Chapter 4: Discussion Question

1)       What major trends are occurring in software?  What capabilities do you expect to see in future software packages?

Major trends that have been developing in software are towards easy-to-use features, general-purpose application packages and toward natural languages.  Expect powerful, multi-purpose, expert-assisted software packages with natural language and graphics-based user interfaces have fast become the norm.  Future software packages will no doubt incorporate more voice activated features than we have previously seen. General purpose software packages will probably not incorporate many new features; however the software industry will continue to strive towards ensuring that their new releases are better written, and easier to use.

2)       How do the different roles of system software and application software affect you as a business end user?  How do you see this changing in the future?

The system software acts as an interface between the computer hardware and the application software. To run any application it is very much important for a application software to be supported by system software. The end user will interact mainly with application software and application software performs as per the permission of system software.  In the future this type of interface will become even easier to use as it moves towards natural interfaces.

3)      Refer to the Real World Case on Wolf Peak International in the chapter. If you were   starting a small business, what business application software would you choose for accounting and control of business operations and management reporting? Why?

Managers should seek to strike a balance between functionality, cost, scalability, and flexibility. QuickBooks offers a low cost solution that can modestly scale up. Management can purchase additional functionality, and QuickBooks' immutable data structures greatly simplify migration to more sophisticated applications. Its most basic version is available for free download with the caveat that users are limited to entering no more than twenty customers. This limitation can be removed for $99. Some students may base their selection upon familiarity with a specific package. This is a legitimate consideration as familiarity with a package helps increases certainty that......... Click below to read all.

the software fits well with the organization's needs. It also helps reduce the individual's learning curve and training costs. However, the choice must still be appropriate for a small business as well as allow for future growth, etc.

4)      Why is an operating system necessary?  That is, why can’t an end user just load an application program in a computer and start computing?

The instruction set implemented on the computer hardware (the machine language) is very limited. Programs using only these instructions would have to be extremely long and complicated, to perform the various processing tasks required by end users.  Application programs thus require the operating system to act as an interface with the hardware, allowing application programs to be shorter, easier to understand, easier to use, and possibly allow multiple applications to run concurrently.

5)       Should a web browser be integrated into an operating system?  Why or why not?

Since it influences lots of other things in system, Opinion about weather to integrate web browser into operating system or not will probably vary. If done so there will be lots of advantages like, convenience of using and availability, growing popularity of Internet, extranets, and intranets. It also has disadvantage as it will take additional resource requirements, it may result in abuse of corporate resources using the web browser for activities not related to company business, etc.

3) Refer to the Real World Case on data sharing and XML on the chapter. As noted above, XML needs to be customized with tags or labels that are tied to the business domain for which it will be used. How do companies manage the need create schemas that are specific to their organization versus the ideal of sharing data with their partners? Is there a risk of ending up with a bunch of proprietary XML specifications?

  Yes, there is a risk that the business world will end up with a bunch of proprietary XML specifications. Organizations with captive suppliers, can simply dictate their standards. More commonly, businesses within an industry often create or join consortiums or other representative organization. These consortiums may undertake to create an open standard for data exchange. These open standards accomplish two important goals. First, they enable fast and easy data exchange. Second, the existence and adoption of these standards motivates software vendors to accommodate them as a value-added feature.

6)      Are software suites, web browsers, and groupware merging together?  What are the implications for a business and its end users?

Definitely, the capabilities of these systems are merging together.  The growing areas such as the Internet, extranets, and intranets are pushing technology towards tighter integration of these capabilities. This merging has resulted the much wider and meaningful approach of web development throughout the world. As for the Implications for a business and its end users, it ensures greater efficiencies due to the collection of information’s from wider options, and it also facilitates the function of the collaboration of workgroup computing.

7)       How are the HTML, XML, and Java programming languages affecting business applications on the Web?

HTML and Java are becoming vital tools for building multimedia web pages, web sites, and web-based applications.  Business can use HTML to create hypertext and hypermedia documents, creating hyperlinks to other parts of documents anywhere on the Web.  Java is a simple and secure programming language, and is computing platform independent.  It is specifically designed for real-time, interactive, web-based network applications.  As well, it uses applets, which can be executed by any computer and any operating system anywhere in a network.  Applets can reside at web sites on a network server until needed by client systems, and are easy to distribute over the Internet or intranets and extranets.  Java is becoming the programming language choice for many organizations intent on capitalizing on the business potential of the Internet, as well as their own intranets and extranets.  The casual user will be able to download the applet on an as-needed basis by using browser software.  This will greatly reduce the cost of having to install expensive software on the users’ PCs.  As well, valuable resources such as RAM, disk space, expensive processors etc. will be freed up for other business uses.

