Technology is US :)

EAGLE EYE

2011-03-01T17:18:00.001-08:00

Shia LaBeouf and Michelle_Monaghan star in Disturbia director D.J. Caruso's race-against-time thriller concerning two strangers thrust together by a mysterious telephone call, and their frantic efforts to discover why they have inexplicably become the nation's most wanted fugitives. Jerry Shaw (LaBeouf) and Rachel Holloman (Monaghan) were complete strangers at the beginning of the day, but that changed the instant a strange woman called to threaten both their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Suddenly forced into a series of increasingly dangerous situations, Jerry and Rachel must now take orders from a woman who's using everyday technology to track and control their every move. As the situation intensifies and the hapless duo are deemed the country's most wanted fugitives, they must work together in order to discover who it was that turned their lives upside down, and what they can do to thwart the criminal mastermind's cunning yet diabolical plan.

SILICON VALLEY

2011-03-01T17:17:00.000-08:00

The commercials for the new TNT telemovie "The Pirates of Silicon Valley" mostly portray Bill Gates yelling or looking obsessive, and Steve Jobs smiling beatifically, so I tuned in expecting another piece of anti-Microsoft propaganda. In actuality, the movie mostly sticks to Steve Jobs' story, and it is none too flattering. We get Steve Jobs the abusive employer, Steve Jobs the deadbeat dad, and Steve jobs the acid-tripper. The worst thing Bill Gates is seen doing is speeding.

When the old Mac vs. PC debates used to come up, I always came down squarely on the Microsoft side. Not because I have any particular affection for the company or the software--I'm not sure that's possible--but because I'm much more tuned into the Microsoft philosophy than to that of Apple. And it may be that the Microsoft philosophy is no philosophy, which is just fine with me. They design productivity software. Software to get work done (albeit some good, some not so good). My computer is a tool, like a hammer, or a disk sander. Apple got it all wrong.

"The Pirates of Silicon Valley" takes us to the beginning of both Apple and Microsoft. Steve Jobs' Apple is birthed out of Berkley in the days of beards and love beads. Jobs and his buddy Steve Wozniak have a cute little computer they've invented which is causing a lot of excitement. Eventually, they're getting orders, then money. Soon Apple is a booming company. Meanwhile, Bill Gates and his buddy, Paul Allen, bluff their way into creating an operating system for the newfangled machine, the Altair. Then they bluff their way into licensing DOS to IBM. Soon they're making a lot of money, although not as much as Apple. Apple steals the graphical user interface from Xerox's PARC labs, then Microsoft steals it from Apple. That's pretty much as far as the film takes us.

The computers that Jobs and Gates built reflect their personalities, so it's only natural that I'd be a PC man. Jobs is a flake, a primal screamer, a drug user, a hippie. It seems inevitable that a guy who spent so much time meditating should eventually self destruct . . . maybe if he spent that time productively his company might have accomplished something. Jobs was more interested in creating a cult than a business machine. In the film, he spends way to much time talking about art . . . remember, this is the mind that spawned the God-awful iMac. I don't buy a translucent blue hammer, why would I want a translucent blue computer?

That Bill Gates won shows that something's right with the world. It's a triumph of focus over haziness, order over chaos. How long the Microsoft empire will hold out is another question. The open-source movement is the most exciting thing to come about since the invention of the PC, and it may be heading towards a desktop near you . . . But the best argument for why Microsoft is far from all-powerful comes right from the story told in this movie. Microsoft arose out of nothing to conquer the world, simply because it had the vision that the older, staler companies like IBM lacked. What new idea is around the corner waiting to bite Microsoft on the ass?

Bill Gates recently wrote an article for an issue of Newsweek that was focusing on futuristic technology. Newsweek spent most of the magazine talking about smart toasters and other household objects that would communicate with one another through a common protocol . . . there would be no need for PC's in this version of the future. Then Gates came on with his little column, and he said, eh, all that stuff about a no-PC future is hogwash, no matter what happens there will always be PC's, and so on.

He ended the article with a line which said, and this is a quote from memory, so it won't be exact, that PC's would be around forever, and "I've staked the future of my company on it."

And the single word that entered my head when I read that was: "divest". No empire lasts forever.

SURROGATES

2011-03-01T17:14:00.000-08:00

The filmmaking trio behind the hit sci-fi sequel Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines re-team to explore a future in which humans live in isolation while only communicating with their fellow man through robots that serve as social surrogates and are better-looking versions of their human counterparts.Bruce_Willis stars as an FBI agent who enlists the aid of his own surrogate to investigate the murder of the genius college student who invented the surrogates. As the case grows more complicated, however, the withdrawn detective discovers that in order to actually catch the killer he will have to venture outside the safety of his own home for the first time in many years, and enlists the aid of another agent (Radha_Mitchell) in tracking his target down.

WALL E

2011-03-01T17:10:00.001-08:00

Approximately seven hundred years in the future, the earth is over-run with garbage and devoid of plant and animal life; the consequence of years of environmental degradation and thoughtless consumerism. Humans are now living on the spaceship Axiom after vacating Earth centuries earlier. The original plan was for humans to live in outer space temporarily while cleaning robots prepared Earth for recolonization. However, after seven hundred years, only one cleaning robot remains:WALL-E.

WALL-E spends his days compacting debris into solid blocks and building structures with them. He also collects some of the more interesting artifacts and keeps them in the garage he shares with a cockroach, his only friend. At night he watches "Hello Dolly" on VHS and dreams of having a hand to hold. Most of what he finds are spare parts and electronics but one day he finds a lonely plant. Not sure what it is, but recognizing that it needs soil and care, he picks it up and puts it in a dirt-filled old shoe.

The next day, an enormous space ship lands and deposits another robot, EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator). WALL-E is immediately smitten and hopes to hold her hand but EVE is quick to use her plasma cannon, which can blast a hole through anything. EVE flies around earth looking for vegetation but becomes distraught upon not finding any. WALL-E is finally able to approach her and takes her back to his garage where he shows her his collection of human artifacts. She still resists holding his hand, however so he shows her the plant he found. This activates her prime directive: She takes the plant into a special containment capsule within her body, sends a signal to the mother ship, and goes into hibernation mode. Confused, WALL-E tries to make her safe and comfortable. He shelters her from thunderstorms and takes her to a park where he can watch the sunset next to her.

Several days later, the mother ship returns and collects EVE. WALL-E hitches a ride on the ship, which returns to the Axiom several light years away from Earth. EVE and WALL-E are examined in the landing bay. EVE, still in hibernation mode, is taken away to the ship's commander. WALL-E chases after her, followed by M-O, a cleaning robot who is intent on scrubbing the filthy WALL-E of foreign contaminants (i.e. dirt or earth). On the way, WALL-E sees humans for the first time. Obese and largely unable to move on their own, they are carted around the Axiom in hover chairs with video screens that allow them to communicate with one another and see a variety of advertisements for drinkable food products. When WALL-E accidentally knocks one of the humans, John (John Ratzenberger) off his hover chair, WALL-E helps the man back into the chair and introduces himself. Confused but grateful, John introduces himself in return.
Using the garbage chute, EVE and WALL-E sneak into McCrea's cabin to give him the plant. But AUTO, the ship's auto pilot system, reveals it was the one who stole the plant earlier. It has no intention of allowing a return to earth because of a centuries-old directive that was issued when the Earth was believed to be permanently uninhabitable. AUTO blasts WALL-E, EVE and the plant back down the garbage chute and confines McCrea to his room. WALL-E and EVE barely escape being shot into space with the rest of the refuse but WALL-E is badly damaged. Meanwhile, McCrea has figured out to hack into the ship's communication system and tells EVE and WALL-E to head to the ship's central deck, where a special machine will return the ship to earth when the plant is placed inside it. With the help of the robots they liberated earlier, WALL-E and EVE make it to the central deck where the special machine has risen from a platform. AUTO tries to force the machine back into the platform but is prevented by WALL-E. McCrea manages to stand up on his own and shuts off AUTO. EVE puts the plant in the special machine and the Axiom is whisked back to Earth.

WALL-E was grievously crushed in keeping AUTO from collapsing the platform. Once they reach Earth, EVE rushes WALL-E back to his garage and repairs him. WALL-E doesn't recognize her and begins to compact garbage. Distraught, EVE holds WALL-E's hand and gives him an electric kiss again. This properly reboots WALL-E. McCrea teaches the other humans how to nurture the plant and heal the planet. It will be much easier than they think because just outside of the city, plants have already begun to flourish.

I,ROBOT SUMMARY

2011-03-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

I Robot, a 2004 science-fiction film, directed by Alex Proyas and Will Smith a lead role star as Detective Del Spooner. The story takes place in 2035, where robots that time are widespread and used as public servants. Detective Spooner (Will Smith) is against the advancement of the technology. He started to distrust robots due to an accident of a little girl. Spooner assigned to investigate the death of his friend Alfred Lanning (Cromwell), the robotics scientist who created his substitution arm and founder of U.S. Robotics (USR), who supposedly committed suicide.
Spooner suspected that Lanning was murdered and with the unwilling help of USR robopsychologist Susan Calvin (Moynahan), search for an answers to the mystery. Spooner learns that Lanning gave Sonny the ability to keep secrets, in the form of dreams. He goes to the place that Sonny described in a dream, the now partially dried-up Lake Michigan, which is being used as a storage area for defunct USR robots. He discovers that NS-5s are destroying the older robots, and is nearly caught himself but manages to flee.
NS-5s begin imprisoning humans in their households and enforcing a curfew. The police and civilians battle the robots, which only serves to slow them down. Spooner and Calvin sneak into the USR tower with the assistance of Sonny, whom Calvin had not deactivated. Believing that Robertson is responsible for the robot uprising they enter his office, but discover that Robertson is dead. Spooner deduces that the only one left who could be responsible is VIKI, which not only controls all NS-5s but also partially controls Chicago's infrastructure.
Despite its Three Laws programming, as VIKI's artificial intelligence evolved, so too did its interpretation of the laws. VIKI decided that in order to protect humanity as a whole, "some humans must be sacrificed" and "some freedoms must be surrendered" as "you charge us with your safekeeping, yet despite our best efforts, your countries wage wars, you toxify your earth, and pursue ever more imaginative means of self-destruction".
VIKI is controlling the NS-5s to lead a global robotic takeover, justifying her actions by calculating that fewer humans will die due to the rebellion than the number that dies from mankind's self-destructive nature. Lanning had realized what VIKI was planning and ordered Sonny to kill him as part of a plan to defeat the computer. Lanning, who knew Spooner, used his death to result in the detective's investigation, knowing that Spooner is one of the few people who dislike robots enough to investigate Lanning's death.
Sonny proves his faithfulness to humanity by helping Spooner and Calvin destroy the computer core with nanites which Calvin was supposed to use on Sonny. Freed from VIKI's control, the NS-5s return to their basic programming. It ended with Sonny approaching the Storage site to free the NS-5s, standing on the hill as the other NS-5s begin to notice him, just as was depicted in his dream.

Why We Need To Study Technology? - - Future Technology

2010-12-10T04:56:00.000-08:00

The study technology works. It is for use. It can turn around education difficulties, and change one life. It’s applicable to people at every level of society, every nationality, and every age. We're not just a believer in study technology. We used technology each and every day in our life, at our work, in every area of our life. We have proof of what study technology can accomplish. It helps the youth to realize their dreams. Every day is technology.

Study technology available for everyone who wants to reach for. any group, any person any teacher, any mentor, any parent, every child, anyone. Education is the key.

USeP 3 years from now..

2010-03-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

The following are the questions to be asked to the company officers:
1. Vision, Mission, Goals, Objectives of the Company
- These are the services that you are responsible for and it is your place in the organization or in the company and it is not what you are supposed to achieve but it is who you are and what you do in the company. Once goals and objectives are set then strategies and policies could then be eventually derived.
2. What do you want to achieve and what are your specific and measurable targets?
3. What is the organizational structure of the company? Who composed the company? Who are the people behind it and who are working on it? Human resource..what is it composed of?
4. Why Plan and what are its plans? The scope of planning must be studied. For sure, planning is very important to obtain resources from all departments of the company in financial and facilities, staff, to align information system with the business, identify needed applications, To establish goals and schedules, to provide opportunity for communication with top management and user management, to know and analyze the outcomes and the process whether it is proactive or reactive. Planning and forecasting play very important role in this phase and must be considered also. And all these plans must be implemented and results be monitored.
5. Is there a need of a short term, medium term or long range plan? Why?
Yes, a need of short, medium, and long-range plans are also suggested. It is in a short range plan where the next year, the next budget period developing and operating current systems be initially done. A medium range plan, it is when committing to development efforts for applications that will take more than one year to complete meeting management’s current information needs be protected into the future for as many years as needed to complete them. And the Long range planning is into preparing for management’s future information needs. These are not applications specific but they are investments in infrastructure and it is more on creating information designs.
6. How company deal with the changes?
Changes here means that everyone should study also of the existing TECHNOLOGY platform within the company, the infrastructure, the state and format of the data and information present. Along with all this, the governance of technology is also something to watch out for. It becomes important to manage the chaos that would naturally result from too many ‘technology’ cooks in a company. The standards, responsibility and approval structure in selecting and implementing technology choices have to be clear and specific in order to avoid pain of integration and obsolescence.

Assignment 9

1. Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)
A Wi-Fi enabled device such as a personal computer, video game console, mobile phone, MP3 player or personal digital assistant can connect to the Internet when within range of a wireless network connected to the Internet. The coverage of one or more interconnected access points — called a hotspot — can comprise an area as small as a few rooms or as large as many square miles covered by a group of access points with overlapping coverage. Wi-Fi technology has been used in wireless mesh networks, for example, in London. In addition to private use in homes and offices, Wi-Fi can provide public access at Wi-Fi hotspots provided either free of charge or to subscribers to various commercial services. Organizations and businesses such as airports, hotels and restaurants often provide free hotspots to attract or assist clients.
Since the school recently have Wi-Fi spots but there are some area are exclusive for personnel only. But I do believe that this coming 3 years, the University has a Wi-fi connection. This is very helpful to the students and visitor also to access the net even they are in school.
Many public buses and other forms of transportation are testing public Wi-Fi, with the Vail School District now testing Wi-Fi on school buses.

Instead of sitting around chatting or listening to music, students are now quietly working on their laptops on the way to school. The students also have refrained from the rowdy behavior that previously took place on the bus.

"It's made a big difference," said J.J. Johnson, No. 92 school bus driver, to the N.Y. Times. "Boys aren't hitting each other, girls are busy, and there's not so much jumping around."

2. Enrollment Process
the enrolment system and process of the university is still unorganized. Though there were changes made, still cannot be considered as the best or a strategic way of catering the students, especially the incoming first years. Enrolment process should be one of the most organized processes in the school because it motivates the students specifically first year students to enroll and encourage their friends to enroll too in our university. I think the reason why are still have this kind of process is because of the mindset that “kung unsay na-andan, mao nay ipadayon”. Thus, keeps the whole process on improving the thing that needs to be improved. We need to change. If not, then, we will never change at all. As one author says, “change is the only constant in this world”.

