Assignment 8 in MIS

My Opinions: If I were given a chance to give my suggestion for the improvement of our school in Information System (IS), I would probably suggest that the school must find an Information Technology (IT) expert to share us new kinds of Information Technology (IT) that our school should adopt. For example, new facility use in studying. Our school should also consult different Information Technology (IT) Companies of what is the best technology who teach the student. In my personal views about outsourcing, our school is a state university means we can ask the government to give us support in improving our quality education in Information Technology (IT) by asking them to provide manpower which is expert in Information Technology (IT) and also give us latest facilities such as new computers. In outsourcing the school should discover a students who has a special talent and skills in Information Technology (IT) such as a student who is expert in making a programs, developing new gadgets and etc. by giving them a special attention. The school should give the student an assistance to improve more his or her talent and skills.

We know nowadays, technology is improving faster, when we talk in communication, years ago there is only a telephone but now we used mobile phones and sometimes we can have an internet service there that's why the school should give an attention to give the students a knowledge in Information Technology (IT) so that we can go with a new technology. We like it or not we should know to use computers this days because if we apply for a job the employer should ask if we are computer illiterate.


OUTSOURCING...


There are many reasons that companies outsource various jobs, but the most prominent advantage seems to be the fact that it often saves money. Many of the companies that provide outsourcing services are able to do the work for considerably less money, as they don't have to provide benefits to their workers and have fewer overhead expenses to worry about.

Outsourcing also allows companies to focus on other business issues while having the details taken care of by outside experts. This means that a large amount of resources and attention, which might fall on the shoulders of management professionals, can be used for more important, broader issues within the company. The specialized company that handles the outsourced work is often streamlined, and often has world-class capabilities and access to new technology that a company couldn't afford to buy on their own. Plus, if a company is looking to expand, outsourcing is a cost-effective way to start building foundations in other countries.

There are some disadvantages to outsourcing as well. One of these is that outsourcing often eliminates direct communication between a company and its clients. This prevents a company from building solid relationships with their customers, and often leads to dissatisfaction on one or both sides. There is also the danger of not being able to control some aspects of the company, as outsourcing may lead to delayed communications and project implementation. Any sensitive information is more vulnerable, and a company may become very dependent upon its outsource providers, which could lead to problems should the outsource provider back out on their contract suddenly.

While outsourcing may prove highly beneficial for many companies, it also has many drawbacks. It is important that each individual company accurately assess their needs to determine if outsourcing is a viable option.


Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-outsourcing.htm

INSOURCING...


Insourcing is a business practice in which work that would otherwise have been contracted out is performed in house.

Insourcing often involves bringing in specialists to fill temporary needs or training existing personnel to perform tasks that would otherwise have been outsourced. An example is the use of in-house engineers to write technical manuals for equipment they have designed, rather than sending the work to an outside technical writing firm. In this example, the engineers might have to take technical writing courses at a local college, university, or trade school before being able to complete the task successfully. Other challenges of insourcing include the possible purchase of additional hardware and/or software that is scalable and energy-efficient enough to deliver an adequate return on investment (ROI).

Insourcing can be viewed as outsourcing as seen from the opposite side. For example, a company based in Japan might open a plant in the United States for the purpose of employing American workers to manufacture Japanese products. From the Japanese perspective this is outsourcing, but from the American perspective it is insourcing. Nissan, a Japanese automobile manufacturer, has in fact done this.

Source: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci1185946,00.html

There is a big debate going on at the moment and people are constantly arguing whether or not it is better to outsource or to insource. We can mention a lot of good reasons and bad reasons for both but at the end of the day what is important stand in your own personal needs.

The biggest benefit that insourcing has stands in the fact that you get a very close contact with the person you are hiring. This can create a very good working environment but at the same time it does bring in some negative aspects that we have to think about. Unfortunately sometimes we can not find what we are looking for through insourcing. This basically means that what we want done can not be found locally. Such a fact shows us the biggest advantage why outsourcing is preferred in a comparison with insourcing: a wider set of choices. The truth is that when outsourcing we are faced with more people or companies to consider hiring. We are basically moving everything towards a much larger scale. Why outsourcing towards a single area or even country when we can think at a global scale.

If you talk to most Internet Marketers about outsourcing they will tell you that it is a must have. Most of them don't even think about insourcing when we have the possibility of outsourcing. The Internet has made it possible for a lot of people to meet. We now have a chance we never did in the past. In the past we had to invest into newspaper ads and similar actions in order to get in contact with professionals we needed. This does bring everything down in terms of time and possible success. When thinking about why outsourcing is better than insourcing we should always think about numbers. For instance, there is a huge chance that we can spare money by hiring someone from abroad that will do everything cheaper than on a local scale search. Also, the number of potential people worth hiring is much bigger. We can thus make sure at all times that we hire the best professionals we can afford.

There shouldn't be any doubt in anyone's mind that outsourcing is a lot better than insourcing. The reasons mentioned above are just the most obvious but the list can go on. In short, the most important facts we need to consider when thinking whether or not outsourcing is better than insourcing can be written with ease.

Why Outsourcing?

- It is Cheaper
- It is Better
- You can Work with More Competent People
- You can make sure you get what you are looking for
- The Quality is Better in Most Cases
- Marketing time needed to look for people is drastically reduced
- Less Risks

"Outsource Method Saved Me Over 500% On My Staffing Costs"
Outsourcing can be a very costly and mistake ridden path if you don't have the connections or know the pitfalls. When we Interviewed the CEO of RentACoder.com we were amazed at how many buyers get this wrong.
Learn how to save yourself mistakes that could cost you 10's of thousands of dollars and how you can more effectively manage your business process outsourcing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Thomas

Assignment 7 in MIS

1.) "Sa telecommunications naman, inatasan ko ang Telecommunications Commission na kumilos na tungkol sa mga sumbong na dropped calls at mga nawawalang load sa cellphone. We need to amend the Commonwealth-era Public Service Law. And we need to do it now...."

My Opinions: Same as what the President say we need to amend the Commonwealth-era Public Service Law to fit the law in a present situation. The National Telecommunication Commission should impose the law strictly, so that the Telecommunication Companies would not abuse. The Congress should pass a law giving the consumer a safeguard that gives them the best service to the public.

2.) "Kung noong nakaraan, lumakas ang electronics, today we are creating wealth by developing the BPO and tourism sectors as additional engines of growth. Electronics and other manufactured exports rise and fall in accordance with the state of the world economy. But BPO remains resilient. With earnings of $6 billion and employment of 600,000, the BPO phenomenon speaks eloquently of our competitiveness and productivity. Let us have a Department of ICT...."

My Opinions: To improve the life of a Filipino people by way of BPO the government should focused the education system of our country. First, improve the quality of education by giving the teachers a good training and tools for them to teach the student a quality education. We should lessen the commercialization of our educational system. Second, for those who are student that are not capable in studies but have a special talent and skills, the government should give them scholarship. And lastly, the government should invite business investment who gives adequate benefits and salaries.

3.) "As the process of fundamental political reform begins, let us address the highest exercise of democracy...voting!
In 2001, I said we would finance fully automated elections. We got it, thanks to Congress.... "

My Opinions: For me, it has a big help on the part of the government like the following factors:

- Lesser expenses to be incurred due to decrease of manpower during the election.
- To ease the tension of suspension of cheating of both parties.
- It has a big possibility to have an accurate results of the election.

