Thursday, May 21, 2009

Finals Question #5

FINALS QUESTION #5

Topic: VIRTUAL OFFICE


1. Describe what is virtual office.

Virtual Office is a workplace that is not based in one physical location but consists of employees working remotely by using information and communications technologies.


2. Distinguish virtual office from MIS.

A virtual office is characterized by the use of teleworkers, telecenters, mobile workers, hot-desking, and hoteling, and promotes the use of virtual teams.
While MIS is a marketing information system consists of people, equipment, and procedures to gather, sort, analyze, evaluate, and distribute needed, timely, and accurate information to marketing decision makers.


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

A Virtual Office Service can provide you with an established business address, as well as a complete suite of business support services. Outsourcing is a big step for the company. We know that you’d like to spend more time running your business, free from unnecessary and unplanned distractions that take your time and attention away from the projects at hand eliminating the difficult issues that you’ve experienced with other virtual office service companies, with the virtual office ensuring that your account activity is handled capably and professionally, and that we provide accurate, timely and concise information for you and your clients and by that to have a competitive advantage.

Debbie Ann T. Templonuevo
www.ask.com

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Finals Question #4

Finals Question #4
TOPIC: THE DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS (DSS)


1. Describe or define DSS.

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


2. Distinguish DSS from MIS.

DSS A system that supports technological and managerial decision making by assisting in the organization of knowledge about ill-structured, semistructured, or unstructured issues. A decision support system (DSS) is not intended to provide support to humans about structured issues since little cognitively based decision support is generally needed.While an 'MIS' is a planned system of the collecting, processing, storing and disseminating data in the form of information needed to carry out the functions of management.The terms MIS and information system are often confused. Information systems include systems that are not intended for decision making.


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

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


Debbie Ann T. Templonuevo
www.ask.com

Finals Question #3

Finals Question #3
Identify and describe one company that adopts an MIS. Include in your discussion, how MIS helps and supports the company, its managers and other employees, in their problem solving and decision-making.

Touch Systems Ltd (TSL) formed in 1989 to supply business software solutions. Using state of the art real-time monitoring and diagnostics technology, companies able to provide our Premium Services clients with unparalleled around the clock monitoring, trend analysis and alerting on your networked systems and mission critical devices. Accelerate your business ahead of the competition with MIS Premium Services and the benefit of this to the managers and employees and generally to the company in their problem solving are the following:

* Reduce IT Costs and Business Risks
* Gain total visibility of network and system performance and eliminate bottlenecks
* Improve Systems Capacity Planning
* Stay Current with Patch Assessments and Detect Vulnerabilities


Debbie Ann T. Templonuevo
www.google.com

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Finals Question #2

Finals Question #2
A company may adopt specific computerized database system according to their unique needs after thorough MIS planning. However, it has to be noted that MIS if properly planned, and implemented, benefits can be immeasurable on the other hand, if this is misused, then it may mean information or financial losses and opportunity and resources wasted.

From this, answer the following.

1.0.a Research one international company from the Internet and describe their MIS strategic plan in 1-2 paragraphs.

The move is in line with MIS' dual strategy for growth both organically and through strategic acquisitions. The acquisition of 3CMI is part of MIS' strategic expansion plans and follows an intensive period of discussions with the management of 3CMI. Based in Dubai Investment Park, 3CMI was identified as an ideal partner to MIS for the synergies it offers both in terms of resources and business activities, benefiting both companies.
"MIS is very pleased with this new acquisition that will complement MIS' development and diversification plans, and bolster the companies presence in Dubai," said Jerry Smith, MIS Managing Director. "We consider this an excellent move to generate additional revenue for MIS and we look forward to integrating the 3CMI group into MIS and supporting the 3CMI activities in an aggressive growth plan."Yannick Damry, General Manager of 3CMI said, "Since its set-up in Dubai in 2004, 3CMI has managed to establish its reputation in the market through its flexible, dynamic and tailormade approach to the business, and we are delighted to become part of such an established strong player in the region. We are looking forward to the growth and development that this provides us and our team."


1.0.b Discuss too the impact of this strategic plan on the company's management,
competitors, customers and the company as a whole.

In having a well managed operation and skilled engineering group and workforce which will support MIS' existing business activities, 3CMI's strengths in land rig refurbishment and high pressure piping fabrication will dovetail with MIS' business activities. 3CMI, will, in turn, gain considerable access to MIS' systems and expertise, thereby growing its current position and opening it up to a broader client base and greater geographical coverage and this could be a positive impact in the company..

