The Advantages of Information Technology

The Advantages of Information Technology in Education [1]

  Advancements in information and communication technology have not only benefited education, but also continue to shape the way the field itself develops. With more powerful software and applications, along with mobile devices such as tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and laptops becoming more prevalent in the classroom, information technology offers many benefits to all aspects of education.

Connectivity

·         By using information technology, teachers and students are more connected in and out of the classroom. For example, Seton Hill University's program "The Griffin Technology Advantage," which supplies each student with a laptop and a tablet computer for school and personal use, aims to encourage "creative literacy" by connecting students and staff to a wider community outside of school, along with allowing students to work with a technology they may very well need in the workforce.

Lessons

·         Information technology provides teachers an endless choice of multimedia, software, applications and devices with which to create more exciting, interactive lessons. The traditional lecture-based lesson, while effective to a point, does not stimulate every type of learner. By adding a dimension to their lessons, teachers have the opportunity to engage more students and lead a more involved, energetic class.

Resources

·         Advancements in networking within information technology have connected more institutions and their staffs and students, and therefore made a greater amount of information and resources available. For example, a thesis written by a professor at one university previously may have been shelved or archived only at that university's library. Now, it becomes easy for a student in a university on the other side of the world to have access to that thesis with a simple download.

Distance Learning Courses

·         Online courses and web-based training have improved in quality as information and communication technology has advanced. Some universities offer accredited courses that may be taken entirely on the Internet, creating more educational opportunities. These courses not only provide students with access to the same resources as students in traditional classes, but they also typically offer more flexibility, allowing students to complete the work on their own schedules. For those who wish to continue their educations but are reluctant to give up their jobs, distance learning courses can be the answer.

The Advantages of Information Technology in Organisation

Here are some of the benefits of IT  in organization:-

Globalization - IT has not only brought the world closer together, but it has allowed the world's economy to become a single interdependent system. This means that we can not only share information quickly and efficiently, but we can also bring down barriers of linguistic and geographic boundaries. The world has developed into a global village due to the help of information technology allowing countries like Chile and Japan who are not only separated by distance but also by language to shares ideas and information with each other.

Communication - With the help of information technology, communication has also become cheaper, quicker, and more efficient. We can now communicate with anyone around the globe by simply text messaging them or sending them an email for an almost instantaneous response. The internet has also opened up face to face direct communication from different parts of the world thanks to the helps of video conferencing.

Cost effectiveness - Information technology has helped to computerize the business process thus streamlining businesses to make them extremely cost effective money making machines. This in turn increases productivity which ultimately gives rise to profits that means better pay and less strenuous working conditions.

Bridging the cultural gap - Information technology has helped to bridge the cultural gap by helping people from different cultures to communicate with one another, and allow for the exchange of views and ideas, thus increasing awareness and reducing prejudice.

More time - IT has made it possible for businesses to be open 24 x7 all over the globe. This means that a business can be open anytime anywhere, making purchases from different countries easier and more convenient. It also means that you can have your goods delivered right to your doorstep with having to move a single muscle.

Creation of new jobs - Probably the best advantage of information technology is the creation of new and interesting jobs. Computer programmers, Systems analyzers, Hardware and Software developers and Web designers are just some of the many new employment opportunities created with the help of IT.[2]

[1] The Advantages of Information Technology in Education | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6364456_advantages-information-technology-education.html#ixzz1QX58ALpR

  

[2] http://www.smallbusinessbible.org/advan_disadvan_informationtechnology.html

walmart inventory management

walmart inventory management

  With all the Just-In-Time talk and knowledge regarding better management and understanding of inventory, you'd think that average levels would be decreasing.  Well, I still think that at a well-managed company, they should be, but Susan K. Lacefield, accociate editor of Logistics Management, wrote a pretty interesting article that found otherwise.

In a poll of her magazine's internet readers, she found that over 60% of companies expect to see inventory levels rising over the next year.  The specifics regarding why are some pretty interesting reasons.

