Sunday, April 26, 2009

Article: 10 Most Anticipated Ultraportables and Netbooks of 2009

An article in PC World online was describing some upcoming and anticipated portable devices of the next year. This is certainly relevant to this week’s material in regards to Ch. 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology. The next year will hold the release of some exciting electronics. The ultraportable and notebooks are this, small, and lightweight portable computing devices with longer battery life and more convenient portability. The functions of these new devices will be the best yet, with better graphics, larger memory capacity, TV capabilities, GPS navigations, and 3G technologies.
One such laptop coming out is the MSI Wind U115. It will cost under $700 and is less than 3 pounds; the screen size is 10 inches. It is considered a hybrid computer due to its separate solid state hard drive and the traditional 160 GB hard disk. It will use less power than a standard hard drive while performing faster. Battery life will be dramatically increased as you can switch off the hard drive and just run the system on solid state drive. 12 to 20 ours is the estimate. 3 USB ports and 2 GB of RAM, good speakers, wireless card, and many SD card capabilities top it off.
Personally I think it sometimes can be difficult to decide which laptop to buy. Of course once you do make a decision there will be something newer, better, or cooler in just a few months. Nevertheless when I make a decision about buying new technology or in this case a newer laptop, I look at a few things. I first consider price, what my budget is, then I look at function requirement for myself. At this point I usually have it narrowed down to about 2 or 3 laptops. Then I like to test them out a little bit and maybe do some online research to get users opinions of the machines. Then the decision usually comes down to which one I feel most comfortable with. In the case of this new laptop described above, someone looking for a lightweight, easily portable, long lasting laptop will apparently be well satisfied. Let’s see what else there is to come…

Sources: Paul, Ian. (2009). 10 Most Anticipated Ultraportables and Netbooks of 2009. PC World.

Case Study: A Stolen Laptop at the Department of Veterans Affairs: The Worst Data Theft Ever?

1.List and describe the security weaknesses at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The security weaknesses at the Department of Veterans Affairs are: That they allowed an employee to take home confidential and sensitive information, employees working without authorization, the operating system, password system, and detection alerts were all vulnerable to security breaches, the department delayed reporting their incidents for two weeks. These combined weaknesses allowed for information to slip into the wrong hands and be made vulnerable to theft. A tighter security system was needed top ensure information protection.

2.What management, organization, and technology factors contributed to these weaknesses?

The factors contributing to these weaknesses were from management, the organizational structure, and techoinogical applications used at the Department of Veterans Affairs. An audit recommended centralization of IT security programs, ensuring employee job description had proper rules for access, and work should be done on intrusion free systems, infrastructure protection actions, and better access controls. None were implemented. The demand for greater direct authority to enforce security policies and mandates was made apparent.

4.What solutions would you suggest to prevent these security problems?

To prevent such security problems and ensure the safety of confidential information I would recommend that the Department of Veterans Affairs keep a tighter lid on its information. This can be accomplishes by ensuring personal responsibility and authorization of any confidential material. That no material may be transmitted or saved outside of the protected network computers. That additional security systems be put into place which can recognize when material is vulnerable to theft and will notify the proper authorities. Better management is needed to ensure the facilitation of these new measures and this is vital to the success of the organization and its members.

Sources: Management Information Systems Managing the Digital Firm, tenth edition. pgs. 348-350. Laudon, Kenneth C.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Ch. 6 Foundations of Business Intelligence: Databases and Information Management

In almost any company today the use of information technology is imperative. It seems as though the status quo today involves computerized data storage and technology. The usage of databases to improve business performance and decision making is also very common. On many levels, the performance of modern day companies depends on databases and information systems. In regards to sales, customers, suppliers, and regulators, these databases provide for an efficient organization of information. Businesses can learn many things about their associates and partners by utilizing the power of these databases. In many larger firms which provide some type of manufacturing capacity, the utilization of databases is imperative.
A company such as Wal Mart is a perfect example of how databases help facilitate success and performance. Companies such as Verizon also use databases to make decision upon what new models of phone to add to their lineup. Databases encompass concepts such as data warehouses which are storages of current and old data which may be used to make decisions. Data marts are smaller sets of data where a summarized or focused portion of the organization’s data is kept for certain users. Both internal and external data sources incorporate in company’s databases.
Business intelligence is a set of tools for consolidating, analyzing, and providing access to vast amounts of data to help users make better business decisions. Firms utilize business intelligence in order to gain knowledge about customers, competitors, and markets. Online Analytical Processing supports multidimensional data analysis, enabling users to view the same data in different ways using multiple dimensions. The ability to answer issues online is needed in today’s businesses. Data mining is a concept which provides insights into corporate data that cannot be obtained with OLAP by finding hidden patterns and relationships in larger databases and inferring rules from them to predict future behavior. The concept of predictive analysis is incorporated into data mining as it uses techniques and historical data to predict outcomes of business behaviors.
I think that many companies today depend on these concepts for success. Marketing companies, clothing companies, even food retailers all need to know information about their customers, suppliers, and competitors. These databases help a company like Wal Mart be able to facilitate such a vast distribution network. It is imperative that databases continue to grow and improve so that our capabilities as companies may as well.

