for the application creating software that allows businesses to construct, test, and use applications that are solely created for their particular use. These types of applications are beneficial to large and small business, but give small business the ability to do things that only large operations were able to do before. Simple applications not only allow companies to improve internal operations and communication, but more important with the customer. Many companies have application that allows customers to view their accounts, inventories, sales, and much more from the creative application that the company created. These applications allow customers to stay informed and up to date with current news and information from their Smartphone. According to an online source, “Apple sold 1.5 billion apps during the App Store’s first year and 5.2 million iPhones during the company’s fiscal third quarter”(Ransom 2009). The application and smart phone craze is catching on so rapidly for many reasons. Individuals want to have all of their information at the touch of their fingers, and all of those who refuse to conform to the consumers want and needs, they will have an insecure future compared to those who jump on the application/smartphone bandwagon. Technology is transforming the way we live our lives every single day. In business and in our every day lives, Smartphones are rapidly finding new and clever ways to keep us informed and connected to the world at all times. The future only holds more possibilities for the Smartphone’s capabilities and only time will tell how well it will all work. Business is imminently being transformed to adapt to the times, it is up to each business to keep on the cutting edge of consumer wants and needs so that they can become sustainable throughout the future.
Resources:
Jason Hiner. “Sanity check: Five upgrades that make the iPhone 3G enterprise-ready”. July 11th, 2008. http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=781&tag=content;leftCol
DIANA RANSOM. Smartphone Apps Fuel Business. August 20 2009. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125071635069144197.html
Green IT Can Save Money, Too By Sophie Curtis
This particular article talks about how businesses can go green, even during a recession, and still save money. Many executives, especially CIO’s and CFO’s, will argue on the contrary. During times of recession it makes sense to cut costs wherever possible, and the first usually to go is the budget for implementing greener technologies. Although there is much truth to this argument, this article offers a different point of view in which it is possible to go green and save even more money. In many technology driven companies, datacenters are the biggest wasters of energy. According to the article nearly 50 percent of companies energy usage comes from the data center and much of that is wasted. This is a result of not using the full capacity of devices in a given workplace and having the power on when no one is operating a machine. A lot of energy could be saved if a little internal control is implemented into operations so that the environment can be saved. Going green might cost a little money now, but the long-term effects can be substantial. It seems senseless to spend lots of money on new systems during a recession, but the amount of money saved annually can trump the short-term savings many businesses are reacting to today. Energy and emission reduction is a big issue for our future so regulation and change needs to happen now to save our environment. It is going to take a widespread effort in order to combat the environmental issues of today, but the idea of a greener future is a huge step in the right direction.
Resource:
Sophie Curtis. “Green IT Can Save Money, Too”. Provided by silicon.com—Driving Business Through Technology.2009. http://bx.businessweek.com/green-computing/view?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessweek.com%2Fglobalbiz%2Fcontent%2Foct2009%2Fgb20091030_246576.htm
SAP is a global software management company that is a leader in CRM technologies for companies in more than 26 industries. SAP focuses on gathering the most amounts of information that is available and put it into programs in order to give a summary of the market. Businesses use CRM to aid their most valuable asset, the customer, to better cater to their needs and wants. SAP CRM not only takes a look at short term imperatives, but also helps in the decision making process, both short and long. This particular software is can analyze information and give a feedback for any sector of a business such as sales, marketing, or service. SAP is a leading software developer due to their customer service standards and overall software quality. Many businesses choose SAP CRM software because of their ability to apply their software and customize it to each business so that it can be used to its best ability. I think that CRM technologies is vital to every business today in order to keep their customers satisfied, therefore a smart choice on which software to implement and use in your business is key to its longevity and success.
Kendal. Balancing Today’s Needs With Future Imperatives. 2009. http://www.sap.com/solutions/business-suite/crm/index.epx
Chapter 10: Enterprise Resource Planning and Collaboration Systems
This article explains and defines the uses of ERP systems in a business. The article begins by explaining the reason behind ERP software and the advantages it has for a business if implemented correctly. ERP software is the idea of integrating all parts of a business, weather it is sales, HR, marketing, or service, ERP software has the ability to give a company feedback at every step of the customer relation process. The consolidation of many systems into one allows all aspects of a business to converge and share their information so that the best decision can be made. ERP is used at every part of the buying process in which the customer is catered to their wants and needs. The customer is the most vital aspect to any business so any and every bit of information to further satisfy them is key in growing a business. Business can use ERP technologies to make their operations have more fluidity and receive higher results. ERP systems can be very complex and hard to implement, therefore correct system choice and proper implementation into an operation is necessary for success. If a business can successfully integrate and use an ERP system, then they can please their customers and plan for the future, and in the end remain prosperous.
