Dr. John Halamaka brought up many interesting topics during his lecture. One thing that I found to be related to our IS class was the fact the he emphasized that “the one constant is change.” Sound familiar? I thought so. Just as John McFadden told us that we need to be lifetime learners, Halamaka explained that the world is constantly changing. He specifically focused on technological, organizational and budgetary changes in the world today. He was able to paint a picture of what it was like to try to be constantly improving as well as maintaining a company’s system in this changing environment. He said that this task is similar to trying to fix the wings of an airplane while the plane is flying. Difficult? I think so. Halamaka also emphasized the change in clients. Clients are becoming more sophisticated and demanding as the years go by. They have become increasingly more difficult to please. However, while the customers are more difficult to please and demand higher quality service and products, Halamaka explained that vendors are decreasing in quality. Hence, it is necessary to meet the expectations of the clients while using what is available. One thing that has contributed to the sophistication and difficulty to please of the customers is the fact that everyone is connected through the Internet. Customers today can buy the same product from numerous locations. Whichever company has the best quality will win out and will receive the business. Specifically, Halamaka talked about how clients now expect to be able to access all their medical needs and information online. As we have discussed, today people are completely technologically centered. Why go to a doctor’s office if you can just click a button and all your medical needs are processed for you? Why trek to a hospital of you can just pre-order a refill of your prescription and pick it up at the local pharmacy store? The Internet has allowed for many to maintain their fast-paced lives. And how are people able to refill their prescriptions with a click of a button? Well, advanced IT has led to the development of e-prescription. E-prescription is the electronic-based way of prescription. E-prescription allows for there to be less human error when prescribing medication to patients. All of the patient’s records and prescriptions are stored in a database, which allows for easy access to a patient’s medical history. Also, e-prescription allows for pharmacies to refill prescriptions without the hassle of having to call the physicians all the time. E-prescription is a great way to satisfy the demand of the client because it is convenient and has become an automated process that effectively and efficiently gets the client his or her prescriptions and other medical needs.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Halamaka, Sophisticated Clients, and E-Prescription
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Taking the Driver Out of the Car --- Why robocars, and not high-speed rail, could revolutionize transportation in the next decade
In 2007 at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Urban Challenge, the technology behind driverless cars reached its high-water mark when six fully automated vehicles successfully navigated an urban environment with other vehicles present obeying all traffic rules and regulations (1) In response to this event, General Motors’ Vice President of research and development, Lawrence Burns, predicted that driverless cars would be a reality within the next ten years, pointing to solely legal and bureaucratic obstacles as the inhibitors to immediate production (1).
The article points to the benefits of driverless travel. Safer highways, less traffic deaths, fewer bottlenecks and faster transportation are simply some of these improvements in transportation resultant from this leap in technology (1). This also will extend the ability to travel to everyone, licensed or not. Some say that this would be as revolutionary in its effects as the Ford Model T (1). If that were the case, the effects on modern business could be monumental.
Highway throughput could be potentially tripled (1). Just as technology has been applied in the business world to increase efficiency and reduce cost, the application of computerized transportation could maximize society’s efficiency on a grand scale. What would this mean for productivity? If traffic moved that much faster on national interstates people could significantly increase their productive time by spending less time commuting. Companies could also draw the best employees from a greater radius around their central location. The manufacturing industry would realize huge cost reductions and increases in efficiency. Without having to pay the salaries of drivers, or worry about the premium of insuring employees, not only would companies reduce their cost structure and increase their bottom-line; customers could receive their goods much faster. With reduced costs, companies could ship their goods to even more remote destinations, broadening their customer base.
With such drastic change, however, consequences do exist. These automated cars are incredibly complex in their operation. One of the test models, shown in this video from MSNBC (3), has a radar device, cameras, motion sensors, and computer equipment that occupy much of the cockpit. Traditional maintenance would no longer be a quick oil change or a rotation of the tires. Instead, the malfunction of one of these many systems could prove costly and difficult to fix. This seems to indicate that even an automotive mechanic would need some sort of technical education and familiarity with complex software and hardware systems in order to conduct their job.