By those factors I mentioned I can assure that by this new system of election or by using this new technology on 2010 election the people are expecting of a good and fair results.


Source: http://www.zappafly.com/zapaframe.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5tdWthbW8uY29tL2dsb3JpYS1tYWNhcGFnYWwtYXJyb3lvLXNvbmEtMjAwOS1zcGVlY2gtc3VtbWFyeS10cmFuc2NyaXB0Lw==&title=R2xvcmlhIE1hY2FwYWdhbC1BcnJveW8gU09OQSAyMDA5IHNwZWVjaCBhbmQgc3VtbWFyeSAodHJhbnNjcmlwdCk=&searchid=831690&zapurl=speech+in+sona+2009+summary

Assignment 5 in MIS

Based on your adopted orgnaization(s), identify and discuss barriers in their IS/IT implementation ..(2000words)


Before the discussion of the Information System Barriers in the company I adopted let's define barrier first.

What is Barrier?

In economics and mostly especially in the theory of competition, barriers to entry are obstacles in the path of a firm that make it difficult to enter a given market.
Barriers to entry are the source of a firm's pricing power - the ability of a firm to raise prices without losing all its customers.
The term refers to hindrances that an individual may face while trying to gain entrance into a profession or trade. It also, more commonly, refers to hindrances that a firm (or even a country) may face while trying to enter a market, industry or trade grouping. Barriers to entry restrict competition in a market.

We know that EMCOR is a well known company here in Davao City. EMCOR is a 100% Filipino-owned retail business corporation specializing in appliances, furniture, IT products, motorcycles, and money transfer through its network of specialty chain stores in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan areas. With the launching of our online store, EMCOR will now be making its presence known in the online industry and promote its company’s goals and vision to the global community.

Source: http://emcor.com.ph/about.php

On the case of EMCOR here are the following list of the barriers in IS/IT implementation which their company identify possible solutions.

•Control of resources and Research and development - Some products, such as microprocessors, require a large upfront investment in technology which will deter potential entrants. If a single firm has control of a resource essential for a certain industry, then other firms are unable to compete in the industry.

The company has maintenance of the database through their programmer and system analyst. They are responsible in creating programs in different sections in the company. But in some case their programmers encounter failures to their work so the company decided to have Outsourcing.

• Cost advantages independent of scale - Proprietary technology, know-how, favorable access to raw materials, favorable geographic locations, learning curve cost advantages.

• Network effect - When a good or service has a value that depends on the number of existing customers, then competing players may have difficulties in entering a market where an established company has already captured a significant user base.

In economics and business, a network effect (also called network externality) is the effect that one user of a good or service has on the value of that product to other people.
The classic example is the telephone. The more people own telephones, the more valuable the telephone is to each owner. This creates a positive externality because user may purchase their phone without intending to create value for other users, but does so in any case.

In EMCOR they sometimes encounter problem in internet connection
they are only using the management monitoring system for their transaction in different store. They have two stores in Mangagoy, their system cannot access in that store so they planning to have some possible solution to address the problem. Because of their initiative the two stores in Mangagoy are now having their own database and can have their own system which is efficient.

EMCOR is now planning to have a Disaster Recovery System for the process, policies and procedures related to preparing for recovery or continuation of technology infrastructure critical to an organization after a natural or human-induced disaster.This system will automatically update every five minutes by the access of the internet and provides back-up and transfer to another system all the data of the company so that if something will happen to the company they can easily restore the entire file.

• Changing their system

The development stage of the company uses a Visual FoxPro as their front end and SQL 6.5 then change into SQL 7.0 and lastly the to SQL 2000 which they are currently using. Because of the system change the company's employee has a big adjustments on it that's sometimes the reason of having a failure on their work. The company provide solution to address this problem which is to help the employee to have trainging and studies in the new system of the company which they are using. This kind of solution is helping the employee to know better the new system to continue their work in the company.

• Employees

Like I said before in the system change employees must have training in order to learn how to operate or access the new system implemented in the company. The company decided to train their employees to address this problem.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barriers_to_entry

Assignment 6 in MIS

If I were given a chance to work as an IT (Information Technology) Consultant in the university. First, it was a big privilege or an honor for me to become a part of the IT (Information Technology) Consultant in the university because as an IT (Information Technology) student I can use my knowledge and share it in our university. This job would challenge me to explore and learn more things and experiences in the IT (Information Technology) environment. It will also help me to develop my ability int his field.

What is an IT (Information Technology) Consultant?

Information technology consulting (IT consulting, Computer consultancy, Computing consultancy, technology consulting or business and technology services) is a field that focuses on advising businesses on how best to use information technology to meet their business objectives. In addition to providing advice, IT consultancies often implement, deploy, and administer IT systems on businesses' behalf.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IT_consultant

On my own opinion an IT (Information Technology) Consultant is a person who is responsible for giving or suggesting ideas for the development of the systems and information technology.

In a university, like USeP (University of Southeastern Philippines) which has a LAN (Local Area Network) connections for the internet. The advantages of having an internet connection inside the school is to help students to explore and learn more things by surfing through the internet. It also makes the transaction easier like sending data which is accurate and fast. But, as I observed USeP (University of Southeastern Philippines) has also a problem in the internet connection, they has a low and slow internet, that's why it needs more improvement.

What is Internet?

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standardized Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private and public, academic, business, and government networks of local to global scope that are linked by copper wires, fiber-optic cables, wireless connections, and other technologies. The Internet carries a vast array of information resources and services, most notably the inter-linked hypertext documents of the World Wide Web (WWW) and the infrastructure to support electronic mail, in addition to popular services such as online chat, file transfer and file sharing, online gaming, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) person-to-person communication via voice and video.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INTERNET

Internet, computer-based global information system. The Internet is composed of many interconnected computer networks. Each network may link tens, hundreds, or even thousands of computers, enabling them to share information and processing power. One of the best-known resources on the Internet is the World Wide Web, which uses the Internet to display text and multimedia content on Web pages, along with interactive features.

The Internet has made it possible for people all over the world to communicate with one another effectively and inexpensively. Unlike traditional broadcasting media, such as radio and television, the Internet does not have a centralized distribution system. Instead, an individual who has Internet access can communicate directly with anyone else on the Internet, post information for general consumption, retrieve information, use distant applications and services, or buy and sell products.

The Internet has brought new opportunities to government, business, and education. Governments use the Internet for internal communication, distribution of information, and automated tax processing. In addition to offering goods and services online to customers, businesses use the Internet to interact with other businesses. Many individuals use the Internet for communicating through electronic mail (e-mail), retrieving news, researching information, shopping, paying bills, banking, listening to music, watching movies, playing games, and even making telephone calls. Educational institutions use the Internet for research and to deliver online courses and course material to students.

Source: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761579729/Internet.html

For me, Internet is one way of making our communication more easier. It has a big help for searching information to the other areas which we cannot reach.

