Information Systems for Business - Assignment Example

Infоrmаtiоn Systеms fоr Businеss name: Institution name: Question 2 Answer A Decision Support System (DSS) is a computer based system that can be used by the organisation to analyse business data and then present the information in a way that helps the end user to make business decisions more effectively and efficiently. This program is basically an informational application which solely depend on the data or information that already input while answering to a given query. b). This program is important to businesses because it can be used to provide: a projected revenue figures that are based on a new product sale assumptions; comparative sales figures for one week; Lastly, the program is capable to present information graphically through artificial intelligence or expert system. Task 2 At Woolworth customer are able to make purchase when, where and how they want and that ability is literally at the customers palms (Jones and Clarke, 2002). Woolworths has been able to respond to current business situations by laying the foundations for a new phase of opportunities and growth (McGregor, 2012). The retail chain giant have been found to but their customers at the heard of their business (McGregor, 2012), listening to their customer needs and creating innovative and new meant for them to show with them. At the Woolworths stores, consumers have been found to have the ability to purchase when, how and where they want to do their purchasing and that ability is literally at the customer hand. Mobile technology has been rapidly changing how people view their world and giving people access to prices and products across the globe (Zappone, 2009). The retail chain have recognized the need to keep up and understand their customers who want to move effortlessly and seamlessly between virtual and physical stores to shop to shop in the way that suit them better (McGregor, 2012). Every Woolworth’s enterprise has become multi-option by using mobile apps, websites, and virtual stores. Inbound logistics is the first stage in the value-chain, this has been found to possess the first value creating opportunity for the giant retail chain (Jones and Clarke, 2002). Woolworths calls this its chief distribution (Zappone, 2009). Those activities, for example, recepts of products at the stores from their suppliers, distributions to the stores, internal handling of goods and finally placing the products on display at the shelves (McGregor, 2012). Therefore, the retail chain has invested in technology to help the retail’s quality control measures and this has been given importance at every stage to certify that their customer value for their money. In outbound logistics it involves the work of delivery to the clients or customers. Woolworths have been found to offer convenience to its customers by giving them home delivery. This has been made possible through mobile technology (Jones and Clarke, 2002). The customers are able to order, compare prices through the use of the mobile phones and the retail chain giant websites (McGregor, 2012). In addition, the retail chain has made effort to improve parking facilities and other tangibles to maximize its feel good concepts to its customers. Through the its loyalty card initiative, Woolworth’s sales and marketing initiative has been successful in engaging its loyal customers and in other ways the retail chain has been able to attract more customers through advertisements in their websites (Jones and Clarke, 2002). And through local newspapers, TV and radios (McGregor, 2012). The retail giant has also started green initiative as it social corporate responsibility. Lastly, in operations, through the use of technology it has helped the company to function smoothly (Zappone, 2009). For example, inventory management, stock management and shelf demonstration, and all this have ensure the retail giant have competitive advantage. Question 2: Answer The tertiary college that gives Edith Cowan University a “run for their money” are Central Queensland University, Deakin University, Curtin University, and University of New England; because these four university offer distance learning through the use of technology. Distance learning has been seen to provide access to learning when the source of learning or information and the student or learner are separated by distance and time, or both. Some of the competitive advantage for Edith Cowan University includes: Talent Management: this can be referred as an overall process of developing and managing students. It is the process that include numerous functions such as learning, training, succession planning, and is based on the idea that staffs are an organization’s most valuable assets. This is particularly relevant Edith Cowan University as there’s a drive toward delivering and efficiency top quality services to its students, both outside and inside the lecture halls. Student coaching: Edith Cowan University has invested in a strong performance management program and in return has experienced a number of organizational benefits from its students. The institution’s performance program have been well received by organisations because most of these organizations have clearly seen the value in the whole process. Technology: Edith Cowan University student are being taught on the use of the internet to organize, locate, evaluate, analyse, synthesize, evaluate and ethically use information technology from a variation of media and sources. This has been made possible through integration of various technologies into the student courses or learning Task 3 Task 3a Task3b Task 4 The selected application is the Human Resource Application. The name of HR application is OrangeHR and being supplied by OrangeHR firm (http://www.orangehrm.com). This HRM application has the following features: Database- this is the backbone on which the whole program has been created. This program include a database of full list of the employees and their relevant data such as time management, payrole, leave application, employee’s performance etc. Payroll- this