Computers have become pervasive in the present day organization running. Since their first use in 1950’s in administrative data processing, they have continued to be a primary tool for enhancing the formal information Processing activities in the organization. Numerous development has been realized in computer centred information systems over the last couple of decades from supporting back office operation and spreading to the entire organisation. Organisations and information systems have intertwined interest. Information systems have been defined as software’s that aid an organization to organize and analyse its data. The design of information systems adopted by an organization depends solely on the information needs of the organization. Information systems in addition to organizing, it stores, retrieves and process data (Rudy Hirschheim, 1995). Over four decades ago, new ways of designing information systems, new approaches for analysing the systems and strategies for implement had flourished. In the recent years, there has been a budding Interest in viewing Information systems as social systems that can are theoretically implemented (Prakken, 2012). Many organizations have leveraged available technologies to manage business operations and assist in making strategic customers, production, and cost and revenue decisions. Many organizations have taken up transaction processing systems, customer relationship management, business intelligence and knowledge management system all in the interest to maximise their earning potential. This paper explores the role and the acquisition of Information system (IS) for Senior Management, department heads and line managers at MBL.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) are integrated technologies primarily involved with the use of computers to carry out product designing and manufacturing operations in an organization. By adopting CAD/CAM, MBL is assured of achieving a computer aided incorporation entire production activities from designing and planning up to manufacturing and ultimately making of desired quality standards. Types of computer aided manufacturing include 2 dimensional CAD (2D CAD), this is the initial model that was developed in the early 1970’s by Autodesk. 2D CAD is dependent on simple geometrical shapes like triangles, circles, lines, etc. to produce flat drawings. Over the years, with evolving computers technology, a 3 dimensional CAD (3D CAD) was developed which was an improved version of the 2D CAD, with 3D CAD, genuine drawings are created. The 3D images have improved visual capability and can be turned and viewed in any chosen direction (Yaguchi, 2012). IBM and Dassults are companies that developed this software. The current market is making use of 3D CAD software’s which include unigraphicNX, SolidWorks, and solidEdge. The 3D CAD can be broken down further to wire-frame models, surface models and solid models which are distinguished by their model.
Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) can be classified into numerical control (NC) machines, complete facility systems that integrate CAM with CAD. Also, industrial robots, product lifecycle software’s and flexible manufacturing systems are some of the common types of CAM. Flexible manufacturing systems CAM/CAD integrate various data exchange systems offer vast opportunities for computer – aided manufacturing. With increased innovation and growth in technology, flexible systems can effortlessly produce several similar products. Industrial robots are computer aided manufacturing type. MBL workforce faces the challenge of an unproductive human resource as robots carry out tasks that are performed. Underutilization of human capital means that MBL will suffer unutilized human talent and duplication of tasks. Computers are used to control robots by sending and receiving data on units to produce per unit time. Numeric control (NC) machine, on the other hand, applies precise formulas to process raw material into finished goods (Seames, 2002). NCS systems can be further classified according to the machine tool control system which falls under three broad types i.e. point to point, straight cut and contouring. Below is an illustration of NC machine.
The adoption of Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing are a substantial initial investment to organizations. The productivity of agencies has been elevated as high-quality designs are produced by use of CAD. Designers are able to envisage the end product that is being made. The merging of constituent parts into phrase before final assembly of the product is achieved and this ensures product originality can be tailored from the start. By use of CAD, product animation can be enhanced before the actual product is produced hence if need of any modification is required, then the designer can make the necessary correction hence avoiding incurring high costs. In addition to enhancing the ability of the designer to synthesize, scrutinising and authenticating of design, CAD/CAM help in the production of improved and quality designs (David, 1992). By acquiring the relevant tools that help to carry out thorough engineering analysis of the recommended design. Adoption of CAD/CAM across all department bears technical challenges related to hardware, software and database interfacing (Tarek Tantoush, 2001). The technical challenges are quite eminent in many organizations than other organizational change problems.