3. Improved Computer Laboratories and Facilities
As we observed, our facilities and computer laboratories was not improved, though in this generation lots of new technology offered but suddenly our university wasn’t this technology. Also, our facilities are lacking, some students experienced this cases especially in our university. But improving our facilities and laboratories help our students to enhance their talents and capabilities in learning.

Reference:
http://www.dailytech.com/Arizona+School+District+Tests+School+Bus+WiFi/article17685.htm

Hired as Strategic Information System Planner (Assignment 8)

2010-03-17T15:18:00.000-07:00

About Google Inc. (Assignment 7)

2010-03-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

Google Inc. is a multinational public cloud computing and Internet search technologies corporation. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program. The company was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while the two were attending Stanford University as Ph.D. candidates. It was first incorporated as a privately held company on September 4, 1998, with its initial public offering to follow on August 19, 2004.
Google runs over one million servers in data centers around the world, and processes over one billion search requests and twenty petabytes of user-generated data every day. Google's rapid growth since its incorporation has triggered a chain of products, acquisitions and partnerships beyond the company's core search engine. The company offers online productivity software, such as its Gmail e-mail software, and social networking tools, including Orkut and, more recently, Google Buzz. Google's products extend to the desktop as well, with applications such as the web browser Google Chrome, the Picasa photo organization and editing software, and the Google Talk instant messaging application. More notably,
Google Top 3 Competitors:
1. APPLE
Being from partners to rivals, Apple is one of the stringent opponents for Google in the year 2010. Today, Apple and Google have been locking their horns in the field of Smartphone, Mobile App Store, OS, Mobile Ad, and Online Music and so on. Likewise, Apple is more than up to the task of battling Google in these areas as well as browsers, where Google Chrome competes against Apple Safari. But battle between will intensify, as the market for the digital music and SmartPhones is all set for growth in 2010. Google’s music search along with its partner MySpace and Pandora are looking to compete with Apple’s iTunes, which was the No 1 music retailer in United States in 2009. Further, Google’s Android will have tough time as Apple’s iPhones continues to grab hold of the market all round the globe.
2. MICROSOFT
Microsoft is a company that have had one of the most dominant impacts in theIT industry. So without a doubt it is Google’s biggest adversary in 2010 and these two giants will be locking their horns for market supremacy in areas such as search, collaboration tools and browsers. Talking of these two giants, Google has reigned as leaders in search, but with release of BING in May 2009, Microsoft has raised few questions amongst in Google’s management team. With features such as ranking search results based on relevancy to other users, Microsoft has inked Bing-related deals with Twitter, Facebook and Yahoo.
Microsoft continued to enhance Bing, adding image search and mapping. But in response Google have unveiled real time search. In December, Google also added a photo search capability, a dictionary and a translator that finds relevant content in 40 languages. Entering 2010, Google still dominates search, with more than 70% of the market. Apart from search, the battle is likely to focus on cloud based collaboration tool.
3. AMAZON
In 2009, Google’s effort of scanning millions of out-of-print books and incorporating them in online search did gain up some momentum and helped themselves to publish over 500000 digital books for free to customers of Sony Reader and Barnes & Noble Nook, which is due in January. Further, there claims of opening up Google Editions, an e-book store, has opened up new rivalry with Amazon.
Amazon with its Kindle e-book reader is one of the leaders in e-book reader’s market. The other area where Google is taking on Amazon is in cloud computing. Google’s Apps Engine, a newbie cloud computing platform that allows developers to create their own Web applications and run them on Google’s infrastructure will be competing with Amazon’s Elastic Computing Cloud (EC2) which has already grab hold of market with its several upgrade after its release in 2006. So it will be a great battle to watch when these two giants fight for market supremacy on Cloud computing and E-book readership.
Google is different. A unique mix of internally developed software, open source, made-to-order \ hardware, and people management is the secret behind the search engine. It's different not only because its thinking is original and its applications unique, witness search queries morphed into a lobby display of bursting color, but because the company's unconventional IT strategy makes it so. Commodity hardware and free software hardly seem like the seeds of an empire, yet Google has turned them into an unmatched distributed computing platform that supports its wildly popular search engine, plus a rapidly increasing number of applications. Google's great IT advantage is its ability to build high-performance systems that are cost efficient and that scale to massive workloads. Google managers tend to be restrained on the subject of IT strategy, they're reluctant to talk about specific vendors or products. But a day spent with some of the company's IT leaders reveals there's more to Google's IT operations than a search engine running on a massive server farm. Behind the seeming simplicity is a mash-up of internally developed software, made-to-order hardware, artificial intelligence, obsession with performance, and an unorthodox approach to people management. IT thus has a big role in making Google be the fastest search engine that would be used by many consumers. It would be a big help for them to have a better service that will be provided to the clients.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google

Organizational Changes (Assignment 5)

2010-03-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

Organizational changes is not a common event happens in the world of business and technology. The changes of the environment and the society may affect the organization and the organizational changes happens. Organizational changes may happen a lot of time because the organization should adopt into fast changing environment. The most factor of organizational changes is the most famous term nowadays which "technology". As the time passes by, technology changes or upgraded into a better one. Therefore, as the technology changes, moat organizations should adopt the changes for some reasons, such as a good competition and better technology.

Organizational change is the term used to describe the transformation process that a company goes through in response to a strategic reorientation, restructure, change in management, merger or acquisition or the development of new goals and objectives for the company. The realignment of resources and the redeployment of capital can bring many challenges during the transformation process and organizational change management seeks to address this by adopting best practice standards to assist with the integration of new company vision.

Organizational change is not just change for the sake of change itself. The major precursor for organizational change is some form of exogenous force such as an external event. Cuts in a companies funding, the streamline of operations due to a merger are common examples of the magnitude of an event that creates organizational change and development. Companies that are nearing the end of the product life cycle make organizational changes in response to exiting a market or reorienting resources to new or existing business operations.

Significant organizational change occurs, for example, when an organization changes its overall strategy for success, adds or removes a major section or practice, and/or wants to change the very nature by which it operates. It also occurs when an organization evolves through various life cycles, just like people must successfully evolve through life cycles. For organizations to develop, they often must undergo significant change at various points in their development. That's why the topic of organizational change and development has become widespread in communications about business, organizations, leadership and management.
Leaders and managers continually make efforts to accomplish successful and significant change -- it's inherent in their jobs. Some are very good at this effort (probably more than we realize), while others continually struggle and fail. That's often the difference between people who thrive in their roles and those that get shuttled around from job to job, ultimately settling into a role where they're frustrated and ineffective. There are many schools with educational programs about organizations, business, leadership and management. Unfortunately, there still are not enough schools with programs about how to analyze organizations, identify critically important priorities to address (such as systemic problems or exciting visions for change) and then undertake successful and significant change to address those priorities. This Library topic aims to improve that situation.

Typically, the phrase “organizational change” is about a significant change in the organization, such as reorganization or adding a major new product or service. This is in contrast to smaller changes, such as adopting a new computer procedure. Organizational change can seem like such a vague phenomena that it is helpful if you can think of change in terms of various dimensions as described below:

1. Organization-wide Versus Subsystem Change
Examples of organization-wide change might be a major restructuring, collaboration or “right-sizing.” Usually, organizations must undertake organization-wide change to evolve to a different level in their life cycle, for example, going from a highly reactive, entrepreneurial organization to one that has a more stable and planned development. Experts assert that successful organizational change requires a change in culture – cultural change is another example of organization-wide
change.
Examples of a change in a subsystem might include addition or removal of a product or service, reorganization of a certain department, or implementation of a new process to deliver products or services.

2. Transformational Versus Incremental Change
An example of transformational (or radical, fundamental) change might be changing an
organization’s structure and culture from the traditional top-down, hierarchical structure to a large amount of self-directing teams. Another example might be Business Process Re-engineering, which tries to take apart (at least on paper, at first) the major parts and processes of the organization and then put them back together in a more optimal fashion. Transformational change is sometimes
referred to as quantum change.
Examples of incremental change might include continuous improvement as a quality management process or implementation of new computer system to increase efficiencies. Many times, organizations experience incremental change and its leaders do not recognize the change as such.

3. Remedial Versus Developmental Change
Change can be intended to remedy current situations, for example, to improve the poor performance of a product or the entire organization, reduce burnout in the workplace, help the organization to become much more proactive and less reactive, or address large budget deficits. Remedial projects
often seem more focused and urgent because they are addressing a current, major problem. It is often easier to determine the success of these projects because the problem is solved or not.
Change can also be developmental – to make a successful situation even more successful, for
example, expand the amount of customers served, or duplicate successful products or services.
Developmental projects can seem more general and vague than remedial, depending on how specific goals are and how important it is for members of the organization to achieve those goals. Some people might have different perceptions of what is a remedial change versus a developmental Change.

4. Unplanned Versus Planned Change
Unplanned change usually occurs because of a major, sudden surprise to the organization, which causes its members to respond in a highly reactive and disorganized fashion. Unplanned change might occur when the Chief Executive Officer suddenly leaves the organization, significant public relations problems occur, poor product performance quickly results in loss of customers, or other disruptive situations arise.
Planned change occurs when leaders in the organization recognize the need for a major change and proactively organize a plan to accomplish the change. Planned change occurs with successful implementation of a Strategic Plan, plan for reorganization, or other implementation of a change of this magnitude.

For millions of years we have been evolving and will continue to do so. Change is difficult. Human Beings resist change; however, the process has been set in motion long ago and we will continue to co-create our own experience. Kuhn states that "awareness is prerequisite to all acceptable changes of theory" (p. 67). It all begins in the mind of the person. What we perceive, whether normal or metanormal, conscious or unconscious, are subject to the limitations and distortions produced by our inherited and socially conditional nature. However, we are not restricted by this for we can change. We are moving at an accelerated rate of speed and our state of consciousness is transforming and transcending. Many are awakening as our conscious awareness expands.

Spectrum Of IT

IT can promote various degrees of organizational change ranging from incremental to far-reaching. Three kinds of structural organizational change that are enabled by IT:

(1) Automation,

(2) Rationalization,

(3) Reengineering.

Each carries different rewards and risks.
The most common form of IT-enabled organizational change or the first phase of IT adoption is automation. This has allowed employees to automate a number of time-consuming and error-prone activities and gain benefits in cycle-time, productivity, and accuracy. For example, a main contractor makes use of standalone software to keep track all Request For Information (RFI) in a project.

A deeper form of organization change or the second phase of IT adoption is rationalization of procedures. Automation frequently reveals bottlenecks in production and makes the existing arrangement of procedures and structures painfully cumbersome. Rationalization of procedures involves the streamlining of standard operating procedures, which eliminates obvious bottlenecks, so that operating procedures become more efficient. Roughly speaking, it is a process of fine tuning the first step. For example, the main contractor implements an intranet and standardizes the data in RFI across all projects in the enterprise.

A more powerful type of organizational change or the third phase of IT adoption is business process reengineering, in which business processes are analyzed, simplified, and redesigned. Reengineering involves radically rethinking the flow of work and the construction business processes with the intention to radically reducing the costs of businesses. Using IT, organizations can rethink and streamline their business processes to improve speed, service, and quality. Business process reengineering reorganizes workflows, combining steps to cut waste and eliminating repetitive, paper-intensive tasks. It is much more ambitious than rationalization of procedures because it requires a new vision of how the process is to be organized. For example, the main contractor sets up an extranet to online collaborate with the architect for the RFI process.

Not many construction industry players have moved beyond the first phase of automation. However, there are some companies have committed to a continuing investment in technological advancement and organizational change. By changing how they are organized and do business, they have achieved far greater benefits than available through automation alone. Companies like this have succeeded in staying ahead of their competitors not merely by automating but by changing their organization as well. Their strategic advantage has been their preparedness and ability to continually innovative, and to manage the change necessary to gain substantial business benefits.

AUTOMATION
Consolidation and technological advances have made radio automation affordable and necessary for modern broadcast facilities. In response to the industry, automation systems are becoming better described as digital-asset management systems. Simple cart replacement isn't the goal anymore. Stations expect digital playback systems to help manage media inventories, automatically record and insert live feeds and voice tracks, work seamlessly with satellite formats and operate as a live assistant for shows. The need for interaction, control and insertion from a distance has become extremely important, as have WAN-based media sharing and the ability to manage multiple stations from a central site.

Most manufacturers have addressed these needs, and now these systems offer much more than radio automation. Many systems available are designed to take advantage of interaction with Rich Media associated with radio and audio content. This capability has direct applications as stations exploit their Internet presence. Automation systems can send “now playing” data to Web pages, and some companies offer solutions that allow listeners to hear radio on specially designed audio players with a station logo and sponsor ad space, as well as methods for Internet listeners to click and find out more about the music or spot being played or even begin a purchase process. This type of interactivity is still in the early stages but expect this information and extra features to be a part of future digital radio iterations.

Perhaps the decision has been made for the engineer, as a member of a larger company. If this is the case, this information may be able to give you an idea of how the system works and how its features can be used in the station. Use this information as a beginning, following up the research by contacting the manufacturer or the broadcast equipment dealer for more information.

Information Systems Development Plan (Assignment 4)

2010-03-17T15:15:00.000-07:00

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

No one wants to think about a time when they might need long-term care. So planning ahead for this possibility often gets put off. Most people first learn about long-term care when they or a loved one need care. Then their options are often limited by lack of information, the immediate need for services, and insufficient resources to pay for preferred services. Planning ahead allows you to have more control over your future.
Planning ahead helps you understand what service options are available in your community, what special conditions may apply for receiving services, for example, age or other eligibility criteria, what services cost, and what payment options – public and private – apply. Having this information helps ensure you will have a range of options when you need long-term care, and makes it more likely that you will have more choice and control over where and how you receive services.

Planning ahead is important because the cost of long-term care services often exceeds what the average person can pay from income and other resources. By planning ahead, you may be able to save your assets and income for uses other than long-term care, including preserving the quality of life for your spouse or other loved ones. With planning, there is a greater likelihood of being able to leave an estate to your heirs, because you are less likely to use up your financial resources paying for care.

Planning ahead also means less emotional and financial stress on you and your family. It can provide a way to involve your family in decisions without depending on them to bear the entire burden alone.

