My Final Post

Well......Honestly I really enjoyed studying this course (INFO 1400). I found that this course helped me to relate I.T. to oraganizations. I really enjoyed blogging and I feel saddened that I no longer have any more spare time to blog as consistently as before. I hope that I perform well in this course and move on to more advanced courses. Dr. Mohan is a great lecturer!! I have found him to be a very down to earth person, who is straightforward and very approachable!! To Dr. Mohan I say keep up the great job that you are doing and I do hope to see you around when I graduate!! To my fellow colleagues I wish you all the best that life has to offer to you and your family!! Good Luck and God bless!!.............. Lots of Love..................

Final Stages of the SDLC

Outputs of the SDLC
1. I.S.
2. Test Results
3. Modifications of the previous system

Implementation
- acquire hardware and software
1. in house built – built by programmers in the company
2. customized – comes from a firm
3. of the shelf – pre-packaged

Requests
1. Request for a quote – specifications on the product
2. Request for a proposal – off the shelf software

Getting hardware
1. Request for a Quote or proposal for custom built hardware

Requirements for a business that has multiple p.c.s without internet
1. server – intranet
2. UPS – device
3. laptops, switches, hubs, fax machines, routers, lancard

Software
1. System software
2. Operating software
3. Utility software
4. Antivirus software – viruses can be transported via flashdrives, floppies, CDs etc.
5. Application software
6. Database software
7. Firewalls – spam
8. Browser
9. Network Management software
10. Web-Based software (more security)
11. Shopping cart

Network Configuration – connects software & hardware

Data has to be in the same format – software that does that

Test System
I.S. satisfies requirements – no, yes – (more than what expected)
1. Volume tests – stress testing (will it break under pressure?)
2. Response to no input – flags that state that this is incomplete
3. Response time – eg. insulin to be administered to diabetic patient
A computer monitors the patient’s blood glucose level and administers insulin. If the response time is not accurate then the patient’s health is at serious risk.

You will not be able to test the entire system – too time consuming
Sol’n – supply similar processes with similar test data or test the most frequent part of the system. Document errors for maintenance people.

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Requirement Analysis:
Find out what the system should do
Features
Capabilities
Document

System Design:1. Create a “blueprint” showing the structure of the I.S. components and how they work together.
(N.B.) An I.S. will normally be developed on top of an existing infrastructure.

Ques – Will you prefer to study for a Degree online or in class?

For:
1. Caters for the working population.
2. Is convenient for people who are stuck in traffic.
3. Time saving.
4. Blogs – personalities of people’s thoughts and personal experiences.
5. Tele-commuting – working from home.

Against:1. Social interaction.

Implementation of design – eg Room B (steps, slope, board)
Design – blueprint/draft/plan

Implementation – Build the physical system based on the design eg. buy software to work with hardware and train the staff how to use the software.

Risk Management:
Build a dog kennel an earthquake occurs and the roof collapses on the dog.
(The greater the risk, the more care should be taken in design and implementation eg. skyscrapers). A bad design leads to a bad implementation.

Information Systems

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Requirement Analysis or
Requirements Determination – get requirements from stakeholders
(anyone who has an interest in it eg students, users, managers)

Requirements (anything you want I.S. to do):
1. What features should the I.S. have?
2. What capabilities?
3. What services should it provide?

Eg An I.S. to allow UWI students to register for courses online. The present Banner system in place is a complete failure because it didn’t have the proper requirement analysis. Developers of I.S should get a representative sample of the views from the user of the I.S. before the design and implementation stages.

Methods for gathering information:1. Interviews with people individually (time consuming)
2. Questionnaires (easier to administer)
3. Look at existing system and take note of what is in reports, fields etc.

Design:1. Software design – programs that instruct the I.S. how to operate.
2. Data design – structure of reports for managers, technicians etc.
3. Networking – Structure of how I.S. communicate.

