Beijing 2008: A Digital Olympics (case study) - Essay Example

Real-World Case Questions: Beijing 2008: A Digital Olympics The following are questions and answers that analyze a real world case of the Beijing 2008 Digital Olympics. During this period China managed 42 various Olympic events within its seven cities a task that was enormous and full of challenges. Competition results had to be displayed worldwide in different electronic and technological devices such as PCs, televisions, screens in stadia, screens along streets in many cities, and millions of tiny mobile device screens.

Another problem that needed attention was the management of logistics whilst addressing media and accommodation requirements. China’s problems during this time broadly fell under information collection and monitoring, information dissemination to the world, food supplies, transportation and pollution control, public social networking, and tickets and souvenirs management. The following questions and answers provide an analysis into how these problems were solved. Real-World Case Questions: Beijing 2008: A Digital OlympicsQuestions and Answers1.

For each business requirement explain how the EC tools helped.In collecting and monitoring of information radio frequency identification (RFID) installed in the running shoes assisted in identifying the winner. Moreover, boats were installed with GPS in order to help officials monitor their movement while trying to identify the winner. Electronic cameras were used for monitoring while video cameras capturing events. Instant display, online videos, wireless technology, reporters’ email, and digital media (You Tube) enhanced information dissemination to all regions of the world.

Management of tickets and souvenirs was solved through EC tools that enhanced online buying as well as RFID installation that monitored sale of ticket hence prevented such from getting lost. Online purchase of foods as well as tracing of food from farm to plate through RFID assisted in managing food supplies. Security privacy, transportation, and pollution control were enhanced by video cameras and intelligent interpretation of security reports. On the other hand social interaction, transportation, and pollution control were solved through planning, monitoring in real time, blogging, and twittering. 2. Identify the B2C and B2B activities described in this case.

B2C refers to interactions between business and consumers (Turban, 2010). During this time the main B2C activities included;Blogging of athletes developed by Bank of America and rotorblog. Twitter and Olympic Network TV Station encouraged social networking hence B2C interactions. Another B2C activity was the online selling of tickets to customer through the Beijing Gehua Ticketmaster. On the other hand B2B involves interactions between businesses that included (Turban, 2010). Collaboration of IT companies such as Cisco Systems, Microsoft, and Limelight Networks interacted to ensure successful execution of the supporting IT and EC systems.

Logistics involving transportation of persons and product from one place to another Outsourcing of EC functions such as the Microsoft, Cisco Systems, and Limelight Networks amongst others. Olympics official also outsource the Beijing Gahua Ticketmaster to be in-charge of selling tickets. 3. Identify the major business models described in this case.Some of the major business models described in the above case includes (Turban, 2010); Online direct marketing where tickets were directly sold from the producers to spectators in order to minimize loss.

Vanity business model was also employed when athletes were allowed to blog as well as creation of social sites that provided immediate feedback to Microsoft, Limelight, and Cisco Systems amongst others for their outsourced services. Advertising business model was on televisions that displayed all the events of the Olympics in Beijing, 2008. Distributor business model was used to ensure that tickets reached the spectators from Beijing Gahua Ticketmaster. 4. Relate the case to social networks and communities.

Social networks encourage interactions amongst members of different communities through application of computer technology (Turban, 2010). This case involved to a great extent application of computer technology in ensuring that all stakeholders’ needs were met. Spectators both at the stadia and home were able to interact with events of the Olympics. 5. Relate the case to the concept of the digital enterprise.A digital enterprise is an organization applying technology as a competitive advantage tool in both its internal and external operations (Turban, 2010).

In this regard, Beijing Digital Olympics extensively applied technology within the stadia as well as outside especially in marathon fields as well as swimming places and eating places to monitor foodstuffs from the farm to the plate. ReferenceTurban, E. (2010). Electronic commerce 2006: A managerial perspective. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.