TOYOTA: Information Management Systems - Research Paper Example

TOYOTA: Information Management Systems TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 2 TOYOTA MOTORS (BUSINESS OVERVIEW) 3 TOYOTA BUSINESS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 4 INTERNET IN INFORMATION MANAGEMENT/SYSTEMS 5 INTERNET ADVANTAGE TOYOTA MOTORS BUSINESS 9 Business Marketing 9 Car Showroom 10 Ecommerce 11 Fans Club 12 Business Services 13 Social Communication 14 HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR INFORMATION MANAGEMENT/SYSTEMS AT TOYOTA 15 Just-in-time 15 Jidoka 16 Kaizen 16 Andon 16 Poka Yoke 17 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 17 RISK MANAGEMENT 18 SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 18 CONCLUSION 19 REFERENCES 19 INTRODUCTION Amazing innovations in the field of information technology have absolutely changed the world. The utilization of new technology based systems is more common in all the disciplines of life. Additionally, the use of new information technology tools and technologies has offered a great deal of superb advantages and facilities for the business management. The optimistic influence of latest information technology framework in business and industry sector is massive. In addition, the innovative tools and technologies have entirely changed the traditional business practice and working processes. Moreover, the utilization of new information technology based systems has entirely modernized the business management domains and enabled the easier and effective performance of activities. Companies are aware of the fact that in this age of information technology business information has definitely turned out to be a prime business resource (Laudon & Laudon, 2005) and (Ray, 2004). This report presents a comprehensive analysis of some of the main attributes of the business information management and new technology systems’ influence on the business of Toyota Motors. This report will outline some of the main aspects and areas regarding the Toyota Motors business and possible influence of new technology on the business management. TOYOTA MOTORS (BUSINESS OVERVIEW) Toyota Motors is one of the world's biggest automobile producing and selling companies that is spread over all the 5 continents with total sales of 9 million automobile models in the year 2006. Additionally, in world top 500 fortune businesses the Toyota business remains among first 10 enterprises. Presently the status of the Toyota Motors is at world's foremost worldwide businesses and is proud to be the majority well-liked auto-creator. In addition, this is a high quality accomplishment to the business because the business has established a great motive that its products and services are completely committed to client’s contentment. Moreover, Toyota has been formed with a group of standards and ethics which comprise their foundations in the business’s influential years in Japan nation (Toyota1, 2011) and (Toyota2, 2011). The business of the Toyota motors was started in 19th century, when Sakichi Toyoda made-up the Japan’s initial sophisticated power loom business, whose purpose was to transform the nation’s textile business. In this scenario, in January 1918, Sakichi established the Toyoda Weaving and Spinning Corporation, with the cooperation of his son, Kiichiro Toyoda; he satisfied his ultimate vision of constructing an automated loom during the year 1924. After 2 years, with great effort he successfully established Toyoda Automatic Loom Works (Toyota1, 2011) and (Toyota2, 2011). Similar to his father, Kiichiro Toyoda was a modernizer of technology of that time, furthermore during his tours to U.S. and Europe during the 1920s; he became extremely interested in growing automotive business. Thus, by spending more than £100,000 that Sakichi Toyoda obtained by trading the exclusive rights of his business of automatic loom, Kiichiro Toyoda established the business roots of TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation) that got good reputation during 1937. Moreover, from looms business to Cars Company, the Toyota business practice has been formed by increasing the limitations of developments in automobile industry (Toyota1, 2011) and (Toyota2, 2011). After the potential evolution of Toyota Motor’s business the company moved out of Japan. In this scenario, Toyota Motor initially began forming their progress into overseas marketplaces at the end of 1950's. Additionally, the primary Toyota Crown models reached in the nation of USA in the year 1957, as well as in 1965, through the cars similar to the Toyota Corolla, the business had progressively constructed together a status for valuable client service and contentment and sales statistics to competitors as compared to home automakers. During the year 2004, the yearly Toyota Motors car sales in the United States exceed the 2 million figures, with 1.4 million automobiles as well as approximately 1.3 million innovative engines built inside the United States (Toyota1, 2011) and (Toyota2, 2011). TOYOTA BUSINESS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT The role of the new information technology based systems is broad at the Toyota Business. In this scenario, the Toyota Business has established high quality business management systems those are offering a great deal of enhanced support and management facilities for the effective corporate and operational management. In addition, Toyota Motors is making use of high tech technology based systems at production level and also inside the overall business management processes. Moreover, the information systems of Toyota Motors comprise the capability to put together their business objectives internationally through efficiently exploiting their systems. For instance, Toyota arrives at its clients located at different locations by using different online web based arrangements for diverse worldwide domains. In this scenario, Toyota Motors use numerous websites and information systems to deal with the customers from all over the world, like that Europe and North America, these systems are completely connected to a global business website (BNet, 2007) and (Laudon & Laudon, 2005). INTERNET IN INFORMATION MANAGEMENT/SYSTEMS The role of internet is vital in the overall business and corporate working of the Toyota Motors Business. In this scenario, website of the Toyota Motors Business offers an excellent