Eg. house plan:
An architect designs the front, back and bedrooms. In other words he shapes out the house in abstract but not in concrete.

Design – a step towards the final thing eg. if you don’t want a wall there, the architect can redraw it in another place .The design also gives you a chance to think out the blueprint before being committed to the technology eg. the design of a boat.

Design Strategy vs Implementation Strategy

How to access your system?
1. System Software: OS, antivirus, application software db, dbms, networking software
2. Hardware:
a. Age & Capacity – old? Then need to change
capacity? – needs to have enough storage space.
b. Is the I.S. system web based? If not then software and servers are needed to facilitate the flow.
3. Storage: Needs to fit between goals and hardware and software functuioality.

Software (can also be applied for hardware):
1. Of the shelf – ready made, pre-packaged for specific function.
2. in-house developed – custom-built for company for a specific purpose eg. Assignments for lecturers.

Servers – Large, fast computer to handle queries and requests on a database.

New I.S. on existing infrastructure
Advs:
1. Cheaper
2. Staff is familiar with O.S. & maintenance (usability).
3. The integration between new hardware/software & existing components is enhanced (no interference with old applications).
4. No additional cost in translating data from old records to the new database.

A fresh set of hardware/software:
Adv:
1. Move company to cutting edge – better able to compete
2. New system – support different hardware/software that the old system could not do before eg get a new server – promote e-commerce.

Sources of Software:
1. Consulting firm (outside)/Custom software producer
2. Packaged software producer – SAP, HP, SUN, MS, IBM.
3. Hardware manufacturers – networking software, Oracle.
4. In-house developed (make it yourself eg Unit Trust) – in-house programmers develop programs eg payroll in bank.


Tips to choosing off the shelf software:
1. Can it work on my system?
a. Compatibility.
2. Does functionality meet?
a. Excessive
b. enough
3. Cost
a. Expensive
b. Purchase of license
c. Budget
4. Degree of customization
a. Is it customizable to meet the changes in the business?
5. Vendor support
a. Reputable?
b. Bogus?
6. Ease of installation & operate
a. How long does it take to respond?
7. Validation (ask for bids from vendors)
a. Duration – long term
b. Type – web, database
c. Requirements – useable, pretty
d. Legal constraints – Ownership of the product
e. Price
f. Confidentiality – Can the seller take it and sell it over to another company? (especially private
software)

8. Request for a quote (have a product, want to know more about it )
a. Solicit responses from many vendors
b. Get a trial offer before purchasing the product – eg. Try on shoes before buying it.
c. Get customer feedback from other firms.

A dabate in INFO 1400T ! :-)

Today we had a very interesting debate in INFO 1400T class on the statement:

The University of the West Indies should replace the current (student) Information System with a new Information System!

Phaedra grouped us into managers, a CEO, employees who were for the statement and vice versa. I really enjoyed listening to my colleagues express their personal experiences about the topic and the variety of strategies they adopted to convince the CEO that their point is stronger that the opposition side.

For:
1. Saves money in the long run.
2. Would save time in terms of processes.
3. Need for easier user interface.
4. Should be an online system to cater for foreign students.
5. General approval time should be replaced with faster approval time.
6. Students complain about current I.T. System.
7. The wireless system is not available on the entire campus.

Against:
1. I.S. need to be secure in terms of access on the internet (UWI and Bank databases, exposed to hackers, viruses etc.)
2. No where in the world registration is carried out on-line (there were some objections on this)
3. Training of staff can be done to current staff.
4. Banner system in place and successful (there were some objections on this).
5. Provide more help to users (human interaction – give advice).

Managers:
Decision: Do not replace the old I.S. system with a new one.
Reasons:
1. Too many complications with wireless connectivity.
2. There are too many security risks involved in connecting the Bank’s databases to the internet.
3. Not everyone has access to credit and debit cards.
4. Security risk – Dean’s Signature being copied and used for illegal documents.
5. New I.S is too costly.
6. Already have an I.T. infrastructure in place just have to improve on it.