Now, I have some suggestions to improve the internet connection in the university. In my observation, USeP (University of Southeastern Philippines) is dealing a problem in the internet connection, they have a low and slow connection. It takes a number of minutes to the students or users of internet inside the school before they reach the site they want to go in. As an IT (Information Technology) Consultant I would suggest to upgrade the internet connection or provide a better router which is fast and advance for the internet connection. It is better also to provide a good quality and new computer units in the school. It will minimize the problem of slow and low internet connection. I want to suggest also to have some area in the school which is WIFI Zone to have a better and easy internet access freely for the students. As I observed most of the students has their own laptops. The students can already access the internet inside the school freely.

As far as I know the university has several good programmers and database administrator which is responsible for the Information System in the school. I suggest that in their department they must have a "Discovery Team" which is responsible for the system failure of programs inside the school. They are on-call if somethings happened like interruption in the server or shutdown.

I've researched also some technology which is related to internet connection:

Internet Connection Speedometer
How fast is your internet connection?

Now you can find out how fast or slow your Internet connection is with our Internet Connection Speedometer.

You could be using your network connection at work, or at home using a dial-up modem, ISDN connection, a cable modem, or a digital subscriber line (DSL). Whatever the device or technology you're using to surf the Web, we'll tell you the speed of your Internet connection.

Source: http://us.mcafee.com/root/speedometer/default.asp

Having a good internet connection, it makes easier for the university to send data directly which is fast and accurate. So I come with some ideas to have a new and advance technology in the university.

Like in the enrollment system in USeP (University of Southeastern Philippines), it is state university which is many freshmen and new comer students want to enroll here. So, during the enrollment it needs a number of days before the enrollment process end. My suggestion is to have a new system in the registrar department which scan the application form of the students and directly present it ti the screen of the encoder. And the encoder distribute the data to the respective college department which is the student's choice by sending it through internet. If the students finished the transaction in the registrar it is easier to encode his or her subjects to be enrolled because she or he has a record which came from the registrar to his or her college department. The encoder of the college department ask only the name of the students to check his record. It is also better to have an online enrollment which the students fill-up the application form available in the website of the school. By this the students has already a record in the school. The students need to confirm his or her application form to the registrar and pass the requirements needed in order to receive his or her confirmation sheet, receipts and C.O.R which determines that she or he is already enrolled. This kind of system is minimizing the redundancy and hassle in the records of the school.


In terms of technology, I would better suggest to have a new technology in the attendance system in the school for the employees like a new Biometric Scanner.

What is Biometric Scanner?

Biometrics refers to methods for uniquely recognizing humans based upon one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits. In information technology, in particular, biometrics is used as a form of identity access management and access control. It is also used to identify individuals in groups that are under surveillance.

Biometric characteristics can be divided in two main classes:

* Physiological are related to the shape of the body. Examples include, but are not limited to fingerprint, face recognition, DNA, hand and palm geometry, iris recognition, which has largely replaced retina, and odor/scent.
* Behavioral are related to the behavior of a person. Examples include, but are not limited to typing rhythm, gait, and voice. Some researchers[1] have coined the term behaviometrics for this class of biometrics.

Strictly speaking, voice is also a physiological trait because every person has a different pitch, but voice recognition is mainly based on the study of the way a person speaks, commonly classified as behavioral.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics

I suggest this kind of technology for such advantages like it makes the attendance of the employee accurate and fast because it needs the finger print of the employee in order to have his or her attendance. Not like in the log book it is hassle and not too accurate because some employees who is absent because of some reasons he or she call her or his co-employee to write his or her name to the log book in order to have an attendance on that day or as an excuse for being late. Unlike in the Biometric Scanner you cannot cheat or use other people to have your attendance because your presence is fully needed to use this new attendance technology.

Another suggestion is a Unified Identification (ID) System within the campus. This kind of system is combining all the Identification (ID) card inside the campus in every department like the library, virtual laboratory and a passes in order to enter the school campus. We know that Identification (ID) card is one of the important gadget of a student to the school. This new Identification (ID) card has a bar code which is validated every semester by a computerize system. By this, the school administrator lessen the burden of those students who are not validating his or her Identification (ID) card every semester. Currently, the university is validating the Identification (ID) card every semester by putting a sticker at the back of the Identification (ID) card. We can easily cheat with this kind of system because its easy to produce a copy of the validated sticker. But in a new Identification (ID) card I suggested, the student cannot easily cheat or copy the bar code because it is monitored by the school. Before entering the campus you must scan the bar code at the back of the new Identification (ID) card into the bar code scanner.

What is a Bar Code Scanner?

A bar code reader (or bar code scanner) is an electronic device for reading printed bar codes. Like a flatbed scanner, it consists of a light source, a lens and a light sensor translating optical impulses into electrical ones. Additionally, nearly all bar code readers contain decoder circuitry analyzing the bar code's image data provided by the sensor and sending the bar code's content to the scanner's output port.

Types of technology

The reader types can be distinguished as follows:

* Pen type readers

Pen type readers consist of a light source and a photodiode that are placed next to each other in the tip of a pen or wand.[1] To read a bar code, the tip of the pen moves across the bars in a steady motion. The photodiode measures the intensity of the light reflected back from the light source and generates a waveform that is used to measure the widths of the bars and spaces in the bar code. Dark bars in the bar code absorb light and white spaces reflect light so that the voltage waveform generated by the photo diode is a representation of the bar and space pattern in the bar code. This waveform is decoded by the scanner in a manner similar to the way Morse code dots and dashes are decoded.

* Laser scanners

Laser scanners work the same way as pen type readers except that they use a laser beam as the light source and typically employ either a reciprocating mirror or a rotating prism to scan the laser beam back and forth across the bar code. As with the pen type reader, a photodiode is used to measure the intensity of the light reflected back from the bar code. In both pen readers and laser scanners, the light emitted by the reader is tuned to a specific frequency and the photodiode is designed to detect only this modulated light of the same frequency.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_code_scanner

It is a big help also to the security guard because this system lessen their work in checking the students if her or his Identification (ID) card is valid. They only watch and making sure that the students and other school property inside the campus are secured.

Green Campus Computing

1.)http://chronicle.com/wiredcampus/article/3214/webcasting-a-few-ideas-for-green-computing-on-campus


Webcasting a Few Ideas for Green Computing on Campus

Campus computers are energy hogs. Whether they are dorm room devices or large college data centers, computer processors suck in huge amounts of electricity and give off a lot of heat. What is an energy-conscious (and budget-conscious) CIO to do?

The California State University-Monterey Bay has some ideas. On their education and technology roundtable, Ready2Net, which is both Webcast and broadcast on TV, they tackle computing, energy and the environment.

Casey Green, founder of the Campus Computing project, moderates a panel that includes CIOs from Washington State, San Diego State, Bryant Universities, as well as executives and specialists in high-tech energy conservation from Pacific Gas and Electric and Cisco Systems.

Another place to find useful ideas is The Chronicle’s latest Tech Therapy podcast, “How Green Is Your IT?” Tune in, turn on, and drop your big carbon footprint.—Josh Fischman


2.) http://ready2net.csumb.edu/site/x21966.xml


Green Computing and
Higher Education:
The New "3 Rs"--
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint, Reuse & Recycle (60 minutes)

The dramatic increase in energy consumption and costs have caused a renewed interest in the effective management and use of computing throughout the campus. The proliferation of new computing devices now reaches almost every area of campus service to support instruction, facilities, and student life. Every time we leave computers on without regard for energy conservation and planned use, we potentially waste electricity. Burning fossil fuels generates most of our electricity and also emits pollutants, sulfur, and carbon dioxide into the air. These emissions can cause respiratory disease, smog, acid rain and global climate change. Many campuses are looking to CIOs to conserve energy and to promote more sustainable solutions in labs and data centers. How will CIOs contribute to a more sustainable future?