8)      Do you think Linux will surpass other operating systems for network and Web servers? Why or why not?

Linux has come up with very wide range of facilities in totally free of cost. Its features have given new definitions to operating systems. It has to be more competitive and easy to use in order to compete with Microsoft. Over the years it could be the most sought after system because of its flexibility and accessability.But it should focus on various issues below:

 Suggested issues would include:

·         Security.

·         Open source environment encourages users to discover and share problems and patches before hacker attacks.

·         The difficulty of installation of Linux vs. easier installation for other operating systems.

·         Device drivers are not as readily updated for Linux as compared to what is usual for other operating systems.

9)      Which application software packages are the most important for a business end user to know how to use?  Explain the reasons for your choices.

Word processing – software that handles electronic storage, editing, formatting, and printing of documents.

Spreadsheets – software displaying data in a grid of columns and rows, with the capability of easily recalculating numerical data.

Databases management systems – special software to create and maintain a database and enable individual business applications to extract the data they need without having to create separate files or data definitions in their computer programs.

Groupware – software that supports the collaborative activities of work groups.

E-mail – facilitates the computer-to-computer exchange of messages.

Web browser – easy-to-use software for accessing the World Wide Web and the Internet.

Presentation graphics – software to create professional-quality graphics presentations that can incorporate charts, sound, animation, photos, and video clips.

Desktop publishing software – software that provides more control over the placement of text, graphics, and photos in the layout of a page than word processing software.

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Chapter 3: Discussion Question

1)      What trends are occurring in the development and use of major types of computer system?

Þ    The computer system is a complete working computer. A computer is a system of information processing components that perform input, processing, output, storage, and control functions. Its hardware components include input and output devices, a central processing unit (CPU), and primary and secondary storage devices. Every computer system requires operating system to function. Each computer connected to the system can operate independently, but has the ability to communicate with other external devices and computers. Every computer system consists of input, processing and output functions.

There are several major categories of computer systems with a variety of characteristics and capabilities. Thus,

Computer systems are typically classified as:

a)      Mainframe computers

b)      Midrange computers

c)      Microcomputers

a)      Microcomputers

Microcomputers are the smallest but most important categories of computers systems for business people and consumers. They are also referred to as personal computers (or PCs). The computing power of current microcomputers exceeds that of the....... Click below to read all Answers

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Chapter 2: Discussion questions

1)      Suppose you are a manager being asked to develop e-business and e-commerce applications to gain a competitive advantage in an important market for your company. What reservations might you have about doing so? Why?

Using e-business and e-commerce applications to gain a competitive advantage is a very good idea. Doing this I can help my organization grow globally as well as increase the market of our products and services. But if it’s the first time I am using it in the business then I need to be alert and should undergo proper feasibility study of the marketplace because it may backfire. Big markets are not good to experiment at. It takes a huge risk to do so. And also e-commerce and e-business policy may be effective but it might not be the best option for the business I am into. Use of this information technology is profitable for the promotion of those products whose focused customers and users are within the reach of internet and computing facilities. Place and nature of product is very important to consider in order implementing best information technology to implement in order to get the competitive advantage.

As a manager I would have certain reservations about my product’s nature, my customer’s habit and size as well as nature of the market where I am using e-commerce and e-business as a tool for competitive advantage. Because without considering these things, I would not be able to benefit my organization and increase its competitive strength by the use of this sort of information technology. Analyzing all the sources and implementing the best source to gain competitive advantage would be my main concern.

2)      How could a business use information technology to increase switching costs and lock in its customers and suppliers? Use business example to support your answers.

Investment in information technology allows a business to lock its customers and suppliers as well as other competitors by building valuable and convenient new business relationship with them. Such relationship deters the parties from abandoning a company for its ........ Click below to read all.

competitor’s product or going for less profitable business arrangements. Focusing on quality of a product and services to customers and suppliers in a firm’s distribution, marketing, sales and service facilities is the main concerns of this aspect.

For example by maintaining unbeatable quality and providing numerous facilities in its PCs, MAC has been able to lock in its customers and suppliers. This has been possible due to high investments in information technology which facilitates in developing wonderful technology with high quality very distinct features.  Effective communication networks within its user’s, suppliers and organization have also helped the organization to be on top.