There are other sacrifices too to developments in technology such as this. Many people enjoy the liberating feeling of piloting their own car. For many, driving is not so much as reaching a destination as it is a unique, exciting experience where control is the source of this feeling of freedom. This control and experience would be completely relinquished with a future mandate of automated vehicles. As Mr. Burns has said, GM can build these cars with the technology it has today, but the real question is “what does society want to do with it?”(2) There may not even be a demand for this kind of technology just yet, as people may be hesitant to relinquish such a big part of their lives to technology.
As complex software and hardware systems work their way into every facet of human life, including something as mundane as transportation it begs the question “as a society, are we too complex?” In the business community, it seems at least fundamental knowledge of information systems would be a prerequisite to being able to find a job. With developments of complex technology like computer driven automobiles, would everyone need familiarity with these components? Recently, malfunctions in Toyota computer systems have resulted in multiple highway deaths and a national fear of “unintended acceleration” which only raises other fears and questions. Imagine a car that has a software or hardware malfunction on the highway, yet it has no manual controls for the passenger to take control and to avert disaster. Without knowledge of how the system works, passengers would be helpless to consequences. There are obvious benefits to such huge improvements as the result of technology but as new innovation continues at the speed of light in the Information Age it may be prudent to slow ourselves down and wonder about the implications. I think as a human society we need to ask ourselves “What are the drawbacks to total reliance upon technology?”
(1) Randal O'Toole. (2010, March 20). Taking the Driver Out of the Car --- Why robocars, and not high-speed rail, could revolutionize transportation in the next decade. Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), p. W.3. Retrieved March 23, 2010, from Wall Street Journal. (Document ID: 1987715511).
Link to article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703580904575131511589391150.html?KEYWORDS=Driverless+cars
(2) Tom Krisher. (2008, January 6). GM Researching Driverless Cars. The Associated Press. Retrieved March 23rd, 2010, from MSNBC.com.
Link to article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22529906/
(3) Link to Video of Fully Automated Chevy Tahoe:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22529906/#hybrid_video
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Improving Data Storage Efficiency
The problem many companies run into, however, is discussed by Moulton is his article "Data Storage: It’s Time to Grow Up". The issue they face is ineffective data storage, which causes issues with general efficiency and data security. Transactional data, which is always changing and being edited, needs to be updated and backed up frequently to ensure secure, up-to-date data. Reference data, however, does not change and as such does not to be backed up as frequently. While this would seem like a good thing for data storage, it causes problems because all of the data is backed up together, so both the transactional and Reference data is copied each time the data is backed up. The reference data, however, remains unchanged, and as such there is no need to copy it again. For that matter, copying unchanged data may even become a security risk, in that unnecessary copies of data exist but are not in use. Back-up data, in the past, was most often stored on disks; according to the article, Reference data takes up approximately 85% of disk space unnecessarily, wasting a great deal of room for new, potential data or transactional data updates.
The excess of unnecessary data also causes problems with data effectiveness and efficiency. Excess amounts of unnecessary data crowds out storage space, making it difficult to locate and organize data as needed. This drastically reduces productivity in addition to data security and organization, however companies are still resistant to modified data storage. Moulton targets job security as the leading factor, explaining that more efficient data storage systems allow a more easily explained and understandable system, and detracting from job security of those who are in charge of data storage. However, strides have been made with deduplicatiopn and cloud software to increase data storage efficiency, in spite of employee hesitation.
Moulton’s idea for data storage, however, is slightly more advanced than clouds or deduplication. By using what Moulton calls a “smart archive,” data can be stored in a tiered system, copying and backing up only the information which is necessary, using data storage space effectively and securely. This tiered system not only seems incredibly organized, but is not so different from current systems that its uniqueness would deter new users to try the innovative data storage technology. Data storage can be just as important as the data itself, and as such is important to look into when evaluating company data and efficiency. This type of “smart archive” may be the new approach to efficient, effective data storage.
1. Bobby Moulton, "Data Storage: It’s Time to Grow Up". TechNewsWorld.Mar 13, 2010http://www.technewsworld.com/story/data-management/69540.html. Mar 18, 2010.
Google to Implement Ultra High Speed Broadband Network
The government has even decided to participate by hopefully making the faster 1 gigabit per second available in American schools, hospitals, and government buildings. “The plan outlines measures designed to create more broadband providers through auctions of airwaves needed to provide wireless Internet Services” (Kharif). For Verizon, trying to launch this ultra high speed broadband network is a lot more work to do it for millions of people, therefore making this task quite difficult. The other issue is whether or not consumers really need a faster broadband network. Verizon should probably consider gaining consumer’s perspectives as to whether or not they are unhappy with the speed of their network right now. For me myself, I feel as though it couldn’t get any faster than it already is.
