Finals' Question #4

Finals' Question #4

TOPIC: THE KNOWLEDGE - BASED SYSTEMS (KBS)

Question # 3:
1. Describe or define KBS.

a knowledge-based system as a computer system that is programmed to imitate human problem-solving by means of artificial intelligence and reference to a database of knowledge on a particular subject and it is a computer program that reasons and uses knowledge to solve complex problems. Traditionally, computers have solved complex problems using arithmetic algorithms created by programmers. With knowledge-based systems human knowledge is captured and embedded explicitly within a program in a symbolic format.It is a program for extending and/or querying a knowledge base.

2. Distinguish KBS from MIS.

Knowledge based systems provide a flexible, user definable and highly scalable solution to these problems by wedding intelligent multi-agent software with a user-focused graphical interface to provide improved decision making in dynamic environments and improved situational awareness. This approach lends itself to many potential applications in both the military and commercial sectors. Knowledge-based systems enable computers to be broader and more effective problem-solving tools; help users develop better designs and better processes by making the best design and manufacturing expertise readily available; and help users identify relationships among design geometry, materials and production processes, and leverage these relationships to provide the best combination of product features, quality and cost.while, Management information systems are those systems that allow managers to make decisions for the successful operation of businesses. Management information systems consist of computer resources, people, and procedures used in the modern business enterprise. The term MIS stands for management information systems. MIS also refers to the organization that develops and maintains most or all of the computer systems in the enterprise so that managers can make decisions. The goal of the MIS organization is to deliver information systems to the various levels of corporate managers. MIS professionals create and support the computer system throughout the company.

3. Illustrate (give examples) how KBS can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

KBS can improve the companys competitive advantage by
Emerging out of value and process theories, the idea of knowledge in the form of human capability or human resources as key in driving organizational performance and success has received more than adequate attention in the academic literature on management and organizational development since its invention and inception. Knowledge workers are important and key strategic resources in modern learning organizations; they are value creators and value adders whose major contributions come from their abilities to process and apply knowledge and information to completing essential tasks, making decisions, and solving problems. The management of the knowledge worker coincides with the competitive challenges of human resources management

References:
http://www.bookrags.com/research/knowledge-based-systems-csci-03/
http://lionhrtpub.com/IM/IMsubs/IM-2-95/knowledge.html
http://www.tlainc.com/articl150.htm

Finals' Question #3

Finals' Question #3

TOPIC: THE VIRTUAL OFFICE (VO)

1. Describe or define VO

Virtual office-it is a term for shared office services, which normally includes business address, mail & courier services, phone services, fax services, answering services, web-hosting services, and meeting & conference facilities.Certain providers of virtual office services will provide other in-house or outsourced services such as corporate secretarial services, accounting services, or legal services. Professional firms such as law firms and accounting firms often provide registered address services as part of their service offerings.

Virtual office is also a common term for an environment that enables a network of co-workers to run a business efficiently by using nothing other than online communication technologies.It depends on the focus, whether it be to improve individual worker productivity, hire and retain employees from virtually anywhere, reduce costs of operations, reduce travel time, or outsource functions.

2. Distinguish VO from MIS.

Virtual office services will provide other in-house or outsourced services such as corporate secretarial services, accounting services, or legal services. Professional firms such as law firms and accounting firms often provide registered address services as part of their service offerings.
while Management Information Systems are distinct from regular information systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems applied in operational activities in the organization. Academically, the term is commonly used to refer to the group of information management methods tied to the automation or support of human decision making.'MIS' is a planned system of collecting, processing, storing and disseminating data in the form of information needed to carry out the functions of management.

3. Illustrate (give examples) how VO can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

Virtual Office can improve company's competitive advantage and organization performance by:
-Allowing employees to work from home can give a company a certain competitive advantages including the ability to hire highly qualified individuals who may not otherwise commute to work and the ability to replicate the traditional office environment for frequent traveling employees and mobile work force.

-Implementation of IP-based technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and computer telephony integration (CTI) technology and use of collaborative technologies for meetings and document sharing. In particular, the implementation of teleconferencing technologies allows workers to be very productive and collaborate with other workers without the burden and expense of travel.

-Implementation of virtual office technologies allow the company to reduce cost of operations through a variety of methods including outsourcing to cheaper labor markets, reducing expenses associated with travel. Other methods of reducing costs include implementation of IP-based technologies such as IP-PBX and VoIP over Wireless LAN, which may provide the advantage of mobility as well as low cost communications.

