New Technology Solution at Cisco - Case Study Example

Information System Name Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Executive Summary 4 The management information systems have become an important part of almost every business or organization. At the present, the implementation of information systems can be seen in almost all the departments of a business or an organization. This report requires the discussion about the use of information systems with respect to a specific organization. The organization that will be discussed in this report is CISCO. In the start, it discusses the role of Peter Solvik in changing the overall IT infrastructure at CISCO. Before, CISCO was using legacy system which CISCO has replaced with enterprise resource planning system (ERP). Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is one of the major types of the business information systems. In addition, the implementation of ERP has provided great advantages to the organization. Furthermore, with the implementation of the web-enabled systems all the operations were standardized and it facilitated the corporation to carry out business activities more effectively. The software that is used by CISCO for the implementation of ERP system is “Oracle 11i”. In the next section this report outlines various aspects of information system such as, security implementation, ethical considerations, and managerial consideration, etc. 4 Introduction 4 Company and Technology Background 5 Old Technology and Problem Areas 5 New Technology Solution at Cisco 6 Type of Information System 6 Software 7 Internal data communications / networking 7 External data communications / networking 8 Managerial considerations 10 Security and technology considerations 11 Ethical consideration 11 Conclusion 12 References 13 Executive Summary The management information systems have become an important part of almost every business or organization. At the present, the implementation of information systems can be seen in almost all the departments of a business or an organization. This report requires the discussion about the use of information systems with respect to a specific organization. The organization that will be discussed in this report is CISCO. In the start, it discusses the role of Peter Solvik in changing the overall IT infrastructure at CISCO. Before, CISCO was using legacy system which CISCO has replaced with enterprise resource planning system (ERP). Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is one of the major types of the business information systems. In addition, the implementation of ERP has provided great advantages to the organization. Furthermore, with the implementation of the web-enabled systems all the operations were standardized and it facilitated the corporation to carry out business activities more effectively. The software that is used by CISCO for the implementation of ERP system is “Oracle 11i”. In the next section this report outlines various aspects of information system such as, security implementation, ethical considerations, and managerial consideration, etc. Introduction Information systems have become a basic need for all businesses and corporations. The new information technology revolution has offered better business and corporate support to the corporations for handling the business processes and working. In this scenario the need of new contemporary information systems technology is vital. This paper is also going to investigate this topic is a deep sense. The main intention of this research is to provide a deep insight into the new information systems implementation analysis at any corporate. The corporate I am going to analyze is the Cisco. In this paper I will provide an insight regarding the new information system (ERP) technology implementation at Cisco. Also, I will analyze different aspects of the new IS system implementation, components, and functions. Company and Technology Background According to Schwartz (2006) Peter Solvik joined Cisco’s as a CIO and established lot of new transformations. Peter Solvik has transformed overall structure of organization. These changes have primarily transformed the role of IT in the organization. The organizational finance group has transformed in a customer advocacy group. The next main step was taken regarding the reallocation of the majority of the IT budget to the departmental level. In this way each department will have a direct control over the departmental money. In this new structure the concept of the cartelized management has minimized. The next main transformation he has made is regarding the separation of the central IT steering committee. He has established a new structure through which IT investment decisions on application projects will be taken by the line organizations. In this regard the main execution of these projects is still done by the centralized IT organization (Schwartz, 2006) & (Jouret, 2009). Old Technology and Problem Areas According to Pinkowski (2004), the Cisco’s old legacy system was a Unix Based software package that maintained its operations of: manufacturing; financial; and order entry. This system was crashed on January 1994; therefore all the systems of organization were remained down for two days. At this time CISCO administration realized that they need to act rapidly for implementing an ERP system. After time of less then one year Cisco successfully established the ERP system from Oracle (Pinkowski, 2004). New Technology Solution at Cisco NOLAN (2005) has outlined the main benefits of the ERP system and the web-centric supply chain. According to him, this new technology has offered the greater facility of the email, Voicemail, desktop and server operating systems, meeting schedule software and office productivity suites were all standardized. In addition, through this transformation the whole business operational structure became centralized (Nolan, 2005). According to Schwartz (2006) through the web-enabled implementation, CISCO whole systems’ operations were standardized and Cisco was capable to perform business more effectively. This new structures linked to customers and strategic vendors permitted Cisco to work together with more resourcefully by those outside the company (Schwartz, 2006). Type of Information System The implementation of new technology