New technology is becoming available for this fast network to work. For example, Cisco designed a new router, which will direct data traffic. One downfall to faster network is that consumers would need to upgrade their infrastructure a lot sooner than they would need to with the networks now. This could be more costly to consumers thus making justification of the broadband network questionable. However, on the other hand it is said that the ultra high speed broadband network users “will be able to conduct high-definition video consultations about managing their weight with doctors at nearby University Hospitals and to watch open-heart surgery being performed” (Kharif).
I find this article to be interesting to read, especially because I was curious in how Google was planning on making broadband network faster than it already is. However, I personally have a neutral opinion. I think that a faster network is always beneficial because it increases efficiency and will also increase consumer satisfaction. If it also helps doctors to learn while watching open-heart surgery in high-definition, then I think the benefits will definitely outweigh losses. The only thing that I would like to know more about is the cost of this new network. It was already stated that consumers will need to more rapidly upgrade their infrastructure, but I’m curious in finding out other costs associated with it.
Kharif, Olga. "Verizon, AT&T, Google Partake of Broadband Speed Race." Business Weekly. 18 March 2010. http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2010/tc20100317_550729.htm
Integrien Seeks to Gain a Competitive Advantage
Integrien Corporation, the leader in real-time performance analytics, has recently expanded its Technology Advisory Board, by adding members who have previously run some of the largest IT infrastructures in the world. Integrien Corporation applies real time analytics to monitoring data in order to prevent problems from having a negative impact on businesses (1). They have recently developed Integrien Alive, which alerts IT when an application problem is beginning, giving them advanced notice to prevent the problem from spreading. This type of intelligence allows customers to achieve higher quality business operations, with increased efficiency and 24-7 service availability. Furthermore, Integrien is partnered with leading vendors such as IBM, HP, BMC, and VMware(1).
The newest member of the advisory board is Carol Rizzo, who has more than 25 years of IT experience and has helped increase infrastructures at some of the world’s most prestigious firms(1). Some of the firms she has worked with include, AIG, Kaiser Permanente, Citibank, Fidelity Investments, Viacom and Digital Equipment. Through her assistance, these companies have been able to cut down their bottom-line by reducing costs, increase customer satisfaction, and increase revenues leading to a larger top-line. These positive impacts are what any company hope to achieve when they decide to invest in information technology systems. When a company invests in a CRM system, they are hoping to increase market share, retain customers, and ultimately increase their top-line. When a company invests in a SCM system, they are more focused on keeping inventory levels low, and production/shipping costs at a minimum in order to ultimately cut down on their bottom-line.
Many of the new members joining the Technology Advisory Board are previous Chief Technology Officers at companies such as Gateway, QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies, Deloitte Consulting, IBM, and MarketShare Partners. It goes without saying that these individuals have many of years of experience in executive positions, aimed at cutting operations costs for the companies they work for. Carol Rizzo, former Chief Technology Officer at Kaiser Permanente, was able to lead the company in improving system availability, saving over 45 million dollars in reduced physician and nursing time(1). This is just one example of the many major transformations that have been brought about by the new members of Integrien’s Technology Advisory Board.
It is evident that the companies such IBM, Kaiser Permanente, Gateway, Bank of America, Deloitte Consulting, and Wachovia are interested in IT systems as a method of cost reduction and revenue expansion. They have used IT in the past, and have experienced positive outcomes, meaning that they will want to continue to achieve these results and more. This is why Integrien is looking for new members of their advisory board, ones who have exceptional experience and a strong track record. Integrien needs to keep pace with other IT companies, and they are trying to gain a sustainable competitive advantage in its industry by looking for new leadership. New leaders who will bring about change and new ideas. This is exactly what SAP has decided to do recently, in order to increase sales and efficiency, they have let their former CEO go and hired someone else for the job. Sometimes, change in leadership is exactly what needs to be done for companies to realize growth and development.
Reference
(1) "Integrien Continues to Advance Company Strategy with IT Industry Luminaries", Business Wire, March 18, 2010, http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100318005214&newsLang=en, (Accessed March 18, 2010).