3.)http://campustechnology.com/articles/2009/06/10/u-connecticut-developing-green-tech-to-clean-up-environment.aspx


U Connecticut Developing Green Tech To Clean Up Environment

* By Dian Schaffhauser
* 06/10/09

The University of Connecticut and VeruTEK Technologies are teaming up to research and develop green chemistry solutions for eliminating the toxic effects of chemical waste in the environment.

VeruTEK, which develops green technologies to clean up the environment, has an option to license any resulting solutions or technology from the project, which will research environmental catalysis and photocatalysis of pollutants.

"We at the Department of Chemistry in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Connecticut are thrilled to be collaborating with Dr. George Hoag and his team at VeruTEK ... in the development of new green chemistry solutions to clean the environment," said department head Steven Suib. "Researchers at VeruTEK are leaders in the field of environmental research and are dedicated to development of functional green technologies. VeruTEK's ongoing projects and products are well thought out, operational, and exciting."


My Opinions...


For me, to promote green technology in our school we must cooperate and do something like:

- use electricity wisely
- turn off other appliances which is not being use like (computer,television,etc.)
- love our environment
- do not use wires in plugging if it is broken


those are the simple ways for us to have a green technology in our environment. We, are the Information Technology (IT) students must adopt this simple ways in a simple mission in our high technology environment.

COMDDAP 2009 Learnings

Last July 2, 2009, we attended an exhibit called COMDDAP (COMPUTER MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES) in Apo View Hotel.

What is COMDDAP (COMPUTER MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES)?


THE POWER OF INTERDEPENDENCE COMDDAP is an association of the country's top information technology businesses. Its primary objective is to promote the sustainable development of the of the country's information technology industry through voluntary collaboration of its member companies. It is the goal of COMDDAP to be able to provide its members general views and updates from different sectors - private and government, and highly regarded individuals to further uplift the morale and knowledge of its organization.

The vision of promoting and elevating the standards of Information technology (IT) in the Philippines fueled a group of prominent computer companies to form the Computer Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines or COMDDAP. Its initial member-companies represent the world's leading makers and providers of computer products, solutions and peripherals.

In 1997, the manufacturing sector - represented by industry leaders Hewlett Packard, Epson and Compaq, among others - was integrated into the COMDDAP membership, making the association a more diverse representation of the IT sector and thus the new name, COMPUTER MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Source: http://www.comddap.org/aboutus.htm



Sir Rand Gamboa told us about the exhibit and he invited his students to attend the said exhibit. We need to register first through the internet in the Nexus group for us to attend atleast 2 semnimars or sessions in the exhibit. It has 4 seminars or sessions held in the exhibit. But we only attended 2 seminars or sessions which was the ERIC DMS (Dealership Management System) and the HP Invent. Before we attend to the seminar we watched the different technology and products o f the different company who present their exhibit. I saw and observed new technologies they present. Their were also many businessman, visitors and students from different schools and other people who watched the exhibit. We took some pictures and registered to the different raffle draw. Other exhibitors gave some tokens like the GH Office Depot, they gave us ballpens as a token.

The first seminar was all about the ERIC DMS (Dealership Management System) they used in their company. Mr Celmir L. Santos was the presentor or the speaker. He explained about the usage and features of the DMS (Dealership Management System) they had in their
company.

What is ERIC DMS - Dealer Management System?

The ERIC Dealer Management System (DMS) is an end-to-end software solution for automotive sales, parts, and service businesses. ERIC DMS covers the full range of dealer activities- from marketing to sales and services.

Aside from core business operations, DMS includes a full ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and completely automates and integrates back office operations all the way to financial reporting.

Seamless integration with core ERIC ERP modules for inventory, procurement, and financial accounting completes the package. This enables management to have full visibility on operations and finances through a comprehensive set of reports.

Source: http://www.jupitersystems.com.ph/edms.aspx

These are the general features of the system:

- Sales lead monitoring from initial inquiry to actual
- Sales quotation processing
- Supports sales of new and used vehicles
- Financing and Insurance transactions
- Vehicle reservation and deposit collection
- Vehicle Inventory
- Customer incident and resolution recording
- Reports and Queries
- Customer Appointments
- Repair, Order and Estimates
- Customer and Vehicle service History
- Technincian Time-in/Time-out
- Control Parts and Consumable cost

The following are the ERIC DMS (Dealership Management System) clients:

- Honda
- Mercedes Benz
- Mitsubishi
- etc.

Dealer Management System is a complete, end-to-end relationship.

The second seminar or session was all about the new product of the HP Invent which is the THIN CLIENTS.

About HP Company

Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co., established in Montreal, Quebec in 1961, is a wholly owned subsidiary of California-based Hewlett-Packard Co - a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions around the world. HP Canada has an extensive network of dealers and authorized service personnel in Canada and operates 28 offices across the country.

Led by Paul Tsaparis, President and CEO, HP Canada delivers solutions for Canadian consumers, enterprises and small to medium businesses. We explore how technology and services can help people and companies address their problems and challenges, and realize their possibilities, aspirations and dreams. We apply new thinking and ideas to create more simple, valuable and trusted experiences with technology, continuously improving the way our customers live and work.
No other company offers as complete a technology product portfolio as HP. We provide infrastructure and business offerings that span from handheld devices to some of the world's most powerful supercomputer installations. We offer consumers a wide range of products and services from digital photography to digital entertainment and from computing to home printing. This comprehensive portfolio helps us match the right products, services and solutions to our customers' specific needs.

Source: http://www.hp.com/canada/corporate/hp_info/aboutus.html


Mr. Leonard Zapa was the presentor or speaker in the seminar. He is the Market Developer Manager of the company. I had take down some notes from their presentation. About the product THIN CLIENTS is a computing device without a hard drive which displays data and applications from remotely located servers, blade PC's, or Virtual Desktops.

THIN CLIENTS OS (Operating Systems):

- Linux
- windowsCE
- WindowsXPe

There were also challenges for Information Technology (IT) Professionals:

- Provide Information Security
- Deployment and Maintenance
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Advantages of the THIN CLIENTS:

- Enhanced Security
- Easy Manageability
- High Reliability
- Environment Friendly
- Lower-Overall Costs

After the presentation they gave several questions regarding to their presentation. If somenone answer the question they gave some tokens like T-Shirt, Flashdrive (5 pieces of 2G USB and 1 piece of 8G USB) and 1 piece of mouse in the computer. We're very excited to answer the question for the tokens. After the seminars, we left the room because we want to continue our viewing in the exhibit. We continue collecting flyers or magazines for us to have a references. Because of this event I had gathered some information regarding the technology and other things which is related in our course.

Assignment 3 in MIS

What is Automated Election?