C.E.O.:
Decision: Stay with the current system.
Reasons:
1. Cannot use the current I.S why get a new one?
2. Retraining of the current staff is better.
3. Policy with courses – need advice.
4. Need human interaction.
Tutor:
Comments on the for side:
1. Wireless is available on the whole campus!
2. It is cost effective but why? Reasons would of backed up your points!!
3. The current I.S needs to be faster but why?
4. Online system is different from Information Systems.

Comments on the against side:
1. Banner is a complete failure.
2. No signatures required – Boolean values can be used (yes, no)
3. Retraining of current staff is a very feasible point.

I.T. Architecture vs I.T. Infrastructure

I.T. Architecture vs I.T. Infrastructure

I.T. Architecture
A blueprint that has been developed to guide the mission statement of the company.

I.T Infrastructure
Consits of the physical structures such as cabels, wires etc.

I.T. Architecture addresses:
1. Business activities – eg. Amazon.com ships their products to their customers and must collect information such as addresses, carrier, type of products (perishable goods must be shipped quickly).
2. Processes (steps) – process of selling a book in stock
3. Data set eg. data category - products relevant to business
4. Information flows – explains how data should be formatted and flow in different departments in a company.
Blood transports nutrients, water etc. to cells within the body. An obstruction in the flow of blood can cause serious health problems. In an organization, data acts as blood and the company acts as the body. Preventing the smooth flow of data to different departments prevent the company from functioning efficiently and effectively.
Information pushes data – can flow anywhere
- want it to flow in a particular direction
5. Applications of Software – guides the Information System eg. shopping cart software
- I.T infrastructure should define change

6. Technology – change from paper-based to electronic database and possibly putting the business online.


Information Systems:
1) Hardware
2) Software
3) Networking Components
4) Data/Information
5) People
6) Procedures

Benefits:
1) Accessibility of Information
2) Improves the efficiency in processing (we know the processes)
3) Reduce the costs
4) Sharing resources – software, printers, data (may not want to share)
5) Respond faster to changes in technology – (already know the processes)

Failures:
1) The opposite of the benefits mentioned above.
2) May not satisfy the customers.

I.T. Infrastructure

I.T. infrastructure
A launch pad serves as a platform for spaceships to travel into space and discover new territories. Similarly, an I.T. infrastructure acts as a platform for information systems within an organization.

An I.T. infrastructure comprises of an organization’s existing:
Hardware
Software – 0.S, Utilities, D.B.M.S.
Networking Components
People
Procedures
Data/Information

An information system consists of the same components of an I.T. infrastructure except that an information system integrates these components together to function as one unit.

Some egs. of information systems in UWI include:
Student I.S.
Property I.S.
Human Resource I.S.
Management I.S.

A person who owns four cell phones and carries them around with him, may find it cumbersome to answer them if two of these phones ring simultaneously. It is also expensive to maintain these phones. Similarly, it is expensive and inconvenient to have four p.cs with each of them having one operating system. It is more feasible to have one p.c. with four operating systems. This eg. alludes to the idea of integrating systems within an organization.

All of the information systems within an organization combine to form an Enterprise I.S.

Oracle can run on any I.T. platform.

Information Systems

Information Systems - A set of componets owned in an organization for a purpose.

Eg. The process of ordering and collecting a product in e-commerce.

When you order an item from an online company eg. amazon.com, that company communicates with it’s distributor to get the product via a networking process which requires hardware, software and procedures. Amazon then sends the item to the customer using the Universal Postal Service (UPS). The shipper gives the item a tracking number, whereby the customer can determine exactly where their items can be located. Finally, distributors send their people to deliver the item to the customers. In effect, all the components of an Information System function in order to transmit data/information to employees in the company and also to the customers.

Other egs. of Information Systems include:
Google Earth –Images of the earth can be obtained. You can also zoom in the earth to get images of your home.

Information Systems:An Application of I.T.

