Question #5

As a topic before KBS, DSS and VO, identify and describe one company that adopts an MIS. Include in your discussion, how MIS help and support the company, its managers and other employees, in their problem solving and decision-making.

I will cite General Santos City Hospital as a company that adopts an MIS. This hospital operates not simply as the usual hospital in general santos since the database and the system are ENGAS based, meaning it is synchronized with the guidelines of Department of Health. The procurement of medicines are very complicated as we know, unlike other hospitals.

Because of their MIS, the procurement of medicines for examples made easier and they can monitor if the budget appropriated by the LGU office is alreading exceeding, so the manager can now decide what medicines to be prioritize,how often and how much to purchase. Also because MIS is installed and being adopt the requisition and acceptance of medicines are uniformed and well monitored by the DOH.

KBS

The knowledge- based system is a system that is programmed to give answers to those asking based on the informations given to the system. Meaning, if one has queries then the knowledge based system can provide the specific answers. Of course, answers would be limited on what was being programmed. Simply the artificial brains. While the MIS supports the daily operations and decision making efforts. KBS focused only on the queries.

KBS can be very useful in order to improve company's competitice advantage because it can manage, store and retrieve common querries that maybe useful in the operation and decision making. And creating custom reports for example would be easier, and that's one edge of having KBS compare to company who has no KBS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge%2Dbased%5Fsystems

Virtual Office (VO)

Virtual office doesn't have an actual and physical location. It is also a system that allows a company or people with business to access all information and business data as long as there is an internet connection.

All company that has the same line of businesses may gather together in one location that is intangible because they are in the net.

There are big difference between VO and MIS, as posted above, VO is a shared office services for those company having same nature of business while MIS is a system within the company, or at their own possession. MIS is the gathered informations that only the company can access or used in making decisions, while in VO, other companies or it might be all company in the intagible location can use the data available.

If one company is in VO it can improve company's competitive advantage, for example if the company is in to a virtual office that is prestigious and respected, then the company's image will also be uplifted. And the resources of the company can be used to expand other projects or investments since VO save lots of money, in a sense that,the businessman doesn't need to rent for office and hired a secretary.

P.s.. i did not copy and paste it..hehe
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual%5Foffice

Question #3

TOPIC: THE DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM (DSS)Question # 3: 1. Describe or define DSS.2. Distinguish DSS from MIS.3. Illustrate (give examples) how DSS can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

Decision Support System is a computerized system for helping the managers to come- up a right decisions for the company.

DSS and MIS have the same function and purpose in manager's decision making, to make the decision making process simplier and accurate with the informations available. But the DSS only supports the process of decisioning, for example in productivity of the marketing assistants (promos or agents), their are informations available, out of the informations gathered that can come up decisions, there are also factors that support more on the main informations. Main infos would be their sales, and the hours spend in the field would be the support.

Also, they can all be the same but management information system is typically structured data about a business. Decision support system would be data specific to a specific business problem.
Meaning, if the company has problem on marketing aspects, then the decision support system would give the data focus on marketing alone.,while in the MIS informations for all aspects are available in times of making decision.

DSS can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance in a way that the manager's or those middle management can evaluate immediately the factors that causes the problem of the company because they have the DSS that will provide them useful information from raw data, documents or personal knowledge. Once it is available, then decision making would be easier and lesser in errors compare to companies with no DSS.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Decision-Support-System

Activity No.3

For those who are working, interview your IT in-charge and ask him/her to describe the computer database systems used in the company. Write your answer in 1-2 paragraphs. Further, ask also the benefits and/or disadvantages derived from these database systems.

The General Santos City Hospital is using a ABSOLUTE DATABASE. This features SQL 92 support, single database file with advance cache management and buffering architecture, multi user and up to 32TB maximum size.

According to Mr. Alex Dagmil, the Head IT officer in the hospital, this is one of the most advance yet very much simplified database in the hospital operation. It manages the entire system of the hospital and can relate to the ENGAS system that the city government is basing, ENGAS is also required by the Commission on Audit for Local Government Units (LGU). The size of the system is 100% plus compare to conventional one.

The disadvantage on this kind of database is that the programmer has no features of referential integrity.

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.

One company that ensures their system that's free from internet risks is the NOKIA company.
Nokia uses encryption technology when collecting financial personal data such as credit card information. If this site supports on-line transactions, it will use an industry standard security measure, such as the one available through "Secure Sockets Layer" ("SSL"), to protect the confidentiality and security of online transactions. If used, industry standard security measures like SSL authentication ensure that credit card information, as well as other personal data submitted as part of the buying process, is reasonably safe from third party inteception.

One danger in internet in a company is the "hacking". Below is a report who was a victim of this kind of fraud over in the internet.

