Case 2-2 Response

I presented today.

10/26 Class Discussion Response

In class we discussed mostly about the primary activities that are involved in a company that makes things fast cheaper and more capable. IS makes all things in business more consistent and lessens costs and increases our profit margin.

The idea is to make a single database that is accessible by the whole company but select users have certain rights to the database.

Having consistency across a network increases communications and makes things more efficient.

10/26 CH. 7 Reading Response

Competitive Advantage with IS within Organizations
The advantage that you have in business is what makes you more appealing to the customer and makes your good better then the competition.
Some competitive advantages could be:
better:
product
supply chain and operations
human resources
accounting and finance
manufacturing
marketing and sales

I liked how the book really emphasized on the basic types of functional systems. It shows how these things are so important in the business world and how necessary it is to develop these functions.

10/23 Discussion and Presentation Response

The group make a good observation about the airlines and this database. They said that it is not good to be on this list. It is wise to stay low and not to be on the list at all even if the airline has a very safe record.

Data.gov- government data catalog of lots of information to show the patterns of the country.

High Reliability Organizations- Airlines are an example of a HRO. When accidents occur it is noticed by the world but it rarely happens.

Case 2-1 Response

aviation-safety.net- Database that holds all the problems or accidents that have occurred with all commercial planes worldwide.

It is important to find information about the airline that you will be flying.

Database Access cannot be used over the web and only one person can use it. It requires no password. Only compatible for Microsoft Windows.

MySQL supports websites and is secure that can be used at many locations. And is compatible for most platforms.

Class Discussion 10/19

There are many types of databases out there.
Accounting: Quickbooks
Human Resources: Act!
Supply Chain Managment: SAP
Investment Finance: Real Estate Databases MLS
Finance: Stock Market Indexes

Databases can track changes according to time and can update themselves.

Net Worth Exercise and Career Assignment #2

Net Worth

1. Knowing the necessary parts of Information Systems really helps you have the competitive edge to help you in the workplace. These terms are turning into common knowledge in today's society and if you don't know it the public will look down on you. Knowing about the cyber threats that exist out there will help you prepare for what could come an the things that could affect you.
2. I would use a database for information that I kept strictly digital and things that I need to get to when I am near a computer and when I had lots of information that was very different. I would use a spreadsheet for information that I could print out and use and it was all data that was similar. I would use a Database Management System for any type of large database that I would use. It seems like to be the norm for a company to do this.
3. It is necessary to develop a LAN in an office to help the office to stay on track with each other and be updated and able to work more efficiently. A WAN would be used to help companies that have locations that are spread out over different locations to connect. When information that is private like billing information, identity information is used, it is necessary to use encryption and to block certain access so only employees with clearance can use it.
4. When an employee knows more about IS it is much easier to work with the IT department. They seem to have so many problems and bugs that need to be fixed and all us other employees just expect them to get the job fixed as soon as possible. I worked at a home security company that dealt with a large database of customers and our system was always going down and our IT guys were always in the office helping us out. I saw that it was hard for them and that they had to have time to get to the problem and solve it as soon as they could. Knowledge of this stuff is important to help with any type of work. It definitely can give you the competitive advantage in the job market.

Career Assignment
5)
a) I found out that there are huge databases of financial findings out there. The public likes to call it the Stock Market. More specifically they are called Market Indexes.
b)Stock Broker
Financial Analyst
Independent Trader
c) Most people do not know what the difference of an spreadsheet and a database is and the purpose that these two have. This is the competitive edge I have.
d)I believe that any professional would affirm that IS is important and that it really is the backbone of any modern organization or business today.

Class Discussion Response10/16

I found it interesting that ethernet cables had to be insulated and spun and couldn't expand longer than about 1000 feet to not distort the connection.

I also find it interesting how electronics and networks work. How wireless systems can be set up and it all can be controlled through a central system. Fiber optic cables are amazing to me. How light can be recieved through cables and how it is the fast known technology today. The cables across the ocean are amazing also. To put cable that long and that deep in the ocean would take alot of time and alot of cable to lay it all that way.

Focus on basic ideas of components, WAN, LAN, how these communications work.