Sources: Management Information Systems Managing The Digital Firm, tenth edition. pgs. 238-243. Laudon, Kenneth C.

Article Review: Cheap Blu-Ray players

Blu Ray players are due for lower prices say the experts. In today’s retail market the average Blu Ray player is around $200 or so. You can also find a Blu Ray player in Playstation 3 which boasts the added feature of being a gaming console but will cost you around $400. I think that the technology behind HD movies and Blu Ray is great. The sound and picture quality is excellent. I myself recently purchase a Playstation 3 and am enjoying it. I feel that keeping up with new technology platforms can often be expensive but rewarding. I think that supply and demand will likely work in the consumers favor later this year as the article is predicting. We will then have affordable Blu Ray players and many DVD options under $30. It is important for all the companies in that market to remain competitive. I look forward to the price drops.

Sources: Bertolucci, Jeff. (2009). Cheap Blu Ray Players to hit US Shelves. PC World.

Ch. 5 Case Study: Merrill Lynch

1. Why did Merrill Lynch need to update its IT infrastructure?
Merrill Lynch needed to update its IT infrastructure so that it could remain a dominant competitor in the financial industry. All of the competitor banks and investment firms were going through updates as well. In order to remain competitive, Merrill Lynch looked to provide new programs for its workers and mangers to give them a competitive advantage. Through the application and administration of updated IT systems, Merrill Lynch was able to stay ahead of the competition.

2. What is the relationship of information technology to Merrill Lynch’s business strategy? How was its web services initiative related to that strategy?
The relationship between information technology and Merrill Lynch is one of necessity. The need for information technology is evident in regards to Merrill Lynch’s sustained success. The goal was to develop new systems that exploited the depth of information in its mainframes. This was accomplished with the help of its web services division. The web services initiative at Merrill Lynch was connected to the strategic goals of the company. By using web services Merrill Lynch hoped to cut costs by as much as $20 million. Many criteria were established along with new platforms which facilitated these changes.

4. Do you think that Merrill Lynch’s decision to sell off its successful technology initiatives was a good idea? Why or why not?
I think that Merrill Lynch’s decision to sell off its successful technology initiatives was a good idea. The reasons are those surrounding cost savings, increased revenue, and the creation of new areas for change. By selling off the technology initiatives the information technology budget received more space for spending. This was a well thought out and planned \sale and it turned out to be a good decision.

Sources: Management Information Systems Managing the Digital Firm, tenth edition. pgs. 218-220. Laudon, Kenneth C.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

E-Portfolio (Just in Case I did not make it Public)

Ch. 4: Ethical and Social Issues in Information Systems
4/13/09

Where information systems are concerned in our current society, strong issues around ethics exist. A new legal environment has been implemented after previous firms and individuals have broken laws and displayed poor ethics. Strong federal penalties exist when corporate mangers break certain laws. Companies such as: Enron, Worldcom, Merrill Lynch, Parmalat, Bristol-Meyers-Squibb, Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., and KPMG are just a few examples. All of these companies have broken laws around ethical business practices in the past.
The current trend is for defendants to reach a guilty plea so that the fine and sentencing is reduced. The unethical usage of information systems were instrumental in many of these crimes. The term ethics refers to, “principles of right and wrong that individuals, acting as free moral agents, use to make choices to guide their behaviors.” The implementation of information systems can potentially disrupt the power architecture of established organizations and governments. This technology is pivotal in our everyday lives in developed nations.
There is a new significance placed on ethics revolving information systems especially the internet. When I think of ethics and the internet I first think of my own safety. In regards to my safety I am referring to my personal information. Any sensitive information such as social security number, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers and so on. If this information was shared unethically and in an irresponsible manner then my identity could be hijacked and major ramification for me could incur. This is one example on a more personal level of why the ethics of information systems are very significant. We must do whatever we can to ensure the proper usage and sharing of sensitive information.
The text offers a model for thinking about ethical, social, and political issues. The obvious danger regarding information systems in my opinion on a security level for nations is military information. Any secret technologies or plans could be shared with inappropriate parties which could jeopardize national security. By splitting the areas into: information rights and obligations, property rights and obligations, system quality, quality of life, and accountability and control, the authors categorize these issues. Individual issues are grouped within the quality of life section, whereas political, social, and ethical issues fall into information rights and obligations along with property rights and obligations.
The authors explain these five moral dimensions of the information age. Essentially by protecting our rights and property we can help mitigate the risk of poor usage of information systems. We see this on an everyday basis with secure networks, firewalls, passwords and pins. I believe that there will always be some factor of risk by using the internet and paying bills or banking online. This is the nature of the information system and the humans utilizing it.