The long-term goal, cost, and benefit of IS adoption for MBL influence the acquisition process. MBL may opt to build their own, purchase a pre-packaged system, Outsourcing or end user development. Given that MBL is a small company that is focused on growing and doesn’t have an established IT department, outsourcing from a 3rd party would be the most prudent choice. The outsourced company will tailor the IS to the accounting, marketing, warehousing manufacturing and despatch needs of MBL. The outsourced company will further be responsible for phrasing, scheduling and system support responsibilities reducing the costs. Other key factors influencing the choice of Information Systems to be acquired by MBL are user interfaces design concentrate on the need of the system users; ease of access, use, and understanding of the systems are the element the interface addresses. Also, the navigational components, informational components, and containers discussed on the use interface. Moreover, considering open versus closed system will be a key consideration. The IT department can alter an open system while On the other hand, a closed system can only be serviced and supported by the vendor (Pernia, 2012). The market share and the growth projection of MBL plays a critical role in determining the niche information system. The system will be installed to serve the precisely identifiable sets of customers as it encompasses the need forms and patterns, therefore, require less know-how of the staff. Also, the choice will be influenced by a turnkey system which is essential in tailoring the system to meet the needs of the company. As well as the system support to ensure its up and running.
E-commerce is defined as conducting business over electronic network i.e. Internet. Most companies have adopted electronic commerce as a segment of their business model to tap the potential of virtue communities that constitute a large market share. With the global increase in internet usage at 3.2 billion in 2015 (Our World in Data, 2015). E-commerce is conducted on four major platform these are; business to business (B2B), business to consumer (B2C), consumer to consumer (C2C) and consumer to business (C2B). The emergence and growth of e-commerce have helped business solidify their market presence while penetrating into new markets (Bhusry, 2005). E-commerce offers small business to compete on an even level with large established companies as virtual shops incur less cost. Additionally, small business are which are less conservative and more flexible have an opportunity to penetrate the vast international market. Virtual communities offer business 24 hours 7days a week working environment as they can be operated from anywhere with internet connectivity. Despite the immense benefits associated with e-commerce, virtual communities tend to propagate fraudulent activities as they have concealed identities (Awad, 2002).
E-commerce and traditional commerce have much difference among them. For example, while e-commerce is a business model that conducts commercial transactions over the Internet, traditional selling is the segment of the firm that concentrates on the exchange of goods or services. Also e- commerce offers it customer convenience and time-saving effect compared to the traditional form of selling as with e-commerce as long as there is internet coverage the client can access the product or service from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, e- commerce unlike traditional selling offers geographical coverage and offers business a broad market to explore due to the ever increasing virtual communities presence who consume products and service of the firm. Operating traditional business considerable employment of human capital which attracts high operational costs as employees have limited working hours. However, with e-commerce, hours of operation are all around the clock and requires few personnel to operate as one person can serve hundreds of customer hence cutting down on costs. Moreover, traditional commerce offers the customers an opportunity to interact with the vendors. However, in the case of e-commerce, the interaction is limited to online chats. The ability of suppliers to communicate with their customer has the benefit of building strong customer relations with the client and also offers the personal appeal hence the possibility of better negotiations.
B2B (business-to-business) refers to the exchange of goods and service to other business by demonstrating value rather than eliciting emotions. With growth in technology and the use of the internet, business to business trading promises high growth and returns compared to B2C. Therefore, many large companies are keen on exploring (Bidgoli, 2002). For example, IBM is currently rolling new strategies to cognition in business. Security, health, security, etc. The advantage associated with B2B include; more business growth opportunity as there is a large untapped virtual market, improved sales due to breaking geographical barriers hence ability to reach more new clients. Moreover, b2b lowers the operational cost as the business can access more foreign suppliers for raw materials (J Botha, 2008). Business to Consumers (B2C) on the other hand is carried directly by a firm and the customer who are the end users of the goods or service (Elliot, 2007). B2C focuses on promoting a company’s goods or service to the consumers by actively devising ways which invoke emotional response among the consumers. The advantages associated with B2C model include; differentiation by individuality as businesses can tailor products or services to meet specific customer needs. Also wasteful production is avoided as the company produces just enough to meet the current demand hence less capital holding slow moving products. In addition to having a better knowledge of the customers, B2B has the advantage of increasing the customer loyalty while giving their customers an exceptional shopping experience (Dixit, 2016).
Given that MBL is a small and growing company adopting a business to consumer (B2C) model will be the best model to take to help it realize its strategic goal of expanding (Justin G. Longenecker, 2012). Also strategizing on appropriate B2B models to create demand will require BML to focus value demonstration. By concentrating on customer behaviour, BML will make the necessary changes to their product to meet the specific needs of their clients. By creating a healthy relationship between the customers and BML, customer loyalty will be enhanced and thereby focus their energy in penetrating new markets. Further, given that BML is centred on growing, cutting of cost will help the company realise the goal sooner by avoiding excessive overproduction but focus on the real demand for the briefcase prevailing in the market. BML should also adopt Suitable office information system (OIS) to handle the hundred or the thousands of their customer profiles. An efficient IS will help segment for target outreach campaigns while aligning specific sales, services and marketing processes thereby achieve greater sale and growth.
