Unlocking And Sharing Business Databases

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Case Studies Chapter 5 and Chapter 6

Handling the merging and / or acquisition in a proper manner, can crates a high shareholder value. It has more benefits. As a manager, I have the responsibility to satisfy the customer’s needs and wants when merging and acquisitioning the companies, because they are the important assets in the organization. I have to satisfy the both old and new customers after merging and acquisitioning. The customer’s expectation can be high or in doubt. They will expect the same or high quality of work or service. The integrity of data is important. As a manager I have to keep the customer’s information securely and maintaining the high level of communication also an important factor. They will need the updated information in detail how the things occur before and how the things going to work in now and future. Clearly explain them the advantages of the A&M. Another important responsibility is providing better solutions / answers to their problems. Welcome them to make comments on the new approach. Most importantly no downtime.

IT will play a major role to satisfy the customer’s expectations. IT involvement can solve many problems. To ensure the integrity of data IT helps to keep the records safely and able to create the access control for the each level of people while maintaining the reliable. IT helps to track information on who is doing what work, which department is responsible for the required actions, history of customer information and history of their problems or questions. This will help to perform the activities smoothly. IT helps to create and place the contingency plan. Mainly IT helps to document the information and help to reduce the complexity.

Answer 2

When an organization performing the merging and acquisitioning most of the people are not clear of information what is going on in the organization. Having Tribal Knowledge can solve many problems. "Tribal Knowledge" means that the people should have at least minimal knowledge on what and how the people are working in the system in order to produce a high quality of work or service. Having this knowledge can help to track the information and to perform the smooth and uninterrupted business. Because the people are aware of what is going on in the company.

In order to overcome from this issue the acquired organization can follow the following suggestions.

Create a work flow that illustrates responsibilities of each person

With the help of organization’s experts create a documentation that includes the way things are going to happen in the organization. This will help for the future teams in the organization. And also will help to perform the acquisition smoothly.

Learn the technology and its functions clearly. Sound knowledge in technology will help to work smoothly in the organization.

Answer 3

If the organization has bad governance then it will fail no matter what software or hardware has been used. Therefore good governance is important for an organization to maintain the organizational values. If the organization has a systematic approach to do the work then the organization will succeed in the market. To maintain the value and the systematic plan of the organization, data integrity and security plays major role. IT helps to organize the plan in proper way. Also IT helps the organization in many ways to use the data properly and securely. So when an organization performs merging and acquisitioning with good governance and properly using the IT techniques, then it will be easy for organization to function everything is successful way. It is easy to adapt with the new features. The employees and people are aware of the new feature. Then the chances of having trouble and issues will be less.

Chapter 5 Case 2

Applebee’s, Travelocity, and Others: Data Mining for Business Decision

Answer 1

The case study talks about the 3 companies that use data mining. From the case study I understand that the 3 companies (Applebee, Travelocity and Vista print) gained many benefits from spending their time and effort to create and operate data warehouse. Such as:

By calculating the time the customers spent at restaurant and the time that servers take to serve food for the customer and getting the customer feedback help to improve the customer experiences and help to predict the future behaviors.

Data mining uses a lot of various data to get the output. These data helps to create a business trends Eg: the usage of food, the most preferable items, make sure all the items are available (products will be always in stock) and can eliminate the less reputed items.

Helps to create new patterns for the business to attract new customers.

Data mining helps to face the competitive market efficiently and effectively, since they know the expectations of the customer.

Data mining help to get more revenue.

Helps to establish the business in different locations.

Apart from these advantages the data ware house having an obvious disadvantage. That is implementing the data ware house is complex and cost a lot. It requires hardware, software and resource to implement. The system should be user friendly. It requires domain knowledge to process the gathered data into valuable information which is used to take decisions.

Implementing the data warehouse in every business is not advisable. It is not suitable to all the business because the cost of implementing the data warehouse is proportional to the needs of the business. Before investing the money on implementing the data warehouse the company has to consider their needs, the size of data, how long the business plan to run and employee knowledge on data warehouse. When using the data warehouse the analysis of data is important. Since the result can be vary according to the way it analyzed. Data integrity and privacy also important factor to consider before implementing the data warehouse.

Answer 2

There are several questions can be asked. Such as

Can you able to track the total time that server spent for customer to serve the food?

What kind of food goes very fast appetizers or menus or dessert?

Do you track the rate of return foods that customer not satisfied?

Do you able to track the availability of food in advance eg: vegetables, meals, fruits, flour,etc?

Do you track the regular customers?

Which day is the busy day? Is it night or day time?

Which age groups come most?

Do you give any coupons for the customer? If so in which period of time do you offer?

How long it is taking to prepare the meal?

Where the customers sit most? Is it in the outside or inside or any specific place?

Did you able to eliminate any food using data mining?

Do you track the customer’s tip?

How long the customers need to wait to get a place to sit?

