Information Technology for Managers

What does IT take to go Mobile Q1: What management, organization, and technology issues need to be addressed when building mobile applications? Management: With no doubt, we cannot just port a Web site or desktop application to a smartphone or tablet. It is a different systems development process. Managers need to understand and support the idea that each Web site or process requires a different set of processes. It may sound more expensive to develop apps and Web sites that way, but in the long run it will pay off with greater customer satisfaction. Organization: A mobile strategy involves more than selecting mobile devices, operating systems, and applications. It also involves changes to business processes, changing the way people work and the way a firm interacts with its customers. Technology: Developing mobile apps or a mobile Web site has some special challenges. The user experience on a mobile device is fundamentally different from that on a PC. The...

Knowledge Management and Collaboration at Tata Consulting Services Q1: Analyze the knowledge management efforts at TCS using the knowledge management value chain model. Which tools or activities were used for managing tacit knowledge and which ones are used for explicit knowledge? The knowledge management efforts at TCS can be divided into the following activities: 1. Knowledge Acquisition: Over the years, TCS had acquired a vast body of knowledge and experience in several fields through on shore projects for its clients across the globe including GE insurance, GE Health, Hewlett Packard, Prudential, Standard Chartered Bank etc. TCS regularly rotated people across various function and within other Tata Group Companies to gain cross industry experience. Employees were also encouraged to be part of outside bodies like the IEEE, and go in for certifications. 2. Knowledge Storage: TCS had developed various repositories and databases for knowledge storage such as K...

Will Mobile Technology Put ORBITZ in the lead Q1: How important is mobile technology in Orbitz’s business strategy? Why? The mobile technology is very important for Orbitz's business strategy. This can be explaining by the beginning of Orbitz company established, Orbitz distinguished itself as a leader in mobile technology. With the mobile technology as their important business strategy, Orbitz can reduce significantly their cost thus it also brings a lot of benefits to their customers. The number of people who book the hotel with mobile devices is growing every day. Orbitz connects consumers to plane tickets from 400 airlines, hotel rooms from 80,000 hotels worldwide, as well as rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages. Orbitz, launched by five major airlines, was designed to compete with Internet travel companies such as Priceline, Travelocity, and Expedia, which were upending the travel industry with their Internet presence. Orbitz saves the user’s time and provides m...

WIM Industries: From MRP to ERP Q1: Why did WIM feel the need to implement an ERP system? Before implementing an ERP system, WIM was using a materials resource planning (MRP) system, but this system, while a large advance over paper-based management techniques, nevertheless created many problems as the company’s operations expanded. MRP systems do not integrated information from various divisions within a company, but instead automate processes and information within departments. For WIM this meant there was no platform with which to integrate data from different departments, there was a prevalence of data duplication and redundancy, and inconsistent data were supplied to managers. In addition to this, the departments within the company were acting as separate entities and information was not being shared. The growing size of the firm and the corresponding increase in the sizes of departments also bogged down the flow of information. There were also no predefined standard...

Customer Relationship Management Heads to the Cloud Q1: What types of companies are most likely to adopt cloud-based CRM software services? Why? What companies might not be well-suited for this type of software? Types of companies which are most likely to adopt cloud-based ERP and CRM software services will be startups, companies that want to reduce internal IT costs and companies that want to reduce their capital costs and companies that are struggling with a lot of data. That is because it enables them to achieve operational excellence and customer intimacy. It releases them from infrastructural maintenance and its respective fixed and operational costs. It provides them with operational ubiquity and allows them to easily subscribe and cancel the subscription without losing large upfront software licenses and hardware investments. Companies which might not be well-suited for this type of software are those companies from small to middle-sized companies. These compan...

DP WORLD Takes Port Management to the Next level Q1: How did Identec Solutions’ RFID-based technology help DP World increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its customers’ supply chains? Identec Solutions’ RFID-based technology was helping DP World to improve customer’s supply chain. Identec Solutions’ RFID-based technology help DP World increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its customers’ supply by using automated gate system and RFID tracking system. Trucks that visit a port terminal are equipped with active RFID tags supplied by Identec Solution that are fixed on the rear chassis. As a truck moves towards the gate, its unique tag ID number is ready by an RFID reader, which is integrated with an automated gate system. By using the information supplied by the system, the driver will be guided to use the specific lane to load or unload container. By using this system, it helps to determine time of pick up and drop off of containers automatically. Hence, Customers a...

MWEB Business: Hacked Q1: What technology issues led to the security breach at MWEB? Technology issues that led to the security breach at MWEB is MWEB Business subscribers’ account details were compromised when their logon and password details were published on the internet by hackers. MWEB previous web based self-service management system outsource to Internet Solution not yet migrate to the new MWEB network. So the reason is hackers gained access to Web based Internet Solutions self-service management system and it led to security breach that MWEB does not have total control. Q2: What is the possible business impact of this security breach for both MWEB and its customers? Impact to the business: The security breach gives a big impact for both MWEB Business and its customers. The possible business impact of this security breach for MWEB is this security breach forces MWEB to notify their customers and find the possible solutions for the problem and to work together...