based system and large IT projects at CISCO are able to standardize the overall business structure. The main information system implemented at Cisco is the ERP system. This enterprise resource planning system was aimed to uphold and maintain an efficient supply chain through business networked applications and also facilitated to joint and integrated suppliers into its production systems. In addition, it helped in establishing a single enterprise system. This large IT projects implementation also helped Cisco, its main business supplier, and associates to control and manage also respond on time to the customer demand. Therefore, it was also helpful in augmenting the customer confidence on the business and its ongoing working structure (Pinkowski, 2004) & (Schwartz, 2006) & (Nolan, 2005). Another main information system implemented by the Cisco is the web based information system by using enhanced web based internetworking structure that facilitates the flexible billing practices. This system is known as NetFlow (cisco-3, 2007). Software Cisco has implemented the Oracle 11i software regarding the corporate ERP system implementation. Three enterprise projects has selected by the Boston regarding the upgrading of the Oracle ERP system. The main solutions were based on other huge software packages like that PeopleSoft for human resource management and Siebel for sales force, automation (McAfee et al., 2004). Internal data communications / networking Through enhanced web based internetworking structure that facilitates the flexible billing practices that unites a variety of rating components into a price arrangement that additionally correctly imitates the cost of processes, produces opportunities intended for augmented revenue, as well as infiltrates previously unexploited marketplace. In addition, Cisco Net-Flow has permitted GTE internetworking to recognize novel revenue prospects in the course of usage-based billing (cisco-3, 2007). Furthermore, the internetworking structure of the CISCO offers a better and close eye on web advantage traffic by means of Cisco Net-Flow products. Cisco Net-Flow unites network-layer switching by means of services that offers quality of service (QoS) as well as traffic related information (cisco-3, 2007). There are different systems implemented regarding the corporate internal communication and data management. However, the ERP system is implemented upon the internal corporate network that is offering effective internal corporate communication, data sharing and operational management. This ERP system is intended to enhance the overall organization operational performance and effective decision making. Here we have PeopleSoft that is intended to enhance the performance through the enhanced human resource management. This project will offer better performance management of overall organizational process and working structure. The next main project is Siebel that is intended to enhance the sales or business and manage them in an effective way. These all systems are mainly aimed to automate the overall organizational process and operational structure (McAfee et al., 2004). External data communications / networking Cisco has effectively established a better online working and handling structure. The organizational website offers a greater facility for the both products and services category. In this overall web based the current working and operational structure is working in a better way. The only enhancement as I have assessed is required in the overall business enhancement in the web based one differentiation among the software and hardware based services. In the current web based structure the user feels harder to access them (McAfee et al., 2004). In addition, the Cisco’s has recently made the entry into the VoIP market. This was a smart move that has been assessed from various perspectives. It is assessed that presently Cisco has turned out to be a main provider of Voice over IP (VoIP) to businesses. At present Cisco has also made a smart move to capture the home market regarding the VoIP services. In this way Cisco has designed new devices, application and services for the home user marketplace in the course of its acquisitions of Linksys and Scientific Atlanta. In additions, the Cisco has differentiated its business in a way that Scientific Atlanta offers VoIP equipment to cable service suppliers. The next division Linksys is a manufacturer of computer networking hardware. This business has established the partnership with the Yahoo and Skype to put together customer VoIP services by means of wireless as well as cordless phones (McAfee et al., 2004). Regan (2005) has stated that to highlight the fast maturation of the VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) marketplace, two telecom and tech high profile businesses moved into the marketplace, by means of Cisco Systems (Regan, 2005). In addition, the Cisco Systems has purchased a small business that could facilitate its home-networking unit into a voice over internet protocol player as well as Verizon announcing a solution to the enhanced-911 difficulty irritating the rising technology (LocalTechWire, 2007). Charny (2003) stated that Cisco VoIP has presently replaced the 5,000 customary phone lines each day, regarding twice the speed of 2002, a sign of VoIP's rising acceptance between Cisco's 10,000 customers, Cisco has directed to a little augment its own market place share of the IP phone business among the second and third quarters (Charny, 2003). Dreyer (2009) has outlined about the strategic alliance made among the EDS and CISCO. This strategic alliance is aimed at initiating the new network-centric model intended for information systems outsourcing. In this strategic alliance, Cisco business aims to offer the networking expertise as well as partnering insights, facilitating the EDS’s new, advanced next generation worldwide outsourcing delivery system (Dreyer, 2009). Through this strategic alliance EMC and Cisco presently announced they are increasing their strategic alliance to facilitate clients for offering cost-effectively advantage of their business leading data and information arrangements to grasp the reimbursement of next-generation virtualized business data and information centers. In addition, through the launch of the Unified