Most notably, Wal-Mart's JIT efforts are leaving their suppliers with more inventory.  If you think about this, it makes a lot of sense.  Wal-Mart does not want to hold inventory.  At the same time, they do not want backorders.  The only way to do this is to be able to replenish their stock at a moment's notice.  So what does this do to their suppliers?  According to Logistics Management, it shoots supplier's inventories straight up.

The demands that Wal-Mart places on its suppliers are incredible because of the power Wal-Mart places on its suppliers.  Personally, I'm waiting for the day when Wal-Mart's suppliers form a massive supplier's union (sounds like collusion to me), but until then, good for Wal-Mart for leveraging what it can out of its suppliers.  Also in the mean time, suppliers are forced to hold incredible safety stocks to make sure they can satisfy Wal- Mart's demands.

Basically, the suppliers don't have a choice in the matter.  Wal-Mart's business, even with the demands on service, is too good to pass up.  But, Wal-Mart is not about to have a stockout due to some supplier's inability to provide a 99% service level.  Wal-Mart, like many huge companies, will not wait.  Many companies are:

Wal-Mart is ordering fewer cases more frequently

For a company, this means that they can either produce smaller batches, or hold onto more inventory.  Because if a company cannot produce less and faster, than they have to produce a large amount and then, instead of producing a large amount and getting rid of it all at once, they have to get rid of it slowly over time, which increases average inventory.

While Wal-Mart may be getting the good end of the deal, one thing is for sure, there's a reason suppiers put up with these demands, and it's not because the business with Wal-Mart is bad.

If you would like more informatin regarding this article, Shippers are seeing inventory rising,  it can found in the October 2005 Logistics Management Vol. 44, No. 10 issue.  Additionally, feel free to leave comments with a question and your email address.[1]

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Benefits of walmart inventory management

 it is able to offer consumers an every-day-low-price largely in part because it is able to control its costs. The cost of its products, however, is not only a function of its efficiency or lack of it but also the efficiency/inefficiency of its suppliers. Because of the volume of products sold by Wal-Mart, it has a great influence over its suppliers and often pressures its suppliers to find ways to lower costs. Though it has a large influence over these suppliers, it is impossible for Wal-Mart to operate without their assistance, and thus it is important for Wal-Mart to maintain mutually beneficial relationships with those suppliers. Sharing benefits and costs in, instead of mandating the use of, technology implementations is an effective way for Wal-Mart to cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship with its suppliers. The novelty and frailty of certain technologies like RFID, however, sometimes preclude a timely and effective implementation of them. A technology’s benefits are felt the more its use is standardized throughout the marketplace. Once unit cost has decreased and privacy issues have been resolved, many more companies will be able to implement RFID as an effective means to improve supply chain management efficiency.[2]

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 Summary :- 

  Wal-Mart is multifaceted: Its retail stores can

replenish tagged out-of-stock items up to three times faster 

than non-tagged items, according to independent research 

on Wal-Mart’s EPC initiative. Tagging also helps ensure 

promotional products are delivered and correctly tagged 

and displayed for sales on an advertised date. And better inventory management systems help store managers avoid stockpiling excess inventory at the store. 

For the manufacturer, product tagging shortens the amount of time it takes for new items to make it through the distribution channel and onto store shelves. More specifically, RFID tagging aids in proof of delivery and purchase order reconciliation, as products—even ones packed deep inside boxed pallets—can be tracked and counted at every critical point in the manufacturer’s distribution process.