2.0.a Evaluate how can this strategic plan be applied to any local company in the Philippines.

As i could see if local companies will gain considerable access to MIS' systems and expertise, by growing its current position and opening it up to a broader client base and greater geographical coverage.

2.0.b Discuss too the possible effect on the company.

With the use of MIS it could not be possible for every companies and organization to be Globally competitive, where it could also achieve the level of productivity and the efficiency as a whole of the company.

3.0.a What is an Accounting Information System?

Accounting Information Systems (AISs) combine the study and practice of accounting with the design, implementation, and monitoring of information systems. Such systems use modern information technology resources together with traditional accounting controls and methods to provide users the financial information necessary to manage their organizations.
3.0.b Identify or list down different accounting information systems used.
a. Payroll Accounting
b. Asset Reconciliation
c. Top Accounting Software

3.0.c What are the benefits by the management, users and customers derived from these AIS?

AIS are useful for companies and businesses wanting to make the accounting process easier by utilizing a computer program or other system that will perform payroll and other functions.The use of information systems is very important in recording vital financial data that will be used in the future. By using computerized accounting information systems to organize and retain this data, companies have a much better chance to survive and succeed.

3.0.d Cite any threat or misuse of these AIS by a specific company. How were the threats addressed? What were the damages?

Theft of Information, Money, or Equipment

* Selling or otherwise exploiting for personal advantage classified or proprietary information.
* Manipulating financial records so that, for example, checks or money transfers are made out or sent to the wrong person.
* Manipulating logistics records to steal equipment. For example, equipment may be stolen by having it shipped to the wrong location. Thefts of equipment may be covered up by manipulating inventory records.
* Copying software for personal use in violation of licensing agreements or when prohibited by rules or procedures.
* Disseminating or printing copyrighted materials (including articles and software) in violation of copyright laws.
One of the early actions of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was to develop the nowfamiliar color-coded security alert system: Red signaled a "severe" threat to national
security, orange a "high" threat, yellow an "elevated" threat, blue a "guarded" threat, and green a "low" threat. In the wake of the recent scandals at Enron, Arthur Andersen, WorldCom, Tyco, and others, one can imagine a similar security alert system tor threats to our financial reporting system.

Debbie Ann T. Templonuevo
ask.com

Monday, May 11, 2009

Finals Question #1

Finals Question#1

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

For those who are not working, research one company in the net who is using computerized database systems. Describe the use and/or nature of these systems and describe too the benefits/disadvantages from these systems. Include your reference.


The US based firm "Cisco Systems", a world leader of internet solutions for the web, has recently awarded a special certificate for the Tunisian computer networking "3S ", for Standard, Sharing, Software.

Database objects has two benefits over other storage approaches: it provides higher performance management of objects.


Database advantages include the following:

  • shared data;
  • centralized control;
  • disadvantages of redundancy control;
  • improved data integrity;
  • improved data security, and database systems; and,
  • flexible conceptual design.

Disadvantages are as follows:

  • a complex conceptual design process;
  • the need for multiple external databases;
  • the need to hire database-related employees;
  • high DBMS acquisition costs;
  • a more complex programmer environment;
  • potentially catastrophic program failures;
  • a longer running time for individual applications; and,
  • highly dependent DBMS operations.


In this company Relational databases are by far the most useful type commonly available, and this training module focusses largely on them, after looking briefly at flat file text databases.A rational database is a database that groups data using common attributes found in the data set. The resulting "clumps" of organized data are much easier for people to understand.
For example, a data set containing all the real estate transactions in a town can be grouped by the year the transaction occurred; or it can be grouped by the sale price of the transaction; or it can be grouped by the buyer's last name; and so on.Such a grouping uses the Relational model(a technical term for this Schema). Hence such a database is called a "relational database."The software used to do this grouping is called a rational database management system. The term "relational database" often refers to this type of software.Relational databases are currently the predominate choice in storing financial records, manufacturing and logistical information, personnel data and much more.


Debbie Ann T. Templonuevo
www.ask.com

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Midterm Question #3

Midterm Question #3

Internet if properly maximized can be used as a medium to the advantage of the company. However, risks and threats are there. Thus, research the following:

1. Identify the possible risks and threats (eg. virus) that can potentially attack a company with internet connection.

2. Case research and analysis:
Vigilante virus attacks MP3 music files E-mail
by Stan Beer
Tuesday, 26 April 2005
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Experts at security vendor Sophos, have discovered a worm which has taken the law into its own hands against internet music pirates. However, legal downloaders are also at risk.