As far I know, Automated Election is a system from manual counting to computerize counting in which results could be known with in 2 days or 3 days. It could minimize cheating and a so called "dagdag bawas."


How it can help our government by this system?

For me, it has a big help on the part of the government like the following factors:

- Lesser expenses to be incurred due to decrease of manpower during the election.
- To ease the tension of suspension of cheating of both parties.
- It has a big possibility to have an accurate results of the election.

By those factors I mentioned I can assure that by this new system of election or by using this new technology on 2010 election the people are expecting of a good and fair results.

About SMARTMATIC

Higher Performance through Engineering Excellence

Smartmatic is a privately-owned, multinational company that designs and deploys end-to-end, custom technology solutions to enable government agencies and large enterprises to fulfill their missions with the utmost efficiency. Founded around a core team of elite engineers who are guided by the principle of continuous improvement in process, performance and results, Smartmatic delivers unsurpassed technology to clients in four key business divisions:

- Electronic voting systems
- Intelligent and integrated security systems
- Identity registration and authentication of large population groups
- Technology research and development, and consulting.

Our concentration on these business areas over several years has given us competitive advantage and insight in each field. It has also allowed us to develop strong, long-term relationships with our customers.

Source: http://www.smartmatic.com/company/article/article/profile/

Technology Used:

A superior technological solution is the foundation of the many advantages that SAES brings you. From hard wearing voting machines to highly efficient software and intelligently engineered transmission systems, the SAES solution ensures you will always be dealing with the most advanced technology available.

Counting Devices

Our three voting machine models are virtually indestructible, 100% secure and auditable. They can be adapted readily to the specific needs of your electorate

SAES4000

- Features redundant memory to avoid possibility of information loss.
- Encrypts information and protects it with several security levels that are superior to bank standards.
- 10.4” screen designed to support multiple choice election processes.
- Special module for the disabled includes tactile remote control, earphones, sip and puff device, among others).
- Easy to transport and maintain.

SAES1800

- Over 99.99999% accurate.
- Supports any mark type, such as shaded circles (full and partial), checkmarks and/or crosses.
- The LCD display can be configured to provide real-time feedback to the voter on the choices selected.
- Supports multiple ballot layouts.
- Full ballot-level audit log of each scanned ballot.
- Low maintenance.

SAES3300

- Heavy duty construction.
-Integrated printer.
- 10.1” screen designed to support multiple choice election processes.
- Includes tactile remote control and earphones for blind voters.
- Easy to transport.
- Low maintenance.

Source: http://www.smartmatic.com/solutions/automated-election-system/single-view/article/voting-machines/

How it works:

Ease of Operation and Security

The flexibility of the SAES platform makes it possible to automate any election in accordance with the legal requirements of the governing electoral agency, the local voting customs and the socio-political factors of the host country.
We place paramount importance on the security and integrity of the entire electoral process.

That is we base our system on a series of encryption algorithms that safeguard the collection and transfer of every vote at each of the following verification points:

1.Voting receipt printed on special paper and identified with a random code to ensure the secrecy of the vote;
2.Fixed memory (internal) of every SAES machine;
3.Removable memory of every SAES machine;
4.Station tally from the voting table;
5.The electronic vote transferred to the tallying centers;
6.Electronic act transferred to the tallying centers;
7. The tallying act.
Each of these checkpoints ensures the transparency of the electoral process and together they provide the most complete guaranty available. They offer ample opportunities to pinpoint anomalies, if they occur, and early enough, to prevent them from becoming a big problem.


Source: http://www.smartmatic.com/solutions/automated-election-system/single-view/article/ease-of-operation-and-security/


Because of the development of the technology, we come up with this system in our election.


About Total Information Management (TIM)

Total Information Management (TIM) Corporation is a wholly Filipino owned Information Technology (IT) company with nationwide operations offering varied products and services. It considers itself as "The Filipino IT Company" competing in a field dominated by multinationals.
In all its undertakings, TIM has pursued the challenge to excel. It is this intensity and dedication that enabled TIM to win accolades and recognition from its foreign technology partners every year. Consistently showing double digit growth rates in the last decade, TIM has always been counted among the country's top 1000 corporate enterprises.
Established in 1985 initially as the leading supplier for re-certified and refurbished IBM mainframes and peripheral equipment, TIM has grown into the Philippines' leading technology services company providing the full range of solutions for the IT needs of the country's largest enterprises. Our partnerships with technology suppliers such as HP, SUN, & EMC² and solutions suppliers such as Oracle, Microsoft, Infosys and CA to name a few, have allowed us to consistently develop highly successful and loyal relationships with our customer base. Our best references are our customers and the benefits that they have enjoyed from working with us.
Our proven track record has enabled us to bring the benefits of our highly skilled and experienced pool of technical resources to the global I.T. services industry, particularly in the more complex areas of Remote Data Center, and Network Management. We have invested in developing two of the largest fully equipped Data Centers in redundant configurations to ensure fault tolerant 24/7 support operations for our Outsourcing and Business Continuity Services.
TIM faces the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead with better skilled personnel, stronger alliances, and sound financials. It is prepared and ready to achieve its vision of becoming the most admired and responsive Information Technology Company in Asia.

Source: http://www.timcorp.net/main/index.php?pg=about.tim

Assignment 2 in MIS

On July 6, 2009, I with my fellow classmates we're scheduled for an interview about the best practices in Management Information System (MIS ) in Emcor Company, loacted at Jp Laurel, Bajada, Davao City. This is one of the assignment in our Management Information System (MIS ) under Dr. Randy S. Gamboa. We need to identify a local organization(s) or company and discuss some of their best practices in Management Information System (MIS ) and the risks associated with business and IS/IT change?I chose the Emcor as my company to interview regarding their Management Information System (MIS ). First I will give a brief introduction about the company which I adopt.

EMCOR

EMCOR is a 100% Filipino-owned retail business corporation specializing in appliances, furniture, IT products, motorcycles, and money transfer through its network of specialty chain stores in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan areas. With the launching of our online store, EMCOR will now be making its presence known in the online industry and promote its company’s goals and vision to the global community.

EMCOR was founded by JESUS V. del ROSARIO in 1958 and we are currently under the JVR Foundation Inc.—one of the many companies of the JVR Group of Companies. Others include:

• Kawasaki Motors (Philippines) Corporation
• K-Servico Trade, Incorporated
• Wodel Incorporated
• Delsa Chemicals and Multi Products Incorporated
• International Wiring Systems Philippines Corporation
• Hecny Forwarders Incorporated
• Wodel Manpower Services

We carry a wide array of product lines like Panasonic, JVC, Philips, Sony, Sharp, Samsung, Electrolux, La Germania, Whirlpool, FS Furniture, Sanyo, Canon, Brother, Epson, Toshiba, Acer, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki and many others. We have also partnered with Western Union for our money transfer services. The core of our existence is our ability to provide high quality service to our customers by providing the right products at the right time, in the right place and at the right price.

We believe that as responsible members of our society, we at EMCOR should pursue our profit objectives in the spirit of service to the community. We believe in reconciling the profit motive of our Company with service to the nation. Thus, we strive to maintain a balance between the interests of our customers, employees, shareholders and the government by supporting national and local agenda for economic development, social reform, educational/scientific research, healthcare and environmental sanitation and preservation. To date, the JVR Foundation has given more than PhP200 Million in philanthropic work.