Computing System of the Cisco, the two businesses will spotlight on testing products for interoperability and on emergent data center explanations as well as support offerings (Dreyer, 2009). In addition, another main strategic alliance is established among the IBM and Cisco systems that have a devoted association that spans more than seven years as well as comprises numerous disciplines - through a strong stress on business transformation, services and solutions (IBM, 2009). Managerial considerations After the detailed analysis of the new IT and IS technology infrastructure implementation at Cisco. The main technology considerations we are having regarding managerial point of view are given blow (McAfee et al., 2004): Business leaders found that their latest technology are taking lot of investment Cisco was throwing money and engineers at customized tools Consideration regarding the desired output can be attained Different definitions for key terms require extensive concentration Current system does not meet all of the specialized needs of other functions such as sales, marketing, and human resources Lack of centralized planning Security and technology considerations We have assessed some of the main considerations regarding security and technology point of view. Here main considerations regarding the technology and security are: (McAfee et al., 2004) Multiple databases and fuzzy definitions of system makes the system complex to manage More time spent in getting the information needed regarding projects Central planning has created lot of problems Data handling becomes difficult Need to upgrade to a newer version of the ERP system pervious system was not offers planned services Information hacking problems Security breaches from web based link Employees data theft Online virus attacks Spy based software attacks Ethical consideration In the development and implementation of the new technology infrastructure at Cisco we are giving some of the technology related ethical considerations. These can be related to different aspects of the employees and their working behavior regarding the corporate technology infrastructure. Below I have outlined some of the main ethical issues regarding the Cisco technology infrastructure: Selling Information: some unsatisfied employees can sell the corporate information and this can be a huge problem regarding the corporate operating. Monitoring Employees: In case of the monitoring employees we need to ensure that some ethical aspects and employees working remain at some medium level. Challenges to Privacy: Some of the pricey problems can be regarding the corporate internal information that can be high-jacked to make the business down. Here we need to establish an effective corporate policy that ensures the effective presentation of business information. Challenges to Privacy by Individuals: Some of ethical issues can also arise regarding the individuals personal privacy. In this scenario we need to ensure that all employees are making sure the fulfillment of the corporate code of conduct. Challenges to Privacy by Companies: Some of business partners those are business associates to the corporate are sharing the business information with the business of Cisco. In case of business information exploitation in wrong way can lead to business information theft that lead to business damage. Conclusion In this paper I have provided a detailed analysis of the different aspect of the new Information technology implementation at Cisco. This paper has outlined some of the main aspects of the information technology components. This research has also outlined some of the main technology components at the Cisco business. The implementation of new information system technology such as ERP was the main topic of discussion. This paper has shown how the CISCO has improved its business structure and activities by implementing efficient information systems. References Charny, B., 2003. Cisco hits VoIP rough patch. [Online] CBS Interactive Inc Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/communications/0,39044192,39151621,00.htm" [Accessed 20 January 2010]. cisco-3, 2007. GTE Internetworking Web Advantage Uses Cisco NetFlow for Innovative Billing. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/pd/iosw/ioft/neflct/profiles/gtent_cp.pdf" [Accessed 20 January 2010]. Dreyer, J., 2009. EMC and Cisco Expand Strategic Alliance to Unlock Potential of Next-Generation Data Centers. [Online] EMC Corporation Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.emc.com/about/news/press/2009/20090316-01.htm" [Accessed 20 January 2010]. IBM, 2009. The IBM and Cisco Strategic Alliance. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www-07.ibm.com/sg/ciscoalliance/" [Accessed 20 January 2010]. Jouret, G., 2009. Inside Cisco’s Search for the Next Big Idea. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.la.edu/Include/Aweekendsyllabi/bus193handout1.pdf" [Accessed 20 January 2010]. LocalTechWire, 2007. Cisco's Deal with Equant One of Many in the Growing VoIP Market. [Online] Capitol Broadcasting Company Available at: HYPERLINK "http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/biotech/story/1149361/" [Accessed 20 January 2010]. McAfee, A., McFarlan, F.W. & Wagonfeld, A.B., 2004. Enterprise IT at Cisco. New York: Harvard Business School. Nolan, R.L., 2005. Cisco Systems Architecture:ERP and Web-enabled IT. [Online] Harvard Business School Available at: HYPERLINK "http://jpkc.fudan.edu.cn/picture/article/136/95103de3-8ba5-4262-83fe-e55089ed60db/95122839-dfad-4745-8a2b-09b9b7e55da0.pdf" [Accessed 20 January 2010]. Pinkowski, T.A., 2004. ERP Implementation, Report of Findings and Recommendations. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:Eyn7zpeLgMQJ:tompinkowski.com/Docs/CISCO%20ERP2.doc+cisco+ERP+filetype:doc&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk" [Accessed 20 January 2010]. Regan, K., 2005. Cisco, Verizon Make Moves on VoIP. [Online] ECT News Network Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.ecommercetimes.com/rsstory/42647.html?wlc=1258256589" [Accessed 20 January 2010]. Schwartz, R., 2006. Cisco Systems Architecture: ERP and Web-enabled IT. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://people.emich.edu/rschwartz/portfolio/samples/CaseStudy4.pdf" [Accessed 20 January 2010]. Read More