[1]http://www.inventorymanagementreview.org/2006/04/walmart_increas.html

[2]http://www.danielmillsap.com/research/rfid-in-wal-mart-global-supply-chain-management.html

Websites review

1-.Groupsmore.com:

   Basically, this website works as an online advertiser for selling stuffs which have special offers (discounts) . Moreover, it uses multimedia for selling , providing and advertising some products & services like  activities (eg:- [51% Off] Pilot a Cessna 172 Aircraft around KL City and take 2 additional passengers for a Sky Ride for RM450 instead of RM920 (Only RM150 per person), food, Fashion , course (eg:- like Latin dance for maybe four sessions) and studio rental. Noticeably, all the products and services offer discounts that have a specific period which lets the customers who are willing to buy to consider the offers seriously. However, the website asks users to log in or register to be as member with Groupsmore or the users can access or log in through Facebook and this kind of specialties called and used as collaboration and the purpose if using that is to share and publish Groupsmore products & services. Therefore, Groupon Malaysia has been featured on Business Wire, CNBC etc . The inter face of this website is obviously friendly which means you can do many options through this website like checking prices, the specific period of the discount and so on. Via looking into the site layout, Expressions of this website allows the customers or the users to feel free and comfortable in seeing and choosing products and services as well.

2) jackcow:-

Basically, this website works as an online advertiser for selling stuffs which have special offers (discounts). . Moreover, it uses multimedia for selling, providing and advertising some products & services like offering exclusive deals & discounts at the best places to eat, relax, shop and travel. Discover unbelievable deals at half the price. However, the website asks users to log in or register to be as member with Jackcow or the users can follow it on Facebook and Twiiter , this kind of specialties called and used as collaboration and the purpose if using that is to share and publish Jackcow products & services. The inter face of this website is obviously friendly which means you can do many options through this website like checking prices, the specific period of the discount and mainly there are a good description  for each package that they provide for the customers . Via looking into the site layout, Expressions of this website allows the customers or the users to feel free and comfortable in seeing and choosing products and services as well.

3) Superdeals:-

By opening this website ,  we  just found  one ad that tells us that it is still under construction. We are not able to judge on the website as we can see.

4) Milkadeal:-

Basically, this website works as an online advertiser for selling stuffs which have special offers (discounts). Moreover, it uses multimedia for selling, providing and advertising some products & services like offering exclusive deals & discounts at the best places to eat, relax, shop and travel. Discover unbelievable deals at half the price. Furthermore, there is a distinctive idea which is made in this website. In the other word, there is a field for discussing the deals or offers. In Addition, each deal or offer has its own conditions(Eg:- Redemption Period: 1 May 2011 – 30 June 2011, nlimited Purchase but limited to ONE redemption per person, etc)  and Highlights (eg:- Mad Monkeyz is a Bouldering Gym for all levels, Mad Monkeyz is a Bouldering Gym for all levels, Fully air-conditioned and free fall type of climbing, etc). However, the website asks users to log in or register to be as member with Milkadeal or the users can follow it on Facebook and Twiiter , this kind of specialties called and used as collaboration and the purpose if using that is to share and publish Milkadeal products & services. The inter face of this website is obviously friendly which means you can do many options through this website like checking prices, the specific period of the offer  and mainly there are a good description  for each package that they provide for the customers . Via looking into the site layout, Expressions of this website allows the customers or the users to feel free and comfortable in seeing and choosing products and services as well.  

-Benefits of those website

1- The way of advertising is useful by making friendly website  which enables the users to do the payment of the  deal or the offer online via easy ways.

2- The website asks users to log in or register to be as member or the users can access or log in through Facebook and this kind of specialties called and used as collaboration and the purpose if using that is to share and publish its products & services.

I prefer using Groupsmore.com because it has friendly interface and also the flexibility in moving between the pages of the website. Therefore, the other website that I also prefer is Milkadeal and the reason of preferring this website is because it has has friendly interface and also the flexibility in moving between the pages of the website and importantly it provides a helpful feature which is having “ discussing deals” . This feature could benefit the company via looking to the people opinion of the products and services or maybe the customers might inquire about the package or something like that. In the other hand, the e-commerce of those websites is implemented very well and the strategy that they are using is magnificent and it could get customers attention quickly and result of that is shown very well in those websites via providing a section for showing the clients how many packages have been sold and also the specific period of the packages, appearing that to the customers motivate them to hurry and make the payment process. However, the difficulty that I might face is that sometimes I need to comment or ask about the package , if I want to improve , I will  design for those websites some videos of the website to show and guide them how to make the payment process.