SERVICES:

1.) Motorcycle Repair

2.) Airconditioning Cleaning

3.) Appliance Repair

4.) Customer Inquiries

Source: http://www.emcor.com.ph/about.php


We formulated some questions regarding the Management Information System (MIS ) of their company. Mr. Nilo Ricafort was one who entertain us. He is the MIS/EDP Manager of the Management Information System (MIS ) department of the company. He was trained in Digital Interface about programming. He is also the first user of the computer in their company. The company Management Information System (MIS ) department has many personnel. These are some questions we had asked:


1.) What are the best practices in Management Information System (MIS) in their company?

The company have a security of their data or a Back-up for them to have a copy if there's a failure in their database system. They have programmers and system analyst who control the server of their database system.

2.) What are the advantages of their Management Information System (MIS) in the company?

In terms of transfering of data to the other network. They are fast and accurate of transfering the data. And if suddenly they have a failure in their server or the server shutdown they have a Disaster Recovery Position who recover the system.

3.) What are the disadvantages?

The Management Information System (MIS) Manager told us that they have a Disaster Recovery Position but they have no Disaster Recovery Site. The company looking forward for this plan to have a Recovery Site. Until now, the company system is not centralize. One disadvantage also is the incorrect data uploading.

4.) Do you think, you won't come this far without this Management Information System (MIS)?

Having an Management Information System (MIS) deaprtment is important to their company. It has a big help in the comapny in terms of computerization and technology. Mr. Nilo said that their system is manual without a computer. So that having a computer to their company is fast and accurate in the system.

This interview was a very informative to us because it gives us basic knowledge in Management Information System (MIS). It was a very great experienced to meet a person who shared there knowledge in the students like us about their companies best practices in Management Information System (MIS). Supposed to be the person we are looking is the Management Information System (MIS) Assistant Manager in their department but the Management Information System (MIS) Manager of the department entertain us that's why we're very thankful and honored because the person we interviewed was the manager. He is nice, friendly and professional.

Company...Reflection...

Our assignment is to identify some Small and Medium Enterprises or Local Organization(s) and discuss some of their best practices in Information System (IT)/Information System (IS). This are the lists of my companies with their profile which I proposed to Dr. Randy S. Gamboa:

1.) Far East Seafood, Inc.

Luen Thai Fishing Ventures,

Ltd.Philippines – Davao

Davao Fish Port Complex,Toril, Davao City

8000Tel: +63 (82) 291-3397

http://www.ltfv.com/

Brief Company Profile:

Luen Thai Fishing Ventures, Ltd. (LTFV) is a leading seafood company engaged in fishing-based operations, processing, packaging and distribution of fresh tuna and seafood products. Every year, we supply over 11,000 tons of fresh tuna and other seafood products to customers in Japan, the United States, Canada, Europe and China. We provide quality products to major auction markets, wholesalers, food service, distributors, as well as clubs, retailers, restaurant chains and specialty outlet stores. Our products range from fresh and frozen whole fish, processed products of various cuts, and value added packaging.

Source:ltfv.luenthaienterprises.com/page.php?id=14 -

2.) EAST ASIA FISH COMPANY, INC.

Business Type: Industrial Services and Equipment

EAFCI Building, Davao Fish Port Complex, Toril, Davao City, Philippines

Davao City, Region 11

Tel: (082) 291-3397 to 98 / (02) 851-0234

Fax: (082) 291-3398 / (02) 851-0234

eafci@attglobal. net / eafci@mozcom. com

Fresh / Frozen Marine Products

3.) Davao Tek Huat Marine Factor Corp.

Davao Fish Port ComplexDaliao Toril District

Davao City, Philippines

A Philippine corporation establish in 1997. the primary purpose is to provide services to foreign fishing vessels, full and partial crewing of vessel, trading of marine products and equipments, as agents to the vessel, its captain, and the crew

4.) Solariega Subdivision Davao City

Solariega carries the Caribbean concept. It combines a diverse mix of European, American, Dutch and other Western influences. The islands are home to rich and colorful palm trees and flowers which are in full bloom all year round. Tropical and sunny, these islands are favorite resort get-aways of the rich and famous. This is the general ambience that Solariega brigns in its entire community development. Gardens of tropical plants serve as background to houses which come in colorful hues predominantly Caribbean. This Carribean-themed community offers amenities and facilities for enjoyment with your family and friends.

5.) Toscana Subdivision Davao City

Toscana is a name of a region in Italy most famous for its landscaping of rolling terrain of vineyards, olive groves and sunflower fields. An Italian-themed community, Toscana is Communities Philippines' (formerly Crown Communities) second development project in Davao City after Solariega's Toscana is a dream come true for those who want to live their hard earned dreams. This is where your special investment will yield great returns for years to come.

6.) RIZAL MEMORIAL COLLEGES

Rizal Memorial Colleges today is located at the corners of Lopez Jaena and F. Torres Streets in Davao City. The campus has four concrete buildings which house the administration offices, Colleges of Liberal Arts, Education, Commerce, Secretarial Education, a 5,000 capacity gymnasium, and educational media center. It also houses the building s for Elementary, High School, Technology, Criminology, Agriculture, Caregiver, and medical clinic. It has a sports field for ROTC/CMT units formations, physical education, and other sporting activities. Other agricultural facilities are a nursery, farm shop, green house, piggery and poultry, vegetable gardens, organic farming, cornfield, and orchard.

7.) Ming Trading Corporation

Davao Fish Port Complex, Daliao, Toril

Davao City Davao Del Sur 8025 Philippines

Ming Trading Corporation is duly licensed processor for all kind of fresh chilled and frozen fishery products. Currently, we are looking for buyers of our Ball Type processed Frozen Octopus, Mahi Mahi Slab, Gindara Fillet, Choice cuts tuna, Round Scad, Whole Round Milkfish among others. We are operating under GMP/SSOP provisions being implemented and guided by Philippine Laws on fishery products specifically the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources under the wings of the Department of Agriculture. We can offer of at least 2 3 containers of all the above mentioned products.

8.) DXRA Radio Station

DXRA (783 kHz Davao City) "Radyo Arangkada" is an AM station of Rizal Memorial Colleges Broadcasting Corp. in the Philippines. The station's studio is located along A. Bonifacio St. in Davao City. The main format of the station is public service and news.

9.) Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines)

The Philippines' Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) (Filipino: Kagawaran ng Interyor at Pamahalaang Lokal) is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety, and strengthening the capabilities of local gorvernment units. It is also responsible for the Philippine National Police.

10.) The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups in the world and is one of the largest corporations in the United States.

But Dr. Randy S. Gamboa approved only 5 companies in my proposal which are:

1.) Far East Seafood, Inc.
Luen Thai Fishing Ventures

Services:

BASE OPERATIONS A stronghold in its stable, LTFV bases services approximately 150 long-line fishing boats from China to the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Philippines. These bases have extensively embraced the entire tuna-fishing ground in the Western Central Pacific region.

VESSELS AND SUPPLIES SERVICES LTFV bases also serve as the maintenance and supplies depots for fishing vessels operating in Western Pacific. More than 150 long-line vessels benefit from LTFV bases' strategic locations and maintenance capabilities. These bases provide fuel, baits, materials and crew supplies to the vessels.