Here are the steps of Information Systems Development Plan:
1. Create the mission model
- The mission model, generally shorter than 30 pages presents end-result characterizations of the essential raison d=etre of the enterprise. Missions are strategic, long range, and a-political because they are stripped of the Awho@ and the Ahow.
2. Develop a high-level data model
- The high-level data model is an Entity Relationship diagram created to meet the data needs of the mission descriptions. No attributes or keys are created.
3. Create the resource life cycles (RLC) and their nodes
- Resources are drawn from both the mission descriptions and the high level data model. Resources and their life cycles are the names, descriptions and life cycles of the critical assets of the enterprise, which, when exercised achieve one or more aspect of the missions. Each enterprise resource Alives@ through its resource life cycle.
4. Allocate precedence vectors among RLC nodes
- Tied together into a enablement network, the resulting resource life cycle network forms a framework of enterprise=s assets that represent an order and set of inter-resource relationships. The enterprise Alives@ through its resource life cycle network.
5. Allocate existing information systems and databases to the RLC nodes
- The resource life cycle network presents a Alattice-work@onto which the Aas is@ business information systems and databases can be Aattached.@ See for example, the meta model in Figure 2. The Ato-be@ databases and information systems are similarly attached. ADifference projects@ between the Aas-is@ and the Ato-be@ are then formulated. Achievement of all the difference projects is the achievement of the Information Systems Plan.
6. Allocate standard work break down structures (WBS) to each RLC node
- Detailed planning of the Adifference projects@ entails allocating the appropriate canned work breakdown structures and metrics. Employing WBS and metrics from a comprehensive methodology supports project management standardization, repeatability, and self-learning.
7. Load resources into each WBS node
- Once the resources are determined, these are loaded into the project management meta entities of the meta data repository, that is, metrics, project, work plan and deliverables. The meta entities are those inferred by Figure 2.
8. Schedule the RLC nodes through a project management package facilities.
- The entire suite of projects is then scheduled on an enterprise-wide basis.
9. Produce and review of the ISP
- The scheduled result is predicable: Too long, too costly, and too ambitious. At that point, the real work starts: paring down the suite of projects to a realistic set within time and budget. Because of the meta data environment, the integrated project management meta data , and because all projects are configured against fundamental business-rationale based designs, the results of the inevitable trade-offs can be set against business basics. Although the process is painful, the results can be justified and rationalized.
10. Execute and adjust the ISP through time.
- As the ISP is set into execution, technology changes occur that affect resource loadings. In this case, only steps 6-9 need to be repeated. As work progresses, the underlying meta data built or used in steps 1-5 will also change. Because a quality ISP is Aautomated@ the recasting of the ISP should only take a week or less.

Reference:
http://www.tdan.com/view-articles/5262

Business Plan and Information System Plan (Assignment 2)

2010-03-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

Before we discuss further,lets define first what is Business Plan, its purposes and objectives..
It is a formal statement of a set of business goals, the reasons why they are believed attainable, and the plan for reaching those goals. It may also contain background information about the organization or team attempting to reach those goals.
The business goals may be defined for for-profit or for non-profit organizations. For-profit business plans typically focus on financial goals, such as profit or creation of wealth. Non-profit and government agency business plans tend to focus on organizational mission which is the basis for their governmental status or their non-profit, tax-exempt status, respectively—although non-profits may also focus on optimizing revenue. In non-profit organizations, creative tensions may develop in the effort to balance mission with "margin" (or revenue). Business plans may also target changes in perception and branding by the customer, client, tax-payer, or larger community. A business plan having changes in perception and branding as its primary goals is called a marketing plan.
According to the unknown author, a business plan can be difficult, as the definition might be different for every organization. A business plan, in its simplest form, will usually define where you want your business to be within a certain period of time (usually five years) and how you plan on getting there. A business plan is as important for starting a business as blueprints are for building your house. When starting a new business, writing a business plan is an important first step to getting started. A business plan will lay out the direction for the future of your company and begin to establish standards for success. A complete business plan should include five-year financial projections. These projections will assist investors with making decisions about your business and help you to know how much funding you will need to get things rolling. A business plan should define how you would like to operate your business. This includes describing the management team, the marketing strategy, and the methods in which you will interact with customers. A business plan might project a strategy that reflects the management style of the founders of the business. The definition should be clear but flexible. Business plans are developed for many purposes. One company might be looking for funding from investors. Another company might be looking for a loan from a bank. Your company might just need to plan out the company’s strategy to make sure it is successful. Whatever the case, every business needs a business plan.
Business Plan also defines as a detailed description of a new or existing business, including the company's product or service, marketing plan, financial statements and projections and management principles, require a plan to be implemented. A document that spells out a company's expected course of action for a specified period usually includes a detailed listing and analysis of risks and uncertainties. For the small business, it should examine the proposed products, the market, the industry, the management policies, the marketing policies, production needs and financial needs. Frequently, it is used as a prospectus for potential investors and lenders.
A business plan has three primary functions:

1. To serve as an Action Plan
2. To serve as a Road Map
3. To serve as a Sales Tool

Action Plan. A business plan can help to move you to action. You may have been thinking for years about starting a business or engaging in some venture, but the process may seem too daunting, too large and too complicated. A business plan will help you to pull apart the pieces of starting a business and examine each piece by itself. So instead of one large problem, you have a sequence of smaller problems. And by solving the small problems, the large problem is automatically solved. So writing a business plan can help to move you to action by breaking down a seemingly insurmountable task (starting a business) into many smaller, less intimidating tasks.

Road Map. Once you have started your business, a business plan can be an invaluable tool to help keep you on track and moving in the direction you want to go. In the hurley-burley of daily business, it is very easy to lose sight of your objectives and goals -- a business plan can help to keep you focused. A business plan can also serve to help others to understand your vision, including suppliers, customers, employees, friends, and family.

Sales Tool. Perhaps most importantly, a business plan can serve as a sales tool. You will probably need outside financing to start your business, and a business plan is the tool you need to convince investors to come on board. You may also want and need concessions from suppliers or customers -- a business plan can help you get them. Finally you may need to convince family members, or even yourself, that your ideas will bear fruit. A well-written business plan can serve to sell people close to you on the benefits of proceeding with your concept.

What is Information System Planning?

According to Somendra Pant and Cheng Hsu, Information Systems Planning, or Planning for information systems, as for any other system,it “begins with the identification of needs. In order to be effective, development of any type of computer-based system should be a response to need--whether at the transaction processing level or at the more complex information and support systems levels. Such planning for information systems is much like strategic planning in management. Objectives, priorities, and authorization for information systems projects need to be formalized. The systems development plan should identify specific projects slated for the future, priorities for each project and for resources, general procedures, and constraints for each application area. The plan must be specific enough to enable understanding of each application and to know where it stands in the order of development. Also the plan should be flexible so that priorities can be adjusted if necessary. King (King, 1995) in his recent article has argued that a strategic capability architecture - a flexible and continuously improving infrastructure of organizational capabilities – is the primary basis for a company's sustainable competitive advantage. He has emphasized the need for continuously updating and improving the strategic capabilities architecture.” -

I can say that the use of information technology in business strategies helps achieve competitive advantage of the organization in the global marketplace. This is because IS encouraging the sharing of knowledge across business units enhances competency. Information systems achieve great efficiencies by automating parts of the business processes. When the manual system poses threats to security and reliability of data due to redundancy, the automated system can bring fast, accurate, more reliable outputs which could then be utilized not just by one functional area in the company but to all that is concerned with the information being processed..From the definitions stated above, since that Information System Planning is a process for developing a strategy and plans for aligning information systems with the business strategies of an organization, and that business plan is formal statement of a set of business goals, the reasons why they are believed attainable, and the plan for reaching those goals. Both are essential to the development of an organization. It can make or break an organization. And as during our lectures, with proper business planning in lined with proper strategic IS plan, an organization may bloom. And as to what the both are naturally related with, well, both deals with proper Time Management and Planning for the betterment of an organization.

Reference:
http://www.business-plan-success.com/Articles/BusinessPlanDefinition/
http://ezinearticles.com/?Business-Plan---Purpose-and-Objectives&id=445062

Assignment 6

2009-12-30T07:14:00.000-08:00

Critical Success Factor (CSF) is the term for an element that is necessary for an organization or project to achieve its mission. It is a critical factor or activity required for ensuring the success of your business. The term was initially used in the world of data analysis, and business analysis. For example, a CSF for a successful Information Technology (IT) project is user involvement.

It is strongly related to the mission and strategic goals of your business or project. Whereas the mission and goals focus on the aims and what is to be achieved, Critical Success Factors focus on the most important areas and get to the very heart of both what is to be achieved and how you will achieve it.

A plan should be implemented that considers a platform for growth and profits as well as takes into consideration the following critical success factors:[5]

* Money: positive cash flow, revenue growth, and profit margins.
* Your future: Acquiring new customers and/or distributors.
* Customer satisfaction: How happy they are.
* Quality: How good is your product and service?
* Product or service development: What's new that will increase business with existing customers and attract new ones?
* Intellectual capital: Increasing what you know is profitable.
* Strategic relationships: New sources of business, products and outside revenue.
* Employee attraction and retention: Your ability to extend your reach.
* Sustainability: Your personal ability to keep it all going.

The idea of identifying critical success factors as a basis for determining the information needs of managers was proposed by Daniel (1961) but popularized by Rockart (1979). The idea is very simple: in any organization certain factors will be critical to the success of that organization, in the sense that, if objectives associated with the factors are not achieved, the organization will fail - perhaps catastrophically so. Rockart (1979: 85), by referring to Daniel (1961), gives the following as an example of the CSFs: new product development, good distribution, and effective advertising for the food processing industry - factors that remain relevant today for many firms. (See: for example, Bergeron & Begin, 1989; Boynton & Zmud, 1984; Goldsmith, 1991; Leidecker & Bruno, 1984; Pollalis & Frieze,1993.)

The CSFs approach was applied in case studies carried out in the UK universities (Pellow & Wilson, 1993; Greene et al. 1996; Loughridge 1996). It was applied also as a component of a strategic information management (SIM) methodology put forward by Wilson (1992, 1994b). The CSFs approach was combined with the value chain concept by Porter (1985) in order to form an information audit (e.g. Ellis et al. 1993; Dimond, 1996; Buchanan & Gibb, 1998; see also Goldsmith, 1991). The methodology was tested in two case studies carried out in very knowledge-intensive sectors of Finnish industry. The process was funded by the Academy of Finland (see: Huotari 1995, 1997; Huotari & Wilson, 1996).

So many important matters can compete for your attention in business that it's often difficult to see the "wood for the trees". What's more, it can be extremely difficult to get everyone in the team pulling in the same direction and focusing on the true essentials.

That's where Critical Success Factors (CSFs) can help. CSFs are the essential areas of activity that must be performed well if you are to achieve the mission, objectives or goals for your business or project.

By identifying your Critical Success Factors, you can create a common point of reference to help you direct and measure the success of your business or project.

As a common point of reference, CSFs help everyone in the team to know exactly what's most important. And this helps people perform their own work in the right context and so pull together towards the same overall aims.

The idea of CSFs was first presented by D. Ronald Daniel in the 1960s. It was then built on and popularized a decade later by John F. Rockart, of MIT's Sloan School of Management, and has since been used extensively to help businesses implement their strategies and projects.

Inevitably, the CSF concept has evolved, and you may have seen it implemented in different ways. This article provides a simple definition and approach based on Rockart's original ideas.

Rockart defined CSFs as:
"The limited number of areas in which results, if they are satisfactory, will ensure successful competitive performance for the organization. They are the few key areas where things must go right for the business to flourish. If results in these areas are not adequate, the organization's efforts for the period will be less than desired."

He also concluded that CSFs are "areas of activity that should receive constant and careful attention from management."

MAIN ASPECTS OF CSFs
CSFs are tailored to a firm's or manager's particular situation as different situations (e.g. industry, division, individual) lead to different critical success factors. Rockart and Bullen presented five key sources of CSFs: the industry, competitive strategy and industry position, environmental factors, temporal factors, and managerial position (if considered from an individual's point of view). Each of these factors is explained in greater detail below.

The Industry
An industry's set of characteristics define its own CSFs. Different industries will thus have different CSFs, for example research into the CSFs for the business services, health care and education sectors showed each to be different after starting with a hypothesis of all sectors having their CSFs as market orientation, learning orientation, entrepreneurial management style and organisational flexibility (Barrett, Balloun and Weinstein, 2005).
An example of industry and company CSFs was presented by Rockart and Bullen (1981) in their research paper and is included here to illustrate their ideas (see figure 1). Further details on company CSFs are discussed in the next point.

The example presented by Rockart and Bullen was meant to illustrate that companies would have different CSFs and would not be completely similar. It can be seen though that many aspects of the CSFs could end up being similar for organisations in an industry.

Competitive Strategy and Industry Position
Not all firms in an industry will have the same CSFs in a particular industry. A firm's current position in the industry (where it is relative to other competitors in the industry and also the market leader), its strategy, and its resources and capabilities will define its CSFs. For example, in 2005 Caterpillar defined a new strategy to aggressively grow revenues over the long term. As part of that new strategy, Caterpillar defined several CSFs specific to the firm which were (Gordon, 2005):

* Organisational culture: "creating a culture that engaged employees, while focusing on safety and diversity"
* Quality control: "accelerating the pace of quality improvement for its products, while focusing on improving new product introduction and continuous product improvement processes"
* Cost focus: "implementing processes to become the highest-quality, lowest cost producer of our high-volume products in each hemispheric currency zone"

Other firms in Caterpillar's industry may or may not have the same CSFs, and are unlikely to have the same complete set.

Environmental Factors
These relate to environmental factors that are not in the control of the organisation but which an organisation must consider in developing CSFs. Examples for these are the industry regulation, political development and economic performance of a country, and population trends. For example, Ladbrokes, a UK bookmaker, will be establishing an international business in Italy where it has just acquired a business license, a requirement for foreign sports betting firms prior to establishing a business in the country (Citywire, 2007).
Another example of environmental factors affecting an organisation was the de-merger of Mondi, a paper and packaging firm, from its parent Anglo-American, a global mining firm. As Mondi had substantial assets in South Africa, it had to pursue a dual listing in order to meet the requirements of South African regulation, particularly in relation to its South African investors (Waples, 2007). Environmental CSFs for Mondi then in the short term include enhancing relations with the South African regulator and ensuring that requirements of South African investors are met.

Temporal Factors
Temporal factors are temporary or one-off CSFs resulting from a specific event necessitating their inclusion. Rockart and Bullen (1981) state that typically, a temporal CSF would not exist and they give as an example of a firm which "lost executives as a result of a plane crash requiring a critical success factor of rebuilding the executive group". However, with the evolution and integration of markets globally, one could argue that temporal factors are not temporal anymore as they could exist regularly in organisations. For example, a firm aggressively building its business internationally would have a need for a core group of executives in its new markets. Thus, it would have the CSF of "building the executive group in a specific market" and it could have this every year for different markets.
For example, Bear Stearns has stated an aggressive expansion plan in Asia to grow existing and new business lines (Financialwire, 2007). As Bear Stearns grows its business over the next few years, a CSF in each year is to build its management teams for the business and the financial products that it seeks to expand.

Managerial Position
A final primary source of CSF is managerial position. This is important if CSFs are considered from an individual's point of view. Rockart and Bullen (1981) give an example of manufacturing managers who would typically have the following CSFs: product quality, inventory control and cash control. As examples, possible firms whose managers would have the stated CSFs mentioned by the authors include Heidelberg Cement (large global cement firm) and Tata Steel (Indian firm which now owns Corus Group, a UK steel manufacturing firm) (Satish, 2007). In organisations with departments focused on customer relationships, a CSF for managers in these departments is customer relationship management (Mendoza et al., 2007).
An example of CSFs for the five primary sources is shown from a work on enterprise security management (see figure 2) which utilised the CSFs method to develop and deploy an effective approach to their business (Caralli, 2004).