platform for business customers to view and check the new and more recent business tendencies and promotions. Additionally, Toyota Motors has a lot of business websites. I have conducted a detailed research on Toyota Motors and I came to know that if offers a particular website for each nation that is linked to the main website of the Toyota Motors Business. I will present below few business websites for various nations: Toyota Motors Business for whole world (Web page is given below) http://www.toyota-global.com Toyota Motors Business for Japan (Web page is given below) http://www.toyota.co.jp/ Toyota Motors Business for United Kingdom (Web page is given below) http://www.toyota.co.uk Toyota Motors Business for India (Web page is given below)http://www.toyotabharat.com Toyota Motors Business for Australia (Web page is given below) http://www.toyota.com.au/home All these business websites offer a lot of business services to the business customers. INTERNET ADVANTAGE TOYOTA MOTORS BUSINESS Toyota Motors is taking a great deal of business advantage through the business websites. Additionally, the business is getting lots of benefits through the valuable establishment of such online business platforms. However, the main purpose of these business platforms is to offer an excellent support and facility to the business customers. Considering this scenario, the main intention here is to offer effective access to business platforms for effective business and corporate management. In this regard I have outlined below some of the main domains and aspects for the web based platforms of Toyota Motors and their possible advantages for the innovative business platforms: (Summers, Gardiner, Lamb, hair, & Mcdaniel, 2003) and (Laudon & Laudon, 2005) Business Marketing The business marketing is one of the main advantages for Toyota Motors. With the help of its web sites, Toyota Motors has the power to introduce new business automobiles over the web through the business websites. The main or home page of Toyota Motors’ website is carrying new and recent business promotions. The main purpose of this business promotion is to offer the customers a better understanding of business products and services. This can offer better business communication through some social networking technology and news letter approach. Moreover, at these web site customers are able to subscribe to these business websites through their email. Thus, in case of any new promotion the business automatically sends a business promotional email to the clients. This feature offers the Toyota Motors a less expensive business promotional framework. Figure 1The Main Page of Toyota Motors, Source: http://www.toyota.com/ Car Showroom Toyota Motors has offered an online business cars showroom. The imperative capability of this practice of business is to lessen the customer overhead of visiting the cars showroom and selecting the particular model of his/her choice. In this way, through this approach a customer simply makes use of the business website platform in order to access the cars and related product information. The image given below demonstrates the detailed overview of business website framework which offers complete facility to the customers in case of model selection, price choice and power. Figure 2Car Showroom, Image Source: http://www.toyota.com/modelselector/ Ecommerce The business websites of Toyota Motors as well offer a great capability of e-commerce technology to the business. Through this approach a customer is able to purchase desired automobiles through the web based links by getting useful information about the business cars products and prices. Thus, this feature of Toyota web sites offers an excellent way for managing business activities. In addition, this online business of the Toyota is completely focused on offering better services to the customers. This business platform is able to support the business customers to purchase the preferred car model by sitting at their homes. Figure 3E-Commerce, Source: http://www.toyota.com/financial/buy-or-lease/buy.html Fans Club Toyota Motors’s web based platform as well offers a great deal of sanguine support in form of effective business promotion. In this scenario the web based business platform of Toyota Motors support different likes and moods of people. In case of regular vehicles the business website offers online support. In case of racing cars based promotion the business website offers facility of displaying latest news as well as significant information about car deals. Figure 4Fans Club, Image Source: http://www.toyotaracing.com/ Business Services There are large numbers of valuable business services which are offered by the main website of Toyota Motors Business. This website offers a better support for local business domains of Toyota Motors. Here a customer as well gets information and web links about automobile’s parts and services by offering a great deal of effective and enhanced performance. The business website offers superior services like business cars warranties and maintenance claims. Figure 5Main page of Toyota, Image Source: http://www.toyota.com/ Social Communication The social communication is presently one of the main rising trends all over the globe. All the business and corporate areas are paying more and more attention towards offering business promotions as well as incorporation of social communities. The business website of Toyota Motors is as well offering such social networking based capability. In addition, by offering an excellent platform Toyota Motors Business presents a single web based platform for communication and ideas sharing. This optimistic aspect leads to better management of business issues and aspects. In this connection the image given below shows a superior support offered by Toyota Motors business for online communication and collaboration among business customers across the world. Figure 6Social Communication, Image Source: http://www.toyota.com/ HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR INFORMATION MANAGEMENT/SYSTEMS AT TOYOTA This section outlines some of the main hardware and software related features used for effective information management at Toyota motors. In this regard I will discuss some of the main impacts, applications and aspects of the new technology based systems those are presently working at the business of Toyota motors. Just-in-time Toyota makes