LOGISTICS AND AIRFREIGHT SERVICES The critical need for freshness has been the major component which has prompted LTFV's sister company, Asia Pacific Airlines to operate three (3) Boeing 727 aircraft. These planes ensure reliable airfreight and transshipment services for the timely export of fresh chilled tuna from bases to buyers. Through its Guam branch, LTFV has been able to coordinate and oversee the logistics operation effectively and efficiently.

FOOD PROCESSING To answer the growing demands for fresh tuna products in the US, Europe, China and Japan markets, LTFV operates 4 processing plants in Davao, Pohnpei, Majuro and Palau.
A newly formed joint venture with Honolulu-based NORPAC Fisheries Export further strengthens LTFV's processing capabilities by providing branded and value added tuna products to the US mainland market.

SALES AND DISTRIBUTION LTFV established its foothold on major tuna markets by developing local key liaison offices in Japan, Honolulu, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and China. These offices manage the local supply distribution processes, as well as thoroughly conduct on-location customer relationship, and marketing and distribution analyses.

2.) EAST ASIA FISH COMPANY, INC.

3.) Davao Tek Huat Marine Factor Corporation

4.) Solariega Subdivision Davao City

5.) Toscana Subdivision Davao City

My Reflection•••My Learnings•••My MIS•••

On June 18, 2009, was our first day of class in Management Information System (MIS). Dr. Randy S. Gamboa was our facilitator in this subject. He preferred to call facilitator than instructor or teacher. At the start of our class we were having a prayer led by one our classmate. We met new classmates from higher years and 3rd year Information Technology (IT) students in University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), Tagum Campus. They were transferred because there’s no 3rd year Information Technology (IT) course in their campus. So, they continue their course here in University of Southeastern Philippines, Obrero Campus. I love the way Sir Gamboa handle his students because from what I experienced in our Analytic Geometry and Statistics class you cannot forget his attitude of teaching. While teaching he delivered some jokes and punchlines which can get the attention of the class. But sometimes he is strict and his facial expression is “makakulba.” I expect that Dr. Randy S. Gamboa will help us to understand well the subject and hope that his tasks, activities, quizzes, exams, and assignments in the class or in this subject is not too hard to cope and work. Dr. Randy S. Gamboa discussed to us about the background of Management Information System (MIS) and he also gave a brief description about himself. He was our formal teacher in Analytic Geometry and Statistics subject. Jezreel Jyl P. Hilado, one of our classmates was called to give also a brief description of who is Dr. Randy S. Gamboa. According to her Dr. Randy S. Gamboa is strict in wearing complete school uniform. After that, Dr. Randy S. Gamboa started the formal introduction about Management Information System (MIS).

According to my research in wikipedia, Management Information System (MIS) is a subset of the overall internal controls of a business covering the application of people, documents, technologies, and procedures by management accountants to solving business problems such as costing a product, service or a business-wide strategy. Management information systems are distinct from regular information systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems applied in operational activities in the organization. Academically, the term is commonly used to refer to the group of information management methods tied to the automation or support of human decision making, e.g. Decision Support Systems, Expert systems, and Executive information systems. An 'MIS' is a planned system of the collecting, processing, storing and disseminating data in the form of information needed to carry out the functions of management. In a way it is a documented report of the activities those were planned and executed. According to Philip Kotler "A marketing information system consists of people, equipment, and procedures to gather, sort, analyze, evaluate, and distribute needed, timely, and accurate information to marketing decision makers."
The terms MIS and information system are often confused. Information systems include systems that are not intended for decision making. The area of study called MIS is sometimes referred to, in a restrictive sense, as information technology management. That area of study should not be confused with computer science. IT service management is a practitioner-focused discipline. MIS has also some differences with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) as ERP incorporates elements that are not necessarily focused on decision support.
As what I understand it simply means that this system has planned of collecting data, process it then store and disseminate it which form into information.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Management_information_systems


Dr. Randy S. Gamboa told us about PDOC in Management Information System (MIS) which means P for Planning, D for Directing, O for Organizing and C for Control. He also gave the equation of Information Technology (IT) which is:

IT = HW (Hardware) + SW (Software)


And the equation of Information System (IS) which is:


IS = HW (Hardware) + SW (Software) + PW (Peopleware)


This first day of meeting with Dr. Randy S. Gamboa was a nervous, challenging and exciting day. I felt nervous because of some questions from Dr. Randy S. Gamboa about Management Information System (MIS). I felt challenging because you exert more effort of thinking to those questions in our topic about Management Information System (MIS). And I felt exciting because I expect that this subject can give us more learning’s which can help in our profession in the future. Aside from those discussions in the class, Dr. Randy S. Gamboa told us to make our own blog, this serve us our site in our online assignments. He gave us several assignments and posts it in our own blog. We will not meet our class next week that’s why he gave us homework.

Managerial Roles

Mintzberg: The Managerial Roles

Mintzberg (1973) groups managerial activities and roles as involving:

Managerial activities & Associated roles

Interpersonal roles - arising from formal authority and status and supporting the information and decision activities.

• figurehead
• liaison
• leader


Information processing roles

• monitor
• disseminator
• sp


Decision roles: making significant decisions

• improver/changer
• disturbance handle
• resource allocator
• negotiator


The broad proposition is that, as a senior manager enacts his/her role, these will come together as a gestalt (integrated whole) reflecting the manager's competencies associated with the roles. In a sense therefore they act as evaluation criteria for assessing the performance of a manager in his/her role.

1.Figurehead.
Social, inspirational, legal and ceremonial duties must be carried out. The manager is a symbol and must be on-hand for people/agencies that will only deal with him/her because of status and authority.

2.The leader role
This is at the heart of the manager-subordinate relationship and managerial power and pervasive where subordinates are involved even where perhaps the relationship is not directly interpersonal. The manager
• defines the structures and environments within which sub-ordinates work and are motivated.
• oversees and questions activities to keep them alert.
• selects, encourages, promotes and disciplines.
• tries to balance subordinate and organisational needs for efficient operations.

3.Liaison:
This is the manager as an information and communication centre. It is vital to build up favours. Networking skills to shape maintain internal and external contacts for information exchange are essential. These ontacts give access to "databases"- facts, requirements, probabilities.

4.As 'monitor'
- the manager seeks/receives information from many sources to evaluate the organisation's performance, well-being and situation. Monitoring of internal operations, external events, ideas, trends, analysis and pressures is vital. Information to detect changes, problems & opportunities and to construct decision-making scenarios can be current/historic, tangible (hard) or soft, documented or non-documented.This role is about building and using an intelligence system. The manager must install and maintain this information system; by building contacts & training staff to deliver "information".

5.As disseminator
- the manager brings external views into his/her organisation and facilitiates internal information flows between subordinates (factual or value-based).
The preferences of significant people are received and assimilated. The manager interprets/disseminates information to subordinates e.g. policies, rules, regulations. Values are also desseminated via conversations laced with imperatives and signs/icons about what is regarded as imprtant or what 'we believe in'.
There is a dilemma of delegation. Only the manager has the data for many decisions and often in the wrong form (verbal/memory vs. paper). Sharing is time-consuming and difficult. He/she and staff may be already overloaded. Communication consumes time. The adage 'if you want to get things done, (it is best to do it yourself' comes to mind. Why might this be a driver of managerial behaviour (reluctance or constraints on the ability to delegate)?