1. Indian Hackers " Pump and Dump " Scheme: On March 12, federal officials unsealed an indictment charging three individuals from Chennai, India, with conspiracy, securities and wire fraud, and identity theft tied to the hijacking of online brokerage accounts in what authorities call a "hack, pump, and dump" scheme. According to the indictment, last year the defendants, based primarily in Thailand and India, set up online brokerage accounts, hacked into other accounts to buy thinly traded stocks, and once the stock had risen, they sold off their own shares. Among the victims are at least 60 customers and nine brokerage firms in the United States and overseas, with over $2 million in losses.

2.Accurint Computer Fraud and ID Theft: On March 5, a federal judge sentenced five men for conspiracy to commit computer fraud and identity theft tied to intrusion of the Accurint database. Using Trojan horses, social engineering, and other techniques, the defendants obtained user login IDs and passwords and then made unauthorized entries into the Accurint database, which is widely used by law enforcement. All five men are restricted from using computers and were ordered to pay $105,750.29 in restitution to Lexis/Nexis (Accurint's owner) and the Port Orange Fla., Police Department.

Research 1 company that makes use of E-commerce. Describe the nature of this company in 1-2 paragraphs.

Identify then, how does this company use e-commerce to achieve strategic advantage. Describe the benefits derived from this strategy.

One company that makes use of E- commerce is the BANCNET, established in 1996, is located in Houston, Texas. The company specializes in Point-of-Sale Electronics and is a Certified Repair Facility for most leading brand Point-of-Sale Manufacturers including Verifone, Hypercom, Nurit, Thales-Talento, Linkpoint, Ingenico-IVI, Magtek, RDM, Citizen, and others. The company also provides Equipment Deployment, Encryption Services, Accessories, and Supplies to credit card processors.

The BANCNET uses e- commerce to achieve strategic advantage by ensuring that the site is all day available and it should be globally. Aside from this, they ensure that customers can easily access and browse naturally, with no technology- related difficulties. Also the customers can compare prices easily since prices in different products array online.

BANCNET provided a space for feedbacking if cust0mers have querries, so it is easy for the customers to ask a certain product or prices. Aside from these, BANCNET can sell directly so there is no middleman needed.

BANCNET made sure that transaction will be easy. it is available to everyone with access to a computer; even those with mobility problems. Customers don't have to deal with creepy salespeople following them around.

Research one multinational corporation like Procter and Gamble, Unilever, IBM, Microsoft, Honda and etc. Identify and describe how their subsidiaries are managed and how technology has assisted them in their corporate and/or local operations. Further, identify one Philippine company that has gone worldwide (eg. Jollibee and BENCH) and describe their strategies. Evaluate the strategies of foreign companies with that of Philippine corporations. Indicate reference

http://investor.colgatepalmolive.com/colgateWorld/colgate_world-fin4.cfm?
http://www.itpc.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/en/business_news/business_day/2004/12/folder.2004-12-10.7775622024/news_item.2004-12-10.1628751991

One company that gone worldwide is the Lamoiyan Corporation, a local manufacturer of personal and homecare products is expanding its business in Southeast Asian region.

One of its strategy is investing to a P100-million investment in plant capacity expansion, the company is looking at Vietnam as its first export market in order to compete huge corporations such a Colgate Palmolive. According to Mr. Cecilio K. Pedro the CEO of Lamoiyan Corporation they are expanding to other ASEAN markets.

The expansion program involved the acquisition of additional machinery that would double its Bicutan plant capacity to 8,000 metric tons from the existing 4,000 tons.

The company which makes toothpaste, feminine hygiene, laundry and dishwashing products, is aiming to become a transnational firm.

Also, the corporation targeted to be the Colgate of Asia by going bigger and bigger, and laying down the groundwork towards this goal.

The expansion of its capacity is coupled with the doubling of its workforce to 60 workers, 20 of which are hearing-impaired.

They also hired additional key executives including Ding Salvador, former regional president of Johnson and Johnson and Elmer Buntag, former Unilever research and development chief.

"Going big is the only way we can compete in the world market," said Mr. Pedro

Lamoiyan’s toothpaste brands of Hapee and Kutitap have cornered 10 to 15 percent of the market currently dominated by multinational companies.

Lamoiyan has evolved into a full-pledged toothpaste manufacturer with loyal market share from a former supplier of toothpaste tubes to Colgate and Close-up.

Pedro said the key factor to the company’s success in putting a dent in the local toothpaste market was the intentional low-pricing strategy of its products at 30 to 40 percent against the major brands.

Lamoiyan is expecting to grow by 12 percent this year from a 12 percent growth in 2003.

The company has expanded to other product lines such as personal feminine hygiene, Lacteena; dishwashing pastes and liquids, Dazz; fabric enhancer, Tenderly; and liquid laundry, detergent, Fash.

In terms of multinational company, one is the Colgate Palmolive, they managed their subsidiaries by horizontal information. The main office facilitated all the transactions in beginning. Then, planning afterward.