use of one of the most advanced SCM (supply chain management) systems inside their working and manufacturing departments intimately by means of suppliers to make sure that parts reach immediately as and when required. In this scenario, all the processes and instructions presented by Toyota’s proprietary Assembly Line Control System (ALCS) systems are practiced regularly for an enhanced processing capability of the business (Abilla, 2006). Jidoka At each phase of the Toyota motors business assembly line, Toyota business makes use of devices which allow employees to stop manufacturing work in case of faults or defects. Additionally, the use of these devices is as simple as a rope over the assembly line, or a button which can be pressed. Moreover, this is completely automated system for the processing and handling the information according to the effective order processing (Abilla, 2006). Kaizen Toyota Motors has a system intended for nonstop development. Additionally, Toyota business persistently seems to develop its business procedures by discovering methods to get Muda (waste) out of the business system processing cycle. In addition, it is competent to be as straightforward as moving a tool over a car assembly station. Consequently an employee does not require wasting his/her time walking to get the development tool. Moreover, such tools automatically get critical information from the business prime information source and production management systems and processes for the greater efficiency (Abilla, 2006). Andon Information systems at Toyota Motors employ visual controls, or Andons, like that overhead demonstration plasma panels and electronic control panel to rapidly express the condition of effort. On the business platform the car assembly line floor, intended for instance, overhead Andons informs a manager with one quick look whether the working and production station is performing easily (a green light), whether there is a difficulty being examined (yellow light) or if the car production assembly line has blocked (red light). Here all these systems are linked to the main business operational management information management systems and makes decisions through comprehensive processing capability (Abilla, 2006). Poka Yoke Toyota Motors make use of a variety of these inexpensive, extremely dependable contrivances all through its processes to stop defects. A PokaYoke can be somewhat as straightforward as a tool possessor with an electronic antenna, or it could be a glow screen, a ray of sparkle which transmits a signal to the main information management systems and computer platforms when a hand or a number of additional objects disrupts its way. In this way overall processes and operations can be effectively managed and handled at the business of Toyota with minimum working stoppage (Abilla, 2006). KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY The knowledge management strategy of Toyota Motors is intended to ensure smooth working and operations of the business. This strategy ensures that minimum working loads and stoppage are performed at the business production. It is as well ensures that the business has low level business interrupts. In this scenario, the intelligent information systems of the company have the power of instant reporting as well as issues resolution strategy. The overall supply chain and business cars manufacturing is totally linked together and designed to offer much better capability of handling and managing the business procedures. RISK MANAGEMENT Toyota Motors has constant information systems those take backups of business databases and critical and sensitive information. These backups are taken with the purpose of protecting the business files and data in an attempt to save the business from some possible damage and hazard to the business. Thus, these business systems need to be strongly protected in order to offer constant security and competence of improved safety of business assets from any possible damage. SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT The business systems of Toyota Motors are based on a centralized business data management platform. All the data and information extracted from the business information systems can be stored and processed for the better performance and efficiency of the business. In this scenario the business is able to offer a great deal of working capability by extracting data all through the global business websites to a single business platform for gaining much better performance. CONCLUSION The modern and up-to-date tools of information technology have completely transformed the business traditional working practice. The new technology based systems are turning out to be more supportive and offering efficient working for better business performance. The new technology is based on more intelligent business management and information systems those are automated to offer valuable services to the business management. This report has offered a detailed analysis of some of the main areas and aspects of Toyota Motors. In this scenario I have discussed various features of Toyota Motors’ business information systems. This research has shown that business has improved its working through the implementation of new technology based systems. This report has also shown that Toyota Motors’ online business platform is offering excellent facilities to its customers. REFERENCES Abilla, P. (2006, September 20). Information Technology at Toyota. Retrieved May 12, 2011, from Shmula.com: http://www.shmula.com/information-technology-at-toyota/205/ BNet. (2007, May). An Evaluation Of Toyota Motor Company (TMC) Information Systems. Retrieved May 11, 2011, from http://jobfunctions.bnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=382693 Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2005). Management Information Systems (9th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Ray, R. (2004). Technology Solutions for Growing Businesses. New York: American Management Association (AMACOM). Summers, J., Gardiner, M., Lamb, C. W., hair, J. F., & Mcdaniel, C. (2003). Essentials of Marketing . Australia: Thomosn. Toyota1. (2011). Introduction. Retrieved May 08, 2011, from http://www.toyota.com.cy/experience/the_company/index.aspx Toyota2. (2011). Toyota worldwide. Retrieved May 10, 2011, from http://www.toyota.com.cy/experience/the_company/toyota-worldwide.aspx Read More