The pace of change seems to increase relentlessly, especially changes involving information technology. Using your crystal ball, identify and discuss three changes likely to have substantial impact on your school services in the next three years.
It is really true and undeniable that technology is increasing relentlessly as we speak. (I am writing this as if I am talking to the reader). Using my crystal ball I would identify the following as changes that would likely come to be and would have substantial impact on the school services:
Stand-alone System Versus Web Based System (WIFI Philippines)
As we can observe, WIFI connection is spreading like wild fire. Almost everywhere we go there is WIFI connection especially in restaurants and coffee shops. I am predicting that the whole Philippines would be a WIFI hotspot. Too bad the ZTE broadband plan of the Philippines was covered with controversy because as far as I know the plan includes making most of the Philippines a WIFI hotspot (Correct me if I am wrong). But with or without ZTE, I would predict that almost the whole Philippines would be WIFI connected. As a result of unlimited Internet access anywhere, I would also predict that Web Based Systems would overrun Stand-Alone Systems. Stand-alone system doesn’t need other system in able to function. An example of this is our university’s enrollment system. Although it is networked it still is a stand-alone system because data within the system stays inside the system. Stand-alone systems may use networked computers or computers that are totally isolated from other computer. Stand-alone systems are disadvantageous in terms of access because the user must be on the place where the system is to access the services of the system while Web Based Systems are accessible anywhere if there is Internet connection. Easy access to services offered by a system is one of the most important feature of a system thus making Web based systems advantageous.
Why do I believe that having Internet access anywhere is substantial to the university? It is simple. Imagine accessing a web based enrollment system that is kilometers away from you. This could be very convenient for the actual user of the system, the employees of the school and other users of the system. It is convenient for the actual user because it spares him of the hassle of going to school, the cost of traveling to school and it saves the precious time that we would dedicate if he goes to school to enroll. It is also convenient for the employees because it minimizes their workload and focus on more development for the school. It is also convenient to other users because a Web Based System would mean lesser people doing their transactions inside the school. Although developing a web based enrollment system is hard, the thought of convenience for all the involved would push system analyst to develop such system. There is a wide range of Web Based services that could be developed for the benefit of the university.
Finally I foresee that Web Based Systems would overrun Stand-Alone Systems if and only if there would be an unlimited access of Internet anywhere we may go in our country.
RFID as New Student’s ID
RFID or Radio Frequency Identification is currently being used around the world. Philippines tried to implement a system with Radio Frequency Identification as their tool but unfortunately it’s implementation is being suspended (As Far As I know ) because some motorist in our country are complaining on the extra cost of installing a RFID on their vehicle and some people are concerned of privacy issues. RFID works like an identification card where every RFID is distinct and unique from each other. A gadget is pointed towards the RFID sticker and then data would be retrieved from the said RFID stickers. This is a big help to the authorities as they can know the driver of the vehicle even though they are far away from the field.
So how does this technology be useful to our school? It is simple. Give RFID cards to students instead of the normal plastic cards. This may sound useless but think of the relief that it could give to the authorities of the school. The security of the school would be improved if this technology would be utilized by the university. How could I say that the security may improve? Imagine a gadget similar to a close circuit television camera that could read RFID would be installed on the gate for example and a live feed of the entrance of the gate is being displayed on the guards monitor. If you have an RFID card clipped on your uniform, a mark would be put onto you by the system saying that you are a student of the university and people without marks could be easily identified as outsiders. Breach of security on the university would be minimized. Another possible use of this technology is could be a database of information for a specific student. Flashing your card to a gadget would easily retrieve your unique information and perform processes that a system may provide. For example, instead of lining up on the student’s account section of the finance division and asking how much your balance is but instead you may just flash your card on the gadget and after that a slip would be printed with all your liabilities to the school. This process could really hasten the process as you don’t have to wait for the personnel to check, compute and write your liabilities. (This could take up time especially if there is a long queue).
I foresee that processes around the school would be hastened with the help of RFID. It may replace all Identification Card being used inside the school such as our school identification card, library card, scholarship card and other cards that are being used inside the university. RFID cards are useful because it could serve as your walking database of school information.
