Information management systems play a crucial role in ensuring that the organisation becomes efficient and effective, but companies need enterprise planning to centralize data collection, storage and data processing. Enterprise resource planning is a technology that deploys computer technology to integrate various organisational resources—such as human resources, assets, information resources –across the organisation. The intention of ERP systems is to streamline an organisation’s data access, information sharing, business continuity, and revamping the decision-making processes. When ERP systems were invented in the mid-1990s, organisations shifted their attention to embrace the capabilities of ERP components; and a decade later this technology still moves on strong. However, during their early days, ERP systems enjoyed acceptance from large manufacturers, a trend that has since shifted dramatically. ERP systems have grown from mainframe computers to more flexible, robust, and seamless applications. Today, small businesses are able to deploy robust ERP systems in virtually every operational Continue reading
Information Technology
Benefits of Blockchain Technology for Business
Blockchain is a technology for recording and storing information, first introduced by a person or a group of people under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. Initially, this technology was developed as a fundamentally new way of working with data that would not be subject to retroactive modification. This principle of operation was necessary to protect the data stored in blockchains. However, on the market, blockchain was presented as a system that allows you to work with cryptocurrencies – the latest invention of digital money with a decentralized deposit guarantee system. In terms of technology, a blockchain is a list of records, each of which is formed into a block and contains information, a cryptographic hash, about the previous block. In the case of cryptocurrencies, this is the timestamp and transaction data, which is usually represented as a Merkle tree. The timestamp ensures that the previous and current transaction data Continue reading
Online Reputation Management (ORM) – Meaning, Definition and Strategies
The growth of the internet over the past two decades has come as a welcome development for businesses, both big and small. The internet has provided a whole new, vast and efficient advertising space. However, bad publicity surrounding the brand can also spread faster than ever, tarnishing the image of the brand. The reputation that a brand projects towards its customers, business partners and stockholders can have dramatic effects, not only on the company’s revenue but on its very existence. Many brand owners and managers are still ignorant of the concept of Online Reputation Management (ORM) for businesses. Online reputation refers to a company’s image online. The online environment poses a great risk to businesses and their brands. The online image of a company can be the creation of third parties. Both the company and third parties influence online reputation. It is the responsibility of the company to control its Continue reading
Case Study: Amazon’s Innovative Business Model Using Information Technology
Nowadays, Amazon is the largest and most popular online retailer. It is known for being the second-largest e-commerce company in the world being outperformed only by Google. During two decades on the market, the firm managed to reach the position of the retailer with the Earth’s Biggest Selection, thus growing extremely popular among customers and enjoying customer loyalty. Amazon is an international corporation employing more than 150,000 people around the globe. Launched as an online bookstore in 1994, the company diversified its assortment so that now it offers a wide variety of products, including video games, software, furniture, electronics, apparel, jewelry, toys, and food. More than that, cloud services and infrastructure, as well as video gaming and music streaming, are provided to its customers.The specificity of the company is the fact that it has several different websites launched and operating in different countries around the globe – the United States, Continue reading
Software Patent – Intellectual Property Rights in Software
A software patent is one of the intellectual property rights giving a company or individual owners the privileges of preventing others from using, making, or selling patented inventions without approval. For an innovation to be considered patentable, it must meet some criteria. There must be an industrial or commercial way of using it, meaning its software should be used with a machine to ensure it is not merely an abstract idea. The invention should be new, unique, and not obvious to any person with average industry skills. However, patentability has led to the public uproar with some experts arguing that software patent is a deterrent to innovation and should be scrapped altogether. The clear line between software and machine, ordinary idea, and patent troll are controversial among other issues. The main concern is how can computer software be patented to prevent other people or firms from using similar programs and Continue reading
Case Study: Analysis of Information Systems Application at Walmart
Walmart is one of the world’s largest retailers that make up high amounts of profits. The business organization has grown top great extends from a single store to a large retail store with branches in many parts of the world. The main purpose of the business organization has been to provide value to its customers as well as empowering its employees to perform effectively in the business activities. The business organization is committed to meeting the needs of its customers effectively as well as providing quality products and services. The business operations and management at the Walmart promotes a culture that is based on obtaining effective information that is most current. The information is usually based on the customers needs and wants in the market, obtaining the best business ideas from the employees on how to run the business operations effectively and ways of maximizing profits. The way in which Continue reading