Week 6 Blog Questions

1. What is information architecture and what is information infrastructure and how do they differ and how do they relate to each other?

Information architecture identifies where and how important information is maintained, stored, organized and to put it use in a database system or in an organisation. Its three main areas are backup and recovery, disaster recovery and information security.

Information infrastructure includes hardware, software, telecommunications equipment and aims to execute and support an organisations goals. It has 5 main characteristics:

1. flexibility,
2. scalability,
3. availability,
4. reliability
5. performance.

Infrastructure supports architecture. It is in relation to how well a system is able to adapt in order to meet the different changes a business may face and describes how well the architecture will cater for change.

2. Describe how an organisation can implement a solid information architecture 

An organisation can implement a solid information architecture by looking at the three points;

• backup,
• disaster recovery
• information security
  

3. List and describe the five requirement characteristics of infrastructure architecture. 

1. Flexibility: ability to adapt to situations
2. Scalability: how well a system can adapt to increasing demands
3. Reliability: all systems are functioning correctly and providing accurate information
4. Availability: efficiency it provides to multiple users
5. Performance: how quickly a system performs a certain process or transaction

4. Describe the business value in deploying a service oriented architecture 

A service oriented architecture is a business driven IT architectural approach that supports integrating a business as linked, repeatable tasks or services. By using a service orientated architecture businesses are able to innovate by ensuring that IT systems can adapt quickly, easily and economically to support rapidly changing business needs

5. What is an event? 

An event are the expressions of business technology. they identify threats and opportunities and inform the appropriate people who are able to act upon this information.

6. What is a service?

Services are more like software products than they are coding projects. They must appeal to a broad audience, and they need to be reusable if they are going to have an impact on productivity. Services include credit checks, customer information, process payments and print/save.

7. What emerging technologies can companies use to increase performance and utilise their infrastructure more effectively?

The emerging technologies that companies can use to increase performance and utilise their infrastructure more efficiently are Virtualisation and Grid Computing
Virtualisation: The framework for ‘dividing the resources of a computer into multiple execution environments’. It can increases physical resources to maximise the investment in hardware. It is  the creation of a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, such as a hardware platform, operating system(OS), storage device, or network resources.

Grid Computing: An ‘aggregation of geographically dispersed computing, storage and network resources, coordinated to deliver improved performance, higher quality of service, better utilisation and easier access to data’.

Week 5 Blog Questions

1.Explain the ethical issues surrounding information technology.

Privacy and confidentiality

Privacy:  the right to be left alone when you want to be; to be able to have control over your own personal possessions, and not to be observed without your own consent.

Confidentiality: ‘The assurance that messages and information are available only to those who are authorised to view them.’

2.Describe a situation involving technology that is ethical but illegal.

An example which is ethical but illegal could be if an employee thinks the business or another co-workers is conducting illegal or unethical business transactions and they access confidential information without authority to in an attempt to uncover their co-workers transactions. 

3. Describe and explain one of the computer use policies that a company might employ

The Internet use Policy contains general principles to guide the proper use of the Internet within an organisation. The policy outlines appropriate Internet services and defines the restriction of Internet access as well as ethical computer use. It describes user responsibilities and states the ramifications for violations by employees.

4.What are the 5 main technology security risks?

1.      Human Error

2.      Natural Disasters

3.      Technical Failures

4.      Deliberate Acts

5.      Management Failure

5. Outline one way to reduce each risk.

1.      Human Error - training employees in how to avoid and correct errors 

2.      Natural Disasters - implementation of disaster management plans

3.      Technical Failures - back up information on safe files or locations

4.      Deliberate Acts - firewalls and strong passwords

5.      Management Failure - training, documentation , procedure

6. What is a disaster recovery plan, what strategies might a firm employ?

A Disaster Recovery plan is a process of regaining access to computer systems and data after a disaster has taken place. All firms should have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that outlines exactly what happens in a disaster . The plan should list things like:

• communications plan: regular recovery tests and well documented procedures              
• alternatives sites- off site data kept in date order
• Business connection                                                        
• location of backup data: offsite data kept in order

Week 4 Blog Questions

1.  What is Web 2.0, how does it differ from 1.0?

Web 2.0 is the second generation of the world wide web which includes applications and technology such as blogs, wikis and RSS. Web 2.0 is far more about allowing greater amounts of user generated content rather than mostly published content, a trait of Web 1.0. Applications developed on Web 2.0 widely use include, Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, Skype, Paypal, YouTube, MySpace and many more. 