Reading Response Ch.6 10/16

This chapter was interesting. I have always found the networking of computers intriguing and I plan on networking my house somehow someday so that the whole house can be controlled from one central location. This is important in the modern workplace because it makes work so much easier when everyone is has one central network so assessable to them so that all who are on the same network can work together so efficiently. This chapter was like a networking for dummies guide. I found it very interesting since networking intrigues me.

What would this school be like without its network?

CLass Discusion Response 10/14/2009

Database vs. Spreadsheet

Database

• hard to organize data in spreadsheet (multiple categories)
• multiple users
• focuses on specific type of information

Spreadsheet

• cost less
• simpler data sets
• can get really large

Now I can see that a database is important in putting large ammounts of data automatically together when there is so much different types of information.

Ch.5 Reading Response

Even after reading this chapter I still don't fully comprehend what makes a database more useful than a spreadsheet. The book says that a spreadsheet only hold certain types of data and that it can't hold the amount of data in one place. With the new version of excel, I believe that spreadsheets can be called databases. By definition a database is a self-describing collection of integrated records. This is what I could describe a spreadsheet as.

Is there a way in class you could go over again what the difference between a spreadsheet and a database is?

Class Disscussion Response 10/12

1) What does a mananger need to know about computer hardware?

• Hardware can change
• Is it sufficient or should you upgrade?
• Key Terms
• -CPU= Central Processing Unit
• -Ram: Random Access Memory
• How does a computer work?
• Input-Processing-Output

2)What's the difference between a client and a server?

• Client is served and a server is serving

It is interesting using these hardware ideas with a large compnay that users a large server. The company has to be very organized to put together an extensive server that can run a large company.

Reading Response 10/12 Ch.4

I found interesting in the reading the part about the certain hardware needed in a computer and why it is needed for IS. There is so much that is considered common sense about computers these days. And it is necessary to know the key components of a computer's hardware to get by. Mostly to be respected as an up-to-date businessman. I still found that the hardware listed is very basic of what entails a CPU. But that if these componemnts were not known and if it was found out it could be embarrassing. Who wants to work with someone who doesn't know what the difference between a CD or DVD is?

Class Discussion Response 10/9

The group touched on the 5 Components of IS relating to this case.

Hardware-Manufacturing Machines
Software-programs used to make machines
Data-all designs that were produced to make the chairs or furniture
Procedure-Build, blueprints, do it, sell it
People- They are the designers, workers, employees of Knoll, customers

Knoll knows that they can't win the cost war compared to furniture companies oversees but they can win in differentiation and quality compared to other furniture companies.

In class after the presentation I liked how we talked about the the modern-day workplace. The fact that people do not need their own place to work is changing the face of the workplace. I don't like this because it is making the workers provide their own materials and supplies to help them work.

Reading Response Case 1-2

Knoll-

• This company is using innovation and modern design systems to reduce costs.
• Hierarchy- treating the lower level employees as inferiror and just going straight up the line of authority
  
• Cross Departmental Process- start from bottom and integrate all the activities so that the company runs better together
• I liked how the author touched on the many features that a company needs to be sucessful and help its employees feel comfortable in the workplace
  

Discussion Response 10/7

I found the group presentation about Getty Images interesting. They showed how internet businesses are thriving through their services and products. They didn't touch on the .com companies but companies that have already had a presence that they have expanded primarily in the IT of Internet part of their company.

In our discussion after the presentation, we talked about how a company goes from archives of photos, tangible assets to digital archives, full of information. We talked about the certain costs relating to this type of digital economy. The costs are very low compared to the an undigital world.

Today we see this way of reducing costs and expnading profits everywhere. These digital ways of doing business makes profits available for companies who enter a market with many barriers of entry. They are able to start up slow as a sole proprietorship and expand very rapidly with low costs.

Reading Response Case 1-1

Image usage on the Internet:

• Getty Images: World's largets archive of images, globally expanded, $600 million plus; publicly trade company
• Getty Images Advantage: free storage online, sells copyrights of images,: no more valuable costs like shipping costs,
• Their strategy: Lock in customers, lock in suppliers, creating entry barriers, establish alliances, reducing costs.
  