Resource: Thomas Wailgum. ERP Definition and Solutions. 2008. http://www.cio.com/article/40323/ERP_Definition_and_Solutions
Chapter 9: Blog The article I found titled The Future of CRM Technology explores the up and coming possibilities of CRM in small and mid sized businesses. This article talks about how personalizing and adapting the services of a company to each and every customer is vital in maintaining customer satisfaction on the highest level. The article begins by setting up a situation where newly developed technology can assist a company with useful information that they can use to further help the customer. This situation involves a bank system that can recognize the customers face as they walk into the branch and provide the automated teller with information of interests and plans as to which the customer finds to be very useful. The system is able to see past purchases and financial history as well as hobbies and other aspects so that they can offer attractions or products based on individual customer interests. All the technology that the article mentions is already developed and used in some areas of business. Many of these changes that small to mid sized business will experience within the next three to five years according the article. The article explains that all the technology is already developed and just needs to be put into operations. Technology is changing the way business is conducted everyday and it is up to those who can remain current and up to date on the newest and most effective ways to meet customer needs to remain successful. In the near future technology is going to have an even greater effect on how we go about life, and is only going to increase as time goes on. At this rate customers will have all the power in the way business is directed and conducted.
Information Management.The Future of CRM Technology.Information Management Magazine, July 2003. http://www.information-management.com/issues/20030701/6949-1.html
An interesting article that I found titled “How clouds can change management”; talks about how technology is changing the way operations are being conducted in business. Jeremy Burton, the CEO of Serena Software, is and individual that gives testimonial to these claims. With the advancement in technology, business is becoming easier and more convenient to manage. One of the ways this becomes possible is through the use of smart phones and hand held devices. CEO’s and other individuals of company’s can easily view and analyze the performance of their company on a live update basis via smartphones or other wireless devices. This changes the way in which many people conduct business because it allows for more useful and available information at the fingertips of the executives. This also gives them the advantage of fixing any problem right when it happens rather than viewing them on a weekly or even monthly basis. This also allows for people to be more productive and multi-task when working. They are able to travel and be in meetings and still be able to stay connected to their company. “This can be a great management tool, but it requires a change in attitude,” says Amy Wohl, an independent technology strategy consultant to corporations. This change in attitude is one that Jeremy Burton describes as well. He moves on to say that it is more about building relationships with your employees and staying up to date on what is going on within the company. The information is there, it’s just about being productive and putting it to use effectively. This article made me realize how many businesses are converting to technology driven and based operations because it increases efficiency as well as productivity. Technology has made information more available than ever, it’s just up to the executives if they can use the information in the correct way.
Resource: Anonymous. Business week. June 4, 2009, “How Clouds Can Change Management”. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_24/b4135045945657.htm
Blog: Chapter 6 Can Oracle’s Database 11g deliver? Every year the demand for faster and more efficient databases grows substantially. Companies such as Oracle, who make databases and software for companies, are feeling the pressure to keep up with the fast pace times. Oracle introduced the 10g database just a couple of years ago and it is already too small. Companies are doing more transactions and analyzing more information than ever; and Oracle saw an opportunity for growth with in their database market. The new 11g database is the answer to this information storage problem. Oracle claims that with the new and easier to install database, that people will be able to store, analyze, view and access more data faster than ever. This is also innovative because as the database gets bigger the price is getting lower, helping companies out with costs. Security has always been an issue for companies who are skeptical of using databases as such, but Oracle says that there are no worries because the new system is bullet proof. With the enhanced “lockbox” security on the new 11g system, companies can be worry free of their data. Not only will this system be on the cutting edge of technology and the most desirable system available, the 11g will also be a large portion of the companies success in the next couple of years. The article addresses the idea that Oracle will increase their sales by 20 percent with the release of the 11g system, and in turn increase stock margins. The leaders of Oracle found an innovative way to keep their company afloat during these hard economic times. With this release of the 11g database system, companies are able to keep up with the availability of data as well as translate it into constructive forms in order to make good decisions. Overall this system will improve efficiency of businesses as well as the longevity of Oracle itself. This relates to chapter 6 because it shows the ever changing need for companies to be needing new forms of technology to process information and continue to make good business decisions. This is just one example of how companies are becoming more and more reliant on databases and if the demands aren’t met, then more problems will arise.