3)      How could a business leverage its investment in information technology to build strategic IT capabilities that serve as a barrier to entry by new entrants into its markets?

Information technology helps in making a strong organizational influence in market. Organization makes investment in information technology as per the financial status and necessity of the organization. The benefit of using information technology should always be higher than cost of deploying it so that organization can make the best out of what is used. Organization can use information technology to ensure strategic capabilities of organization which serves as a barrier for new entrants. By making investment on information technology to improve its operations or promote innovation a firm could discourage or delay other companies from entering a market.

 When an organization is doing very well focusing on its costumers and making them happy by using information technology to monitor and backup each and every aspects of organization it becomes hard for others who wants to join the same business. When the one playing in the field is very strong with everything managing so smoothly willing to be players find it hard to prepare themselves with all those sorts of things, so there’s very few chance for new entries. Besides, by using information technology organization can develop new products and services that would not be possible without strong IT capability.

4)      Refer to the Real world case on IT leaders and reinventing IT in the chapter. How would these ideas about the strategic positioning of IT apply to a small company? Do you think a small business would have a harder or an easier time aligning its business and IT organizations? Use an example to illustrate your answer.

IT leaders and reinventing IT is about broadening the scope of information technology from a specific subject matter to inclusive of every aspects of organizational understanding in order to facilitate the managerial process. This is a very fruitful concept which can help organization to increase productivity but it is also very hard to implement because it’s very tough to train everybody about every single procedure and functions of organization.

 Especially in small organizations where budget is minimum and which doesn’t have any definite pattern of performance, it becomes hard to go through this and manage everything as per this concept. For small skill based organization like handicraft business where production as well as sales is limited and there are different small procedures to be performed in order to complete a process. It becomes very hard for manufacturing department to learn about every other aspect, from marketing to service. And such organizations also can’t sustain the high cost of technology, which keeps on changing every next day. Generally in specialized business which is based on human skills it is very hard to apply this emerging concept of reinvention of Information Technology.

5)      What strategic role can information technology play in business process reengineering?

Business process reengineering is about rethinking and radical redesign of business process to achieve dramatic improvements in cost, quality, speed and service. Business Process Reengineering is also about making a strategy of promoting business innovation by making major improvements to business process so that company can become much stronger and successful.

Information technology plays major role in Business Process Reengineering. The speed, information processing capabilities and connectivity of computers and internet technologies can substantially increase the efficiency of business processes, as well a communication and collaboration among the people responsible for their operation and management. Through the use of information technology all the process of business can be brought together in a systematic structure, each process facilitating another process for efficient and effective results.

6)      How can internet technologies help to make a business from strategic alliances with its customers, suppliers and others?

Internet is a very wide network expanded around the world. If an organizations registers its site in an internet and informs all its concerned bodies about the registration, providing them the instructions to enter into it. All of them can come together at one time for the common discussion from the different parts of the world, together forming strategic alliances by sharing ideas and information’s, accessing and retrieving documents stored in internet. An organization can form separate as well as common alliance with its costumers, suppliers and others as per the policy of organization. Such kinds of alliances are very useful to maintain the organization with changing time and scenario.

7)      How could a business use the internet technologies to form a virtual company, or become an agile competitor?

Virtual company is an organization that uses information technology to link people, organizations, ideas and assets. Business organizations develop their virtual companies, and these virtual companies form virtual workgroups and alliances with business partners that are interlinked by internet, intranets and extranets. Through virtual company business organization develops alliances with suppliers, customers, subcontractors, competitors and all the external and internal bodies related with organization, making information sharing more smooth and easy. Business organization can form a virtual company through a strategic alliance of all its major business partners’ facilitating the communication process within the network of internet. Here all the parties get registered in internet and they share their ideas and values to provide a world class solution for customers in order to capture the market opportunity. In today’s growing market it may not always be possible to quickly exploit a new market opportunity by arranging resources to develop the manufacturing and distribution infrastructure, peoples and information technologies so during then virtual company helps an organization to make a quick effort.

Information technology helps an organization to become an agile competitor by supporting the mass customization, offering individualized products while maintaining high volumes of production. Agile companies are so very dependent in internet technologies to integrate and manage business processes, while providing the information processing power to treat masses of customers as individuals.

8)      Refer to the Real world case on Wachovia Corporation and Others in the chapter. How much of the competitive advantage described in the case come from the technology, and how much from the underlying processes developed by the organizations described there? Is one source of competitive advantage more important than other? Defend your answer.

