Past Experience with Inter-Enterprise Information System - Essay Example

Past Experience with Inter-Enterprise Information System In learning and practicing on the use of computers and information systems, I have come to appreciate the changes in technology and the advantages that technological applications have accorded to users and organizations. The experiences that I have achieved with computers are a combination of class work, theory and practice with technology and their use. My experience spanned within the various aspects of computers and information systems. During my experience and study, I was able to acquire sufficient skills and knowledge on the use of computer software and hardware to execute various activities and solving problems. More specifically, the experience with computers has allowed me to have ability to use both application and system software for computational activities. The various hardware with which my experience was involved includes computer CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer and scanner which comprise the input and output devices of a computer. In addition, I was able to learn the various components of a CPU and their functions. More importantly, though, is the ability to use applications such as word processing and spreadsheets to execute different computational processes. My experience with computers also made me more appreciative of the value that these systems have added in facilitating communication among individuals, departments, organizations and institutions. More importantly, during my experience I have appreciated the Internet as a computational communication tool which has connected individuals and organizations across the world. This is a reflection of the important contribution of computers to the globalization process. In my experience with information systems, I was able to understand the system theory as it applies in computation and business processes. Additionally I now understand the correlation among the various components of information systems in performing a holistic function. The hardware and software components of an information system allowed me to improve my computer skills. I was also able to apply software to solve problems. This experience significantly improved my critical thinking abilities. Furthermore, the experience with information systems accorded me the ability to process data through computer application and extract meaning out of the data. This means that I am able to develop relevant and meaningful information out of data through the use of computer applications such as SPSS and Microsoft Excel. It is through my experience that I am more appreciative of the importance of information systems in organizations such as facilitating communication, business activities and decision making. Moreover, I now understand information systems as a network of computers which would be connected worldwide through the Internet. I have attained knowledge and skills on the application of both intra-enterprise and inter-enterprise information systems. In addition, I have achieved an understanding of how these information systems have been used to facilitate business or organizational processes. The knowledge that I have on these systems is significantly important for my short-term and longtime career plans. For example, this knowledge has prepared me to apply information systems within my work place. This involves the use of intra-enterprise computer systems such as local area network in facilitating communication within the organization. Additionally, the use of inter-enterprise information systems such as wide area networks and the Internet to promote communication among subsidiaries of an organization and sectors of its supply chain is well understood by me. I have sufficient knowledge on the issue of security in the use of intra-enterprise and inter-enterprise information systems, which will allow me to ensure that these systems are secured when I will use them within my workplace. Additionally, I understand the use of intra-enterprise information systems such as decision support systems. This is important for my career ambitions because it will allow me to apply such systems to analyze data and information so that I would reach accurate decisions on various aspects of work activities. More importantly, the skills and knowledge that I have in the use of information systems for storage of data will allow me to be an effective manager of information and data which are relevant to the needs of any career path. During the theory and practical aspects of the course, I have attained knowledge on the application of databases within an organization and among many organizations in extraction and use of data. Intra-enterprise information systems are used to store data within organizational databases. The understanding of these systems is, therefore, relevant to my short-term and long-term career objectives. This is because work activities involve the extraction of data from databases for various uses such as research. Inter-enterprise information systems such as the Internet and the skills which I have in their application are relevant to my career objectives such as using online data for comparative analysis of organizations, markets and basing the acquired data to recommend effective business strategies. It is, however, notable that there are issues that I need to reconcile between my experiences with computers and information systems and their application in my short-term and long-term career objectives. For example, I need more insight into the issue of security in computational activities and the use of information systems. This is attributed to the increased security threats and risks which are associated with the use of information systems within organizations. Therefore, I will reconcile this gap by enrolling in a course on information security. This will give me more skills and experience in securing personal and business data in the exchange of information or communication. This will allow me to adhere to the legal and ethical aspects of the use of information systems, such as upholding the confidentiality and privacy of personal information. More specifically, through training on information security I will be able to protect client information from unauthorized access during my work activities. Furthermore, this knowledge will allow me to protect computer systems from malicious software such as computer viruses. During my learning experience, I realized that I have various strengths and weaknesses in the application of learning styles to achieve adequate knowledge and skills related to computers and information systems. The application of a practical approach in learning about computers is an effective style which I have used to achieve proficiency. This is because theory on computers must be correlated to practice on the use of software, hardware and systems to achieve goals, solve problems and communicate. However, I have not achieved sufficient practice on the use of computer applications to solve problems and execute work activities. I attribute this to the relatively short time which I have allocated to practice as compared to reading the theory on computers and information systems. On the other hand, I have admirable skills such as problem solving and creative thinking. These skills have allowed me to creatively apply computers to solve problems. However, I have noted that I have a problem in understanding computer language which is related to the use of information systems to make decisions. The AC731 course is designed to allow students to employ a practical oriented approach in understanding the use of computers and information systems in organizations. This is congruent with my learning style and will allow me to improve my skills in computation and use of information systems for various work activities. Additionally, the course is designed to allow students to apply the computational skills that they have acquired in solving problems within their business disciplines or areas of study. Additionally, the course allows students to use various approaches to solve problems to reach different solutions as long as they are justifiable. This means that the course allows me to improve my problem solving and critical thinking abilities in the use of computers and information systems. In data modeling, there are gaps within the course which requires being reconciled. This is due to the fact that traditional curriculum provides standards that are used to measure the achievement of learning outcomes. This leads to ambiguities in the application of educational approaches in coming up with the correct and most accurate solution to a problem. It is, therefore, notable that the course should be focused on allowing learners to apply computational models to understand problems and reach accurate solutions. This is important because it allows learners to have adequate knowledge and skills which will enhance their ability to make decisions in their future careers through the use of systems such as decision support systems. In the light of the above reflection, it is conclusive that computers and information systems play a crucial role in the contemporary society and especially within work environments. It is because of this that skills, knowledge and experience on the theory and practical application of computer systems are inevitable among learners. Through a well-designed course and curriculum and the application of an effective learning style, the use of various computer applications and components of computer systems is understood and practiced. The intra-enterprise and inter-enterprise information systems are specifically important for organizations. This is reflected by their use in enhancing communication and solving problems within the work environment. The skills and knowledge which I have attained through the AC731 course have prepared me for the practical application of computers and information systems in achievement of my short-term and long-term career objectives. However, I will continually train and develop my skills and abilities so that I become more proficient. Read More