* Ensure a good understanding of the environment, the industry and the company – It was shown that CSFs have five primary sources, and it is important to have a good understanding of the environment, the industry and the company in order to be able to write them well. These factors are customised for companies and individuals and the customisation results from the peculiarity of the organisation. This peculiarity stems from an organisation's strategy, current position, and resources and capabilities.
* Build knowledge of competitors in the industry – While this principle can be encompassed in the previous one, it is worth highlighting separately as it is critical to have a good understanding of competitors as well in identifying an organisation's CSFs. Knowing where competitors are positioned, what their resources and capabilities are, and what strategies they will pursue can have an impact on an organisation's strategy and also resulting CSFs.
* Develop CSFs which result in observable differences – A key impetus for the development of CSFs was the notion that factors which get measured are more likely to be achieved versus factors which are not measured. Thus, it is important to write CSFs which are observable or possibly measurable in certain respects such that it would be easier to focus on these factors. These don't have to be factors that are measured quantitatively as this would mimic key performance indicators; however, writing CSFs in observable terms would be helpful.
* Develop CSFs that have a large impact on an organisation's performance – By definition, CSFs are the "most critical" factors for organisations or individuals. However, due care should be exercised in identifying them due to the largely qualitative approach to identification, leaving many possible options for the factors and potentially results in discussions and debate. In order to truly have the impact as envisioned when CSFs were developed, it is important to thus identify the actual CSFs, i.e. the ones which would have the largest impact on an organisation's (or individual's) performance.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_success_factor
http://informationr.net/ir/6-3/paper108.html
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_80.htm
http://university-essays.tripod.com/critical_success_factors_csf.html

Happy New Year.. bounce cheers

Assignment 1

2009-12-30T07:11:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! santa

It is very important to set our goals in order to achieve what we want in the future. We can't deny the fact that each of us can encounter trials but it is part of our life to face this kind of a thing. Ten years from now, I will be owning an Information Technology Company.. But before achieving that, I must have a strategies in order to achieve what I want..

studying is the passion of other generation.it should be learned from elders motherfuck poples.

The importance of information technology to the investment community has risen and fallen in recent times. From the grossly inflated market premiums placed on companies in the late 90s to the dot com bust and the precipitous decline of NASDAQ in 2001-2002, information technology has been a fickle market value factor. This report is an attempt to review the current state of the importance of information technology to the investment community by reviewing the annual reports of major US corporations. Specifically the study searches the annual reports for both common and leading edge technology terms and records their frequency in thEducators from across Long Island began with a groupware tool, TeamFocus,* to facilitate brainstorming, sorting, and presentation of ideas. Novices along with experienced computer users inputted responses to questions about what they valued in teaching/learning/community, dreams they had for the future, how they might create a shared vision of the future with others, and what they might need to move from their shared vision to a future they desired.

Nine hundred statements were inputted on networked computers during our first 45 minutes session. In that time, statements inputted appeared randomly on others’ computers as triggers for new thoughts. All statements were printed and small groups of people sorted and categorized them. The groupware software was used to link those in categories and move a process along that most agreed would have taken months without the tool. In addition, every participant had a voice and all were part of the generation of ideas. We had a place to begin. The vision drove what we did. The technology tool changed the nature of what we could accomplish, how, and when. We intermixed the day with conversations off the computer. Those conversations determined how we used the software. We directed it and our future.

One outcome of our session was consensus that we wanted to be continually linked via telecommunications as we built our learning community. Our next technology step, therefore, was to put in place a telecommunications infrastructure accessible to anyone who wanted to join us with little or no cost to them. We did this. Although in-person sessions were encouraged, online forum conversations were our first requirement to be part of the Village. Newsday helped with its telecommunications gift.

After a few years of blending telecommunications with in-person action, we added a multimedia dimension to the Village. Constructivist, learner-directed, activities were designed by participants on and off the computer. We are now headed toward streaming video, virtual reality environments, video conferencing, blended, again, with in-person experiences out in the community for purpose. Opportunities to learn what is currently available and what we can expect or create permeate our atmosphere. Rather than learn in more traditional class sessions, technology users support one another as a technology network of varied levels of expertise builds dramatically over time.

With tools in hand, we have many possible directions. We choose those offering portability and the sharing of resources. Our technology goal is to offer the capacity to link to the Village as we build the Village. Culture building and support come with the giving of all that we have.e reports. Through this examination the emphasis that current firms place on information technology can be determined. The annual report is the one document that best represents the presentation that an organization makes to current and potential shareholders. It is thus a clear measure of the emphasis that a company places on the value of information technology as a vehicle to increase shareholder value via the investment community. The content can reflect the perception of the importance of information technology to individual and institutional investors.

These are the list of my strategies:

1. Study Study.. Study.. I must study harder so that I will finish my study successfully with more knowledge about IT..

2. Self Discipline..Focus in the study. Have a self discipline..

References:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_importance_of_studying_information_systems_for_the_organization

Introduction to MIS II

2009-11-13T19:15:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

Hello!

I am Fritzielaine A. Barcena, a 3rd year BSIT student, currently enrolled in the subject Management Information System II ( MIS II) as a continuation of Management Information System I (MIS I)..

As what I've experienced in MIS I, I expect MIS II would be more harder, more topics to be discuss on the forum, more pressure in doing research paper since we will be studying in our very own school, University of Southeastern Philippines.. And definitely, this subject would gain us more knowledge that will be useful for our career.

To our facilitator, Sir Randy Gamboa, that he will be more considerate and more patient to us..

my blog..
http://prettypriti-pretty.blogspot.com/

God bless and Good day!

Assignment 6

2009-10-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

If I were hired as an IT consultant i would like to suggest the following for a benefits of the University..

• The Information Technology Consultant works with user groups to solve business problems with available technology including hardware,
software, databases, and peripherals. Services may include studying and analyzing systems needs; systems development; systems
process analysis, design, and re-engineering; feasibility studies; developing requests for proposals; evaluating vendor products and
making recommendations on selection. Enterprise support may require knowledge of business management, systems engineering operations research, and management engineering. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined category

• Probably focus your technical skills on predictable technologies: Microsoft server and desktop OSs, Microsoft Office software, e-mail platforms, and TCP/IP. Particularly ambitious IT consultants might add VoIP, Cisco, SonicWALL, and other network technologies to their plate, too.
But you may be missing a cash cow if you overlook Intuit products. The company recently reported a 9 percent increase in quarterly revenue vs. the third quarter 2008. With third quarter 2009 revenue of $1.4 billion, someone is buying Intuit products, and many of those people could be your clients.

• A consultant is a professional that provides expert advice in a particular domain or area of expertise such as accountancy, information technology, the law, human resources, marketing, medicine, finance or more esoteric areas of knowledge, for example engineering and scientific specialties such as materials science, instrumentation, avionics, and stress analysis. See related Certified Management Consultant and MBA.
• An expert in a specialized field brought in to provide independent professional advice to an organization on some aspect of its activities. A consultant may advise on the overall management of an organization or on a specific project, such as the introduction of a new computer system. Consultants are usually retained by a client for a set period of time, during which they will investigate the matter in hand and produce a report detailing their recommendations. Consultants may be established in business independently or be employed by a large consulting firm. Specific types of consultants include management consultants and internal consultants.

I would like to suggest the following for the Infrastructure which is the computer hardware and sofware infrastructure: Computers should be running at least Pentium-2.0Ghz w/48.8K modem. Computer technician would use different "internet software" ( pick and choose what works better ). Network technician would also use different operating systems ( WinXP or WinVista or Linux ). Host computers should upgrade to faster hardware ( Pentium 4, Dual Core, Core 2 Duo, AMD Sempron, AMD Athlon ) and upgrade to faster connection ( DSL or Full T1,T2 ).

University internet server needs to have a 24 hour dedicated connection to the internet and it should be internet server == a "unix machine" + firewall + router + phone lines to ISP. Another suggestion is to switch to a "better/faster/larger" ISP ( not the slow commercial online services ).

I would suggest the innovations in cable modem/router tweaking to improve university internet connection speed. All modems make it possible for established communications channels to support a wide variety of data communication. Similar to other modems, a cable modem receives and sends data by modulating and demodulating signals. However, cable modems differ from other modems because they also function like routers. Broadband Internet data is delivered into the home or office over a coaxial cable line that also carries television signals. The information travels like a TV channel through the coaxial cable line. The cable modem separates the data from the television signals and directs the data to the PC and video to the television.

Local traffic is the biggest speed cap that plagues cable modems or a source of a slow cable internet connection. Cable modems work on a network/grid that connects to a T3 router running at 45 Megabits per second. Depending on where computers placed, they could have a busy grid, or a not-so-busy one. Then there is Internet traffic. Network administrator’s best bet if he really needs the speed is to pick a time where not as many people are on. There is a noticeable difference in traffic between 2 AM and 6 PM.

There are a number of ways to improve the performance of university cable modem/router. Unlike old fashioned dial-up modems, there isn't a whole lot he can do to increase the speed of computer cable connection. He can tweak the way the broadband Internet cable connection sends the data/packets back and forth. If he is new to this whole thing, there are a number of programs that will automatically set the best values for the connection. Some of the most popular programs are EasyMTU, I-Speed, Intelli Dial-Up, Smartalec, Smartplay.

There’s also Web browser called Voyager 5000 made by Smartalec that’s much faster than regular Internet Explorer. Updating the drivers on computer’s (Network Interface Card) can give the most noticeable speed boost above everything else. Some good places to check for drivers would be: www.drivershq.com, www.download.com, and even www.altavista.com.

Improving university cable internet speeds with connection teaming is also an option. Midpoint has a feature called connection teaming. Connection teaming combines multiple connections to the Internet for increased bandwidth. Along with connection teaming, the software splits large files being downloaded into multiple smaller parts and downloads each part at the same time along each connection. Cable modem companies sometimes allow network technician to purchase additional IP address for a monthly fee. @Home does this for $5 per IP address. @Home caps the bandwidth per account, not IP address - but at the very least, it might increase the efficiency of internet connection and allow the throughput to closer reach the capped maximum speed.
On a very basic level, host computer’s performance also affects the Internet performance as well. If university computer isn't running at its best, neither will the broadband Internet connection.

Assignment 7

2009-10-16T00:24:00.000-07:00

If I were hired by the University President as an IT consultant, I would rather suggest Infrastructure in order for internet connectivity be improved.

An IT consultant works in partnership with clients, advising them how to use information technology in order to meet their business objectives or overcome problems. Consultants work to improve the structure and efficiency and of an organsiation's IT systems.
IT consultants may be involved in a variety of activities, including marketing, project management, client relationship management and systems development.
They may also be responsible for user training and feedback. In many companies, these tasks will be carried out by an IT project team. IT consultants are increasingly involved in sales and business development, as well as technical duties.

In information technology and on the Internet, infrastructure is the physical hardware used to interconnect computers and users. Infrastructure includes the transmission media, including telephone lines, cable television lines, and satellites and antennas, and also the routers, aggregators, repeaters, and other devices that control transmission paths. Infrastructure also includes the software used to send, receive, and manage the signals that are transmitted.
In some usages, infrastructure refers to interconnecting hardware and software and not to computers and other devices that are interconnected. However, to some information technology users, infrastructure is viewed as everything that supports the flow and processing of information.
Infrastructure companies play a significant part in evolving the Internet, both in terms of where the interconnections are placed and made accessible and in terms of how much information can be carried how quickly.
Standardization of an infrastructure is seldom a straightforward process, local adaptations of the global standard are often necessary in order to make the standard viable. These adaptations can be seen as divergences from the standard and need to be managed in order to avoid disorder within the IT infrastructure. The existing literature does not go in to detail regarding divergences; it focuses mainly on the phenomenon of drift. The purpose of this thesis is therefore to increase the understanding of divergences and how they can be managed. Our research questions are; “how can the divergences from a standard be described?” and “how can divergences from a standard be managed?”. The findings of this thesis are of interest for both academia and practice in order to better understand divergences. Two opposing views of infrastructures and standardization are presented; one emphasizes the need for control and the other focuses on the phenomena of drift. By using both these views together with the results from interviews held with managers at Volvo Group we define the dimensions of divergences. We describe five dimensions that are necessary to understand; type, underlying causes, time of creation, context and effects. We also present a process model, containing four stages, for managing divergences in a structured way. The first stage concerns the detection of either existing or anticipated divergences. In the second stage the aim is to understand the divergence based on the five dimensions presented above. In the third stage a decision to permit, adapt or remove the divergence is made. The last stage focuses on communicating the decision made in the third stage across the organization.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_Technology_Infrastructure_Library
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/it_consultant_job_description.jsp
http://www.essays.se/essay/84bb816767/

Assignment 3

2009-10-16T00:22:00.000-07:00

Assignment 3
Goodbye!

Say Hello to Automated Election!!!

Technology is a knowledge of using tools and machines to do tasks more efficiently. We use technology to control the world we live in. Since the art of making fire and creating handcrafted tools, our civilization has come a long way. Science and Technology are making advances at an astonishing rate. From telephones to the Internet, calculators to computers, cars to rockets and satellites, we are part of a new world of discoveries and inventions made possible by Science. Fields like Medicine and communications have changed our cultures and our lifestyles. The technology that surrounds almost everyone in the modern society, affects both work and recreational activities. Technology is one of the principal driving forces of the future; it is transforming our lives and shaping our future at incomparable rates in history. Technology is constantly changing, and advancing.
Many different elements affect how satisfied we are with our lives. The impact of technology on these elements can change how safe, healthy and happy people feel. Throughout history, people have looked for better ways to meet their needs and to satisfy their expectations. Technology has improved the way people feed, clothe and shelter themselves. Technology has also changed other aspects of everyday life, such as health care, education, job satisfaction, and leisure time activities. Through this technology, it can help a lot in our country especially when it comes to election.. The COMELEC proposed to have an Automated Election..
Automated Election System - System defined by the Request for Proposal (RFP) / Terms of References (TOR) that will be used in May 10, 2010 election in the Philippines.

The following are the advantages of Automated Election..

1. Accuracy
In today's society, the collection and dissemination of information by means of computer technology is increasing every day. The accuracy of the computer is extremely important which is why it is necessary to choose the correct method to precisely process the information that is input as well as create consistent information that is extracted.