 Web 1.0 focuses on users being able to read, web 2.0 allows users to write and read. 

2.  How could a web 2.0 technology be used in business?

Businesses could use blogs to keep employees up to date with company news, events and new products or to keep customers and potential customers up to date with products or services. A blog could also allow a forum for feedback positive and negative from customers which allows the company to respond swiftly and effectively to any issues which may arise. 
Web 2.0 also allows extensive networking opportunities for businesses and employees. It also creates the opportunity to cut out the middle man in the business model. The business can now interact directly with the customer through the Internet. 
Another use is from the vast expansion of advertising and marketing opportunities which the Internet provides.

3.  What is eBusiness, how does it differ from eCommerce?

E-commerce is buying and selling using an electronic medium. 
E-business is not just about E-commerce transactions; it's about re-defining old business models, with the aid of technology to maximize customer value. re-structuring and streamlining of the business using technology by implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, supply chain management, customer relationship management, data ware housing, data marts, data mining, etc.

E-Business is the overall strategy and E-commerce is an extremely important conponent of E-Business.

4.  What is pure and partial eCommerce 

Pure eCommerce is a type of business whose transactions are mainly carried out via the Internet.

Partial eCommerce is a type of business whose transactions are mainly done in the real world (‘offline’), but does also use the internet for some transactions

5.  List and describe the various eBusiness models?

The two main eBusiness models are indirect PC value chains and Direct PC value chains. The indirect model follows the process of Supplier - PC Maker - Distributor - Retailers/Resellers/Integrators - Final Customer. The Direct model has a more direct chain and only three 'stations'. These are the Supplier, Dell and the Final Customer.

6.  List and describe the major B2B marketplace models?

1. Sell-Side B2B: This model goes directly from the seller to each company (or buyer)
2. Buy-Side B2B: This model goes from the buyer to the sellers (companies)
3. Electronic Exchange: This model begins with the core 'exchange' which can simultaneously be accessed by Sellers, Services and Buyers.
4. Collaborative Commerce model: This model revolves around the core, or 'hub manager'.  Where a 'Hub Manager' acts as an intermediary between buyers, sellers, communities, governments and other bodies.

Week 3 Blog Questions

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1. Define TPS & DSS, provide some examples of these systems in business

TPS- Transaction Processing System: A computer system which collects, stores, modifies, and retrieves the transactions of an organisation

Examples of transaction processing systems include order entry systems, scanner-based point-of-sale registers, automatic teller machines, and airline reservation programs.

DSS- Decision Support System: A system that provides tools to managers to assist them insolving semi-structured and structured problems.

Examples of decision-support systems include programs which analyse sales revenue, marketing information, insurance claims, and catalog sales.

2. Describe the three quantitative models typically used by decision support systems.

Sensitivity analysis: Sensitivity analysis is used to determine how “sensitive” a model is to changes in the value of the parameters of the model and to changes in the structure of the model.

What-if-analysis:  is a brainstorming approach that uses broad, loosely structured questioning to check the impact of a change in an assumption on the proposed solution. For example- 'what will happen to the supply chain if a cyclone destroys 60% of banana crops in North Queensland?'

Goal-seeking analysis: finds the inputs necessary to achieve a goal such as a desired level of output. For example- 'How many laptops must be sold to increase gross profit to $200,000 this year?'