Much Cheaper Green Energy
Although green energy is been around for quite some time now such as solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy and geothermal energy, it is still hard to attain this energy because of the cost of the machines that is used to harvest green energy. Solar panels are not that cheap and wind turbines needs large open space to fully function (I think wind velocity may be lower within a city because large and tall buildings are blocking the flow of the wind). I foresee that green energy would be focused as the new main source of energy and not only an alternative. In this context, development on how to attain much cheaper green energy would be pushed through.
Architecture of the machines that harvests green energy would be more advanced and solutions would be presented to attain a cheaper way of extracting green energy. I believe that green technology would have the greatest impact not only to our school but to the whole society as it improves the quality of life and the current state of our planet. I foresee that if cheaper ways of extracting green energy would be discovered, our country would greatly benefit from it.
Again, how could this technology could have a substantial impact on our school? Imagine if our university could supply its own electricity by using cheap solar panels and wind turbines with better architecture. Not only that our university could have lesser electrical expenses but the university could give its share on helping preserve our planet. Who doesn’t want a clean source of energy especially if that energy would be much cheaper than fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum?
I foresee that among my three predictions of changes in technology, Much Cheaper Green Energy would top the list of changes that may have a substantial impact on our school and our community.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Develop a list of questions you would ask the officers of the company
Subject: Assignment 8 (Due: February 5, 2010, before 01:00pm)
fast forward ..., you were hired and have been tasked to develop a strategic information systems plan for a company. The company officers have extended an invitation for you to meet with them to discuss the direction of the company. Before this meeting, they have asked that you provide a list of questions with some explanation about the "why" of the question so they can be prepared, thus maximizing the output from this meeting.
Develop a list of questions you would ask the officers of the company and give an explanation and justification for each question.
Strategic information systems planning for me, is the process of identifying a portfolio of computer-based applications that will assist an organization in executing its business plans and realizing its business goals Strategic information systems planning is an important activity for helping information executives and top management identify strategic applications and align IT with business needs. Previous researchers and practitioner observers have identified measures of successful SISP and have recommended many prescriptions for achieving success.
These are my questions:
What are the goals and objectives of the company?
Goals indicate the intended future direction of the state, agency, or program. Having a review of the organization’s mission, goal is a step to know how to improve and to elevate the efficiency and effectiveness of the business process. It defines the major IT objectives. Its like taking a wide look around at what's going on outside the organization.
What are the strengths of the company?
It would determine the strong point of the company also it would help determine what things should be given much attention and what things should be given less attention.
What are the weaknesses of the company?
It would help know what were the customer needs and the workers need. It would determine the weak point of the company also it would help determine what things should be given less attention and what things should be given much attention.
What are the opportunities of the company?
It determines the competitive environment and the competitive information opportunities. It also defines strategic information needs. It would also help identify the opportunities for improvement
What are the threats of the company?
Knowing the threats will determine what to improve and how to compete with other competitors.
Tell me about the operation of the company?
It will assess the effectiveness of information services, also to know the functional operations to assess the present operations and evaluate the competitiveness of the operation. It would also help to describe the present and planned application characteristics, architecture, and capacity. It would determine the planning issues and determine the project scope to organize the project team and obtain management commitment. It also helps analyze IT trends to determine information needs. It defines the business in terms of what you do for your customer or your company.
What do we have to work with?
Examination of recent history and changing contexts both internal and external of the organization allows participants to assess current positions. Answering the question of what we have to work with involves consideration of strengths and weaknesses and determination of how to capitalize on strengths.
Where do we want to be?
This question involves all of those who are related in the achieving the vision. The vision is then translated into a mission statement it is like a broad, comprehensive statement of the purpose of the system.