is another feature that will help the company using the software to streamline its payroll process. In this regard it also help track time and employee attendance application. Self-service- this application allows staff to manage their aspect of their own benefits without bothering the HR staffs. In return, It will help companies to save money and time while encourage employees morale. Benefits Administration- this program has a feature that can be used to manage all aspects of employee’s benefits easily. And this will include employees account information and eligibility. Performance Management- a lot of companies and business are looking for HRM applications that allow the companies to track their employee’s performance through a simple scoring system. This program is able to handle this work as well as enable the company to track their retention programs, training efforts, and much more. The advantages for this HRM application are: Reduced errors and reduce paper works: there is correlation between the number of errors incurred and the amount of paperwork used. There more a company uses paper, the more amount of errors can be made (Bruce, 2014). This is as a result of typing errors when transferring written information, incorrect deciphering of employees handwriting, multiple data entry backlogs etc. OrangeHR program provides a common central database and limited data entry. Employees are able to enter their own data, and other details thus removing errors. Fast processing time: - when the staff are able to enter their own personal data into the system (Bruce, 2014). Several steps are removed along the way from the whole process. Paper work will only be collected when it is necessary and data cannot be entered into multiple systems. Also, this system can be used to integrate third party providers’ services (Bruce, 2014). This has been seen to reduce time for processes such as change in benefits and open enrolments. Leveraging Resources: this program can help the HRM staff in making decisions that could increase employee’s retentions and reduce costs (Bruce, 2014). The disadvantages of employees using this programs are: Cost: it is costly for smaller organizations or companies. In addition to this it may pose another problems such as acquisition costs and maintenance costs (Bruce, 2014). Staffing: with large installation, the system may need bring extra cost such as hiring and IT specialist that are used to manage the system (Bruce, 2014). Security: this one of the biggest disadvantage of the system. The security of the system might be hacked if proper authorisation is given and this may lead to access to confidential and sensitive data (Bruce, 2014). Question 2: Task 5 There is no agreed meaning for Web 2.0 technology, but a lot of people have been seen to use the this term to explain the use of this application that involves web page and which involve sharing of information and networking (Borgatti et el, 2001), including text images, data, sound recordings between two or more persons, text images, in other words, end users generating and distributing media content, often with their freedom to re-use and share their contents. I have selected social networking because of its importance to the people. Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter have provided a level end user interaction that was not there before (Anderson, 2007). The nature of social networking technology has made it popular and easy to communicate information to a selected people or group or a much wider group of people (Borgatti et el, 2001). For example, universities, churches etc, can be able to use these tools to communicate with their students, audiences and wider community. Social networking sites can also be an effective way to interact and communicate with research colleagues and students. Nowadays, websites have become more interconnected and more dynamic, and this has produced “online communities” or societies, and this has made it easier for people to share information on their webpages (Breakenridge, 2008). Because most of social networks are offered as free services, site like Facebook, Twitter and Wikipedia have been seen to grow a tremendous rates (Borgatti et el, 2001). As the social network sites continue to grow and expand, more feature have been seen to be added into the sites, and this has built off the technologies in place (Breakenridge, 2008). So, while Web 2.0 technology may be termed as statics label given to the new era of the social networking web, technology itself has continued to change and evolved. In conclusion, the future increases in cost of energy, coordination of friends, adoption of mobile social media, teams, groups, and other social networking are likely as it simply become convenient to use social media for communication needs (Anderson, 2007). And yet even as social networking media are able to push the envelope of immediacy, presence, and touch, there is nothing like doing it face-to-face. People are all embodied, and everyone wants someone, and to be somebody for another (Breakenridge, 2008). This will the engine of social media usage. References Anderson, P. (2007). "What is Web 2.0? Ideas, technologies and implications for education". JISC Technology and Standards Watch. Breakenridge, D., 2008. PR 2.0: New Media, New Tools, New Audiences 1st ed., FT Press Bruce S. (January 22nd, 2014). HRIS: Advantages … and Disadvantages. HR Management. Retrieved from < http://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2014/01/22/hris-advantages-and- disadvantages/#> Borgatti, S. P., et el. (2001). UCINET V Network analysis software manual. Harvard, MA: Analytic Technologies http://www.orangehrm.com/ Jones, D T and Clarke, P (2002) Creating a customer-driven supply chain, ECR Journal, 2 (2), pp 28-37 Zappone, C. (9 November 2009). "Supermarket duopoly blamed for soaring food prices". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 July 2013. McGregor, K. (27 March 2012). "Senator Nick Xenophon moves to smash Coles and Woolworths duopoly". The Advertiser. Retrieved 29 July 2013. Read More