Information technology cannot be effective if it is not synchronized with managerial functions and decisions of organization. Overall productivity of the organization depends upon the performance of all the factors of business process including information technology. Technology does makes the process go fast and reliable, reducing cost of production and increasing quality of products and services, which is very important to gain the competitive advantage but technology alone can’t help organization to take lead in market competition because technology is only one aspect to gain competitive advantage so all the other aspects should be equally strong and competitive to gain competitive advantage in market. Organization comprises of several departments, process and procedures so for an organization to be successful all these things should be managed and functioned effectively.

Actully, all the sources of competitive advantage are linked with each other. One source supports the existence of other. There is nothing like one is important and another is less important. But they could be used differently by different organizations as per the nature of the business. For example for consumer goods producing organization cost leadership may be the important source but for organizations like HP and Sony which deals with technology innovation might be the most important source.

9)      Information Technology can’t really give a company a strategic advantage, because most competitive advantage don’t last more than a few years and soon become strategic necessities that just raise the stakes of the game. Discuss.

When a successful thing comes into the market and when our competitor realizes that our technology is working they soon deploy that technology in their business as well, as a result the next day there comes several products in market similar to ours to replace our products. Copying is a human nature, we can’t avoid this. But it doesn’t mean that technology cannot give competitive advantage to the organization. There is always a privilege of being first. Whatever may come tomorrow but people will always remember the first product as a trend setter. There are several brands of iPods but apple is the synonym to it. And in case of technology, technology keeps on growing everyday. It doesn’t have the end. If others follow our current technology to imitate we can always go for the advancement and develop something new. There is always something new coming up. Partly it is true that after sometime it becomes the necessity that just raise the stake of games but that what is development about. If our folks had thought the same thing after inventing typewriter then today we wouldn’t have been using laptops.

10)  MIS author and consultant Peter Keen says: “We have learned that it is not technology that creates a competitive edge, but the management process that exploits technology.” What does he mean? Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Technology is a human invention. It runs as per the instructions provided by us. There are several technologies available and it’s the management that decides which one to go for by analyzing the need and requirement of the business. Management decides what to use, where to use and why to use so that everything happens systematically in a process. Use of technology enhances the productivity, quality and availability of good and services. Management governs the functioning of information technology in every ways. Sometimes simple technology makes a great impact and sometimes costly and huge technology makes no impact at all. The reason for this is the decision of management about the use of technology. If management understands the technology and provide instructions of operation as per the nature of technology in a right place and right time then the technology becomes useful, if not technology becomes failure. It’s management’s decision that makes a technology effective or useless so I agree with the authors saying.

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Chapter 1 - Discussion Question

1)      How can information technology support a company’s business processes and decision making and give it a competitive advantage? Give example to illustrate your answer.

In an organization number of transactions occurs every day. It’s almost impossible to keep the record of these transactions manually. So in order to keep the systematic record of day to day transaction, considering the value of time, in the most accurate form, organizations use Information Technology. Use of information Technology has made a workplace more productive and scientific. During the entire business process from dealing with supplier to reaching a costumer, information technology plays a very important role to make things happen smoothly. Business decisions are based on the data’s and information provided to decision makers and information technology ensures the accuracy and reliability of the information collected. In this competitive business environment it’s very important that decisions taken are as per the scenario and in the favor of organization considering the competitors around so here we can see the direct impact of information technology in decision making. Through the use of information technology, data’s and information are to be collected and are to be supplied to all the sectors of organization as per the importance. Decision making department uses these data’s to evaluate the performance of organization and all the plans and policies are made as per the information and data’s provided. If the decision making department is provided the accurate data then the department takes the appropriate policy and plans as per the need of the situation. When the decisions are taken, through the use of information technology they can be implemented effectively and also it becomes easy to control the decision, since outcomes of decision can be monitored systematically. This way efficiency of the decision becomes more. When your decisions are appropriate and efficient, you can be able to face the competition with appropriate strategies to win the war.

2)      How does the use of internet, Intranets and extranets by companies today support their business processes and activities?