Sources: Management Information Systems Managing The Digital Firm, tenth edition. pgs. 127-130. Laudon, Kenneth C.

Article: Google's Best Easter Eggs and Hoaxes

Google is one of the most used search engines on the internet. In regards to an information system it is relvant to all of us on an everyday basis. From an ethical persepective google can be a source of pranks and hoaxes to its users. Not to mention Google can allow viruses to be transmitted, whether accidental or not. I feel that Google is a great company and website. Its capabilites are amazing. I know that when I need to find anythina at all I can depend on google to find it for me. The articel I have read reviews certain Easter Egg apps and lets you explore them yourself. It is just a good example in relevacne to this week's topics of information systems and the ethics involed. Nothing is a perfect system even when it comes to ncomputers, the internet, and informatin systems. But I think Google comes damn close to being perfect (at elast for me when I need to find infromation).

Sources: Spring, Tom. (2009). Google's Best Easter Eggs and Hoaxes. PC World.

Case Study- Amazon.com: An Internet Giant Fine-Tunes Its Strategy

2. Describe Amazon’s evolving business strategy?
The business strategy at Amazon has changed much since it began some 13 years ago. Beginning as a way to sell books over the internet directly to customers, Amazon offered a much larger selection and lower prices. By providing great customer support via telephone and e-mail the customers were able to connect with real people. The creation of “1-click” shopping was Amazon’s own. In 1998 they began selling music and video products. The take home message is that goals were set upon a “virtual” retail company. This encompassed “lean inventories, low head count, and significant cost savings over traditional bookstores.”
In the early 2000s Amazon lowered prices, gave free shipping, and offered e-commerce to business in an attempt to boost revenues. Next they looked into operations for improvements with efficiency. Finally in 2003 Amazon was on paper a profitable corporation. Even today they still are doing well with the discount prices and ease of shopping they offer.

3. Why did the company change its strategy?
Amazon changed its strategy throughout its existence to compete better. The survival and success of any company, especially an online retailer is dependent upon its ability to adjust to the current market. By making changes to its business strategy Amazon was able to report profits in less than a ten year period. Not to mention continual profits until recently. The changes made within Amazon as noted in the previous question were timely and we will likely see more in the near future.

4. Do you thing Amazon can continue to be successful? Explain your answer.
I believe that Amazon is a great company. I have used them repeatedly over the years for purchasing textbooks and personal reading materials. I do not hesitate or even shop around because I am so confident that I will be getting a great deal at Amazon. I would gladly use them over E-Bay as I trust the website more. As for the future I think they will continue to deliver for their investors. If the senior management is flexible and creative they can adjust to any economic situation. Not to mention that there will always be college students who need books. A good history combined with a more or less steady base for revenue and customers also make my beliefs more solid, in regards to their continual success.

Sources: Sources: Management Information Systems Managing the Digital Firm, tenth edition. pgs. 107-108. Laudon, Kenneth C.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

About Me

I am currently working for Amgen in the Neuroscience department. My responsibilities include receptor occupancy assays and immunohistochemical analysis. I support both the In-Vivo and In-Vitro groups. I received my Bachelor’s in Science form The University of Michigan in 2007. During which I worked in an Oncology lab for three years learning tissue culture and pharmocogenomic analysis, in regards to breast cancer therapies. Upon completion of this program (Dual Degree) I see myself transitioning into a business unit of Amgen. I would like to work in an environment which calls upon knowledge from scientific as well as business related issues. I would love to travel more and since the Biopharmaceutical industry is worldwide this may not be such a far fetched desire. A bit of networking, timing, and luck may land me a desirable spot, We shall see…..