6.As spokesman (P.R. capacity)
- the manager informs and lobbies others (external to his/her own organisational group). Key influencers and stakeholders are kept informed of performances, plans & policies. For outsiders, the manager is an expert in the field in which his/her organisation operates.

7.A senior manager is responsible for his/her organisation's strategy-making system - generating and linking important decisions. He/she has the authority, information and capacity for control and integration over important decisions.
As initiator/changer
- he/she designs and initiates much of the controlled change in the organisation. Gaps are identified, improvement programmes defined. The manager initiates a series of related decisions/activities to achieve actual improvement. Improvement projects may be involved at various levels. The manager can
1. delegate all design responsibility selecting and even replace subordinates.
2. empower subordinates with responsbility for the design of the improvement programme but e.g. define the parameters/limits and veto or give the go-ahead on options.
3. supervise design directly.
Senior managers may have many projects at various development stages (emergent/dormant/nearly-ready) working on each periodically interspersed by waiting periods for information feedback or progress etc. Projects roll-on and roll-off,

8.The disturbance handler
- is a generalist role i.e. taking charge when the organisation hits an iceberg unexpectedly and where there is no clear programmed response. Disturbances may arise from staff, resources, threats or because others make mistakes or innovation has unexpected consequences. The role involves stepping in to calm matters, evaluate, re-allocate, support - removing the thorn - buying time. The metaphors here are
If you are up to your backside in alligators it is no use talking about draining the swamp.
and
Stop the bleeding as only then can you take care of the long term health of the patient. (not Mintzberg's anecdote)

9.As resource allocator
- the manager oversees allocation of all resources (£, staff, reputation). This involves:
0. scheduling own time
1. programming work
2. authorising actions
With an eye to the diary (scheduling) the manager implicitly sets organisational priorities. Time and access involve opportunity costs. What fails to reach him/her, fails to get support.
The managerial task is to ensure the basic work system is in place and to programme staff overloads - what to do, by whom, what processing structures will be used.
Authorising major decisions before implementation is a control over resource allocation. This enables coordinative interventions e.g. authorisation within a policy or budgeting process in comparison to ad-hoc interventions. With limited time, complex issues and staff proposals that cannot be dismissed lightly, the manager may decide on the proposer rather than proposal.
To help evaluation processes, managers develop models and plans in their heads (they construe the relationships and signifiers in the situation). These models/constructions encompass rules, imperatives, criteria and preferences to evaluate proposals against. Loose, flexible and implicit plans are up-dated with new information.

10.The negotiator
- takes charge over important negotiating activities with other organisations. The spokesman, figurehead and resource allocator roles demand this.

Source: www.bola.biz/mintzberg/mintzberg2.html

IS Leadership Roles

Changes in both information technology and competition continue to change the role of the information systems executive. CSC (1996) has suggested six new IS leadership roles which are required to execute IS’s future agenda: chief architect, change leader, product developer,
technology provocateur, coach and chief operating strategist. These roles are described in table 1. Although these roles were produced by the CSC consultancy firm without any scientific approach, they seem very well tailored for scientific investigation into IS leadership roles. People who fill these roles do not necessarily head up new departments or processes, but they exert influence and provide leadership across the organizational structure.

When Stephens et al. (1992) selected CIOs for observation, they applied the following criteria:

•Highest ranking information technology executive
•Reports no more than two levels from CEO, i.e., either reports to the CEO or reports to one of the CEO's direct reports
•Areas of responsibility include information systems, computer operations, telecommunications, office automation, end-user computing/information center
•Responsibility for strategic planning of information resources.


As originally conceived, the chief information officer's responsibility would include all corporate information, not just information on computers. Historically, however, the focus of the CIO's job was predominantly information technology. This involves a number of roles including
strategic information system roles, the most critical of these being strategic information systems planning, strategic management through participation in top management planning teams, strategic alignment of business and information systems plans, and interpretation of external IT success stories for potential applicability for the organization. In addition to strategic planning, the CIO's responsibilities also include a number of tactical IT roles. These include architecture planning, development, and management; fostering relationships between the information systems department and including the superiors, functional units/line
managers, vendors and end users; and technology champion - gaining support and commitment of top management during the implementation of new technology. In this research, we will use the same selection criteria as Stephens et al. (1992): the highest ranking information technology executive, areas of responsibility include information systems and computer operations, and responsibility for strategic planning of information resources.



Six IS leadership roles (CSC, 1996)

1. Chief architect. The chief architect designs future possibilities for the business. The primary work of the chief architect is to design and evolve the IT infrastructure so that it will expand the range of future possibilities for the business, not define specific business outcomes. The infrastructure should provide not just today's technical services, such as networking, databases and desktop operating systems, but an increasing range of business-level services, such as workflow, portfolio management, scheduling, and specific business components or objects.

2. Change leader. The change leader orchestrates resources to achieve optimal implementation of the future. The essential role of the change leader is to orchestrate all those resources that will be needed to execute the change program. This includes providing new IT tools, but it also involves putting in the place teams of people who can redesign roles, jobs and workflow, who can change beliefs about the company and the work people do, and who understand human nature and can develop incentive systems to coax people into new and different behaviors.

3. Product developer. The product developer helps define the company’s place in the emerging digital economy. For example, a product developer might recognize the potential for performing key business processes (perhaps order fulfillment, purchasing or delivering customer support) over electronic linkages such as the Internet. The product developer must "sell" the idea to a business partner, and together they can set up and evaluate business experiments, which are initially operated out of IS. Whether the new methods are adopted or not, the company will learn from the experiments and so move closer to commercial success in emerging digital markets.

4. Technology provocateur. The technology provocateur embeds IT into the business strategy. The technology provocateur works with senior business executives to bring IT and realities of the IT marketplace to bear on the formation of strategy for the business. The technology provocateur is a senior business executive who understands both the business and IT at a deep enough level to integrate the two perspectives in discussions about the future course of the business. Technology provocateurs have a wealth of experience in IS disciplines, so they understand at a fundamental level the capabilities of IT and how IT impacts the business.

5. Coach. The coach teaches people to acquire the skillsets they will need for the future. Coaches have to basic responsibilities: teaching people how to learn, so that they can become self-sufficient, and providing team leaders with staff able to do the IT-related work of the business. A mechanism that assists both is the center of excellence - a small group of people with a particular competence or skill, with a coach responsible for their growth and development. Coaches are solid practitioners of the competence that they will be coaching, but need not be the best at it in the company.

6. Chief operating strategist. The chief operating strategist invents the future with senior management. The chief operating strategist is the top IS executive who is focused on the future agenda of the IS organization. The strategist has parallel responsibilities related to helping the business design the future, and then delivering it. The most important, and least understood, parts of the role have to do with the interpretation of new technologies and the IT marketplace, and the bringing of this understanding into the development of the digital business strategy for the organization.

Source: http://csdl2.computer.org/comp/proceedings/hicss/2000/0493/07/04937055.pdf