Answer 3

Most of the companies are using data warehouse and data mining to create business treads and identify new patterns to enhance their business. It requires the employee to have sound knowledge on tools and techniques to analyze the data effectively. Employees should be trained in proper way. In past it has stifles to use data ware house and data mining to make better decisions because of the cost of data storage (during the periods of mainframe). But now the data storages are very cheap. Keeping the track of past records is very important to understand the present, future and avoid making the same mistakes. The successes of data mining guide the organization to a successful path.

Chapter 5 Case 3

Amazon, eBay, and Google: Unlocking and Sharing Business Databases

Answer 1

From the case study it is precise that the Amazon and eBay became popular by opening up some of their databases to developers and entrepreneurs. It has created a huge value for those organizations. It enable the programmers (65,000 developers) to research and create money making websites, new online shopping interfaces and innovative services to thousands of Amazon’s independent sellers for free. Sales of the company have been increased from these innovated websites. Different software tools were created to support the customer service. Enabled lot of market space for buyer and sellers.

I agree with the strategy. This strategy has given a numerous benefits to the organization plus customer. Amazon improved their business by using the barcode for scanning and Scoutpal use. It increases the profits and cut the cost. It is also helped other businesses to grow smoothly. Developers improved their innovation and productiveness. Therefore it is matching for the companies like Amazon and eBay.

Answer 2

There are many business factors are causing Google to move slowly in opening up its database. The integrity of data and security is most important to consider. There can be a possibility for sensitive data leakage. Make the database available to everyone is involved with high risk. Competitors can take over the Google’s market share. Fear on whether the organization’s reputation or image can be spoiled.

It is good to have a go-slow strategy, because the risk is low and the organization can’t predict, it will work well for us, since it went well for Amazon and eBay. If any issues arise it is easy to go back to the normal. This is very important, so that the organization can maintain their brand image and the reputation among the customers. Always can ensure the integrity of data and its security, so go-slow strategy can guide the organization towards to the successful path.

Answer 3

It is not possible to guarantee that it will work for all the companies the way it works for the other companies. Google followed a go-slow strategy. They didn’t jump quickly to open up their databases. It will work for some organization but for others it will not. Open up their data base provides many benefits at the same time it has some risks also. Considering the benefits, as I discussed in the previous questions, it can increase the sales for the company, a lot of business can be started, so that the customer will have numerous places to purchase their order. It allows the developers to develop cost free many online stores and money making stores. When think about risks it has data issues. There are possible chances for leakage of sensitive data. Hackers can hack the important data. The security concern is there to consider. So when an organization plans to open up their database, they have to analyze the risk and benefits carefully.

Chapter 6 Case1

Starbucks and Others: The Future of Public Wi-Fi

Answer 1

I agree with the plan made by Starbucks to offer time limited free Wi-Fi to their customer. It is a good idea to improve their profit even more. It is also gave them a good reputation among the customer apart from their quality coffee and the beautiful atmosphere. But offering the free Wi-Fi alone will not bring the customer loyalty. The quality of their coffee and other foods, the atmosphere and the way they serve the people bring the customer loyalty. These are the important factor to run the business for customer loyalty.

Nowadays most of the coffee shops provide free Wi-Fi facility. It attracts the people in many ways. There is no one living without an internet access. The students, business people or other labors need a place to discuss their important matters with their partner. So the coffee shop like Starbucks attract them to visit their shop for the discussion at the same time they will purchase an item from the shop wile their discussion, so it is a important and critical factor to consider. It will increase the level of the loyal customer.

Answer 2

Morning crowd has a different needs and wants. They are looking for a quick and fast process for their breakfast as McDonalds provides and they are not looking to have a quality coffee and the beautiful environment. Starbucks provides a quality coffee and the beautiful atmosphere for the customers. Wi-Fi access inside the shop is a good sign for attract the customers. They will welcome that opportunity rather pay and go service. McDonalds is itself famous for fast food. Therefore most of the people prefer to go McDonalds to have their breakfast. To have quality coffee and a beautiful atmosphere for relaxing, discussion, Starbucks comes first in mind. So we cannot say because of the Wi-Fi access McDonalds and other companies having more customers for breakfast while it is less for Starbucks.

Answer 3

Some companies allow accessing the free Wi-Fi exchange for viewing advertisements and answering questions for market research studies. In my opinion it is a good marketing strategy. At the same time it will invite unnecessary problems. People can use this conditional Wi-Fi, but it can be accepted if the length of the advertisement or answering question is short and have some value in it, then I will accept to do so. But if it is lengthy and unwanted questions then I prefer not to do so. Also the location will also be consider in order accept the options. If it is Airport yes we can use the Wi-Fi, because the security of that kind of access must checked by the Airport. It is also can pass the waiting time. But in other place where the security is not guaranteed, I will not like to use the Wi-Fi even though it is free. Anyhow it is always better not to open our personal accounts in such environment.

Security concern is there whether to use the own laptop or corporate computer. I don’t like to use my laptop to access the free Wi-Fi in such places. There are many hackers waiting to steal the people’s computer information and use their information to do the malfunctioning activities. Also it is not necessary to give the true answers if we use the corporate computers, because there is no way to get our personal information.