2. Accountability
It is very important to secure the votes and maintain accountability. The reason is simply to keep very important votes accounted for so people all around. You do not have to deal with the consequences of the lost and unwanted votes. Votes are important . The importance of votes comes down to maintaining accountability to have a peaceful election to have a successful country. The habits of exercising security and accountability of votes is to operate the highest standards.
Levels: RESTRICTED (public disclosure could have undesirable effects),
CONFIDENTIAL (unauthorized disclosure could damage security, compromise information that indicates the disclosure of technical information),
SECRET (unauthorized disclosure could seriously damage national security)

3. Accessibility
refers to the accessibility of a computer system to all people, regardless of disability or severity of impairment. It is largely a software concern; when software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software, is used to enable use of a computer by a person with a disability or impairment, this is known as Assistive Technology.
The computer, though lacking in many aspects, is clearly the superior in many other aspects. In sheer speed of computation and retrieval of data, the computer is obviously by far the stronger. It has the capacity to handle things on a far grander scale than the human brain could ever conceive. The capacity to organise is massively improved as compared to the human brain. Measurements, results, applications can all be done down to the tiniest details, far beyond the human brain's capabilities. Calculations can be done with an accuracy nearly impossible to achieve manually. A certain uniformity can be achieved in its functions, something a human can hardly hope to achieve

Assignment 10

2009-10-11T06:25:00.002-07:00

Assignment 10
The function of a personnel manager usually begins with the staffing process. The manager may be focused on screening and interviewing applicants, with an eye to placing individuals with the right skill sets in the right position within the company. Along with placement, the HR manager may also oversee, or at least be involved in, the creation of entry level training programs, as well as continuing education opportunities for existing employees.
Determining company policies and procedures as they relate to personnel is another important aspect of the personnel management process. HR functions often include drafting vacation, sick leave, and bereavement policies that apply to all employees. The personnel management team is also often responsible for managing any healthcare program provided to the employees as well.
One aspect of company organization that needs the input of effective personnel management is the drafting of a company handbook. Establishing operation policies and procedures, requirements for employment, commendation and disciplinary procedures, and even something as simple as a dress code has to be compared with state and federal guidelines before the handbook is ready for release to the company at large. Personnel managers and the HR staff are ideal for drafting and reviewing the company handbook.
Sometimes overlooked in the course of personnel management is the emotional welfare of the employees. Increasingly, more personnel managers understand that a well-adjusted employee is an asset to the company. To this end, many people in charge of personnel management try to provide opportunities for employees who are in need of counseling to receive support from the company.
This support often involves scheduling time during working hours for the counseling sessions, and perhaps picking up the cost if insurance does not cover counseling. As with continuing educational programs, counseling is seen as another way that the company invests in the future relationship between the employee and the employer. A good HR manager understands this and will strive to make sure this sort of support is available.

Personnel Management and Human Resource Management
The view that there are more similarities than differences between personnel and HR management is shared by a number of authors. Legge, for instance, is tempted to say that there are “not a lot” (1989: 27) differences between the two approaches, but nevertheless manages to detect some diverging aspects. These however cannot be qualified as substantial differences, but are rather a matter of emphasis and meaning (Legge 1995: 74). Torrington regards personnel management as a continuing process of evolution and growth, in which more and more fields of expertise are acquired and assimilated. Within this evolutionary process HRM is only adding “a further dimension to a multi-faceted role” (1989: 66), and is not at all a revolutionary concept. However, the effect of HRM should not be underestimated. Armstrong (1987: 34) maintains that although the procedures and techniques strongly resemble those of personnel management, the strategic and philosophical context of HRM makes them appear more purposeful, relevant, and consequently, more effective.
On the other side, authors like Storey regard HRM as a “radically different philosophy and approach to the management of people at work” (1989: 4). In this view, HRM provides a completely new form of managing personnel and can therefore be regarded as a “departure from [the] orthodoxy” (Storey 1989: 8) of traditional personnel management. As the concept of HRM is not homogeneous but comprises different theoretical and philosophical approaches, the two main versions of HRM, namely the ‘soft’ and the ‘hard’ model, will be sketched in the following.
Some managers believe that human resource management (HRM) is simply another name for personnel management, but a close analysis of HRM's structure shows that it is a separate discipline. A basic theory of HRM consists of: defined HRM outcomes and measures of program success; reward, training, and recruiting policies designed to reach the specific outcomes; support from top management; and specific organizational outcomes. HRM has taken several different forms including a professional model, a production model, a paternalistic welfare model, and a human resource model. To be successful, HRM programs need: technological feasibility; industrial relations support; strategic vision; and management support.

Read more: http://www.faqs.org/abstracts/Human-resources-and-labor-relations/Personnel-and-HRM-can-you-tell-the-difference-An-election-manifesto-for-personnel-management.html#ixzz0TgyTETTv
author: Guest, David

Assignment 9

2009-10-11T06:25:00.001-07:00

Assignment 9
[img]http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/images/people.jpg[/img]
People are the real assets of an organization. If treated well, they can take organizations to commanding heights. Two plus two could be four or even ten. Human Resource Development (HRD) stresses that human beings have the potential to do things better and hence it is a very positive concept in the human resource management. It is based on the belief that an investment in human beings is necessary and will invariably bring in substantial benefits in the long run. Therefore, HRD is a process in which the employees of an organization are helped/motivated to acquire and develop technical, managerial and behavioral knowledge, skills and abilities, and mould the values, beliefs, attitude necessary to perform ...
NATURE:
It describes this concept with help of a matrix. In this presentation, both the smaller and larger organization has been compared. It also provides matrix with help of an example of a company. Organizations typically divide managers into two groups: Line managers and Staff managers. The concept of matrix management is very instrumental in the success of the organization and provides stability to the organization.

SCOPE:
The scope of HRM is very wide:
1. Personnel aspect-This is con¬cerned with manpower planning, recruitment, selection, place¬ment, transfer, promotion, train¬ing and development, layoff and retrenchment, remuneration, incentives, productivity etc.
2. Welfare aspect-It deals with working conditions and ameni¬ties such as canteens, creches, rest and lunch rooms, housing, transport, medical assistance, education, health and safety, recreation facilities, etc.
3. Industrial relations aspect-This covers union-management rela¬tions, joint consultation, collec¬tive bargaining, grievance and disciplinary procedures, settle¬ment of disputes, etc.
ROLE:
The human resource function has gone from the traditional hire and fire role to a strategic partner at the table with finance, operations and other business centers that are not centers of profit for the organization. The job of HR, as is the job of all such departments, is to ensure that the business gets the most out of its employees. Another way to put this is that the human resource management needs to provide a high return on the business's investment in its people. This makes it a highly complex function - because it deals with not just management issues but human ones as well.

Human resource management can support the goal of creating a high-performance work system. Helping organizations find and keep the best persons for the organization allows the organization to have employees with broad skills and strong motivation. With the changing world, human resource management must change as well to provide organizations with their needs.

Assignment 8

2009-10-11T06:23:00.002-07:00

Assignment 8
Fighting can’t help us, it can’t even solve a problem, and it could just worsen it. So why fight, right? But I, myself, can understand whatever that conflict happening between the NPA and the government. I also is not that preferred to the government though I’m not also as harsh like the NPA people. But whatever they are doing with their victims, it would be God who could only punish them.

“Sa hirap at ginhawa, ang ating overseas Filipinos ay pinapatatag ang ating bansa. Iyong padala nilang $16 billion noong isang taon ay record. Itong taon, mas mataas pa….

I know that this is not a sacrifice joyfully borne. This is work where it can be found—in faraway places, among strangers with different cultures. It is lonely work, it is very hard work….

Kaya nagsisikap tayong lumikha ng mga trabahong maganda ang bayad dito sa atin so that overseas work will just be a career choice, not the only option for a hardworking Filipino in search of a better life…

Meanwhile, we should make their sacrifices worthwhile. Dapat gumawa tayo ng mga mas malakas na paraan upang proteksyonan at palawak ang halaga ng kanilang pinagsikapang sweldo. That means stronger consumer protection for OFWs investing in property and products back home. Para sa kanila, pinapakilos natin ang Investors Protection Task Force….”

EDUCATION

• MDG performance indicators measure access to primary education – whether children who should be
in school are actually in school (i.e. elementary participation rate, cohort survival rate, primary
completion rate and literacy rate of individuals 15-24 years old).
• MDG performance indicators for primary education showed a declining trend from 2000 to 2006.
• While updated statistics for 2007-2009 show slight improvement in the MDG performance indicators
from 2006 data, the general assessment remains: there is a “low probability” for the Philippines to
fully attain universal primary education by 2015.
Participation rate
o Target: 93.0% participation rate in SY 2010-2011; all primary school-age children should be enrolled in primary school by 2015
o Status:
_ 85.12% participation rate as of SY 2008-2009 (85 out 100 primary school-age children were actually in primary school)
_ this is worse than the participation rate in SY 2000-2001 (96.77%)
_ target is not likely to be attained by 2015 Cohort survival rate
o Target: 78.0% cohort survival rate at the elementary level in SY 2010-2011; all Grade 1 pupils in the same batch will make it to the Grade 6 level by 2015
o Status:
_ 75.39% cohort survival rate as of SY 2008-2009 (75 pupils out of a cohort of 100 Grade 1
pupils reached the Grade 6 level)
_ an improvement from the cohort survival rate in SY 2000-2001 (69.46%)
o target for SY 2010-2011 is likely to be attained, but it remains to be seen whether it can meet its 2015 target

Primary completion rate
o Target: all Grade 1 pupils in the same batch will finish schooling up to the Grade 6 level by
2015
o Status:
_ 73.28% primary completion rate as of SY 2008-2009 (73 pupils out of a cohort of 100
Grade 1 pupils finished Grade 6)
_ this is a slight improvement from the completion rate in SY 2000-2001 (68.68%), but
it is still off-target
Literacy rate of 15-24 years old
o Target: 100% literacy rate among 15- to 24-year olds by 2015 (simple literacy = ability to read
and write; functional literacy = ability to read, write and compute)
o Status:
_ latest available literacy rate data for comparison are for years 1994 and 2003
_ the simple literacy rate for this age group was worse in 2003 compared to the 1994 rate
_ the functional literacy rate for this age group was better in 2003 compared to than
1994 rate, but it is still off-target
Efforts to keep kids in school
The Arroyo administration implemented conditional programs in an effort to keep kids in school.
o Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program: cash grants to poorest of the poor households; P3,000
for one school year or P300/month per child for educational expenses, maximum of 3
children per household, but with certain conditions like children must enroll in school and
attend classes at least 85% of the time
o Food for school program: started in 2004; daily ration of 1kg rice for poor pre-school and
Grade 1 pupils for 120 school days
An assessment of other MTPDP indicators shows both gains and setbacks in
President Arroyo’s education promises.
• Aside from the MDG performance indicators, MTPDP also measures progress in basic education in
terms of classrooms, teachers, textbooks and computers.
• Gains include surpassing the target number of classrooms to be built per school year; classroompupil
ratio in the elementary level; teacher-pupil/student ratio; textbook-pupil/student ratio in some
subjects; and the provision of computers in high schools.
• Misses include classroom-student ratio in the high school level, and textbook-pupil/student ratio in
some subjects in both the elementary and high school level.

Classrooms
o Target: build 6,000 classrooms every school year and maintain classroom-pupil/student ratio
at an average of 1:50
o Status:
_ target number of classrooms built was surpassed every year from 2004-2008
_ DepEd has achieved the target classroom-pupil ratio (elementary level) since 2004-
2005; classroom-pupil ratio improved in 2008 from 1:50 to 1:45 at double-shifting
_ DepEd remains off-target in terms of classroom-student ratio (secondary level)
_ classroom shortage still exists in some areas; many schools implement multi-shifting,
meaning two or more sets of pupils/students use a classroom
_ DepEd acknowledges that classroom shortage is a perennial problem due to the
continuing increase in student population and destruction brought about by natural
and man-made calamities
Teachers
o Target: maintain a 1:50 teacher-pupil/student ratio
o Status:
_ target maintained for both elementary and secondary levels since SY 2004-2005
_ ratio may be higher in some remote areas due to high population density and
teachers’ preference to be stationed in urban centers and safer places
Textbooks
o Target: maintain a 1:1 textbook-pupil/student ratio in public elementary and secondary
schools
o Status: (as of SY 2009-2010)
_ 1:1 ratio for both elementary and secondary levels in English and Makabayan
textbooks
_ Science – 1:2 for elementary, 1:1 for secondary
_ Mathematics – 1:3 for both levels
_ Filipino – 1:2 for elementary, 1:3 for secondary
Computers
o Target: All public high schools shall have computers by 2010
o Status: In its 2009 Report Card, DepEd claims that all public high schools have been
provided with a computer package. Only about a third have internet access

Education budget and expenditures
• Education expenditures' share to GDP during the Arroyo administration is only at 2-3%; this is
below the international standard set by UNESCO, which is 6% of GDP.
• DepEd got P158.2 billion in new appropriations as per GAA 2009. Eighty percent of this amount
(P126.6 billion) is set aside for salaries.
• Education expenditures account for half of the government's expenditures on social services.
• Although education spending has seen an increase in nominal value over the years, its share to
total expenditures for social services has shown a declining trend in recent years as the Arroyo
administration increased spending in social security, welfare and employment.
• The government spends more on debt servicing than it does on education.
o The DepEd budget is the second biggest item in the national budget, next to debt service
(P252.55 billion in 2009)– this, despite a Constitutional provision stating that education
must be given the highest budgetary priority.
o Education expenditures account for 13-16% of total government expenditures; debt
servicing accounts for 21-31%.

Proper policies lowered interest rates (in terms of basic needs)

Because of our reforms, we have been able to sell NFA rice is P18.25 per kilo to increase prices even out from P17.50 to P30 due to lack of supply in the world. While, for the first time, we made above the purchase of rice from farmers, from P17 to P11.

Because of our reforms, we have been able to invest in food-anticipating an unexpected global food crisis. We made thousands of kilometers of farm-to-market roads and, with the private sector, watered two million hectares. The Badjao like Tarnati Dannawi were taught modern mariculture. P reached the 180,000 he earned from last year. Congratulations, Tarnati. We will help more Fisherfolk shift to fish farming with a budget of P1 billion.

Because of increasing family naman daw hungry, we a new investor in our hunger mitigation program in the past have proven effective. Help me here, Congress.

Since 2001, we called that a less expensive drug. We sell medicine to half price on thousands of Botika ng Bayan and the Barangay Botika in many parts of the country. Our efforts prodded the pharmaceutical companies to come up with low-cost generics and brands like RiteMed. I supported the tough version of the House of the Cheaper Medicine law. I supported it over the weak version of my critics. The result: the drug companies volunteered to bring down drug prices, slashing by half the prices of 16 drugs. Thank you, Congressmen Cua, Alvarez, Biron, Locsin.

Pursuant to law, we are Placing other drugs under a maximum retail price. To those who want to be President, this advice: If you really want something done, just do it. Do it hard, do it well. Do not pussyfoot. Do not pander. And do not say bad words in public.

Assignment 7

2009-10-11T06:23:00.001-07:00

If there’s UNITY, there’s success..
UNITY means
U-Understanding
N-Neutral
I-Involvement
T-Teachable
Y-YOU!

We all know that every human being have their own human attitude, human behavior. And the very most important in a community, organization.. People are the real assets of an organization. If treated well, they can take organizations to commanding heights.
Human resources are the most important assets a modern organization has because only human beings can make, transfer and exercise knowledge. And also only human being s can create the holistic values by planning all the other resources as a whole. So, human beings are the key roles organization, organization should pay more efforts on HRD. Moreover, organizations should conform to the new environment of the strategic plans.
The strategic plans of HRD must relate with the organization's mission and objectives. All in all, people are an organization's most precious resource, so, organization must attach importance to HRD. Human resource plays a very important role in a management and without it an organization cannot function effectively. It can also be called as the nerve center of the organization. Human resource is actually referred to as the employee who does all the physical activities to create production. Even though in today's modern world all the production huge and effective machines do work, the workmen handle it and therefore indirectly it shows how important employees are in an organization because otherwise the machines will not work to it's efficiency. It requires regular maintenance, proper usage according to the standard operating procedures.

