Essentials of Business Information Systems - Essay Example

How are information systems transforming business and what is their relationship to globalization? Modern day businesses are largely to the availability of information system networks. These systems have revamped the manner in which the businesses were being performed before. They have introduced new and easier mechanisms which allows for more comfortable operations, in time delivery of services and improved performances as a whole. Information systems also allow better customer satisfaction levels. International human resource management, expanded infrastructures and supply chain networks, long chain of business partners all are made possible through information systems. One of these is that of globalized business where international brands are intertwined with one another regardless of the distance and circumstantial differences. Physical dependency is reduced. Virtual transmission mode availability by the virtue of information systems has made the businesses ever so faster and as a result globalized outfit of various business activities across the globe. Working of international banks across the globe is a key example in this regard. How do enterprise applications, communication systems and intranet improve organizational performances? In modern times various means of digital communication are being used in the business environments. These applications range from handheld devices to collective usage systems. Internet connectivity within the department and offices comes in form of intranet. It enables keeping the entire office synchronized and engaged. This allows for centralized database sharing and repository of all the basic and essential records and files that may be required in day to day operations. Physical labor is also reduced through this mechanism. Use of various other communication system appliances such as fax machines, pagers, Bluetooth, digital printers all facilitate better working performances in organizational environments. Intranet allows remote desktop sharing in the offices. This eliminates the need for going between the departments fetching different items of need. Banks make use of intranet to establish virtual private networks which are more safe and efficient in terms of security and overall performance. What is the role of Business Process RE-engineering in enhancing competitiveness? BPR is widely used for the concept of equipping the company with improvement in its working structure. Many a time the decision regarding the choice of tools and processes to be undertaken is highly critical. The decision so taken decides the future prospect of the endeavor undertaken. BPR enables taking a secure and least risky task and process that in turn ensures high value dividends. BPR enables identifying the target client set and thereby specifies the strict line and measures that must be undertaken with regard to the activities at hand. BPR are usually undertaken in collaboration with the Information Systems networks present in the organization. Which in turn enables producing a synergetic effect through the features extraction of skills and expertise via BPR and technological advanced application usage via I.T. Deciding upon launching a new service or product can also be determined through the BPR process. The effectiveness of this can be determined by the fact that large number of multinationals and Top 500 companies from across the world have incorporated this in their systems of business enterprises. Why is Hardware and Software selection an important decision for organization? Hardware and Software have replaced the manual work usage and reliance in modern times. They are akin to the presence of manpower that is effective. The importance of good quality hardware and software can be drawn through this analogy. Good manpower delivers good output, and ineffective manpower yields little or no productivity. Good quality software enables more reliance, no or little repair work and no or little breach of data and infiltration. Good quality software also has the trait of compatibility in it. Similarly good quality hardware allows compatibility, gives warranty and long lasting durability of working. Without the need for replacing the machinery. Since various hardware appliances are subject to knowledge of usage, therefore a long lasting hardware would reduce the burden of providing training and skills to the workers with regard to its operations. Hence all these features are function of god quality hardware and software being used by a company. It enables saving the budget for other useful activities. TO what extent should end users be involved in database management and database design? In modern technological world of business enterprises, the clients and end users have become the focus of attention with regard to the performance. Their response largely decides the company’s outcome in terms of success and failure. Database system management is one similar area that needs clients’ recognition and comfort in order to win their support and favor in this regard. Their opinion must be taken into record while designing a database network. User friendly and user centric data base is the order of the day. This can be done so through asking their opinions, spreading questionnaires and surveys that would in turn allow for a better interaction, conducive environment directed towards better working performance and mechanism. Users’ involvement in the database design would allow overcoming the monotony and redundant material that not only results in slowing down the network but also makes the appearance of the database network look less attractive. Should companies shift to RFID? Why or why not? RFID is another state of the art technology feature. That allows keeping a digital record of the items and products in the stores, service centers and business enterprises. They have large number of benefits attached to them. They allow for keeping a clear record of the items. They at the same time enable reducing the dependency on the manual operations. The margin of error is also minimized. The security of the items is ensured through the RFID. All major retail stores and business services handlers should switch to RFID machines in their working places. RFID is also helpful towards identifying the fake items against the original ones. Hence the counterfeit items can be reduced. They should be installed in the business centers on priority basis which would not only make the businesses safer but also give relief to the clients. RFID can enable online tracing on items during the supply chain processes that may be operational across the borders or in different parts of the country. Security isn’t a technology issue, it’s a business issue: This statement can be supported by the fact that nearly all the major retail centers and business enterprises that we see around us are operated by the technological devices. The technological infrastructure in one form or the other is incorporated in the network of business chains. The technology so incorporated is in use in the banking sectors, in the government sector organizations, in the private sectors in the educational sector. All these are subject to its safe operations. Breach in the technological device would lead to overall damage to the network and subsequently business. For example the misuse of credit card which is a technological item yet has a financial aspect to it, makes technological security a concern from business view point. Similarly the lockers in the banks that are operated through digital means, breaking into the code and network of the lockers would result in losses of heavy amount to the banks and other private equity centers. Supply chain is less about managing the physical movements of goods and more about managing information. Supply chain is generally connoted as a term that may require physical labor and transport; however this is far from true. This represents only the only dimension of the field of supply chain. Supply chain is a broad field in itself; it entails decision making, employees’ incorporation, manpower induction, equipment purchase, and communication establishment, synchronization of the processes, means of transport providing mechanisms and various other means. In modern times the supply chain activities are mostly handled through electronic means. Meaning there is no need for the conventional operation performance over physical methods, rather effective means of online communications and other sources such as internet, video conferencing options, rapid means of contact establishment are vital in this regard. Supply chain becomes more challenging due to the fact that both inside and outside activities need to be taken into account and need to be administered. Ensuring that the right kind of items reach the right place in the right time defines the right nature of supply chain activities. The internet may not make corporations obsolete but they have to change their business models. Agree/ Disagree? References: Laudon, K. C. (2007). Essentials of Business Information Systems. Pearson/Prentice Hall. Read More