-The use of conference calling and teleconferencing can significantly reduce the amount of travel time necessary for meetings and collaborative work sessions. These applications and services are largely dependent on IP-based technologies.




references:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.mobilein.com/Perspectives/trends_VirtualOffice.http

Holusha, John. "Commercial Property/Business Centers; Modern Office for Rent: Daily Rates Available." The New York Times. May 20, 2001.
China Business Guide 2005 By Graham Earnshaw, Michael Pennington, Page 164.
Telecommuting and Virtual Offices: Issues and Opportunities, By Nancy J. Johnso

FINAL BLOG Question # 2:

1.Decision Support Systems (DSS)

- are a specific class of computerized information system that supports business and organizational decision-making activities. A properly-designed DSS is an interactive software-based system intended to help decision makers compile useful information from raw data, documents, personal knowledge, and/or business models to identify and solve problems and make decisions.

-Abbreviated DSS, the term refers to an interactive computerized system that gathers and presents data from a wide range of sources, typically for business purposes. DSS applications are systems and subsystems that help people make decisions based on data that is culled from a wide range of sources.

-DSS applications are not single information resources, such as a database or a program that graphically represents sales figures, but the combination of integrated resources working together.

2.Distinguish DSS from MIS

The terms MIS and DSS stand for Management Information Systems and Decision Support Systems respectively. There has been a lot of talk regarding these two, whether they are actually the same thing or if there are any significant differences between the two.

MIS is basically a kind of link to facilitate communcation between managers across different areas in a business organization. MIS plays a pivotal role in enabling communications across the floor of an organization, between various entities therein.

DSS, many consider, is an advancement from the original MIS. However,this is not the sole difference between the two. While there may not be too much separating the two, the difference is still there,as is apparent when we say DSS is an advancement over MIS. The essential difference between the two is in focus.

DSS, as the term indicates, is about leadership and senior management in an organization providing good, reliable judgment as well as vision.

3. Illustrate (give examples) how DSS can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance

DDS can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance by First, once the DSS is implemented, it must be used and it must become a major or significant strength or capability of the organization. Second, the DSS must be unique and proprietary to the organization. Third, the advantage provided by the DSS must be sustainable until an adequate payback is received, usually at least three years. Managers who are searching for strategic investments in information technology need to keep these three criteria in mind. Just because a vendor says a product will create a competitive advantage doesn’t make the claim true. A competitive advantage means an organization does something important much better than its competitors.

If a company is trying to develop a decision support system that provides a competitive advantage, managers and analysts should ask how the proposed DSS affects company costs, customer and supplier relations, and managerial effectiveness. Managers should also attempt to assess how the proposed strategic system will impact the structure of the industry and the behavior of competitors. Finally, companies must continuously improve their information and decision support technology to gain and maintain any competitive advantage.

For example, information technology has altered the bargaining relationships between companies and their suppliers, channels and buyers. Today it is easy for information systems to cross company boundaries. These inter-organizational systems have become common and, in some instances, they have changed the boundaries of the participating industries. Decision support systems can reduce the power of buyers and suppliers. Decision support systems can erect new barriers that reduce the threat of entrants. Decision support systems can help differentiate products and services and reduce the threat from substitutes. Also, decision support systems can help managers reduce the cost of rivalry actions and, in some cases, reduce the need for competitive actions and reactions.



References:
Kettinger, W., Grover, V., Guha, S., and Segars, A., “Strategic Information Systems Revisited,” MIS Quarterly, 1994, pp. 31-55.

Porter, M. E. and V. E. Millar, “How Information Gives You Competitive Advantage,” Harvard Business Review, July-August, 1985.

Porter, M. E., "How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy," Harvard Business Review, March-April, 1979.

Power, D. J., Decision Support Systems Hyperbook. Cedar Falls, IA: DSSResources.COM, HTML version, Fall 2000, accessed on November 6, 2007.

Power, D. J., Decision Support Systems: Concepts and Resources for Managers, Quorum/Greenwood, 2002.

Finals Blog #1 - ASUS

Research one company from the Internet and describe their MIS strategic plan in 1-2 paragraphs. Discuss too the impact of this strategic plan on the company's management, competitors, customers and the company as a whole.Evaluate how can this strategic plan be applied to any local company in the Philippines. Discuss too the possible effect on the company.Include your reference.

