MIS and DSS - Week 11

“One of the main functions of an MIS, or a more specific DSS, is to provide large quantities of data to business leaders in forms they can understand and use to make key organizational decisions.” [1] MIS, for instance, can assist financially with: “General Ledger, Cash Management, Budget Planning, Financial Reporting and Financial Modeling” [2]. MIS is not limited to finance, it can also assist with manufacturing, marketing, human resources and others to optimize information for reports needed. What would have taken a ridiculous amount of time for an employee to manually key in information for reports can now be automatically populated daily, monthly, weekly or annually as needed or desired. A company can utilize an MIS system with financial reporting from a single charge by an employee on their corporate card to a full report to all charges made for the month. The report can then drill down to list all expense that might have been for an entertainment dinner and how much averaged per person. A DSS system would support a company in the same manor using; let’s just stay with the example of corporate charge cards, in decision making. The DSS might come back with a price of limiting a dinner for a certain amount per person to $50 all inclusive in order to save a percentage with each dinner in the future. “A decision support system (DSS) is a computer-based information system that supports business or organizational decision-making activities. DSSs serve the management, operations, and planning levels of an organization and help to make decisions, which may be rapidly changing and not easily specified in advance.” [3] DSS serves a great purpose and can be a money saver if utilized properly. DSS systems can formulate alternatives, analyze, interpret and select options for implementations. “DSS takes in "raw data" and uses algorithm processing and other technological methods to "parse" that data into projections for best possible decision making.” [4] “MIS and DSS systems produce information that business leaders can manipulate and reorganize as needed. This gives them the ability to produce documents, including charts and graphs that support the decisions they make.’ [1] It is crucial for a company to be successful in their decision making in order to get ahead of the competition, with MIS and DSS this is possible. 2 – Ehow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6910064_uses-management-information-system-finance.html 3 – Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision_support_system 1 - Small Business Chron - http://smallbusiness.chron.com/mis-dss-benefits-company-15243.html 4 –Business.com http://www.business.com/software/decision-support-systems

Zoho sheet - Decision Lab - Week 10

Decision Making Methods

It is crucial for decision making methods to be successful in order for a business to succeed. In figure 6.1 decision making involves intelligence, design and choice. [3] Our book listed only three of processes others have more included in theirs but would have the same results if followed through. Decision making is constantly evolving due to factors that play in everyday business. For instance, a company may decide to go with a program like access but then have to regroup when the system no longer is suitable for your company. A decision making process might begin again with a result that Oracle would be a better for the growing company and its needs. Decision making is a daily event in a business. “Decisions drive the day-to-day operation of a business.” [1] Ehow takes discusses five steps - indentify the reasons, research the problem, brainstorm options, evaluate the suggestions and pick the best option. Indentifying the reasons is one of the hardest challenges with the decision process. As people need to be specific in what the problem/reason is to begin with. With defining the problem sometimes people do not think outside of the box. The problem resides with people, not looking at what the problem might be but what they think the problem is. “Often, they are "under the gun", stressed and very short for time. Consequently, when they encounter a new problem or decision they must make, they react with a decision that seemed to work before. It's easy with this approach to get stuck in a circle of solving the same problem over and over again.” [2] • 1 – ehow - http://www.ehow.com/info_7947467_methods-decision-making-business.html • 2 - Management Help - http://managementhelp.org/personalproductivity/problem-solving.htm 3 – pg 265 - stair, ralph. fundamentals of information systems. 6. course technology, 2012.

Week 9 - Ecommerce

With the economy being what it is and wallets getting tighter and tighter some people are trying to save money anyway they can. Couponing is one way of cutting cost. No more waiting for the Sunday paper or store adds. A consumer can sign up for coupons through their favorite store. Also some discounts are offered in store by texting a code to receive a discount upon check out. Coupons via mobile are beginning to become more popular then when they first started. “Target (TGT) launched their first scannable mobile coupon in the spring of 2010” [4] The digital version of sale circulars is a much more convenient for consumers and businesses. Consumers do not have to carry a printed coupon; businesses do not have to spend money on printing the coupons and mailings. There are not many companies that offer mobile coupons. Target is one store that will send a bar code to be scanned from your cell phone by the register when you check out. “In addition to printable coupons, Target now offers Mobile Coupons. Register your cell phone number and you will begin receiving coupons via text message.” [1] Privacy is a question that could be of concern for a consumer. Most consumers would not want to be bombarded with advertising via mobile phone. One would have to sign up through a specific website to begin receiving coupons or sometimes it’s a one shot deal. In a posting on Internet Retailer website David LaPlante, CEO of Twelve Horses was quoted as saying “He adds that the cell phone coupons are intended for consumers who opt-in to receiving them after shopping at merchant. “The mobile communications market won’t make the mistake of e-mail and telemarketing with non-permission marketing tactics,” [2] Shoprite and other food stores will also send coupons to your mobile phone via text. Mobile coupons don’t just stop at grocery stores and retailers movies are also on the scene. Fandango offers Mobile discount tickets via cell phone. “Enjoy the added convenience of Mobile Tickets on Fandango! Now, at select theaters, have your ticket sent directly to your mobile device. There's no need for paper, or printers. Go straight to the ticket-taker to have your mobile device scanned!” [3] Saving time, paper and more important money might be some of the reasons consumers turn to mobile couponing. 1- Couponing 101 - http://www.couponing101.com/2010/07/target-mobile-coupons.html 2- Internet Retailer - http://www.internetretailer.com/2005/12/01/coupons-delivered-via-cell-phone-can-be-redeemed-in-stores-or-on 3- Fandango - http://www.fandango.com/mobilemovietickets 4- Mint - http://www.mint.com/blog/trends/mobile-coupons