The W32/Nopir-B worm, which appears to have originated in France, spreads via peer-to-peer file-sharing systems posing as a hacked utility to make copies of commercial DVDs. However, in reality it displays an anti-piracy graphic, and attempts to delete all MP3 music files, disable various system utilities, and wipe .COM programs on the infected PC.

"The internet is swamped with people pirating movies and music, costing
the entertainment industry millions each year. The Nopir-B worm targets
people it believes may be involved in piracy, but fails to discriminate
between the true criminals and those who may have MP3 files they have
created themselves," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant
for Sophos. "Whichever side of the fence you come down on in regards to
internet privacy, there's no debate about the criminal nature of this
worm - designed to inflict malicious damage on people's Windows
computers."

Internet pirates who have illegally distributed music files, movies and
TV shows have been in the news recently as ISPs have been ordered in a
number of cases to provide identitifying details of those individuals
responsible so prosecutions can be brought against them. Last month, a
Canadian man lost his job after it was found he had leaked the first
episode of the eagerly anticipated BBC science fiction series "Doctor
Who" onto the internet three weeks before its official broadcast.

Although there have only been a small reports of the worm, Sophos
recommends computer users ensure their anti-virus software is
up-to-date, and that companies protect themselves with a consolidated
solution which can defend them from the threats of both spam and
viruses.


2.a Identify one company that had experienced an attacked from the internet.

Elk Cloner
is one of the first known microcomputer viruses that spread "in the wild," i.e., outside the computer system or lab in which it was written.Elk Cloner spread by infecting the Apple II operating system using a technique now known as a "boot sector" virus.

2.b Describe the attack.

Elk Cloner spread by infecting the Apple II operating system using a technique now known as a "boot sector" virus. If a computer booted from an infected floopy disk, a copy of the virus was placed in the computer's memory. When an uninfected disk was inserted into the computer, Elk Cloner would be copied to the disk, thus allowing it to spread from disk to disk.

An infected computer would display a short poem on every 50th boot. Elk Cloner did not cause deliberate harm, but Apple DOS disks without a standard image had their reserved tracks overwritten. The aforementioned poem follows:

Elk Cloner: The program with a personality

It will get on all your disks
It will infiltrate your chips
Yes, it's Cloner!

It will stick to you like glue
It will modify RAM too

Send in the Cloner!


2.c Identify the damages done and the solutions adopted to reverse the damages and to protect the company from future threats.
According to contemporary reports, the virus was rather contagious, successfully infecting the floppies of most people Skrenta knew, and upsetting many of them. Part of the "success," of course, was that people were not at all wary of the potential problem (virus infection could have been avoided by not inserting floppies into computers without hard-booting them first), nor were virus scanners or cleaners available. The virus could still be removed, but it required an elaborate manual effort.

Debbie Ann T. Templonuevo
http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/143993,top-ten-worst-viruses.asp



Midterm Question #2

1. Research Philippine company and one international company that have employed e-commerce.

  • Sweetlandrealty_internationalmarketing,which has the concept to have a multi listing properties all over the key cities of the countries.
  • AACC-SLF a company in the Philippines,this Chamber is a new, dynamic business organization that is comprised of individuals and companies from over 30 countries world-wide.
2. Describe how e-commerce operate in these companies.

In sweetlandrealty International Marketing:
1. ( FOR NON-PROJECT ) Every Member can register their own listings for sale or Rent in our database and market it to the WORLD by our OFFICE and the FIRST member who registered his/her listing for sale or rent is considered as his/her exclusive listing for the group , that means no double registration is allowed.
2. (FOR PROJECTS) Every member who referred a buyer to the OFFICE and that buyer purchased a developed project, the member is entitle for a 60% commission from the net receivable of the company.
In AACC-SLF:
1. The Chamber will serve as a resource center and facilitator of business opportunities for member companies. What They Offer€ ’¥ Access to members to market your product or services as well as other networking opportunities.
2. Listing in the Chamber's directory and other publications to be distributed to Chamber Members and throughout Asia, the Americas, and the Caribbean. Opportunity to advertise in the Chamber's newsletter.

3. Identify the benefits / constraints / derived by these companies from e-commerce.
The benefits of the comapanies from e-commerce is that with this that: 1. Participation in trade missions to Asian countries to promote the company's products and services.
2. Opportunity to advertise in the Chamber's newsletter.
3. Access to members to market

Debbie Ann T. Templonuevo

sweetlandrealty_internationalmarketing