Hardware and Software

Some of the Hardware and Software of Mobile Regime

Mobile business comes from people’s ability to have permanent access to information or services from anytime anywhere using a mobile phone or other handheld devices. It supports the business to exchange goods, services and information between employees, customers and business. “The value chain of mobile business is composed of five fields of activity. The infrastructure encompasses everything that is necessary to make applications on mobile devices work including the network, hardware, software, platforms, devices etc.”[3]

Software:

Email system e.g. Outlook or lotus notes - In this feature employees can communicate via emails for their needs and concerns.

Instant Messenger - People are able to communicate by instant messaging each other for questions and concerns of the work and people can put their availability e.g. If they are in a meeting or do not disturb mode.

Microsoft Office - By using this software such as Microsoft word or excel and power point, employees are able to do their work efficiently.

Operating System - windows or UNIX platform - An operating system takes care for all input and output in a computer system. It manages users, processes, memory management, printing, telecommunication, networking etc. [2]

Hardware:

VPN (Virtual Private Network) – A VPN is a private network that uses a public network such as internet to connect remotely. “ By using a VPN, businesses ensure security -- anyone intercepting the encrypted data can't read it.” [1] This is very convenient for people who travel to different part of the country/world as part of their work and they are able to connect to their business the system securely.

Pager – Some employees carry pager with them if they are on call at work, so employers are able to reach them in case of emergencies.

Firewall- Firewall gives protection to the computer from other hackers trying to break into the computer or network.

Handheld Device – I-Phone, I-Pad, I-Touch, etc.

For example, my co-worker uses a handheld device to track all her supplies and this helps her order supplies and bill suppliers for payment.

1. http://www.howstuffworks.com/vpn.htm

2.http://www.thocp.net/software/operatingsystems/operating_systems.htm

3. http://www.iwi.uni-hannover.de/lv/seminar_ss03/Dittel/htm%20Seiten/2_1Chapter.htm

Information Concepts

I want to point out how we use data and information in our daily life. There are variety of ways we use information and data in our daily life. Such as using computer at work place to feed information or to get information, using cell phones, GPS navigation system in cars and cell phones, online banking, etc. I would like to talk about how information and data used in healthcare settings and their differences. “Data refers to the lowest abstract or a raw input which when processed or arranged makes meaningful output. Information is usually the processed outcome of data.” (2) “Information is central to the delivery of medical care. This simple fact is well understood. It is the driving force behind continuing efforts to apply computers to the task of managing information in the hospital setting.” (3)

Hospitals and health care organization use data and information in variety of ways. I have been working in different hospital settings, and I find it easier to use computer charting than manual charting. Some of the disadvantages to manual charting is open access to patient’s information to other people and it is an invasion of patient privacy. Valuable information such as patient personal information, insurance information, medical diagnosis, physician progress notes etc. which should be kept confidential and only be handled by professionals who has access to the system. The use of information system helped better patient care, more safety and cost effective services in hospitals.

“Even though information technology is now common in a number of hospitals and biomedical laboratories, in the 1950s only a small number of scientists imagined its enormous potential. In 1967, supported by NCRR, doctor Homer Warner led a seminal effort that created one of the first bioinformatics systems.” “As computer systems advanced, in the 1970s a hospital information system named HELP developed (Health Evaluation through Logical Processing), which collected extensive patient data. This integrative approach to organizing and storing patient information gave health professionals access to the totality of records in one system, which supported their decision making.” (1).

Work Cited
1. Staropoli, Al. “Use Of Information Technology In Hospitals”
2. http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-data-and information/
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2248080/pdf/procascamc00003-0200.pdf

Analyzing Value of an Information Systems

My topic for today is Online Banking System and its value to company as well as the users/customers.

Online/Mobile banking is a system that allows customers/users to access their account from anywhere, anytime in the world by using a computer or mobile as long as you have internet connection. It is easy and convenient to customers who are busy with their work and for people who does not drive, etc. [2]

Now days, all the financial institutions are offering online banking to their customers, with some banks being completely online. Both businesses and individuals can benefit from online banking. “Convenience is one of the major advantages of banking online, but it isn’t the only one. There are many reasons to bank online, from saving you money to being more environmental in your way of life.” [1]

Added Value to Bank/Company

· Attract more customers

· Labor reduction due to less employees/teller

· Online statements availability to customers, so that bank does not need to send out monthly paper statement to each customer unless the customer requests it.

· Bank can provide more products information via their websites to customers, such as mortgage, loans, etc.

Added Value to Customer/Users

· Convenience – Anytime anywhere access to your account

· Instant Transfer money between accounts

· Online Bill Pay – Customers able to pay their bills through online banking rather than drive to post office. This saves money on gas and stamps. You can also pay an individual through online banking, e.g. write a check to someone and if you know their address the bank will send it out.

· Automatic Bill pay – Set up a monthly payment and repeat it every month.

· Mobile Access to accounts

Processes Constitute main system components

(Assuming you are a registered user)

Input – When a person enter his/her User ID and password into the system login.