Canon May Be First Company Ever to Acquire Its Own Top-Level Domain Name
The decision to expand the number of top-level domains was made by ICANN to encourage competition between companies online and to help small businesses promote themselves with creative website names. ICANN is a "not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet’s unique identifiers" [1]. Obviously, one of ICANN's primary responsibilities is to ensure the interoperability of the internet, partly by organizing the identification of unique websites and domain names. The shift to unique top-level domain names will completely revolutionize e-commerce, making it much easier for consumers to connect with specific companies without any confusion. This will allow small businesses to enter competition with greater success and more widespread promotion, because they will literally be able to advertise their website by merely promoting the name of the company. Connecting to a company's website will be as simple as typing the company name into the web browser URL bar (i.e. typing "google" for google.com or "loyola" for loyola.edu).
There are thousands of domain name search engines in existence right now (for example, NetworkSolutions.com [2], instantdomainsearch.com [3], and whois.net [4], to name a few), but this top-level domain name revolution being brought about by ICANN will totally change the demand for domain name search engines. Most likely, many of them will go out of business as companies realize how easy it is to invent a unique domain name, using their own top-level domain name. As stated previously, connecting with customers will completely change as well as finding specific companies will be as easy as typing the company name into the URL bar, eliminating the need for customers to memorize url addresses.
This revolution will even touch independent consultants, freelance writers and photographers, musicians and other businessmen or artists who wish to promote themselves. Anyone in these categories will now be able to purchase their own domain name, like johndoe.freelancewriter or joeschmoe.independentauditor. Independent businessmen should be thrilled at the change that this decision by ICANN will bring for them. Because of the great freedom brought about by this decision, however, companies need to prepare to purchase their own domain name now to avoid a fraudulent website under the company's name being created. Overall, this decision to open up freedom with top-level domain names will revolutionize the way e-commerce is done.
See the article:
Sources:
[1]. "ICANN | About." ICANN - Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. Web. 18 Mar. 2010.
The Strive to Perfect Perfection Through SCM
In today’s day and age, competition is fierce amongst almost all industries. Whether the product is as simple as a pen or as complex as a college decision, nearly every market is saturated with numerous choices and alternatives. In order to have your company survive in our current economic environment, your company must somehow differentiate its product or service to beat out the competition. Many companies are turning to technology as a way to stay ahead of the competition, especially through systems, such SCM or supply chain management. The auto industry was actually an innovator in implementing the use of supply chain management into their business. Many auto companies use the Tier 1 supply system to increase their probability of perfecting their orders. The best Tier 1 suppliers usually perfect their order nearly 99% of the time, however in such a competitive industry, sometimes 99% is not enough. A score of 90% perfection on orders would seem excellent many other industries, however in the auto industry, 90% is a failing grade. In order to perfect their search for perfection, many companies have chosen to implement large supply chain management systems. The companies that are operating at this high level have already nearly perfected process excellence and have shifted their attention to minimizing costs through supply chain management. The auto industry has broken their processes down into separate supply chain management systems. They have one that strictly deal with the suppliers of design supply chain management and another that deal with customer supply chain management in order to better perfect every bit of the entire process in the auto industry. These companies fully understand the true usage of supply chain management. They understand that companies are about the people first and technology second. Technology should enable the people to work more effectively and efficiently and not the other way around. Technology alone can not build perfection in an industry. It must be a team effort to merge the processes, people and supply chain management in order to achieve true perfection and therefore surpass the competition. I strongly agree with the attitude of this article for I believe investing too much faith and time in technology by itself will inevitably led to our own demise. Technology although helpful, can distance us from our humanity and therefore I believe it is causing us to rescind all the progress we have made as a society of people and only advance in technology. I often fear that businesses will invest too much in advancing in technology and jump into implementing the newest and greatest without fully considering the consequences. With technology improving faster than our minds can comprehend it, how are we able to keep a hold on this technology and make sure it does not get out of control. I believe the auto industry has gotten it right by realizing that technology alone will not improve a business. People are first. It is how the properly trained people use the improved supply chain management systems that can improve a business. In order to fully reach perfection, both elements must be striving to reach perfection not only in each one’s own realm but also together.
Gould, Larry, ed. "Automotive Supply Chain Management: As Good As It Gets?" Automative Design and Production. Gardner Publications Inc., 8 Oct. 2008. Web. 18 Mar. 2010.