3. Describe a business process and it's importance to an organisation

A business process is a standardised set of activities that accomplish a specific task, such as processing a customer's order. 

In this example each bubble represents an activity which must be done by someone and the arrows represent the flow from one activity to another. For example once the agent has issued the itinerary, the traveller receives the itinerary. 
Having a business process such as this example is vital for business operations. The process ensures all necessary steps and procedures are undertaken and in the correct order. For example the airline cannot issue eTickets before the flights have been confirmed because this business process is in place. 

4. Compare business process improvement and business process re-engineering using an example

Business process improvement attempts to understand and measure the current process and make performance improvements accordingly. Business process re-engineering is the analysis and redesign of workflow within and between enterprises. 

In the traveller, agent, airline example, BPI would focus on one aspect of the process and improve it such as how the traveller submits their order. This could be improved by allowing this step to be completed online rather than face-to-face with the agent. 

In the same example; BPR would take a 'clean slate' approach with a focus on simplification and elimination of wasteful steps. For example, the process could be redesigned to exclude the agent and make the process between the traveller and the airline. The airline would take on the tasks the agent had and would eliminate steps such as the airline having to confirm flights with the agent. 

5. Describe the importance of business process modelling (or mapping) and business process models.

Business process modelling is the activity of creating a detailed flowchart or process map of the work process, showing its inputs, tasks and activities in a graphic sequence. 

A business process model is a graphic description of a process, showing the sequence of process tasks, which is developed for a specific purpose and from a selected viewpoint. For example a discussion cycle from management's perspective; the arrows indicate the sequence of events. 

As in the airline example, the business process ensures all necessary steps and procedures are undertaken and in the correct order. This model also outlines the time delay between steps. 

Week 2 Blog Questions

Explain information technology's role in business 

IT plays a significant role in all functions of business.  It is a key component in business communication, particularly between departments. The three key goals of IT in business are: reducing costs, improving productivity and to generate growth.

IT can assist in reducing costs through the implementation and management of efficient and effective IT systems throughout the business. 

IT can improve productivity through its role in online sales and promotions. It departments are responsible for the functionality and usability of the business website. Advancing online aspects of a business can improve productivity through increased sales.

A core goal for all businesses is growth.  IT can enable business growth through support of communication networks between domestic and international departments and clients. IT such as web conferencing allows employers and clients to communicate across the world dispute great distance and time differences. 

What are efficiency and effectiveness metrics? Provide some examples of each

Efficiency metrics aim to get the most out of each resource. A business will track averages and data for aspects such as transaction speed, system availability, response time, throughput, web traffic and information accuracy. This data can be collected to form graphs and useable information to assess areas needing adjustment or improvement. The video below is an example of the type of data which can be collected and what aspects can be focused on. 

Effectiveness metrics are a businesses way to setting goals and tracking their success. Metrics are compared to benchmarks. For example a business may conduct customer satisfaction surveys and compare results between different years. A sample survey is shown below. 

What does Porter’s Five Forces Model attempt to explain? How does the internet affect each of the five forces?

Porter's Five Forces Model is a tool used to identify the threats and strengths associated with a business' position. The internet can have positive and negative affects on each of the five forces. 

Buyer power- the internet makes it harder for businesses to maintain loyalty because consumers are exposed to a wider range of alternative brands. The internet allows buyers to be more informed about the available options which allows them to find the best deal. 

Supplier power- the internet allows buyers to browse domestic and international businesses, this means the supplier has a far wider range of potential customers than without the internet. 

Threat of substitutes - The internet creates a very high risk of buyers finding a substitute product. Buyers are able to browse and find the best deal to suit their needs which may be from a substitute product or brand. 

New entrants - the internet provides an opportunity for all businesses, large and small to sell online to a domestic and international market. An online business has smaller running costs than a shop front and so new entrants can easily set up online. 

Rivalry among competitors -  The internet can increase rivalry among existing businesses and also allow existing companies to increase their market share because they are able to target a broader target market.