Directly or indirectly organizations have been using intranets and extranets in order to support their business activities since so long. Intranet is the communication network inside the organization, which provides information about what is happening inside the organization. Its about knowing yourself.Extarnet is about communication network among various stakeholders who are not exactly in the organization but are related to....... click below to read all answers.

organization in some ways. Extranet provides information about suppliers, customers and competitors which facilitates the process of planning and decision making. Organizations used to decide and perform as per the information collected through these two different networks. And now, past 10 years internet has been one of the most important sources of information for the organization to operate in this global environment. Internet has made it possible to know about everything going around the globe, sitting in the couch. Internet has made the business easier. Websites, blogs, email and many more, collecting information was never so easy before. Today to know about Microsoft Inc. you shouldn’t visit America. Besides, because of use of internet we are able to know about what are the recent business trends, what are our competitors doing ,where’s our business heading and lot more so that we can manage and plan our activities as per all these things. Organizations are using internet in their every aspect, from production to promotion.

3)      Refer to the real world case on sew what? In the chapter. In the company’s early years, Megan Duckett lost a major contract because a prospective client said that without a web site, her business “lacked credibility.”Does this hold true today for all business? Why or why not?

Business is not just about buying and selling of a product. Moreover it’s about trust. Costumer should be able to trust you if you are to sell your product. Costumer trusts you as per the information you provide about yourself and the way you show responsibility towards them. If your company has a website, it shows that you are up-to-date with changing time and you are responsible towards your costumer so that you are considering the convenience of your costumer .This sense of responsibility can be the basis of trust among you and your costumer resulting the business relation among the parties.

Today people have many choices. They have many options to go for. The only reason they will choose you from the many is the trust they have in you. The more they know about you, more it becomes easy for them to trust you. So, definitely in today’s complex business environment it matters a lot to have credibility in order to be successful. If people don’t know about you they won’t be able to trust you. Also Internet is very convenient that a costumer can use it from anywhere to get the detail information. So in order to explain yourself and be familiar to people along with moving with people’s perception and changing technological advances, it is important to have website today in all business.

4)      Why do big companies still fail in their use of information technology? What should they be doing differently?

When things are big it’s hard to organize them together and adjust all of it in one single system. Same goes with big organizations. Every department is distinct and they have their own distinct way of communicating, keeping records and managing their data’s. Information technology is only effective if it’s managed to use in a systematic way. Input should be accurate, uniform and in order to get the accurate output. And in big organizations it’s almost impossible to make everything uniform. Also in country like ours, where almost 60% of people are unaware about information technology and IT is very recently brought into practice, big organizations have been following the certain pattern of doing things manually, and it’s hard to change the habit so old.  Along with all these, Cost factor at the beginning as well restricts the organizations to implement IT in their business. Neglecting the information management system as well could be the reason of organizations failure to make the best use of IT. The things these big organizations needs to consider making the best of Information technology are as follows:

*Big organizations should start with being more responsible and sensitive towards data management issues.

*They should divide whole the organization into considerable units of similar departments, which performs the functions in similar pattern so that it becomes easy to implement information technology in work.

*Cost factor should be considered since it will be profitable in long run.

*They should be serious towards moving with time and living the people’s expectations by increasing the quality of their product and services, from the efficient utilization of information technology.

5)      How can a manager demonstrate that he or she is a responsible end user of information system? Give several examples.

Information’s are the basis of planning, organizing, controlling and decision making to managers. The main motive of information system is to facilitate management with effective decision making. Information system is the storehouse of all the information’s arranged in systematic way which can be retrieved easily at the time of need. Information system’s responsibility is to provide accurate information whereas manager using that information is responsible to make the best out of that information and decide in favor of the information provided. Keeping the information for future reference and maintaining its secrecy as per the need as well is the responsibility of manager using it as end user. If I am the manager, I would be using information system to know about everything I need to know, in order to perform my obligations. My responsibility towards that information system I am using it would be,

*To maintain the system and watch out if everything is in order, so as to get accurate information.

*To be responsible towards the information provided and use it in the best possible way to formulate effective plans and policies.

*To maintain the secrecy of the information provided.

*To keep it properly for the future reference and evidence.

*To convey the information in logical way to whom it may concern.

6)      Refer to the real world case on Jet blue and the VA in the chapter. How could a process be designed such that these domino effects can be avoided or to some extent controlled? Define your proposal.

Technologies are boon to organizations if they are used and controlled properly but if they are not looked after properly it can be the matter of failure and loss to an organization. As in case of JetBlue and Veterans Administration, whole the system was about to get down making the organization amputated. But we can’t make the assumption of each and everything that may happen to the system and get prepared for that. Accidents are inevitable; technologies we are using may stop functioning any time.  In such cases, there is nothing much we can do if we don’t have a proper back up plan to handle such crisis.