CUSTOMERS

• Passion for Technology Technology is the heart of ASUS. We continue to invest in our world-class Research and Development so that we are always able to provide leading-edge innovations to people and businesses.
• Quality Quality is of utmost importance to ASUS. We continue to refine our quality management process to ensure customers receive quality solutions cost effectively.
• Long-term Relationships Whether they are our customers, media, shareholders or consumers, we believe in growing with our partners at all levels. Relationships with those key stakeholders are one of the most important factors of our continuing success.
• Perseverance All ASUS employees share the same sense of purpose. We thrive under pressure and we look forward to challenges. And all of us are working to accomplish the same mission, to empower people with innovative IT solutions.

MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

• Inspire, motivate and support our employees to realize their highest potential
• Commit to integrity and diligence; focus on fundamentals and results
• Endlessly pursue to be number 1 in the areas of quality, speed, service, innovation and cost-efficiency
• Strive to be among the world-class high-tech leaders and to provide valuable contributions to humanity

COMPETITORS

As a major player of the IT industry, ASUS has established its corporate mission: Provide innovative IT solutions that empower people and businesses reaching their full potential. The philosophy of ASUS product development is to do the fundamentals well first before moving forward. Started with computer components such as motherboards, graphic cards, and optical storage devices, ASUS now has now over 16 product lines, including desktop barebone systems, servers, notebooks, handhelds, network devices, broadband communications, LCD monitors, TVs, wireless applications, and CPT (chassis, power supply and thermal) products.

blog # 3

SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM - GENERAL SANTOS CITY

Social security primarily refers to social welfare service concerned with social protection, or protection against socially recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and others. Although some publications use the terms "social security" and "social protection" interchangeably, social security is used both more narrowly (to refer only to schemes with the formal title of 'social security') and more widely (referring to many kinds of social welfare schemes). Social security may refer to:social insurance, where people receive benefits or services in recognition of contributions to an insurance scheme. These services typically include provision for retirement pensions, disability insurance, survivor benefits and unemployment insurance.

income maintenance—mainly the distribution of cash in the event of interruption of employment, including retirement, disability and unemploymentservices provided by administrations responsible for social security. In different countries this may include medical care, aspects of social work and even industrial relations.More rarely, the term is also used to refer to basic security, a term roughly equivalent to access to basic necessities—things such as food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care.

Computerazation has its own advantages and disadvantages. One of its advantages is that it work faster and easier as well as paper less. However, the disavantages is that if one's system fails, the job to be done is great and costly not to mention that the workers/encoders has nothing to do since almost all works/jobs now are computers dependent.
Big companies usally have back-ups of their databases. This is to prevent loss of all datas/transactions if its main data base fails.

post #2

Research 1 company and describe how they protect their company from internet risks.Also, research for possible risks or dangers and/or impacts of internet - related crimes to a company.

Western Union is a worldwide leader in money transfer and messaging services. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union dates back to 1851 and introduced electronic money transfer service in 1871. Western Union Commercial Services is a division of Western Union Financial Services, which is a subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC). Atlanta-based First Data Corp. helps move the world's money. As the leader in electronic commerce and payment services, First Data serves more than two million merchant locations, 1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, making it easier, faster and more secure for people and businesses to buy goods and services.Related crime to a company
Western Union has been the conduit of a lot of fraud. But since they're not the victim, they don't care much about security. It's an externality to them. It took a lawsuit to convince them to take security seriously.Western Union, one of the world's most frequently used money transfer services, will begin warning its customers against possible fraud in their transactions.

Persuading consumers to send wire transfers, particularly to Canada, has been a popular method for con artists. Recent scams include offering consumers counterfeit cashier's checks, advance-fee loans and phony lottery winnings.
More than $113 million was swindled in 2002 from U.S. residents through wire transfer fraud to Canada alone, according to a survey conducted by investigators in seven states.
Washington was one of 10 states that negotiated an $8.5 million settlement with Western Union. Most of the settlement would fund a national program to counsel consumers against telemarketing fraud.
In addition to the money, the company has agreed to increase fraud awareness at more than 50,000 locations, develop a computer program that would spot likely fraud-induced transfers before they are completed and block transfers from specific consumers to specific recipients when the company receives fraud information from state authorities.