Aaron Ricadela. Can Oracle’s Database 11g Deliver?. Business week. 2009. http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2007/tc20070711_640213.htm
The art of mobile technology The article I found talks about different uses cell phones have and new applications to help users learn and find new things and places around big cities. The two programs these article talks about are called yellow arrow and murmur. Yellow Arrow is a program that allows people to put yellow post it notes shaped in the form of yellow arrows around cities and offer their thoughts on certain locations and areas. For example, if there is a yellow area on a coffee shop where you are then you can read what the person or business wrote about the coffee shop and read other reviews as well. This allows people to see how the place is before going in and trying it. This program makes it easy for cell phone users to find new and exciting places around big cities such as New York, Detroit and many other big cities that would otherwise be hard to learn about them. There are also numerous limitations of what a user or business can post on the yellow arrows but it is a way for people to expand and go outside of their usual norm. The other program is called murmur. This program allows people and or cities to put ear shaped icons on your cell phone screen for locations that might have a historical or informational importance or a city. When a person clicks on this icon they are able to listen to what the murmur has to say about the monument or other things of importance that most would take years to learn living in a large city. Both of these programs have already been implemented in many countries in Europe and are making a mark here in the U.S. More and more cell phone users are able to access information and read about certain aspects of their cities that they would have otherwise not noticed or never learned about. This also serves an even bigger role for new travelers and tourists who are looking for a good restaurant or just want a little historical information about the place they are in without having to listen to a tour guide. These programs are a perfect example of how cell phones are becoming more integrated into our lives and making information more accessible to the touch of a finger. I think that this is just the beginning of the cell phone phenomenon we are going to witness in the following years. Pretty soon we will be able to do anything from our phones and become less attached from the world around us.
Resource: Stacey M. Perlman, Globe Correspondent. Boston Globe. April 18. http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2005/04/18/the_art_of_mobile_technology/
Blog: Chapter 5
New information system will improve service in human resources This article fits perfectly with chapter five because it talks about how a division of Human Resources within a business or school can use a new type of information system to cut cost and monitor operations more closely. This Upgraded Human Resource Information System (HRIS) is implement to monitor its employees and also to map out its strategic plan. Almost all of companies spending is going to paying its employees to do the job of systems, and are less efficient. The article describes that it cannot have the entire company in the click of a mouse due to regulations from external agencies but systems such as HRIS is a useful way to monitor changes and cut costs whenever possible. emPath is an example of this type of information system. emPath is a form of HRIS, which allows a company to compile and sort through much data and be able to form new solutions to better efficiency. Most of these programs are web based so that anyone of its users is able to access the information from any computer rather than having everything centralized in one location. The training for systems like emPath can be very minimal but these systems take time to be implemented into a company. Overall it is evident that information systems in necessary for creating better efficiency within a business. Any company that was to sustain their life is using technology to their advantage. With the advancement in technology, there are many other issues that evolve and must be dealt with to maintain security. Technology can be our best friend but also our worst enemy if we are too reliant.
India is one of the largest under developed countries in the world today. With underdevelopment and lack of technology come many hardships for the large population of India. One of the biggest problems they have is in their health care system. In many rural and urban areas the hospitals are way under financed due to government neglect as well as systematically ran inefficiently due to lack of technology and resources. This problem largely stems from many Indians not being registered in the government and therefore not having any form of identification. This causes problems for over crowded hospitals because they have no way of tracking and monitoring its patience effectively. Bill Gates, CEO of Microsoft, proposed the idea of solving their health care issues with the simple use of inexpensive technology. Many attempts have been done in a way by the Indian government, but all have been unsuccessful due to lack of widespread literacy and unreliable resources. Gates proposes the idea of the National ID project where he wants to set a system that will document each Indian citizen and put it into a program, which will give people ID cards. The hope is to help hospitals and citizens easily identify each other more quickly as well as reach out to the lesser-developed areas. Another way in which Gates wants to improve the quality of life in India is to bring text messaging to Farmers. This might seem like a far-fetched idea, but Gates is adamant about it. He feels that if farmers are able to communicate via text messaging, they can easily and quickly find out prices of their goods in other areas and therefore have a better idea when negotiating with middlemen. The article moves on to say that the problems within India run a lot deeper than this. It is a result of many decades of corruption and governmental neglect. Also it is not a problem that can be fixed with the use of technology, but many say it is a step in the right direction. There has been no negative thought about this plan by the Indian government because they think it would be an innovative way to solve many of their countries issues. This goes to show that technology has the ability to improve the quality of life not only in developed areas but underdeveloped areas as well. We can see that IT is a dynamic sector and with pioneers such as Gates this world can become a smaller and more efficiently ran society.