Knowing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the company - Its like taking a wide look around at what’s going inside and outside the company and how it might effect the organization. Strategic planning must be aligning with the business plan. Strategic planning is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. Various business analysis techniques can be used in strategic planning, including SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) and PEST analysis (Political, Economic, Social, and Technological analysis) or STEER analysis involving Socio-cultural, Technological, Economic, Ecological, and Regulatory factors. According to other source, strategic plan is a document used by an organization to align its organization and budget structure with organizational priorities, missions, and objectives. It is also a process of comprehensive, integrative program planning that considers, at a minimum, the future of current decisions, overall policy, organizational development, and links to operational plans. And according to the project management club, strategic planning is a basic document for planning of different projects of the programmed and their sub-projects. A satisfactory strategic plan must be realistic and attainable so as to allow managers and entrepreneurs to think strategically and act operationally. In align with that, strategic plan must be reliable and suitable for the need of the company. Failure to secure top management commitment for carrying out the final plan frequently in almost all major projects, it may be on school or other situations like in business.
fast forward ..., you were hired and have been tasked to develop a strategic information systems plan for a company. The company officers have extended an invitation for you to meet with them to discuss the direction of the company. Before this meeting, they have asked that you provide a list of questions with some explanation about the "why" of the question so they can be prepared, thus maximizing the output from this meeting.
Develop a list of questions you would ask the officers of the company and give an explanation and justification for each question.
Strategic information systems planning for me, is the process of identifying a portfolio of computer-based applications that will assist an organization in executing its business plans and realizing its business goals Strategic information systems planning is an important activity for helping information executives and top management identify strategic applications and align IT with business needs. Previous researchers and practitioner observers have identified measures of successful SISP and have recommended many prescriptions for achieving success.
These are my questions:
What are the goals and objectives of the company?
Goals indicate the intended future direction of the state, agency, or program. Having a review of the organization’s mission, goal is a step to know how to improve and to elevate the efficiency and effectiveness of the business process. It defines the major IT objectives. Its like taking a wide look around at what's going on outside the organization.
What are the strengths of the company?
It would determine the strong point of the company also it would help determine what things should be given much attention and what things should be given less attention.
What are the weaknesses of the company?
It would help know what were the customer needs and the workers need. It would determine the weak point of the company also it would help determine what things should be given less attention and what things should be given much attention.
What are the opportunities of the company?
It determines the competitive environment and the competitive information opportunities. It also defines strategic information needs. It would also help identify the opportunities for improvement
What are the threats of the company?
Knowing the threats will determine what to improve and how to compete with other competitors.
Tell me about the operation of the company?
It will assess the effectiveness of information services, also to know the functional operations to assess the present operations and evaluate the competitiveness of the operation. It would also help to describe the present and planned application characteristics, architecture, and capacity. It would determine the planning issues and determine the project scope to organize the project team and obtain management commitment. It also helps analyze IT trends to determine information needs. It defines the business in terms of what you do for your customer or your company.
What do we have to work with?
Examination of recent history and changing contexts both internal and external of the organization allows participants to assess current positions. Answering the question of what we have to work with involves consideration of strengths and weaknesses and determination of how to capitalize on strengths.
Where do we want to be?
This question involves all of those who are related in the achieving the vision. The vision is then translated into a mission statement it is like a broad, comprehensive statement of the purpose of the system.
Knowing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the company - Its like taking a wide look around at what’s going inside and outside the company and how it might effect the organization. Strategic planning must be aligning with the business plan. Strategic planning is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. Various business analysis techniques can be used in strategic planning, including SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) and PEST analysis (Political, Economic, Social, and Technological analysis) or STEER analysis involving Socio-cultural, Technological, Economic, Ecological, and Regulatory factors. According to other source, strategic plan is a document used by an organization to align its organization and budget structure with organizational priorities, missions, and objectives. It is also a process of comprehensive, integrative program planning that considers, at a minimum, the future of current decisions, overall policy, organizational development, and links to operational plans. And according to the project management club, strategic planning is a basic document for planning of different projects of the programmed and their sub-projects. A satisfactory strategic plan must be realistic and attainable so as to allow managers and entrepreneurs to think strategically and act operationally. In align with that, strategic plan must be reliable and suitable for the need of the company. Failure to secure top management commitment for carrying out the final plan frequently in almost all major projects, it may be on school or other situations like in business.
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