In order for a system to be classified as an Information System, it must have the following characteristics:
Hardware
Software
Networking Components
People
Procedures

these characteristics must:
Collect
Process
Store
Output/transmit

data to help make better decisions.

System
A set of inter-dependent components working together to produce some required functionality/goals.

Inter-dependent
What goes on in one affects the other.

Circulatory Imagery
I really like Dr. Mohan’s use of vivid imagery through his example of the Circulatory System. The use of this imagery conjures up the heart pumping blood through the veins. Blood transports water, oxygen and nutrients to the cells in the body. A failure of the heart to pump blood, leads to severe health complications and even death. Similarly, a failure of the Information System to transmit valuable information leads to bad/uninformed decisions.

Level within the Organization
Type of Information System
1. Strategic
ESS
2. Tactical
DSS, MIS
3. Operational
TPS
4. Clerical
OAS


Egs. Of Information Systems
Using scanners to store data from forms for a census.
Using PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access.
Using satellites to capture images of the cricket match for entertainment.


Egs. Of Information Systems
1. The entire process involved in registering in UWI, the department recording our courses and grades and the issuing of results slips.

Adverse effects of banning online gambling (Tutorial)

In the tutorial with Phaedra, we had an interesting debate on whether or not to ban online gambling.There was some interesting discussions taking place in class and I really enjoyed listening to my colleagues different point of views and the strategies they adopted in order to convince others that their views are valid.

Against banning online gambling
-The government puts tax on gambling which serve as revenue to the country. Banning online gambling limits the government's financial resources to invest in areas that need it such as Tertiary Education.
-People who work in casinos will be out of jobs, thus increasing the unemployment rate.

For banning online gambling
-Breaks up family life.

Our dabate in class brought up another big question- Is Playwhe a form of e-commerce? The answer is No. Playwhe is a form of Traditional Commerce.

In order for a transaction to be classified as e-commerce, it must have the following characteristics:
-business transaction
-network
-services/goods
-moneycurrency

Types of networks:
-internet
-intranet
-extranet

Internet
A system of computers and networks that are connected throught the world.

Intranet
A private internet used by a large company over a fairly wide geographical area.

Online survey to gather statistics on citizen sentiments regarding gambling and swearing.
(Most of the class was against having the online survey)

Against the survey
-accessibility of centers is low
-not everyone is computer literate
-cannot take a sample of the population to represent the entire population
-not reliable
-not complete

Computer Ethics !! :->

Piracy -Selling illegal/unauthorized versions of a product cheaply for a profit.

Examples of Piracy include selling illegal/unauthorized versions of:
- DVD's
- CD's
- Microsoft Word 2003
- cinema movies etc.

In order to curb piracy, companies offer free 30 day Demos to potential customers.

We need to develop good computer ethics when buying items by purchasing the original products and not falling to the temptation of acquiring an unauthorized version of the product at a lower cost. When we continue to buy illegal versions of products, we in effect establish piracy as a lucrative means to make a quick profit. We need to think about the Programmers, Information Technologists, Directors etc. who invest a great deal of time and money in producing legal versions of the products. These people are professionals who have families to maintain.Piracy takes away the ability of these professionals' to earn a living and support thier families.

Compatibility
Forward Compatibility - data from Access '97 could work in Access 2000.
Backward Compatibility - data from Access 2000 cannot work in Access '97.

Incompatibility
eg A University in theUSA cannot read the electronic documents sent by a University in Poland. The reason for this incompatibility is that the University in Poland uses an illegal version of Ms. Word, whereas the University in USA uses a legal version of Ms. Word. UWI tries to legitamize their software by using original versions of software such as Ms. 2003.

Upgrading
Companies put pressure on customers to upgrade their software and hardware components by appealing to you through their advertisements, so that you will be encouraged to spend money on their products. Companies also apply pressure on clients in getting the latest versions of software eg. documents can no longer work with Adobe 4.0 but need Adobe 6.0 .