As a future manager, What is your computer ethics program? Justify each activity.A

As a future manager, I would give my employees a seminar as the same time workshops, regarding the latest and most advance trends in computer world. I will get consultants and resource speakers with caliber to provide inputs to my employees that would be useful in their related jobs and specialization in my company. Just like the most advance in MIS ,how to use the internet to have the most effective advertisement, how to penetrate the world market through internet or whatever latest information that will be a great benefit in my company as well as to my subordinates. This is not just orienting my employees to the most hi-tech way of living but as well as educating them to link into the most trendy way of business and money making.

To be able to apply their learnings from the provided seminar workshops that the management given, I let my employees to make a proposals containing the procedures and techniques on how to improve the services of the company to the maximum level. These will also challenge their imagination, knowledge and creativity. If done, it is not only the employees will benefit but as well as the customers who is the most valuable.

After a thorough evaluation of their proposals, the management will make sure of a great incentives to the employees or group of employees that will double the sales, maybe a promotion, a trip to Europe or cruise or house and lot at Alabang. ( And I would be the most extravagant manager if ever! hehe)

cite one manual working procedure that you wish to propose a computerized information system. Further, describe how this system should function and ho

cite one manual working procedure that you wish to propose a computerized information system. Further, describe how this system should function and how can this help the employees and the customers.

In my department, I wish to propose a computerized patient information in the General Santos City Hospital. Everytime the patient's relative will inquire patient's room number and whose the medical officer attended to the patient, in just one click, the information will come out. If the patient would like to get his/her billing statement, he may not go to the billing section to ask but he may just go to patient information area in the hospital where computers are available only for patients. This would be very convenient in the part of the patient since they may know their billing account any time of the day, since billing section in our hospital is open from 8am to 5pm only. This is also more convenient to the employees, since lesser work in their part.

Question No. 3 Justify/ contradict those trends by citing examples

In the first trend of MIS, i definitely agree that users are more knowledgeable. Just for example, the company X would like to know the exact product design of their competitor, in just a moment they can access the product design of company Y (competitor), and it made easier and cheaper than going through the inside of the competitor. Also this applies that the company X would not require more number of personnel since one to two can do.

In terms of connectivity, more and more people now using the internet and million of companies not just local but worldwide are informing their services and product through internet. The accessibility in just one click away from the other side of the world if you wish.

I agree that MIS is becoming one of the primary means of increasing productivity since one is more efficient because the lesser effort, time, money and resources exerted yet, the outcome will be double or higher than a company without a MIS.

For example of MIS is becoming integral to the decision making process, if company X would like to know on how to develop a product. They can look to thier competitor's product to the available display on the web. So after evaluating and thorough discussion with the product development department, the gathered info will be useful in making the decision now, on what aspect in a certain product must be developed.

It is useful in companies as a competitive strategy since they will be given information to their competitors, and by that, they can formulate steps on how to be go over thier competitors. Example in a cellphone company, if company Y would like to be more upgraded to company X, then the information they gather from web will be their tools in evaluating other products. After they evaluate it, they will see on how to improve the product of others by making thier own product more advance, friendly user, more features available and at reasonable price than competitors.

Question 2

How can the manager and employees make use of information as a strategic/competitive advantage over other competitors?

it is more advantageous if the manager and employees have the right and enough information at hand. This can be used for advancement the management in side of the managers, and as an edge to the side of employees. They can use the informations by making the organization more advance, stylistic, innovative and more trendy if they will use the information over their competitors.

Also, the managers and employees can make use of the information as their guide to be more competitive, productive and effective in the world of competition. The information will provide them more ideas in order to formulate more output better than their competitors.

Activity No. 1

my comment/feedback on the most striking idea about MIS.

I was very much interested on the concept of management information system, and I appreciate it more right now. It would be a great help to any organization or company who will be implementing and adopting this kind of system. Since it is broadly to a computer- based system that provides managers with the tools in organizing, evaluating and running their departments efficiently, so life would be LIGHTER and EASIER.

This will help individuals specially those people who are computer-based life to enjoy more their capability to access the world.

management information system (MIS)

Management Information Systems (MIS) is a general name for the academic discipline covering the application of people, technologies, and procedures — collectively called 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, e.g. Decision Support De Systems, Expert systems, and Executive information systems. to solve business problems. MIS are distinct from regular information systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems applied in operational activities in the organization.

Background

In their infancy, business computers were used for the practical business of computing the payroll and keeping track of accounts payable and receivable. As applications were developed that provided managers with information about sales, inventories, and other data that would help in managing the enterprise, the term "MIS" arose to describe these kinds of applications. Today, the term is used broadly in a number of contexts and includes (but is not limited to): decision support systems, resource and people management applications, project management, and database retrieval applications.

Definition

There are often confusion between terms MIS and information system. Information systems include systems that are not intended for decision making. MIS is sometimes referred to, in a restrictive sense, as information technology management. That area of study should not be confused with computer science. IT service management is a practitioner-focused discipline. MIS has also some differences with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) as ERP incorporates elements that are not necessarily focused on decision support.