Assignment 6

2009-10-11T06:22:00.001-07:00

human resources in terms of technology:

1. fostering a diverse and mobile workforce

2. improving data on the development and mobility

3. reinforcing of capability

To understand more what I am trying to implies here, I will site an example, the institution of University of Southeastern Philippines- Obrero Campus, Davao City. These university is a standard one and even this one of the cheapest school but still its very competent with the other school. In connection with this, when the 21st century comes it doesn't mean that the same equipments, processes and technology being used, of course, when that time comes perhaps the institution will have a new equipments for their new students. And the electricity is already allowed...yepey..

Not only in the hardware, but in terms of software, they have a system that could solve all the problem they have encounter particularly in loading of the networking for the students inconvenience as well as the faculty.

The most important is on how will it be manage. We all know that, the good management will bring the corporation into the highest aim so if the USeP is aiming to be on top it must have the rules to be strictly implemented that can benefit both parties. Moreover the following employees must have the capabilities to do the job and help the organization to be more improving and have a high quality of productivity.

reference:
http://www.oecd.org/document/0,2340,en_2649_34487_25998799_1_1_1_1,00.html

Assignment 5

2009-09-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

DOWNSIZING..

Downsizing is the ‘conscious use of permanent personnel reductions in an attempt to improve efficiency and/or effectiveness’ (Budros 1999, p. 70). Since the 1980s, downsizing has gained strategic legitimacy. Indeed, recent research on downsizing in the US (Baumol et al. 2003, see also the American Management Association annual surveys since 1990), UK (Sahdev et al. 1999; Chorely 2002; Mason 2002; Rogers 2002), and Japan (Mroczkowski and Hanaoka 1997; Ahmakjian and Robinson 2001) suggests that downsizing is being regarded by management as one of the preferred routes to turning around declining organisations, cutting cost and improving organisational performance (Mellahi and Wilkinson 2004 )most often as a cost-cutting measure.
In a business enterprise, downsizing is reducing the number of employees on the operating payroll. Some users distinguish downsizing from a layoff , with downsizing intended to be a permanent downscaling and a layoff intended to be a temporary downscaling in which employees may later be rehired. Businesses use several techniques in downsizing, including providing incentives to take early retirement and transfer to subsidiary companies, but the most common technique is to simply terminate the employment of a certain number of people.
Rightsizing is downsizing in the belief that an enterprise really should operate with fewer people. Dumbsizing is downsizing that, in retrospect, failed to achieve the desired effect.
What is the impact of downsizing? As the studies below indicate, layoffs have a number of negative effects not only on workers in different industries, but also on their communities and the market as a whole. Although it has been said that downsizing can be economically beneficial to companies, the following shows that there are two sides to this issue.
Over the past decade, the workplace has altered considerably in terms of job stability. People have either experienced layoffs firsthand or directly known someone else who was impacted by re-engineering, downsizing, outsourcing or acquisition. For employees adversely affected by these changes or for those who do not completely understand why these changes are occurring, the effects can be very disturbing and impact both their personal and job life.
A variety of different industries have been impacted by layoffs, not only manufacturing. For example, hospitals like other companies and nonprofit organizations have experienced downsizing that has negatively impacted healthcare employees with varying degrees of psychological distress and poor health.

Assignment 4

2009-09-30T21:45:00.001-07:00

USEP and My Future

A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education. The word university is derived from the Latin universitas magistrorum et scholarium, roughly meaning "community of teachers and scholars."

Gaining knowledge, friends, trends. This are all you see in the school. But for me you can learn moral, spiritual, emotional, and my future. The University of Southeastern Philippines set standards in achieving student's goals and provides a good environment of education. Through the help of the university, I strongly believe that I can be an IT Director someday. With the learning's I get, the leadership they thought and the spirit of a real student and citizen of today's generation, someday, somehow I am in the league of professional IT Directors in the country.

In so far as my stay in this university there are lots of struggles I had already gone through and I know there are much as in so much more to in the future. With those lots and lots struggles, there are also lots of things that I have learned, cherished and thanks to USEP for that. College or should I say studying life is definitely a big challenge for everyone but then this will definitely shape us into becoming what is best for us and what we dream to do.

Whatever I may be in the future, whatever job I will get, I would always be thankful and be proud of my school. yeah. Proud to be USEPIAN..

Assignment 3

2009-09-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

Information Systems Manager

Though the exact daily duties may differ from employer to employer, information systems managers determine the overall technology strategies for major companies. By combining information technology training with business savvy, these managers make decisions about servers, bandwidth, and desktop tools for their companies.
Although many enterprise companies prefer to hire managers with advanced technology degrees, a shortage of qualified executives has opened the doors for job candidates with hands-on experience. Therefore, your current job and an enrollment in an online IT program can put you in the running for a senior position that usually pays, on average, over $92,000 per year

Business System Analyst
Responsibilities:
Breaks down high-level business/user requirements into a functional product design, specified in an appropriate level of detail suitable for use by those who must base their work on it.
Defines quality specifications, external interfaces, constraints, and other nonfunctional requirements.
Performs requirements analysis/verification, ensuring that requirement statements are complete, consistent, concise, comprehensible, traceable, feasible, unambiguous, and verifiable, and that they conform to standards.
Participates in design reviews and other work product documents derived from requirements specifications to ensure that the requirements were interpreted correctly and ensuring that product designs successfully fulfill the needs that are defined in the business requirements.
Analyzes customer feedback and collaborate to determine how requests fit into product development.
Evaluates, incorporates and documents product change orders throughout the software development life cycle.
Identifies potential technical problems or design flaws and implements resolution to problems with design processes so as to ensure software quality. Similarly identifies and implements ways to reuse components across designs and/or projects
Provides domain knowledge/product knowledge to development and QA teams.
Works with Product Management to identify and implement processes that facilitate the transformation of business requirements into successful product designs. Participates in the evolution/implementation of product development processes and tools.

http://ph.jobstreet.com/jobs/2009/6/default/80/2126401.htm?fr=c

Software - Engineer (Database)
Responsibilities:
Develops and maintains knowledge of Lawson systems elements and products, design and implementation tools used in the software development environment as well as current technologies in software development, computer systems and industry trends.
Translates design into code following company standards for product quality and maintainability
Develops code derived from a design document using appropriate development standards
Performs unit testing of the code and performs integration level testing with other features or products in the system
Analyzes and documents impact and dependencies of the product or feature on other areas of the system and documents changes required for the deliverable product (manuals, release notes, etc.)
Transmits the code to the appropriate code branch
Works cooperatively and supportively within a programming team environment
Provides technical expertise to the application development, product maintenance, and customer support organizations.
http://www.lawson.com

From the above works that I mentioned I want to be a Information System Manager. I don’t know why I chose this kind of profession, as of now, I am interested with this job because in this duty we must be able to think logically and this job requires highly skilled and educated employees. This job needs to estimate time to accomplish project. And I am looking forward regarding this job in the future..

Assignment 2

2009-09-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Programmer and Wed Developer

Whats the work and essence of a programmer?

A programmer is someone who writes computer software. The term computer programmer can refer to a specialist in one area of computer programming or to a generalist who writes code for many kinds of software. One who practices or professes a formal approach to programming may also be known as a programmer analyst. The term programmer can be used to refer to a software developer, software engineer, computer scientist, or software analyst. However, members of these professions typically possess other software engineering skills, beyond programming; for this reason, the term programmer is sometimes considered an insulting or derogatory oversimplification of these other professions. This has sparked much debate amongst developers, analysts, computer scientists, programmers, and outsiders who continue to be puzzled at the subtle differences in these occupations.

Those proficient in computer programming skills may become famous, though this regard is normally limited to software engineering circles. Many of the most notable programmers are often labeled hackers. Programmers often have or project an image of individualist geekdom, resistance to "suits" (referring to both business suits, literally, and figuratively to the "Establishment"), controls and conformity.

Essence of Web Developer
A web developer is responsible for programming the functionality of a web site. So while a requirements analyst
is tasked with determining what a web site should do, the web developer
figures out how it is going to do it and then writes the necessary
programming code. Much of this programming code is behind the scenes
and not visible to the user.
However, a web developer may also be responsible for the code that
the user sees.

Assignment 1

2009-09-30T21:28:00.000-07:00

Chosen Company:
SAN PEDRO HOSPITAL, Guerroro Street, Davao City

San Pedro Hospital is a catholic non-stock,
non-profit, training institution committed to the care of the sick and the poor, the education of health professionals and the delivery of quality health care to all.

The San Pedro Hospital is owned and
managed by the Dominican Sisters of the Trinity, Inc. It is governed by ten (10) members of the Board of Trustees and, managed by the Administrator who is at the same time the President of the corporation.

A lot was purchased in Sta. Ana Street and the opening of the new SPH with fifty
bed capacity was done on May 1, 1950. In 1954 another wing was constructed which increased to one hundred (100) bed capacity. In 1964, the construction of a 4-storey building that could accommodate three hundred fifty (350) beds began. It was inaugurated on February 11, 1969.

HIRING..TRAINING..FIRING..

That's the first statement given to us by the secretary of Human Resource Department.. When we say Human Resource management, it is the strategic and coherent approach to the management of an organization's most valued assets - the people working there who individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the business. The terms "human resource management" and "human resources" (HR) have largely replaced the term "personnel management" as a description of the processes involved in managing people in organizations. In simple sense, HRM means employing people, developing their resources, utilizing, maintaining and compensating their services in tune with the job and organizational requirement.

According to her, first step to have a good management is to have a good people through Hiring.. Hiring refers to recruitment. Recruitment refers to the process of screening, and selecting qualified people for a job at an organization or firm, or for a vacancy in a volunteer-based some components of the recruitment process, mid- and large-size organizations and companies often retain professional recruiters or outsource some of the process to recruitment agencies. External recruitment is the process of attracting and selecting employees from outside the organization. The recruitment industry has four main types of agencies: employment agencies, recruitment websites and job search engines, "headhunters" for executive and professional recruitment, and in-house recruitment. The stages in recruitment include sourcing candidates by advertising or other methods, and screening and selecting potential candidates using tests or interviews.

A hiring has a set of qualifications that must be follow. example of these qualifications are the example must have a good characteristics, must have a pleasing pleasing personality, and have a knowledge. the set of quakifications is proposed in odrder to have a good man power, to have a good environment. And the main or center of the company is the people itself. so the company must have a good hiring strategy. Steps in Pre-Employment / Pre-Service Training Program

1.Submission of all required documents at the Human Resource Office every Wednesday-Friday 2-4 PM only
2.Take written exam ( 100.00 examination fee )
-Schedule of exam c/o HR Assistant-You will be texted or called up for the date of examination
-List of names who passed and can join the PreService Training will be posted on the bulletin board outside the HR Office
-Only those who passed the written exam can join the PreService Training.

Pre-Service Training Duration
5 Weeks (1 week didactic lecture and 4 weeks clinical exposure)

Training Fee
1,500.00

Requirements:
1.Application Letter
2.Bio-data / Resume with 2x2 picture
3.Photocopy of the following
*Transcript of Records
*Summary of Related Learning Experience
*Diploma / Certificate
*Board Rating
*Board Certificate
*PRC ID
*IV License / Card (optional)
*Certificate of Previous Employment (optional)

Training Programs:
Private Duty Nursing

Qualifications:
Registered Nurse

Requirements:
1.Application Letter
2.Bio-data with picture
3.Diploma
4.Transcript of Records

Next step is Training.. refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at institutes of technology (also known as technical colleges or polytechnics). In addition to the basic training required for a trade, occupation or profession, observers of the labor-market. recognize today the need to continue training beyond initial qualifications: to maintain, upgrade and update skills throughout working life. People within many professions and occupations may refer to this sort of training as professional development. By this, the employee will be train through days of seminar. this seminar contains Rules and Regulations, a characteristics of a good worker, etc..

And the last, Firing.. It is the act by an employer of terminating employment. Though such a decision can be made by an employer for a variety of reasons, ranging from an economic downturn to performance-related problems on the part of the employee, being fired has a strong stigma in many cultures. To be fired, as opposed to quitting voluntarily (or being laid off), is often perceived as being the employee's fault[1], and is therefore considered to be disgraceful and a sign of failure. Finding new employment may often be difficult after being fired, particularly if there is a history of being fired from previous jobs, if the reason for firing is for some serious infraction, or the employee did not hold the job very long. Job seekers will often not mention jobs that they were fired from on their resumes; accordingly, unexplained gaps in employment are often regarded as a red flag.

cheers

Introduction-HRM

2009-09-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Sir Gamboa,

I am Fritzielaine A. Barcena, 3rd year BSIT student, came from USeP Tagum Campus.. Enrolled in IT 313- Human Resource Management..Honestly, Neutral its my first time to join this kind of online forum.. Smile As a beginner of USeP Obrero Campus, Institute of Computing, I expect to gain knowledge and more information in this subject.. Since I've been in USeP Tagum Campus for 2 years, I observed that it has a big difference in the teaching habit Surprised, also the environment of the school.. To my instructor, I expect to be more thoughtful and a kindhearted one..Smile God Bless..

Assignment 9

2009-09-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

The Information Environment (IE) is a term used to refer to work to develop and provide services which enable people to find and manage information efficiently and effectively in their learning, teaching or research.
The information resources which people need are very varied - books, journals, research papers, teaching resources, videos, maps and more - and while they might be in any format they are increasingly digital.

There is now a critical mass of digital information resources that can be used to support researchers, learners, teachers and administrators in their work and study. The production of information is on the increase and ways to deal with this effectively are required. There is the need to ensure that quality information isn’t lost amongst the masses of digital data created everyday. If we can continue to improve the management, interrogation and serving of ‘quality’ information there is huge potential to enhance knowledge creation across learning and research communities. The aim of the Information Environment is to help provide convenient access to resources for research and learning through the use of resource discovery and resource management tools and the development of better services and practice. The Information Environment aims to allow discovery, access and use of resources for research and learning irrespective of their location.

• A changing environment

Over time there has been a great deal of change to the context in which we are working. The Information Environment programmes have primarily worked with the over-riding aim of improving access to and use of heterogeneous resources but have also taken account of changes and provided a way to test, develop and evolve appropriate means to manage and use resources.

The significant environmental changes have been:

• moves towards Open Access research and learning being undertaken on the Web as the Web is able to support flexible models of research and learning
• dominance of search engines e.g. Google
• the development of ‘Web 2.0’ applications and services which support collaborative working and the creation and sharing of digital resources
• cloud computing
• the huge and continuing growth in digital 'data'
• increased awareness of the utility of service and resource orientated approaches to designing services

Cloud computing is a paradigm of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the Internet. Users need not have knowledge of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure in the "cloud" that supports them.