Personal Judgement
We need to decide whether investing in upgrading our system will be beneficial in the long term. For example a retired person will not be interested in spending a lot of money on a new car to get him from home to his point of destination 20 mins faster.

An application of Information Technology

People - There was an interesting debate in class today as to whether or not there is human interaction in e-commerce. The answer is yes! Managers in a company eg. amazon.com are alerted when the current balance of a customer's account is less than the price of the item being purchased. These managres then instruct the information technologists to terminate the sale of this product to that particular customer.Additionally Managers and people at the strategic level need to make decisions such as to discontinue the purchase of a product that is not selling in the market.

Reasons to regularly update your software:
1)Security
2)To be compatable with other users eg. Adobe 6.0
3)Perform tasks faster (promote better efficiency)
4)To adhere to changes in legislation

Database Management Software Systems !!

Information Technology serves as a platform by which we can store, collect and output/transmit information.

Storage - disk drives, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, flashdrives, tapedrives.

collection - keyboards, monitors, scanners, sound devices eg dragon (a software that uses voice recognition and translates it into text)

output - monitor, printer, speaker and even an air-conditioner (the output here is temperature)

Networking Components
A very simplistic illustration of networking can be seen through image of two computers connected together by wires. These computers can share the information that is fed into one computer and hence allow users to communicate with eachother, especially when the distance between them span the international borders.

Another form of traditional networking can be seen when we make a telephone call to someone in Australia or far East. Our messages are transmitted through the long cables that go to TSTT, where they make telephone exchanges. These cables are also located in the underground sea and eventually lead to different networks in other countries. In other words, our messages have to travel a long path before they reache their destination. Copper wires are used in the cabels in order to facilitatae the quick transmission of our messages.

However, copper is a valuable material and TSTT is currently being faced with a problem whereby people are stealing the the cables, strippinng them for the copper wires and selling these wires over to distributers who pay high prices for them.

Mediums by which data can be transmitted:
1) Copperwire - promotes fast transmission of data
2) Fibre Opptics
3) Cable - supports internet connection

We also use hubs, bridges, switches, routers and brouters in order to facilitate the smooth flow of data over a network.

The dynamics of a cell phone:
When Ms. Baker makes a cell phone call in class, her phone emmit radio transmission waves that search for the closest relay station. When a relay station is found, the waves then try to connect to someone's phone who is looking for the waves. These waves have the ability to go through walls in search for the required connection.

To conclude, Information Systems use:
. data
. hardware
. software
. networking components
. people
.procedures

To:
.Collect
.Store
.Output/Transmit Data

Data Hierarchy

NB.
Cost Effectiveness is classified as a measure to determine the value of information and not an attribute of information.

Authoriattiveness is another eg. of an attribute of information. We must ask ourselves how established our resources are? Sources taken from the internet are not 100% reliable eg. not all the information taken from the weekepedia encyclopedia is reliable.

bit - can either be on or off {0,1}
byte - (binary digit) 1 byte consists of 8 bits. 1byte stores a character(A...Z,a...z,1...9,&,*,% etc.)
field - a set of characters
record - consists of a set of related fields
file - a group of related records
database - stores related records

Datbase Management Systems (software) - brings life to data

egs. of software include :
Microsoft Acess, Oracle, My SQL, Postgre SQL, SQL Server, Web browser.

DMS Softwarehas the following functions:
-query
-insert data
-update data
-delete data
-give permissions to gain access to certain features on the computer

Organizations have several databases.
eg. UWI might have the following:
-student database
-employee database
-asset database - computers,airconditioners
-estate management database
-library database - name,loaner, course code
-financial database - scholarships, gate, payments

Software allows the user to access fields on records.

Technical Foundations of Information Systems !!

