Information System
Question One
An information system is a hardware, software, and network technology that work together to enable managers in executing management functions. This concept involves the collection of raw data information processes to yield out useful information that can be used in decision making, controlling, and organizing. An information system can be manual as well as computerized.
An information system is made up of three components, namely technology, process, and people. The technology concept is composed of hardware, software, and data. The hardware is the part of a computer system that is tangible; they include things such as desktop, keyboard, mouse, and many more. The software is part of an information system that is intangible. It contains commands that instruct the hardware to perform a different task. The software can be categorized into two names the operating system software and the application software. The last part of technology is the data, which includes collected facts awaiting processing. People are also critical components of information systems; they are involved in programming, Data ta analysis, and front office worker. The last bit of information system is the process which yields outcome.
Information systems involve three dimensions, namely, management, organization, and technology dimension. Under the management dimension, we have the internet and telecommunication technology. The technology dimension include software and hardware while the organizational dimension includes politics, culture, and management structure
Question Two
Ponsse, a leader in wood harvesting, employs information systems in every step of its activity to ensure maximum efficiency and minimal wastages are made. The concept of information system involves data input, processing, and output that is valuable for decision making. At Ponsse, the first task is to identify the variety of timbers required by organizations through the field workplace of the wood procuring firm. Following this identification through the use of an information system, a cutting blueprint is designed that fully make use of the cutting yield for a specified timber area. A map of where the timber is located is created together with guidelines for the driver. This is done via electronic mail of the purchasing organization and the harvester`s information system. The map outlines the area where the logs are to be harvested and those that should be preserved.
Using map software, specialized forest tractors carry tree trunks from the woodland to the road. The information system here helps in decision making on which route to take that guarantees safety. The best routes are also identified using information systems for the transportation of logs from the roadside to the destination. The use of an information system has resulted in enhancing organization performance, and for instance, a tree trunk is marked according to optimal results where the cutting places that will give better produce are marked for cutting. Ponsse ensures communication with clients is maintained through a joint information system connecting various stakeholders. The information system employed at Ponsse place it among the top global organization producing cut-length-machines.
Question Three
Information systems play a vital role in both FedEx and UPS for starters. It enhances e retailing where services of FedEx and UPS are easily accessible on their websites. The use of information systems in both companies has enabled sorting to be an easy task, where the parcel is presorted even before they arrive to determine the vehicle for transit and position in the automobile. Sorting is also done on monitor cameras to regulate it and monitor progress. The companies have employed systems to guide drivers while on transit on the most convenient route. The companies use control centers and custom build programs to manage traffic in the sky to solve weather and mechanical problems and to get the packages to their destination. UPS has a flight simulator to keep its pilot certified and to ensure that they can travel under any adverse conditions. Customer invoices and returns are also managed under the information system. UPS uses a system called Nextgen, which saves fuel through tailored arrivals by ensuring plane land closer together.
The use of a barcode has enabled the tracking of shipments. While goods are on transit, they can be tracked by a unique tracking number issued by the information system. FedEx has gone an extra mile by using a system that not only tracks the package but also tracking the content as well in addition to monitoring temperature of the package and the amount light in the package whether it has been opened or not.
Question Four
My keyword to check biasness against search engines is the word “abortion is”. I use three search engines, namely Google, Bing, and Yahoo, and I realized some biasness in my topic in the quote above. For instance, while typing the word “abortion is” in Bing am offered several suggestions to pick from which include abortion is not a slavery, abortion issues in US and abortion is a woman choice. From my observation all above are biased opinions, Bing associates abortion with US, and also encourages it by suggesting a search implying that it is a woman’s choice. Typing the same word on Google the suggestion abortion is a crime is recommended all through meaning that Google is directing me to article written and the famous Song by Bob Marley to suggest that all forms of abortion are crimes. Lastly, my search on Yahoo recommended articles such as abortion are murder, abortion is evil, and abortion is wrong. This is also a prejudged opinion, which is not always the case.
To negate the search engine bias I recommend that when searching one should always type full text of what he or she is looking for and avoid suggested search topics as they could be misleading. Bias alerts can also eliminate search engine biasness; however, the Suppressing the Search Engine Manipulation (SEME) can be completely done away with by changing search results. A browser extension cable of providing alerts in instantaneously when results are biased is the sure way to avoid this
Question Five
Toyota Company has witnessed transformation in its computer system adding in more advanced information systems to counter different emerging trends in macro environment such as advanced customer preference, changes in global economy, rapid demand for cars and set standards in addition to improvement in car development technologies.
The information system at Toyota efficiently helps to plan in the purchase of raw materials that are used in production through order fulfillment. The production system at Toyota involves interdependent activities that are fused together with an information system to ensure the continuous flow of operations. A car in production is issued with a unique code that act as an identifier throughout the process of production for purposes of following up production stages. The unique code enables quick change of production stages by synchronizing data sources from all stages of production. Production delays and congestion are also identified with an information system for speedier action to eliminate such.
Toyota employs different types of information system, aiming to manage company tasks better. For instance, it uses customer relationship management Information system to engage customer queries on different matters. Toyota employs vast systems in production management to monitor production and scheduling. Toyota uses an information system to eliminate waste and ensure customer vehicles are completed as per schedule. The ERP system at Toyota manages financial perspective such as management of non-current assets in addition to managing customers’ accounts.