 http://www.groupsmore.com

http://www.jackcow.com/

http://www.superdeals.com/

http://www.milkadeal.com/

      

Panda Supermarket

 Company background:

    One of Savola’s corporations group is The United Azizia Panda Company and now days ,it considers being  one of the largest Saudi companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Panda has been established in 1979 when its first branch was opened in Riyadh. Since then, the company has been focusing its effort to expand for reaching the needs of all the customers all around the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to offer them the best service while offering competing  prices. Panda directs and controls the work of a chain that consists of 100 supermarkets branch and hypermarkets inside and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In addition, Panda takes on board 10000 employees. It has gone beyond its enlarging plans and its Saudi limits to reach the United Arabic Emirates when it has opened its HyperPanda in the city of Dubai, and by doing that it proves that it has started its widening plans on regional and national territories. By the year 2012, Panda will hopefully have more than 125 branches and 20000 employees that provide the service to its clients. Moreover, Panda had a merge with the Giant stores in 2008 in order for a larger group of consumers to benefit from this fusion by following the same plan and improving its client service. In addition, what distinguish Panda’s markets are the products that hold the name of the commercial brand “Panda”. And these are merchandises that are growing day after day and they have become one of the special choices for the clients. These products are characterized with high quality, competing prices and diversity that satisfy all the customers’ needs.( an email from Mr. Yahaya alsaggaf, 12/3/2011)

-Pnada Current Market 

Now days , Panda is considered as the largest retail food chain series in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. it has a noticeable growth over the coming year. Therefore, their branches are everywhere in the cities of  the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. in the other word, it covers most of the areas especially the living areas around the main cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Indeed, it is now number one option or choice of most of the residents of the Saudi Arabia where customers conveniently shop. Panda today is concentrating on providing its services to most of the cities around the kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the focus on the booming economics due to the high competition .

-The IT/ IS (system) that is implemented in Panda Company , are the retail food which is the main task of this company and also we will look for many things like customer  services. 

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-Project Planning + Task Scheduling

There are many tasks that will be implementing in Panda company , they are as the following  :-

1) I will have a strategy that calls" SWOT analysis which considered as  a strategic planning method used to evaluate Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or  a business venture. It involves specifying the objective of the business venture or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieve that objective."[1]
2) Another Strategy will be implemented which is "Porter’s five forces". it is a method used to define the five forces that design or  shape every business industry. Therefore, it is used to  determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of a market. Attractiveness in this context refers to the overall industry profitability. An "unattractive" industry is one in which the combination of these five forces acts to drive down overall profitability. A very unattractive industry would be one approaching "pure competition", in which available profits for all firms are driven down to zero.[1]b
3) Business future strategy :. The future strategy plan is including the solutions like Improve the marketing department, Build big warehouses, Create a comity specialized in social issues, Measure the quality regularly and Get some independency in supplying.

4) IT Posistion :- needs to improve in many ways.
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i will  mostly use these (Email interview observation,books/internet research) to finish my research 

Digital Economy

- Digital economy

  

  A digital economy is an economy that depends on electronic goods and services produced via an electronic business and, traded and through electronic commerce. That kind of electronic businesses is used with electronic production and management processes which interacts with its partners and customers and conducts transactions through Internet and Web technologies.[1]

-The differences between the Old economy and the digital economy:-

A-Old-economy
 

1-      In the old economy, information was physic. People communicated and conducted their missions or business  by moving their physical presences into a meeting room, talking over an analog telephone line, sending letters made of atoms to one another, broadcasting analog television signals to homes, showing pictures developed at the local photo shop, exchanging cash or checks, playing records by the guidance of a stylus through some grooves on a record, publishing physical magazines purchased at a store or delivered by the post office, or projecting light through a physical film strip at a movie theater.[2]