Technical Foundations of Information Systems

Data Hierarchy

1,0}state – binary digit
8 bits – 1 byte 00100101 – amount of storage required to store one character on the computer
Characters – {A…Z,a…z,0…9,+,-.* etc}
1 byte stores one character

1Kb – 1024 bytes – 15 lines
1Mb – 1024Kb – 15,000 lines of words (on notepad)
1Gb – 1024Mb – 15,000,000 lines – a shelf of books

Characters combine to give a field.
Field value
Firstname: Sherifa
Address:

The Attributes of Information !!

Accuracy – free from error, factual eg. 100% of the students passed INFO 1400 in the 1st semester
Relevance – related to the objective you have in mind eg. You have a project to research on red cars and have sourced information on cars. This information needs to be sifted out to fine tune your project to red cars only.
Timeliness – The right information needs to be delivered on the same time that a decision has to be made eg. mask bands receive information on the cost of raw materials on Carnival day.
Currency (up-to-date) – In a dynamic business environment, the most recent information is required to make well-informed decisions.
Completeness – We need to get all the facts before making a decision eg. your UTC investments could depreciate from $40,000 to $38,000 within a period of eight years.

The foundation of a building supports the entire building structure. Constructing a weak foundation puts the entire building structure at risk of collapsing. Similarly acquiring information the is not current, affects the accuracy, relevance and timeliness of your decision. Uninformed decisions made at the strategic level of a company eat away at the company’s profits.

These attributes help the company to perform the following:
make sound decisions
become more efficient
become more productive
become more profitable
Gain Competitive edge
Be innovative to create new products and services.


In multi-site organizations, data flow is facilitated through networking eg. satellites and optical cables.

Earthquake in UWI !!

On the 29thSeptember, 2006 there was an earthquake in UWI. It happened at around 9:15am while I was waiting along with four of my colleagues in RM 113 for Dr. Mohan’s class to begin. Suddenly, the Nat Sci building began to rock vigorously and I stood in class shocked and speechless. I heard Anna Marie said EARTHQUAKE!! and my heart began to hammer in my chest!!! To make matters worst, the power went off in the room. I began to panic. The other three girls who were in the room with me hid under the desk and told me to “get under the desk!” I quickly took to my bag and ran under a desk. After about two mins had passed and the vibrations continued, my fears of the worst happening began to amplify and I only thought of running out of the building before it collapsed on me. Then eventually, I summoned up enough courage and dashed out of the door and ran out of the building, leaving my bag and all of my possessions in it behind. Bad move!!! When I reached out of the building, I saw that many students had also scampered outside for safety. As the other students and I looked up at the Nat Sci building as it rocked from side to side I thought to myself that this couldn’t be happening…it felt too unreal!!!...or maybe it was a mixture of fear and shock bottling up inside me, just waiting to explode!!! After the vibrations stopped, two of my colleagues who were waiting in class with me brought my bag outside and gave it to me. I thanked them sincerely and ckecked to see if anything was lost. Luckily I didn’t loose anything!!! ….Thank God!!! Although Dr. Mohan came to class that day, we didn’t do anything substantial. That day made me realize how thankful I should be for being alive and unharmed and that I should appreciate life a bit more!!!

The Mediums by which Information can be transmitted!

We must take note of the various forms by which information can be transmitted. Take for example in a simple game of all fours, when points are allocated to the players with respect to the cards they have in hand, information is passed among the players via the medium of speech. In today’s class Dr. Mohan focused on two popular ways by which information can be transmitted. These two types include e-mail and snail mail (paper mail).

The advantages of sending an e-mail over snail mail are that an e-mail can reach its recipient much faster than a snail mail. Additionally, the chances of loosing e-mail over snail mail are much less. It is also more economical to send an e-mail rather than snail mail. Take for eg. In UWI, the cost of students sending e-mails is absorbed by the bursary. Additionally, we also save on stationary when we choose to send electronic mail over snail mail. Above all, it is cost effective and also quite easy to send many copies of a message to several recipients.