Process – So, the User ID and password goes through a validation process and verifies that the User ID and password exist in the database.

Output – Successfully login and use different functionality such as view your balance, transfer funds, bill pay, etc.

1. http://www.depositaccounts.com/blog/benefits-of-online-banking.html

2. http://www.investorwords.com/3420/online_banking.html

3.http://frugalliving.about.com/od/moneymanagement/tp/Online_Banking.htm

Student Information

1. What is your major?

I am majoring in Information Systems

2. What operating system do you have on your computer?

Windows XP

3. Do you have the right to upgrade the software on your computer?

Yes, I think so.

4. What Internet and computer related courses have you already taken and what are your usual activities on the Internet (Facebook, email, chats, etc.)?

My previous computer course was Computer Applications years ago. My usual activities on the internet is Facebook and emails. Also another social networking site called Orkut.

5. Have you taken online courses before?

No

6. Do you have MS Office on your computer? If yes, which version?

Yes, 2010.

7. Do you work anywhere now?

Yes, I work full time as a Respiratory Therapist for Genesis Nursing Home & Rehab

8. When do you graduate?

Right now, I am doing part time(2 courses per semseter) So, I am not sure when is the exact graduation year. I would love to finish by 2013.

9. Add anything you want about your interests, skills, job projects, etc. that might help the instructor and students understand you and your computer/Internet skills and interests better.

I always had a passion to work with computers. right now I am working in the medical field as a respiratory therapist, but at the same time I would like to finish my bachelors in Information system. so that I can get into more of a system related job in the future.

10. What are your hobbies or what do you like to do outside of school and work ?

I like cooking, watching movies, listening to music and hanging out with friends.

Value Chain

Value Chain

“A value chain is a chain of activities for a firm operating in a specific industry. Products pass through all activities of the chain in order, and at each activity the product gains some value. The chain of activities gives the products more added value than the sum of the independent activity's value. It is important not to mix the concept of the value chain with the costs occurring throughout the activities”[1]

Inbound logistics

This is where the used cd’s are received from students to be stored until it is send it to the production/assembly line. In order to start the business, you need to gather your supplies and raw materials and then sell the finished products. It is very important to have a storing place where you can store your raw materials. e.g. A restaurant needs to have a store room in order to keep the stock to run the business. Since, we are only selling the used CDs, the CDs we bought from the students are stored here.

Operations

Since we are using used CDs, in order to give the customer a good quality case or cover we need to manufacture it here in the operations department. It is where the packing of our goods will take place also.

Customer service

Customer service is a important part in every business. When customers order goods from online, without seeing the product they will have questions and concerns before ordering the product. Customer service is the place where the customers calls if the shipment is late to arrive or when the customer is not satisfied with the quality of the product.

Marketing and sales

Since I am buying and selling used CDs from students, college will be the best place to market my goods. I will make flyers with all the detailed information and pictures of my goods and post it in cafeterias, student lounge, library and dormitory. Another important way of marketing my CDs are through social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Orkut, etc. People will be able to find these social networking logos on our website.

Outbound logistics

Our finished goods/CDs will go through distribution channels such as UPS, USPS, FedEx and DHL. We have standard delivery which is usually 3-5 business days and we also have expedited delivery services which is 1-2 business days. We have free shipping also depending on the quantity of the order.

Finished product storage

This is where all the finished cd’s will be stored and ready to be delivered. For this we will have a small ware house.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_chain

System Concept

System Concepts

Systems can be considered in two ways, open and closed systems.  Open systems exchange information and a closed system is one where interactions occur only among the system components and not with the environment.  An open system is one that receives input from the environment and/or releases output to the environment. [3]

There are different types of systems such as Open or Closed systems, Man-made Information Systems, Formal and Informal Information Systems and Computer Based Information Systems. [2] The key components of the information systems are Input, processing and output.  The system receives various inputs and transforms/process these inputs in some way and exports outputs. [1] 

I would like to talk about a system that I use on a daily basis at work.  The system is called Point Click Care.   This system helps employees to view patient information, and documentation on patient status entered by physicians and other employees.  This is an easier way to communicate between the staffs who are dealing with the patients.  

Key Features and Benefits of Point Click Care

Patient Information - This is where the personal information like age, DOB, Insurance information, Doctors names and emergency contact numbers are provided.  This information is very confidential and only can be viewed by their respective care takers who have access to the system.

Medical Diagnosis - this feature shows the medical diagnosis of the patient such as the history of diagnosis with dates and year the patient admitted to the facility.  It also provides ICD code of the diagnosis to bill the insurance.  This helps employees to view the history of patient on the computer rather than using the chart to view history.

Physician Progress Notes - It helps the employees who are taking care of the patient to view the doctor’s feedback on the patient status.

Assessment - It is where the employees such as Nurses, Respiratory Therapist and other medical staffs enter their daily assessments of their patients.

1.      http://www.hainescentre.com/research-based/key-concepts-of-general-systems-theory.html

2.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_theory

3.      http://statpac.org/walonick/systems-theory.htm