B-Digital-economy

     In the new economy, information is in digital form: bits. When information becomes digitized and communicated through digital networks, a new world of possibilities would open or unfold . Vast amounts of information can be compressed and transmitted at the speed of light. The quality of the information can be far better than in analog transmissions. Many different forms of information can be combined, creating, for example, multimedia documents. (If a picture is worth a thousand words, the right multimedia document retrieved at the right time is worth a thousand pictures.) Information can be stored and retrieved instantly from around the world, eventually providing instant access to much of the information recorded by human civilization. New digital appliances can be created that fit in your pocket (or smaller) and can have an impact on most aspects of business and personal life.[2]

[1]http://www.answers.com/topic/digital-economy 

[2]http://www.businessweek.com/chapter/tapch02.htm

IS-Information System

Information System:-

    The largest growth in most economies is coming from 'information' industries. The success of such knowledge-based organisations lies in their information systems. Also, forced by technological change and globalisation of markets, many manufacturing industries are also placing increasing emphasis upon information systems. Information systems are more than just computer programs. Though information and communications technologies are playing an increasing role in meeting organisations’ information needs, an information system is a much more general concept. It refers to the wider systems of people, data and activities, both computer-based and manual, that effectively gather, process, store and disseminate organisations’ information.

What can you get from an Information Systems course?

The value of the information systems professional stems from a breadth of knowledge and skills. Requirements of an information system are to do with the people and organizations that the system must serve, as well as IT capabilities. Consequently, the field is a multidisciplinary one, which requires specialist knowledge of the computer world, the world of organisations and people for whom the system must process information, and the professional skills and knowledge to make the former work for the latter. Not least, the information systems professional will have communication and interpersonal skills, for example, needed to elicit those requirements and communicate analyses and designs to decision makers.

A graduate from an information system programme will have studied each of these aspects to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge which they will be able to apply confidently in organizations of all kinds. Reflecting the multidisciplinarity of the field, Information Systems degree programmes offer a carefully chosen mix of social, management and technical aspects, such as: information systems within the contexts of organisations, management and the information society; computing knowledge and skills in programming, computer architectures and networks; techniques for information systems analysis and design, including database design methods, and related professional and legal knowledge.

After completing, graduates may go on to take up a specialist information systems management positions - such as information systems manager, IT manager, corporate IT administrator or information systems consultant, to name but a few possibilities - but more broadly you will gain a solid foundation for taking up a variety of work roles in this rapidly changing society.

Definition:-

    Pronounced as separate letters, and short for Information Systems or Information Services. For many companies, IS is the name of the department responsible for computers, networking and data management. Other companies refer to the department as IT (Information Technology) and MIS (Management Information Services).

Type of Information System:-

      The main kinds of information systems in business

1-Executive Support Systems

 An Executive Support System ("ESS") is designed to help senior management make strategic decisions. It gathers, analyses and summarises the key internal and external information used in the business.

 A good way to think about an ESS is to imagine the senior management team in an aircraft cockpit - with the instrument panel showing them the status of all the key business activities. ESS typically involve lots of data analysis and modelling tools such as "what-if" analysis to help strategic decision-making.

2- Management Information Systems

A management information system ("MIS") is mainly concerned with internal sources of information. MIS usually take data from the transaction processing systems (see below) and summarise it into a series of management reports.

MIS reports tend to be used by middle management and operational supervisors.

3- Decision-Support Systems:-

  Decision-support systems ("DSS") are specifically designed to help management make decisions in situations where there is uncertainty about the possible outcomes of those decisions. DSS comprise tools and techniques to help gather relevant information and analyse the options and alternatives. DSS often involves use of complex spreadsheet and databases to create "what-if" models.

4- Transaction Processing Systems

As the name implies, Transaction Processing Systems ("TPS") are designed to process routine transactions efficiently and accurately. A business will have several (sometimes many) TPS; for example:

- Billing systems to send invoices to customers
- Systems to calculate the weekly and monthly payroll and tax payments
- Production and purchasing systems to calculate raw material requirements
- Stock control systems to process all movements into, within and out of the business

http://tutor2u.net/business/ict/intro_information_system_types.htm