However, there are disadvantages of sending an e-mail. These disadvantages include the possibility of getting spam in your inbox, which has the potential to destroy your p.c. Furthermore, your privacy can be invaded since TSTT can track your e-mail as we can see through the exposure of Jack Warner sending e-mails to his relatives concerning the sale of world cup tickets. Most disturbingly, a simple typographical error in the address box can cause your message to be sent to the wrong person.

One disadvantage of using snail mail is that no physical attachments can be sent to the recipient.

Data Processing and Information Output

The four characteristics of data are that it must be collected, stored, processed and outputted/transmitted. Information Technology facilitates these characteristics in order to improve a company's efficiency and hence profitability.

We must take note that even in the far past, there were some early signs of data processing and information output. To illustrate this, native indians used smoke signals to indicate where a train robbery was going to take place. Nowadays, people communicate via cellphones and other forms of wireless technology. From our tutorial session, we take note of the difference between data, information and decision and understand that from decisions we develop strategies to successfully deal with problematic situations. One way by which we can use I.T. to improve efficiency in organizations can be seen through the use of G.P.S. (Global Positioning Systems). KISS company uses G.P.S. to become more aware of the geographical location of their customers and delivery trucks so that when for example one of their trucks get into an accident, KISS can direct the ambulance and dispatch a call to spare trucks to deliver their products. Moreover, we see the characteristics of data when we buy something over the internet (e - commerce). When we make an order, the warehouse collects the necessary data, stores this data on forms and then sends it to the courier to process the shipping rates. Finally, the product is then transmitted to the buyer, afterwhich a bill is then issued and paid.

RISKS OF STORING DATA!!!

Generally a risk is something that can cause a potential threat to your data that is stored both electronically and paper-based.

There are several risks that we must observe when storing data. These risks include natural disasters, human error, sabotage, malicious deeds, viruses and even disgruntled employes.

A risk avoidance is a means by which we can use to successfully deal with the effects of data being destroyed. Some risk avoidance measures include well ventilating your p.c. , buy good quality parts, perform regular maintenance (clean the vaccum boards from dust), operating your system in a proper enviroment (free from heat and humidity), clean the power supply, perform software maintenance (disk defragmentation wears down the hardware) and last but not least, keep abreast of the latest developments such as software that prevents hackers from spying into your data.

Risk Minimization deals with reducing the effects of data being destroyed. We can reduce the chances of all our data being destroyed by keeping backups in storage devices such as flashdrives, continuously keep auditing the files and also storing backups at other locations.

The four characteristics of data include collection, storage, process and output (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FACILITATES THESE CHARACTERISTICS).

DATA STORAGE AND RISKS

Organizations must find ways to store data more efficiently, so that data can be easily accessed for future use eg. databases. However, there are risks involved in storing data electronically. For example, supermarkets use the barcode as an optical means of storing and retrieving data. However, supermarkets are at risk of entering the wrong price of products in their central processing unit (human error). Additionally, the barcodes can also be damaged or even switched. Other risks which can distroy data include viruses, natural disasters, sabotage and even acts of terrorism.

COLLECTING AND STORING DATA

Data must first be collected within an organization. Data is usually collected by clerks, who carry out transactional processes. Paper-based data can be collected from forms, sales receipts, surveys, questioniares and queries. This form of data can be stored in filing cabinets or electronically such as floppies, flashdrives, CDS and harddrives.

Data is the life-blood of an organization. Blood transports oxygen, water and nutrients to tissues and organs within our body. Similarly, the flow of data provides valuable information to different departments within an organization.

I.T. PLATFORM

Literally, a platform energizes a rocket and sends it places. Symbolically, I.T. gives organizational processes a boost to where it needs to go. For example, I.T. allow organizations that have multisite(in different countries) to network through the internet and teleconferencing. This networking help data flow smoothly between branches within different countries. Therefore, I.T. serves as a launching pad by which companies could use to grow and develop.