The kind of situation faced by JetBlue and VA cannot totally be prevented but by following a system of monitoring and control may be we could be more prepared and confident to face such kind of situations. Technologies are machines and the software we use in them are their brain, so in order to keep them fit and fine we need to take very good care of them. Regular updates and checking the functionality of machines is very important in order to avoid such accidents. Monitoring the whole system and making a change whenever it requires it is one of the most important steps in order to avoid such domino steps. Regular backup practice in an identical and distinct system could be other options that whatever happens in the interconnection data’s and information will be safe and can be used later on. Bigger the interconnection, Harder it is to control it, so may be maintaining a specific interconnection system, up to which it becomes easy to control is much better.

7)      What are some of the toughest management challenges in developing IT solutions to solve business problems and meet new business opportunities?

Information technology is not something that we once implement and keep on using it rest of our life. It’s a very dynamic field which keeps on changing. In today’s era of technological advances where everyday new innovations come to our knowledge it’s a challenge to move with it. *Management has a challenge to find out the best technology in order to solve business problems. *There are several technologies available so it’s very important to find out the most appropriate   technology for the organization as per the nature of work of the organization.

*Everything comes with price and information technologies are one of the expensive things to decide for. With the best product Management should also consider the best price to pay for it as per the financial position of organization.

*Owning a best information technology is not enough. It’s very much important to decide where to use it, how to use it, for what to use it and who to use it.

*Information technologies are a bit complicated to start and hard to understand the functions first, so management should make the proper arrangement of human resources to use it.

*Update is required in order to make it reliable so management should consider about updating it as per the changing time.

8)      Why are there so many conceptual classifications of information systems? Why they are typically integrated in the information systems found in real world?

There is no any sure and certain way of information system which is perfect to each and every kind of organizations. Different nature of organizations has different ways of doing things and keeping the datas.As per the functions performed in organization information’s are kept in different formats and order. So there are different conceptual classifications of information systems which vary as per the size, functions and structure of organization. These conceptual information systems help the management of the organization to decide about which system to follow in their organization, considering their functions, size and structure.

These concepts of information systems are scientific and systematic as well as effective to use, in order to manage the information’s available in the organization for the future prospect. In real world organizations need to analyze and store data’s and information in order to use them at the time of need so they typically integrate these concepts of information system in their business so as to have reliable and smooth information management system which is more favorable to their kind of organization.

9)      In what major ways have information systems in business changed during the last 40 years? What is one major change you think will happen in the next 10 years?

It’s not been so long that information system has been so advanced. Before 40 years organizations were having the traditional way of managing information’s in written formats, manually. Development of computers made a very remarkable impact in managing information system. Mainframe computers were just in existence but they were very expensive that every organization couldn’t afford it. Only big banks and corporate houses used to use computers in very limited number. After that mini computers and microcomputers changed the definition of information system and slowly computers became information systems. During 80s and 90s lowering cost of personal computers and their compatible size changed the whole scenario and computers became the most important aspects of organizations in order to manage the information system along with overall performance of an organization. During 90s internet came into existence, which included the whole world in a small box. After that there’s been no looking back. Every year new technologies are discovered, facilitating the information system to be more reliable, accurate and efficient.

I think in next 10 years computers would have artificial intelligence as well which will allow them to think by themselves. Scientists are working on it so may be in a very near future we would be able to communicate with computers in more natural ways.

10)  Refer to real world example of Hershey Foods in the chapter. Are the failure and success described due to managerial or technological challenges? Explain.

Basically, failure or success of business cannot be attributed to only one aspect of organization. Technological and managerial, both aspects of organization are equally responsible for the position of organization. To be in particular in the real world example of Hershey Foods, I think its technological challenge which is much important than managerial challenge, they faced in order to grow up from an organization to successful organization.

As mentioned in the example, during the initial phase ERP was not as efficient as it is now. Lots of organizations were having problem with it because they didn’t know how to use it. At beginning Hershey food as well had problem using technology in its business as a result they were not doing well. Their failure could be the result of their weak technological strategy. But later on, Hershey foods found out the effectiveness of EPS modified it the way they needed and used it efficiently by upgrading it which helped them to increase their productivity. They deployed EPS in such an effective way that it reduced their cost, time of processing and increased the quality of their products by 100%. All this became possible because they Enhanced whole their system  and made it more powerful by including material management invoice verification along with credit processing for distributors, bringing everything together in an organized schedule which resulted in better functioning and cost savings. It was Information Technology that changed whole the picture and helped them taste the success. So this time as well it was technological opportunity which helped them rise.

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