• Competitive Advantage through product: creat new products, enhance existing services, differentiating products from the competitors

Discussion Response 9/30

In class we learned about a good way to present our ideas in front of the class.
It was organized into these categories:
Organize: need to organize your ideas and the topic. The audience needs to leave the presentation knowing what exactly was your topic.
Attention Grabber: Within the fist minute of your presentation the audience will know if they want to listen or if the presentation will be boring. A good attention grabber will get the job done.
Readability: If using a powerpoint presentation, make the presentation realative to your presentation to help the audience understand better.
Simplicity: Be simple, the class is full of all types of people that experience different things. Help them all to understand
Questions: Leave room for questions, ask questions that will spark a discussion, but that are not too broad where no one will participate.

Consider Your Net Worth- Career Assignments

I would love to be a CFO for some big company some day. I know that it will take some time to get to that position but I want that to be my goal and to always strive to that position.

How can I use IS in my career?
How can I use IS to give me the competitive advantage in my career?
How can I make my job easier with IS?
What is necessary in my career that can be replaced with IS?
How can I excell myself using IS?
How can I plan better using IS?
What is the best way I can earn money using IS?

I might be interested in any type of financial analysts position and any type of financial job. I really like to read trends and see what the markets for certain indistries are.

Discussion Response 9/28

I found it interesting the Apple experience. It really does give a different experience. I love the ipod but I always seem to have problems with the mac platform. Apple has really sent out the message that anything less than an ipod is too complicated or not enough. I think that apple has become trendy and the fact that they sell so much is just for the name and the atmosphere that apple gives out. It is more for artsy, fad lovin people.

Do you think Apple will suffer when Steve Jobs retires?

Ch.3

I found it interesting in this chapter the concept of the business process especially referring to the value chain. The way that the book goes through the steps is interesting on the evolution of IS in the workplace. The way that diagram 3-7 shows the value chain activity of a bike rental place seems very unrealistic when I look at the "supporting business process." It seems like the sales part of business is very personal and that this process can not substitute it. A lot of business can be taken over by automated devices but a lot of business is too personal and about who you know so part of it can not ever be automated unless some form of intellectual advance artificial intelligence is formed in the future.

Will there ever be a fully automated business sales process?

IRS Requirements Creep

Our discussion on Wednesday about Ownership was interesting. I saw that ownership not only entails the fact that one owns something but that they take responsibility for the actions of the company or thing that they own. I like look at this in a corporation point of view with the concept ownership. When a person owns stock in a company they legally own a portion of the company and have a say in all the company's actions, directly or indirectly. Directly by voting straight for the notion to be passed or not to be passed. Indirectly by electing corporation officers to make decisions for the company.

Can any company stay up to date with the latest IT these days?

Ch.1

I found that the part about a Password etiquette really stood out to me. First the part that talked about how normal and expected it is to select a password that is private and secure and how normal and expected it is to be courteous of other peoples' passwords. The book said that it is normal for some one to get up and let you type in your password and how you have to look away and it is right to respect their privacy. Really it is important. It seems like today there are many problems with etiquette in the workplace and privacy. We all have the right to it and we all should know what we can and what we can't do.

Pertaining to the five components of information systems, as IS evolves, is it really necessary to have people as as the fifth step?

IT Doesn't Matter

I found it interesting the part that talks about how industries in the beginning of electric motors were able to adapt their old techniques so that they didn't have to change as much of their equipment as was really needed. They went from using the water-turned wheel to just attaching the electric generator to the pulleys and the existing machines. They finally saw that the new technology was much more efficient at the location of the machine used for manufacturing. They were able to become more effective in their work by ridding themselves of this complex pulley system. This is definitely important to the business world in how necessary it is to adapt to new technology that is brought out into the public and the fact that we have to conform to it all in the workplace to be profitable.

If you want to know more about electrical engineering see here.

What do you think the world would be like now if Thomas Edison hadn't invented the light bulb? Would it be the same? or different?

Me, Myself, and I

My name is Steve and I am from San Diego, California. I have been at BYUH for one year now and I am a senior in IBM with an emphasis in Corporate Finance. I want to take from this class the some skills to help me in the modern workplace. I live here with my wife Jenny and we have been married for about 15 months and we are lovin it here. I love to go to the beach and downhill longboarding. I plan on working for some company in the finance dept one day.