Competitive Advantage

Information Technology give companies a competitive advantage over rival companies. The term competitive advantage implies a company having an 'edge' over another. For example, CLICO has a website where clients can conveniently visit to check their insurance status. Similarly, Republic Bank offers an internet account by which people can pay their bills. The establishment of websites and internet accounts by these businesses, allow data to flow smoothly from the business place to the customers. This easy access of information attracks customers because it allows them to do business in the comfort of their home.

.COMBUS
.COMBUS are companies that cannot deliver the quality of goods and services that they propose. The failure to deliver cause companies to become bankrupt, thus causing the shares to be worth more than the companies themselves. The reasons which may lead to the inability to deliver include poor management systems in place, market saturation and the shares were not growing at the rate they were expected.

STRATEGIES TO ADOPT WHEN PURCHASING OVER THE INTERNET

There are millions of companies that advertise their products over the internet. When choosing a company to purchase a good or service from, we much research the company's customer service and reputation. A company that has a good customer service and reputation, have a tendancy to drive potential customers to buy from them. This driving force could later develop into customer loyalty thus increasing the company's profitability!!! The price of the good or service also plays an important part when making a decision-(most people have a tendancy for choosing items at the lowest prices!!! In other words, people try as best to maximize the purchasing power of their money!!!)We must also observe the ease of use of the company's website and the length of time it takes to access the website. Nobody wants to spend a lenghty time searching a website for the price of a particular product or service. People appreciate a well structured website that is comprehensive and easy to use!!!

THE POWER OF I.T.

Today I learned how a company like amazon.com used I.T. to become profitable. Jeff Bezos, the founder of amazon.com developed a very innovative plan to do business using his simple personal computer in a garage next to a bookstore (one of his sources). Mr. Bezos used his computer to network globally with potential customers and certain bookdealers. At the time Mr. Bezos founded amazon in July 1995, he had no warehouse to store his books. When a customer places an oder for the books Mr. Bezos advertises, he orders the books from deallers, packages them in amazon.com boxes and then ships it to the customer. In effect, Mr. Bezos acts as a third person in facilitating transactions between customers and dealers using his simple personal computer!!!

The Structure of Organizations

Orzanizations may consist of different buildings at the same location or mulitlocations, therefore within the same or different country. UWI,EWMSC and petrotrin are egs of organizations with multilocations). There must be a smooth flow of information between organizations that have multilocations, so that C.E.O.s, Managers and operators can have all the necessary reports to make well informed decisions.

I also learned how to present convincing arguements to an organization with respect to purchasing iems on the I.T. market. Genarally, organizations are interested in investing in things that are more cost effective as compared to the current system in place!! - (eg this computer will cost less compared to the others). Additionally, organizations want faster processing systems - (eg in the past , it takes a teller 5 mins to handle a customer, now this new computer can reduce this time to 2 mins. therefore more customres can be dealt with per day!!) The mobility of this new computer allows the employees to take home their work which in return increases productivity and hence profitability!!!

What I learned in class Today!!

In today's class, I learned the importance of the flow of data within an organization. There needs to be a smooth flow of information about an organization's Production, Marketing, Distribution and Human Resource Management in order for those at the strategic and tactical levels to make the best decision. Good decisions help create a more efficient and hence more profitable business. Dr. Mohan linked the flow of data within an organization to the flow of blood within our veins. When this flow of blood is obstructed, there can be serious health complications or even death. Similarly, when the flow of information in an oaganization is hampered, then the Production, Marketing, Distribution and Human Resource Management functioning will eventually collapse. Personally, I like the way in which Dr. Mohan shows us how organizations operate especially using real examples like KISS company and even our own UWI!! I find this course to be very practical in the sense that we are thought to think out of the box when relating to his examples!!

My UWI Experiences in I.T. Class

Hi My name is Sherifa Francis !! Today in class I learned that I.T. field not only relates to computers but also to an organisation's production, marketing and distribution stratigies !! The lecturer is very apprachable, warm and quite friendly!!