Chapter 4 Blog: Information Security and Microsoft’s efforts Microsoft’s Security Essentials Hits Back at Hackers Security of personal information through the Internet has been a problem ever since the Internet was invented. These systems that are built to be flawless and safe always turn out to have one or two ways in which they can be breeched. Companies such as Microsoft are working diligently in order to try and protect its users personal information from hackers. As the article explains, no matter how flawless and tight of an operation and code you put together, there is always a new loophole that becomes the problem of complete security. Microsoft is now taking steps in creating new Antivirus and firewall software, which is free, to protect its users from unethical internet hackers. In years past, Microsoft has been selling these kinds of software for computers, but has realized that people just simply don’t want to pay for such products. Therefore in order to combat this problem and find a secure way for people to effectively use the Internet, Microsoft is now giving free samples of this product away. Although Microsoft and many other companies are working diligently to find and create programs that will one day be flawless, there is still the room for hackers no matter how good their products are. One day Microsoft hopes to have it all figured out so that all users on the Internet can have peace of mind without the worry of getting their personal information stolen by hackers.
Wildstrom is Technology & You columnist for BusinessWeek. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_38/b4147076993366.htm
Chapter 2 blog: Wipro on the cutting edge of Information Systems I found an interesting article on business wire about a company that dominates the business outsourcing technology. Wipro limited is an Indian conglomerate of many dynamics that deal with offering companies programs and services to improve their overall success. These programs and services range from application development, enterprise systems implementation, networking, systems integration, and technology consulting services. Wipro is the world leader in offshore business process outsourcing services due to its diversity and innovation of information systems for today’s businesses. Many businesses us companies such as Wipro in order to keep up with the demands of information processing as well as their overall efficiency within. They are able to use their research and development team to work hand in hand with companies, such as insurance firms, in order create and use their technologies in the most effective and efficient way. An example of their services is in the insurance claims business. Insurance companies are always searching for newer and more efficient ways to decrease costs and speed up time of claims so that they can remain competitive and lower premiums of customers. Wipro has worked with many different insurance providers such as IBU Insurance AIG, Farmers etc. in order to create a system that best fits their needs. Wipro is on the cutting edge for the use of information systems in today’s business world. Computers run everything these days therefore Wipro has a huge advantage for success in the future. They are a company that is constantly evolving as well as looking for new innovative ways to use their abilities and expand them to as many sectors as possible. Overall they are helping many struggling companies with their glitches and flaws in order to run a more efficient and productive process, which in turn creates revenue and success.
Resource: Anonymous. Business Wire. New York: Feb 24, 2009. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1650767061&sid=3&Fmt=3&clientId=17845&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Chapter 1 Blog: Technology to Reform India India is one of the largest under developed countries in the world today. With underdevelopment and lack of technology come many hardships for the large population of India. One of the biggest problems they have is in their health care system. In many rural and urban areas the hospitals are way under financed due to government neglect as well as systematically ran inefficiently due to lack of technology and resources. This problem largely stems from many Indians not being registered in the government and therefore not having any form of identification. This causes problems for over crowded hospitals because they have no way of tracking and monitoring its patience effectively. Bill Gates, CEO of Microsoft, proposed the idea of solving their health care issues with the simple use of inexpensive technology. Many attempts have been done in a way by the Indian government, but all have been unsuccessful due to lack of widespread literacy and unreliable resources. Gates proposes the idea of the National ID project where he wants to set a system that will document each Indian citizen and put it into a program, which will give people ID cards. The hope is to help hospitals and citizens easily identify each other more quickly as well as reach out to the lesser-developed areas. Another way in which Gates wants to improve the quality of life in India is to bring text messaging to Farmers. This might seem like a far-fetched idea, but Gates is adamant about it. He feels that if farmers are able to communicate via text messaging, they can easily and quickly find out prices of their goods in other areas and therefore have a better idea when negotiating with middlemen. The article moves on to say that the problems within India run a lot deeper than this. It is a result of many decades of corruption and governmental neglect. Also it is not a problem that can be fixed with the use of technology, but many say it is a step in the right direction. There has been no negative thought about this plan by the Indian government because they think it would be an innovative way to solve many of their countries issues. This goes to show that technology has the ability to improve the quality of life not only in developed areas but underdeveloped areas as well. We can see that IT is a dynamic sector and with pioneers such as Gates this world can become a smaller and more efficiently ran society.