Week 8 - Web 2.0/Social Networks

Web2.0/Social Networks Social network is the new way for people to connect. They are used for personal and professional use. In the past professionals would have meetings and discuss who they thought might be a good fit for a job that is available after receiving applications in the mail (US postal mail). Now we have social networks such as LinkedIn. Here you can connect with so many others it’s like a spider web of connections. There are many aspects to LinkedIn and many nodes. “A social network is a social structure made of nodes (which are generally individuals or organizations) that are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as values, visions, ideas, financial exchange, friendship, kinship, dislike, conflict or trade.” [1] Social networks structures are very complex. “Social network analysis views social relationships in terms of nodes and ties. Nodes are the individual actors within the networks, and ties are the relationships between the actors. There can be many kinds of ties between the nodes.” [1] In a simple explanation a social network is a map of ties between nodes. LinkedIn is the world’s largest business social network. Business people can keep a listing of their business connections even after they leave a job, search for a job through connections, and connect with groups in relation to one’s business title or related business. Listed are a few items that LinkedIn has for those who sign up (listed below). This helps the social network be user friendly. In a world where looking through the paper for open job listings is becoming a thing of the past for those that are techno savvy. LinkedIn Tab Options: • Personal Profile • Contacts • Groups • Jobs • Internal Email • Companies • News • People Search • List Groups that may be of interest according to title or prior employers. Networking is becoming a necessity in today’s business world. Listed below are percentages of how people find jobs. The first on the list is found a job through a friend, relative or other associate these connections are largely on a social network such as LinkedIn. 35% -- Found job through a friend, relative or other associate 30% -- Contacted an employer directly, without answering a classified ad 14% -- Answered a job classified advertisement 08% -- Found job through on-campus recruitment or job placement office 06% -- Employment agency or search firm 05% -- State-run unemployment office 02% -- Other [2] Sites 1 – Google - http://knol.google.com/k/social-networking 2 – Resumagic - http://www.resumagic.com/networking.html

HTML - Week 7

Jacques Pepin

More Fast Food My Way

Puree of Basil

Directios

  • Basil
  • Salt
  • Parmigiano Cheese
  1. peper
  2. water
  3. olive oil
  4. and then puree
Jacque Pepin Fast Cooking My Way Pesto

Query - Week 6

Monday, September 26, 2011

Week 1 T1.3

Barbara Piccininni

ECON 101-04

Week 1 – Task 3



            In this report, referring to Chapter 1, I will be referencing process, knowledge and characteristics of valuable information.  Process is taking data that you have collected and turning it into information.  Knowledge is taking that information and using it to complete a task.   Characteristics of valuable information has many different qualities but I will be touching on accurate, complete, timely and verifiable aspects in this report.

When planning a meeting through Microsoft Outlook for “Quarter 4 financial planning” for a department there are many things needed to complete this task successfully.  One must collect the data regarding all attendees’ availability then work with specific dates and times that have been specified by the manager that would work best for his/her calendar.  These two would be considered process.

 “Process or processing typically describes the action of taking something through an established and usually routine set of procedures or steps to convert it from one form to another, such as processing paperwork to grant a mortgage loan, processing milk into cheese, or converting computer data from one form to another. A process involves steps and decisions in the way work is accomplished, and may involve a sequence of events.

The process that one follows is as important as the results that are produced by the process. Without understanding the underlying process, it is difficult to know how a certain set of results were achieved, or why they were good or bad. So, if results are viewed as the "destination", then process can be viewed as the "vehicle" that gets you there (and ideally, you should be able to use the same "vehicle" for many trips...with a few modifications based on the desired destination!)” 1

Taking the information of each individual’s availability and checking the time and date everyone would be available for a meeting, via outlook, is knowledge; this would help complete the task.   But you would also have taken into consideration possible holidays or vacation that that attendee’s might take and thus would not be available. 

Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something, that can include facts, descriptions, information, and/or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. It can be implicit (as with practical skill or expertise) or explicit (as with the theoretical understanding of a subject); and it can be more or less formal or systematic.[1] In philosophy, the study of knowledge is called epistemology, and the philosopher Plato famously defined knowledge as "justified true belief." There is however no single agreed upon definition of knowledge, and there are numerous theories to explain it.” 2





            Characteristics of Valuable Information would now play a role in planning this meeting successfully.  In figuring out date and time that was requested by the manager, and planning the Q4 departmental review, is the information collected accurate?  Looking at the calendars in outlook, do those attendees have their calendars up to date with available time?  If not, this would not be an accurate account of availability.   Complete information is essential, as you would have to take into account the location of such a meeting.   If you find time/date, attendee’s availability and managers’ approval of the event, and there is no location for this meeting to take place, then the task at hand would therefore not be complete.   If this meeting is not scheduled prior to Q4 then it would not be timely.  This meeting would have to take place prior to Q3 ending.   When checking outlook calendars, booking a location or obtaining approval from managers regarding the meeting, this information is still not verifiable until all attendees accept this outlook invite.

“well there can be a number of characteristics but to name a few are

it should be timely; anything that you get in time save money and help timely decisions

accuracy; relevance to the subject under consideration helps you take proper decisions

economical; cost benefit analysis has to be conducted

based on current information aimed at projection for the future

relevant; to the current market situations

hope will help you.” 3





1 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process

2- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge#cite_ref-1

3 - http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_characteristics_of_valuable_information_in_business_research




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