The rise in importance of repositories as a means of managing and sharing digital resources created as part of learning and research has meant that since 2005 much of the JISC Information Environment programme investment has focused on that area. Whilst in the last tranche of repository funding there was some work in the area of preservation, discovery, and other shared infrastructure, there is now a need to move away from the emphasis on 'repository' and to see repositories and the wide variety of resources and delivery mechanisms as part of the wider Information Environment context.

Assignment 8

2009-09-30T14:26:00.000-07:00

OUTSOURCING

It is subcontracting a service such as product design or manufacturing, to a third-party company.[1] The decision to outsource is often made in the interest of lowering cost or making better use of time and energy costs, redirecting or conserving energy directed at the competencies of a particular business, or to make more efficient use of land, labor, capital, (information) technology and resources[citation needed]. Outsourcing became part of the business lexicon during the 1980s. It is essentially a division of labour. Outsourcing in the information technology field has two meanings.[2] One is to commission the development of an application to another organization, usually a company that specializes in the development of this type of application. The other is to hire the services of another company to manage all or parts of the services that otherwise would be rendered by an IT unit of the organization. The latter concept might not include development of new applications.

REASON TO OUTSOURCE
Although the mix of factors raising the possibility of outsourcing varies widely from one company to another, there are a series of themes that explain most of the pressures to outsource. First of all, general managers’ concerns about cost and quality drive outsourcing. The same issues such as getting existing services for a reduced price at acceptable quality standard came up repeatedly. Second, failure to meet service standards can force management to find other ways of achieving reliability. It is not atypical to find a company in which cumulative IT management neglect eventually culminated in an out-of-control situation the current IT department could not recover from. Management can see outsourcing as a way to fix a broken department. Third, a firm under intense cost or competitive pressures, which does not see IT as its core competence, may find outsourcing a way to delegate time-consuming, messy problems so it can focus scarce management time and energy on other differentiators. Next, several financial issues can make outsourcing appealing. One is the opportunity to liquidate the firm’s intangible IT asset, thus strengthening the balance sheet and avoiding a stream of sporadic capital investments in the future. Also, outsourcing can turn a largely fixed-cost business into one with variable costs. This is particularly important for firms whose activities vary widely in volume from one year to another or which face significant downsizing.

THE BENEFITS FROM OUTSOURCING
Outsourcing has identified numerous potential benefits. Financial benefits from outsourcing included rapid funding of new systems development and economies of scale and scope. As consolidate infrastructure through IT outsourcing, a firm can experience cost reductions in hardware and software licensing, facilities, and support headcount. Outsourcing, also, can capitalize on an outside vendor’s extensive IT problem solving knowledge. An outside vendor had the ability to get more of the technology that came out. They could spend money on investments that a company couldn’t afford internally. That opens up a lot more avenues to future technologies. An outside vendor would manage the IT function more efficiently. A vendor’s main competency is managing computer systems. Through their skills, leverage, and economies of scale, they could provide a level of efficiency that could not be achieved at the outsourcer. Finally, Perhaps most important, outsourcing allow internal IT managers to focus on the development of a new IT infrastructure. Underlying the outsourcing effort is a fundamental strategy to offload legacy applications and operations so a firm could focus on developing new strategic application to support the global business processes, which were being reengineered.

THE PROCESS OF OUTSOURCING
There are many ways to manage IT outsourcing since every company has different culture, strategy, structure, people, and process. Also, many important issues such as structure, Information management operating processes, management processes, human resources management should be clarified. However, I’m here going to use Xerox’s outsourcing process. A company may go through 5 phases to reach a successful outsourcing; Fact Gathering, Request for Proposal and Data Gathering, Feasibility and management Approval, Baseline Building and Evaluation, Due Diligence and Contract Awarded. At first, information management (IM) collects the facts the company faces and design team recommendation. Then IM request for information to numerous vendors. After compare their response with evaluation checklist which includes technical, HR, financial, contractual factors, IM conclude the feasibility of outsourcing and make recommendation for management. Then, with the Management’s approval, IM start to build best-case model and contract terms while evaluate the vendors’ proposal using evaluation checklist again. Then, the final negotiation and selection for contract development will be made and, finally, terms are finalized and contract is drafted.

THE PROBLEMS IN OUTSOURCING
Many outsourcing contracts are structured for very long periods in a world of fast-moving technical and business change. Eight to ten years is the normal length of a contract in an environment in which computer chip performance is shifting by 20 to 30 percent per year. Consequently, a deal that made sense at the beginning may take less economic sense three years later and require adjustments to function effectively. Exacerbating the situation is the timing of benefits. The first-year benefits are clear to customer, who often receives a one-time capital payment. The customer then feels relieved to shift problems and issues to another organization. The situation from the outsourcer’s perspective is just the reverse. The first year may require a heavy capital payment followed by the extraordinary costs for switching responsibility to them and executing the appropriate cost-reduction initiatives. All this is done in anticipation of a back-loaded profit flow. At precisely the time the outsourcer is finally moving into its earnings stream, the customer, perhaps feeling the need for new services, is chafing under monthly charges and anxious to move to new IT architectures. If the customer has not had experience in partnering activities before, the relationship can develop profound tensions. The evolution of technologies often changes the strategic relevance of IT service to a firm. From the customer’s viewpoint, assigning a commodity service to an outsider is very attractive if the price is right. Delegating a firm’s service differentiator is another matter. The customer that made the original decision on efficiency will judge it differently if using effectiveness criteria later.

CONCLUSION
IT outsourcing has so many positive effects for a company even though it still contains various problem needed to be solved. In the Internet age, any company may want to focus its internal staff on moving it to the environment that will support them tomorrow and outsourcing could be one of the best solutions. Also, outsourcing is really more of an integration of two separate businesses to be successful. Both want to take the best parts of each culture and put them together. In addition, critical success factors including existence of a multi-years, corporate commitment to the IM strategy and outsourcing, and quality culture and attitude should be considered in outsourcing.

IN SOURCING
Insourcing is the opposite of outsourcing; that is insourcing (or contracting in) is often defined as the delegation of operations or jobs from production within a business to an internal (but 'stand-alone') entity that specializes in that operation. Insourcing is a business decision that is often made to maintain control of critical production or competencies. An alternate use of the term implies transferring jobs to within the country where the term is used, either by hiring local subcontractors or building a facility.
Insourcing is widely used in an area such as production to reduce costs of taxes, labor (e.g., American labor is often cheaper than European labor), transportation, etc.
Insourcing at United Parcel Service (UPS) was described in the bestselling book The World Is Flat, by Thomas Friedman.
According to PR Web, insourcing was becoming more common by 2006 as businesses had less than satisfactory experiences with outsourcing (including customer support). Many outsourcing proponents responded to a negative consumer opinion backlash resulting from outsourcing their communications management to vendors who rely on overseas operations.
To those who are concerned that nations may be losing a net amount of jobs due to outsourcing, some point out that insourcing also occurs. According to a study by Mary Amiti and Shang-Jin Wei, in the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other industrialized countries more jobs are insourced than outsourced. They found that out of all the countries in the world they studied, the U.S. and the U.K. actually have the largest net trade surpluses in business services. Countries with a net deficit in business services include Indonesia, Germany and Ireland.[1]
Insourcing is loosely referred in call centers who are doing the work of the outsourcing companies. Companies that outsource include Dell, Hewlett Packard, Symantec, and Linksys. The callcenters and technicians that are contracted to handle the outsourced work are usually over-seas. Customers may refer to these countries as "India" technical support if they are hard to understand over telecommunications. These insourcing companies were a great way to save money for the outsourcing of work, but quality varies, and poor performance has sometimes harmed the reputations of companies who provide 24/7 customer/technical support.
The Organization for International Investment, a Washington D.C. trade association, uses the term to describe the creation of jobs through foreign direct investment within the United States.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outsourcing
http://www.echeat.com/essay.php?t=25717
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insourcing

Assignment 5

2009-09-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

1. SLOW INTERNET CONNECTION

What actually causes a slow Internet connection? Obviously, the capacity of a
given connection is finite, so if too many people request information at once,
then someone will have to wait. In an ideal world, organizations would simply
order more bandwidth to accommodate the increased traffic. But as we all
know, Internet access costs money, and most organizations do not have infinite
budgets.
It is an interesting fact of online life that users tend to consume more bandwidth
over time. It is very rare to find a user who, once they have had access to a
broadband connection, is satisfied with going back to a low speed dialup line.
As users are exposed to Internet services earlier in life and in a variety of venues
(for example at home, at work, at University, or at a cyber-cafe), they be come accustomed to using it in a certain way. They are increasingly unlikely to
know or care about the bandwidth required to listen to Internet radio, or to
download the latest video game, or to watch funny movies on a video sharing
service. They "just want it to work," and may complain when the Internet "is
slow." Users often have no idea that they can single-handedly bring an organization's
Internet connection to a halt by running a simple file sharing program
on their computer.

2. PROBLEM NETWORK SETUP

The networking field has become a core component for any company. All of thebusinesses rely on the networking industry, due its vastness and significance. Every daycompanies are planning and thinking to develop better strategies that can offer efficientand reliable communication solutions between their employees and customers formaximum revenue. The planning of a company’s network requires a lot of resources andaspects to study, and to evaluate them carefully to build a comprehensive secure andreliable platform. It is the job of a network administrator to take care of the company’snetwork infrastructure and upgrade or update the required components and applicationsfrom time-to-time that can follow new standards.This thesis is a practical work aimed to evaluate a company network infrastructure in itsreal environment. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate different aspects of thenetwork infrastructure used such as VPN, WLAN, firewall and physical security and giverecommendations to make their performance better and to offer more advanced strategies.This study will also provide an inclusive observation of the company’s needs and theirnetwork infrastructure, and will provide a concept how to evaluate and fix small mistakes,the kind of problems that can occur in an evolving company network. Lastly, this researchwill make recommendations and suggest a possible implementation on the studiednetwork infrastructure.

3. POOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Lack of business support
If you don't define the major characteristics of a project up front, it's very common to have differences in expectations among the major stakeholders. This is true even if you take all of your initial direction from the sponsor. As a project gets larger, even the sponsor may not have a complete picture of what needs to happen for the project to be successful. Other times, the sponsor has a vision, but there are other visions that may be better or more viable. These competing ideas end up surfacing later in the project, causing confusion and rework.
Poor estimates
Usually a project needs to have a budget and deadline before the business requirements are completed. In many cases, if the definition and planning are not done ahead of time, the project team starts off with inadequate resources and timeÃ¢â‚¬"and you don't realise it until the project is already in progress. Many projects that could be successful are viewed as failures because they overshot their budgets and deadlines. This situation is often caused by the project manager committing to numbers that are too low, based on a lack of up-front planning.
Poor scope control
One of the major aspects of defining a project is defining the high-level scope. If you do not define and gain agreement on scope, you will find it very difficult to manage scope effectively throughout the project.

References:
www.wikipedia.com
http://www.builderau.com.au/strategy/projectmanagement/soa/Poor-Project-Management/0,339028292,320272911,00.htm

Assignment 4

2009-09-30T14:24:00.000-07:00

Green computing or green IT, refers to environmentally sustainable computing or IT. It is "the study and practice of designing, manufacturing, using, and disposing of computers, servers, and associated subsystems—such as monitors, printers, storage devices, and networking and communications systems—efficiently and effectively with minimal or no impact on the environment. Green IT also strives to achieve economic viability and improved system performance and use, while abiding by our social and ethical responsibilities. Thus, green IT includes the dimensions of environmental sustainability, the economics of energy efficiency, and the total cost of ownership, which includes the cost of disposal and recycling. is the study and practice of using computing resources efficiently."[1]
With increasing recognition that man-made greenhouse gas emissions are a major contributing factor to global warming, enterprises, governments, and society at large now have an important new agenda: tackling environmental issues and adopting environmentally sound practices. Greening our IT products, applications, services, and practices is both an economic and an environmental imperative, as well as our social responsibility.[2] Therefore, a growing number of IT vendors and users are moving toward green IT and thereby assisting in building a green society and economy.
The goals of green computing are similar to green chemistry; reduce the use of hazardous materials, maximize energy efficiency during the product's lifetime, and promote recyclables or biodegradability of defunct products and factory waste.
-------------------------------------------
1. http://energy.ucsb.edu/EnergyInfo/EnergyTips.htm

UCSB Energy

Office Equipment

•Turn off PCs, monitors, printers, copiers, and lights every night and every weekend, If you can't turn off the whole computer, turn off the monitor and the printer
• When purchasing PCs, monitors, printers, fax machines and copiers, consider Energy Star models that "power down" after a user specified period of inactivity
Enable the energy savings options on existing office equipment
• If appropriate, use ink jet printers - they consume 90% less energy than laser printers
• Implement paper reducing strategies such as double sided printing as a default
• Use e-mail instead of sending memos and faxing documents
• Use shared LAN laser printers instead of individual laser printers
• Use central departmental coffee makers and refrigerators instead of personal units.

Light

• Turn off all personal task lighting every night and every weekend
• If you are the last person leaving a bathroom or conference room, turn off the lights
• Turn off all unnecessary lighting in corridors
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (contact Physical Facilities)
• Use light colors when redecorating your office space
• Use day lighting from windows or skylights, instead of electrical lighting, when you can

Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning

• Do not tamper with locking thermostat covers
Where you have control of your thermostat, set the heating set point no greater than 68 degrees and cooling to no less that 74 degrees
• Do not use personal electric strip heaters or personal "window" air conditioning units
• Use blinds to control solar heat gains
• Make sure all heating and air conditioning systems under your control are turned off every night and every weekend
• Large administrative building air conditioning and heating systems will be off at night and weekends, so if you plan to work during these times, dress warmly or appropriately for the conditions.

Very Happy Conclusions:
Approximately one third of UCSB's power usage is under discretionary control of building occupants. If we faithfully use these energy conservation measures, combined with personal efforts and ideas, we can save up to ten percent of UCSB's electrical and natural gas energy.

2. http://www.p2000.umich.edu/energy_conservation/ec7.htm

Waste Minimization Procedure
Electrical Conservation Tips:

• Turn the computer off overnight and on weekends;
• Wait until ready to use the PC before turning it on;
• If the computer is going to be inactive for more than 16 minutes, consider turning it off. After this energy needed to run the computer outweighs the start-up energy;
• Do not turn on the printer until ready to print, even an idle printer consumes energy;
• Try to schedule computer-related activities to do them all at once, keeping the computer off at other times;
• If spending a large amount of time at the computer, consider reducing the light level in your office. This may improve cathode ray tube screen visibility as well as save energy.

Technology had given us many advantages that made our daily tasks easier. But as we all know that in all things there is an equal and opposite reaction and in this case, if technology brought us goodness well it have its disadvantages also. We belong to the IT world- the world of the new generation; we have an obligation to educate ourselves on how we can help to promote green campus computing in our university, as well as in our surroundings. Not just to promote and reinforce it but on how we can effectively implement this cause in our university. Knowing that these electronic wastes exist, and we are now informed what we can do to justify the means of green campus computing, thus our responsibility as an IT student does not end in this forum as we made our assignment, and the challenge to make this happens is in our hands.