Organisational environment refers to the composition of forces or institutions that surround an organisation affecting operations, performance, and resources. Environments can be cl; classified as either internal or external. The internal environment of BML consist employee behaviour, the organization’s culture, mission, and leadership styles. For example, BML culture is primarily innovation and creativity. On the other hand, external environment of BML consists of factors that influence operations and determine the opportunities and threats. For example, the customer needs of BML shapes the productivity of the company. Also, technological development is an external force hence need for BML to adopt IS to enhance product quality.
Conclusion
For managers to efficiently operate BML, they will need to understand their environment. Utilizing the Management information system (MIS) to integrate information across all departments in the company will ensure the company management can make reports hence need to have an executive support system to support strategic decisions. Further BML need to explore e- commerce to take advantage of the broad virtual market which has immense on lower labour and tax cost. With the vision of starting small and evaluating BML relationship with its customers and the company internal capabilities, BLM will implement its IS strategy. In addition to growing BML content, analysing the client’s behaviour lead to successful social marketing.
References
The World Bank, 2016. World Bank Group. [Online] Available at: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.P2 [Accessed 25 April 2017].
Awad, E. M., 2002. Electronic Commerece. 1st ed. Virginia: Prentice Hall .
Bhusry, M., 2005. E- Commerce. 1 ed. New Delhi: Firewall Media.
Bidgoli, H., 2002. ELectronic Commerce; Principles and Practice. 1st ed. Bakersfield, California: California State University.
David, T. C. V., 1992. Managing Integration in CAD/ CAM. 1 ed. Indiana: Chapman and Hall.
Dixit, S., 2016. E- Retailinng Challanges and Opportunities in the Global Marketplace. 1 ed. Hershey PA, USA: IGI Global.
Elliot, S., 2007. Electronic Commerce: B2C Strategies and Models. New York: Wiley.
J Botha, C. B. ,. P. G., 2008. Managing E-commerce in Business. 2nd ed. Cape Town: Juta and company ltd.
Justin G. Longenecker, J. w. p. L. E. P. F. H., 2012. Small Business Management: Launching and Growing Entrepreneurial Venture. 16 ed. South- Western: Cengage Learning.
Our World In Data, 2015. Our world in Data Website. [Online] Available at: https://ourworldindata.org/about/ [Accessed 26 April 2017].
Pernia, D., 2012. Application and Assesment of Open-Systems Vs. Closed- system -Kerogen I solation methods for Characterization of Gas Shale. 1 ed. Houston: University of Houston.
Prakken, B., 2012. Information, Organization and Information Systems Design.. 1st ed. The Netherlands: Springer Science & Business Media,B.V.
Rudy Hirschheim, H. K. K. K. L., 1995. Information Systems Development and Data Modelling. 9th ed. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1995.
Seames, W. S., 2002. Computer Numerical Control ; Concepts and programming. 4th ed. Columbia: Thomson Learning.
Tarek Tantoush, S. C. a. F. W., 2001. CADCAM Integration and the practical politics of of technological change. Journal of organizational change Managemement, 14(1), pp. 9-27.
Yaguchi, H., 2012. 3D CAD; Principles And Apllications. 1st ed. New York: Springer Science and Business Media.
Essay Writing Service Features
Our Experience
No matter how complex your assignment is, we can find the right professional for your specific task. Contact Essay is an essay writing company that hires only the smartest minds to help you with your projects. Our expertise allows us to provide students with high-quality academic writing, editing & proofreading services.
Free Features
Free revision policy
$10Free bibliography & reference
$8Free title page
$8Free formatting
$8How Our Essay Writing Service Works
First, you will need to complete an order form. It's not difficult but, in case there is anything you find not to be clear, you may always call us so that we can guide you through it. On the order form, you will need to include some basic information concerning your order: subject, topic, number of pages, etc. We also encourage our clients to upload any relevant information or sources that will help.
Complete the order form
Once we have all the information and instructions that we need, we select the most suitable writer for your assignment. While everything seems to be clear, the writer, who has complete knowledge of the subject, may need clarification from you. It is at that point that you would receive a call or email from us.
Writer’s assignment
As soon as the writer has finished, it will be delivered both to the website and to your email address so that you will not miss it. If your deadline is close at hand, we will place a call to you to make sure that you receive the paper on time.
Completing the order and download