Chapter 6 Case 2

Brain Saving Technologies, Inc. and the T-Health Institute: Medicine through Videoconferencing

Answer 1

When I read the case study I have realized the benefits of medicine through video conferencing. It is a great opportunity for the patients who need a treatment immediately. The case study clearly mentioned about the stroke patients. It is an easy and fast way to care the patients. The hospital can easy to communicate with the specialist and provide the service quickly. As patient I have both the good and bad thoughts on this technology. If I am struggling with a serious illness and need to get the treatment quickly and if it is really hard to find a doctor, this technology is most gifted for me to get the treatment by consulting the specialist via telemedicine, since it is very fast service. But at the same time I will worry about the reality, since there is no real interaction with the patient and the doctor. I will not trust with the treatment because will have a doubt whether the doctor got all the relevant information about me to give the treatment even though he got all the details. What will happen if any technical problem occurs in transferring the information? It will mess up everything. As a new patient I have both the good and bad concern of this technology

Answer 2

Videoconferencing technologies provide many uses to the business environment. It is a good approach for face to face communication.It enables to communicate with the business people and meet with them over distance. As discussed in the case it provides many benefits to the healthcare and education. Apart from that it also helps in home working / home office, business environment and in legal environment. In the business environment it is easy to setup the videoconferencing technologies. The company can use the time efficiently and the business decision can be taken quickly rather spending a lot of time in face-to-face meeting. Another use of videoconferencing technology is, it is possible to set up a full functional system at home for minimal cost. So the employees can work from home efficiently. It ensures the reality to connect with the people in the company. It reduces the cost of travelling while maintaining the real feeling of face-to-face contact. It reduces the total time of the meeting by keeping the meeting more emphasis and brief. Top managers and project managers can take their decision quickly since it connect the people from there different locations.

Another advantage of videoconferencing is, it become more popular in legal environments such as courtrooms. Videoconferencing technologies enable the witness to appear in the court through videoconferencing rather travelling to the court. So the lawyers and judges can provide their information to the prisoner over the network and allow asking questions from the prisoner. This technique reduces the cost of transport and improves the security, because they need to give high security in handover the prisoner to the court.

Answer 3

The deployment of IT in the health professions is still very much in its infancy. There are other uses of technologies to improve the quality of healthcare. The intended purpose of healthcare is to use cost effective technologies while maintaining/improving the quality of patient care. Creating software tools for various analytical equipments that can be use in healthcare center to communicate with necessary people. Eg: Archiving the pictures (MRI scan and X-tray) and the communication system, which is use to capture the pictures and integrates the information from various devices. Health care center can use "Automatic Voice Recognizing System" technology, which can help to keep the records of each conversation and maintain them.

Chapter 6 Case 3

Metric & Multistandard Components Corp: The Business Value of a Secure Self-Managed Network for a Small-to Medium Business

Answer 1

MMCC is a small to medium business. There are many important factors contributing to MMCC’s success with its new, secure, self managed network. Before implementing the new network they clearly defined their requirement by analyzing the current problems. They outlined their expectations and needs for the company. That includes, the new system should be reliable by providing the maximum network support to sustain their business, scalable that allows the company to increase their business demands, should ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data, should reduce the cost for overhead maintenance, and high responsibility system. They used advance technologies to implement the secure, efficient and easy to operate networks. To meet this they have discussed the requirements with the Hi-Link Computer Corp. After discussed the Hi-Link plan they created a proposal that includes goal, strategy, technology and support. These information gave them to track their progress. In order to connect the distanced offices and employees and users they have introduced the VPN. This enables them to do their business activities remotely and securely. Another important factor is that they have implemented a support system to manage activities to perm their business with problem free.

Answer 2

Benefits and Challenges of self-managed networks

Benefits

Challenges

It is easy to eliminate the network congestion

Controlling and managing the system is critical

Can ensure the security of the system

Organization has to take the responsibility if any errors occur. Small issue can lead to a big problem

It is reliable

Require an extensive knowledge in network to handle the system

Network down time is very less (nearly zero)

Save the cost

Increase the business demands and allow to run business smoothly

Scalable

Benefits and challenges of externally managed networks

Benefits

Challenges

Management is easy since the expert will handle the problems

Cannot ensure the security and confidentiality of data, since it is managed by the third party.

Easy to solve the problems

It requires greater investment in IT and transport

Increase the efficiency and remove the competition

Decision making and changing the system may take time

Answer 3

In my opinion I recommend self-managed network for the small-to-medium business firms. Their network is important as their business. The case study clearly outlined the improvements of MMCC after implementing the self-managed network. These businesses have a space to grow their business. So it is unnecessary to spend a lot of money to manage their network externally. Self-managed net work is flexible for them to run the business. It allows them to implement the network according to their requirements. It ensures the confidentiality and security of the data, which is very important for growing business. They can maintain their network according to their needs. They can modify the system or change the system easily. Hence using a self-managed network for a small to medium business is always valuable.