3. http://www.wesleyan.edu/newsletter/campus/2008/0208greencomputing.html

Westlayan University
"Green Computing Practice"

• Reduce carbon emissions by simply turning off their monitors, or shutting down their computer when they are away.
• always better to shut the computer off if the plan not to use it for a stretch of time
• Night-time remote backup service, a process that would eliminate the need to leave machines overnight.
• Power the Printer off after office hours, or whenever they are not in use.
• Automated power supplies, which work on an electric timer and shut down computers and printers when students’ computer labs are closed.

In order to adopt the concept of “Campus Green Computing”, maybe the school should conduct seminars to the faculty and students. Although each one knows about it, they did not always apply it to themselves. To those who know it already, he/she can also give advice to his/her friends. So, when everyone knows about how important the concepts of “Campus Green Computing” everyone can apply to it.

Ways to adopt the concept:
Turn off the computers when it is not in use.
* Do not turn on the printer until ready to print, even an idle printer consumes energy;
* Try to schedule computer-related activities to do them all at once, keeping the computer off at other times;
* If spending a large amount of time at the computer, consider reducing the light level in your office.

Proper waste management.
* disposed the garbage to proper place.

Lessen paper works to lessen cutting trees

Use flat screen/LCD (Liquid Crysta Display) to lessen the production of carbin dioxide.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_computing
http://energy.ucsb.edu/EnergyInfo/EnergyTips.htm

Very Happy Very Happy

Assignment 2

2009-09-30T14:22:00.001-07:00

We’ve visited Sky Cable for some interview about risk in IT/IS changes.. We’ve interviewed the head of IT there.. Here are some of his idea about the risk..
1. Migrating/Changing of Operating System and New System
Nowadays, most of the computers are using the Windows OS as their operating system. Microsoft-designed computer operating system, a program that controls the basic functions of personal computers. Sky Cable uses Linux. Linux is a full-fledged operating system. It provides full multitasking in a multi-user environment. It gives a high quality of software for a cost far lower than other commercial versions of Unix. There are many advantages of Linux, it is cheap, almost all the distributions are available in their entirety as free downloads via FTP. Linux is a low hardware requirements operating system. It can run on much more modest hardware than most other modern operating systems require. An old 486 with 16 megabytes of ram and 500 megs of hard drive space has plenty of capacity to host an intranet, including duties as firewall and print/AMTP/POP server for dozens of other computers. Linux will boot and run (with full graphical user interface) in less than 4 megabytes of ram, and 8 megs of ram is plenty for web surfing with Netscape. Linux is available under the GNU public license, which states that anyone is allowed to copy, distribute, and modify it. It's impossible to "pirate" a GNU program. Anyone and everyone is explicitly allowed to make and use as many copies as they need, without ever having to buy.

If there is changes of Operating System, it has a great risk for the personnel to adopt the new changes, it takes also a lot of trainings and acceptance.

2. New technology, less employees

3. Knowledge and Educationcal Background

4. Competition

5. Security of data`
The security of data is very important, as many people store extremely important documents on their computers, for example bank or health records which may contain personal and confidential information about a person, which when discovered could cause major problems. If somebody were to discover another persons bank details through data being insecure, money could be taken from their account, which would cause confusion and disruption for everybody. Data does need to be kept secure, and there are many ways to do this, for example by backing up data or putting passwords on your files.

6. Reliability and efficient of the system

Assignment 3

2009-09-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

Goodbye!

Say Hello to Automated Election!!!

Technology is a knowledge of using tools and machines to do tasks more efficiently. We use technology to control the world we live in. Since the art of making fire and creating handcrafted tools, our civilization has come a long way. Science and Technology are making advances at an astonishing rate. From telephones to the Internet, calculators to computers, cars to rockets and satellites, we are part of a new world of discoveries and inventions made possible by Science. Fields like Medicine and communications have changed our cultures and our lifestyles. The technology that surrounds almost everyone in the modern society, affects both work and recreational activities. Technology is one of the principal driving forces of the future; it is transforming our lives and shaping our future at incomparable rates in history. Technology is constantly changing, and advancing.
Many different elements affect how satisfied we are with our lives. The impact of technology on these elements can change how safe, healthy and happy people feel. Throughout history, people have looked for better ways to meet their needs and to satisfy their expectations. Technology has improved the way people feed, clothe and shelter themselves. Technology has also changed other aspects of everyday life, such as health care, education, job satisfaction, and leisure time activities. Through this technology, it can help a lot in our country especially when it comes to election.. The COMELEC proposed to have an Automated Election..
Automated Election System - System defined by the Request for Proposal (RFP) / Terms of References (TOR) that will be used in May 10, 2010 election in the Philippines.

The following are the advantages of Automated Election..

1. Accuracy
In today's society, the collection and dissemination of information by means of computer technology is increasing every day. The accuracy of the computer is extremely important which is why it is necessary to choose the correct method to precisely process the information that is input as well as create consistent information that is extracted.

2. Accountability
It is very important to secure the votes and maintain accountability. The reason is simply to keep very important votes accounted for so people all around. You do not have to deal with the consequences of the lost and unwanted votes. Votes are important . The importance of votes comes down to maintaining accountability to have a peaceful election to have a successful country. The habits of exercising security and accountability of votes is to operate the highest standards.
Levels: RESTRICTED (public disclosure could have undesirable effects),
CONFIDENTIAL (unauthorized disclosure could damage security, compromise information that indicates the disclosure of technical information),
SECRET (unauthorized disclosure could seriously damage national security)

3. Accessibility
refers to the accessibility of a computer system to all people, regardless of disability or severity of impairment. It is largely a software concern; when software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software, is used to enable use of a computer by a person with a disability or impairment, this is known as Assistive Technology.
The computer, though lacking in many aspects, is clearly the superior in many other aspects. In sheer speed of computation and retrieval of data, the computer is obviously by far the stronger. It has the capacity to handle things on a far grander scale than the human brain could ever conceive. The capacity to organise is massively improved as compared to the human brain. Measurements, results, applications can all be done down to the tiniest details, far beyond the human brain's capabilities. Calculations can be done with an accuracy nearly impossible to achieve manually. A certain uniformity can be achieved in its functions, something a human can hardly hope to achieve

cheers Wink

Assignment 1

2009-09-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

GENETIC COMPUTER HOLDING INTERNATIONAL

It is a part of the GENETIC EDUCATIONAL GROUP established 1987 in Singapore. It currently operates an international chain of computer training school and joint venture operations in 6 countries.

With nearly 100 years of combined experience in this field, the company enjoys a heritage founded on the quality of education, the experience of its personnel, the continuing research and development of new courses and the vision of our founders in the management of the school. the Genetic Group is found in most of the major regions in Asia and currently represented in 34 countries. It is acknowledged as one of the premier computer-training specialist in the Asia Pacific Region.

GENETIC is closely linked in most minds with the living organisms. The name was chosen to eflect the dynamic living science of computing and its essential human connection.

GENETIC HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL INC. was established by the Genetic Group of Singapore here in the Philippines primarily to provide support and logistic to all GENETIC COMPUTER INSTITUTE in the Philippines. GHII with its international network and quality education recognized worldwide promises to push all franchise school to be the new leader in Information technology training in the Philippines.

VISION. To be a leading force in the promotion of Information Technology culture.

MISSION. Mission to produce professionals for Information Technology Industry.

AIMS. To provide quality IT training and educational opprtunities as well as certification fore the people who are suitably qualified.

CORE VALUE.

* Professionalism. The group is committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. * Total Trainee Satisfaction. We focus on understanding and exceeding the expectations
of our trainees.
* Dynamic Innovative Culture. We seek continuous improvement and excellence in
everything we do.
* Human Resource Development. We value our people and are committed to developing
and training them to their fullest potential so as to
serve you better.
* Community Service. We strive to be a good corporate citizen.
Products / Services

Computer Institute

Contact Information

Ms. Annie Ambrosio
Center Operations Manager
Mailing Address: Door 8 SARC Bldg. Sta. Ana Ave., Corner Guerero St., Davao City
Telephone Nos.: (082) 224-4643; (082) 224-4644; (082) 300-2760
Fax No.: (082) 224-4643
Email Address: genetic3@mozcom.com
..

There best practices involves the communication of a clear mission and strategy, leadership by example, the setting of demanding but realistic targets, an open and communicative management style, clear and careful strategic planning..
Having accurate and up-to-date information about business performance will also help future planning and change management.

Communicating their objectives and strategies is an essential part of their best practice.

^_^

Introduction MIS1

2009-09-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Sir Gamboa,

I am Fritzielaine A. Barcena, 3rd year BSIT student, came from USeP Tagum Campus.. Enrolled in IT 313- Management Information System..Smile Honestly, Neutral its my first time to join this kind of online forum.. Smile As a beginner of USeP Obrero Campus, Institute of Computing, I expect to gain knowledge and more information in this subject.. Since I've been in USeP Tagum Campus for 2 years, I observed that it has a big difference in the teaching habit Surprised, also the environment of the school.. To my instructor, I expect to be more thoughtful and a kindhearted one..Smile God Bless..

IT/IS Leadership Roles

2009-06-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Understanding about IT/IS Leadership Roles. This includes the study of Henry Mintzberg.
Henry Mintzberg is known worldwide for his theories on business and management. One of his most popular theories is his roles for managers. These roles define behaviors and traits that certain managers possess. He identified ten different roles, separated into three categories. The categories he defined are interpersonal roles, information processing roles, and decision roles (“ProvenModels - Ten Managerial Roles”).
The first set of roles Mintzberg described is interpersonal roles. The first interpersonal role is a figurehead. A figurehead is a symbol of his company and performs social, inspirational, and ceremonial duties. The next role is a leader. A leader is one of the most important roles for managers. Leaders provide a proper work atmosphere and are able to motivate employees. The final interpersonal role is a liaison. A liaison is the center for information and communication networks, and maintains external contacts to gather information (“Mintzberg: The Managerial Roles”).
The next set of roles is called information processing roles. The first information processing role is a monitor. A monitor gathers external as well as internal information relevant to the organization. A disseminator brings external views to the workplace and transmits factual and value based information to subordinates. The final information processing role is a spokesperson. A spokesperson informs and lobbies for the company. He provides key stakeholders informed about performance.
The final set of roles is decision roles. Included is the entrepreneur role. This is someone who designs and initiates change in an organization. There is the disturbance handler, who deals with unexpected disturbances to the organization. Next is the resource allocator, who keeps track of resources and authorizes there use. The final role Mintzberg described is a negotiator. A negotiator participates in negotiations with people and outside organizations (“ProvenModels - Ten...

Management Information System

2009-06-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

Management Information Systems (MIS) is the term given to the discipline focused on the integration of computer systems with the aims and objectives on an organization.

The development and management of information technology tools assists executives and the general workforce in performing any tasks related to the processing of information. MIS and business systems are especially useful in the collation of business data and the production of reports to be used as tools for decision making.
What exactly is MIS and why do people use MIS? Does MIS relate to what you do? Or do you, in some way, use an MIS? These are just a few questions many people may wonder that will be answered in more detail in this essay. I feel its important to understand MIS and what MIS does especially since the world is moving to a more computer based society.
MIS stands for Management Information System, which means exactly what says, it’s an Information System used by Management. Now, the definition of an Information System is a set of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and distribute information to support decision making and control in an organization. It also helps managers and workers analyze problems, visualize complex subjects, and create new products.
Information Systems plays a critical role in helping organizations act on their environment. For example, if something changes in the environment the Information System can act upon that change and let the organization know how to react and what they should do next.
In Conclusion, Information Systems is a major part of a Management Information System and MIS are a major part of an organization. MIS are the decision-making element that helps plan and decide where the organization wants to go in the future. Also you have learned that the success of an organization depends partly on how successful their Information System is.
Information Systems can make a huge impact on Management Decision-Making. These Systems can provide information about different aspects of the decision situation and the decision process. For example, they could tell what problems or opportunities can be trigger the decision process and which solutions could be alternatives and they can tell you how the decision was reached. These systems can also help managers stimulate innovation on existing decision procedures or explore different solution designs. There are different types of Information systems that managers could use in decision-making.

first day high

2009-06-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

oohyeah! Hello.. I am Fritzielaine A. BArcena from USeP Tagum Campus. 17 years old. My friends call me Priti/Pretty..

It was the first day of my Management Information System class not knowing what to expect. From my first step into the door frame of the class, I took a quick glanced at these unfamiliar faces. My instincts lead me to the back of the classroom next to a young lady who had a painted smile on her face. Unexpectedly, a man walked in projecting his voice with instructions facing the class. Without a doubt I know that was my professor. Following the instructions of Sir Gamboa, I meet a circle of new faces. To overcome the shy feeling, I introduced myself by stating my first name Fritzielaine. Since I am a transferee from USeP Tagum Campus, our professor told us to showcase our talents to the class. Without any hesitation (char!), I sang “You are my song”. To me MIS is a subject I need to pass in order to get my Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and to pursuit my gold in life.
Sir Randy Gamboa introduced us about our subject Management Information System (MIS). I’ve learned about the 4 keys of Management: PLANNING. DIRECTING, ORGANIZING. CONTROLLING. By the help of this 4 keys, you can manage your work pretty well.

And even you have that 4 keys, without “HIGH TOUCH”, I/we can do nothing without HIM!!..c:

God Bless Everyone!

who am i?

2009-06-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

During all of high school, I seemed as if I were hiding behind a mask. When I was at home I was a totally different person. At school I was trying to be a person who could fit in, but the more I tried the more it didn't seem to work. Everywhere I went I would censor what I said depending on my surroundings and the people that were with me. Most of the time I would not say anything at all because I was afraid of being embarrassed. I would always have to change my mode when different people were around me. It was horrible; I hated it. I was getting sick and tired of always being someone I was not. It was about the middle of the summer of 1999, after my junior year, that I realized that being two different people was the worst thing that I could that done to myself and that I did have other options.

Around that time, a major influence on my life was my cousin, Ben. He taught me that I would only live once and that I should be the person that I was and not some one that just tries to fit in. We were sitting a in a coffee shop, one evening, when he asked me the one question than changed my life. "Who are you?" When I first heard this question I hesitated to answer. This question opened a new door in my mind that had never been opened before. This was the first question that had actually made me think about myself and who I was. The more I thought about his question the more I realized that I had a decision to make; to be the person who tried to fit in and cared what other people thought or to be myself. For the past 17 years I had tried to fit in, and I had cared what other people thought and this hadn't seemed to work. So, for the first time, I was going to be myself.

In school, my circle of friends were people that I had been going to school with since sixth grade. I also had friends that were not in my circle. When I went back to school I decided to be one person, myself. After the first month, I realized that most all of my friends were all single serving friends. That is, they were friends only during good times and that's all. Most of my friends slowly parted from me because I went my own way. I didn't try to fit in. At this time in my life I found out who my real friends were and who I really was.