Question # 4:

1. Describe or define KBS. 2. Distinguish KBS from MIS. 3. Illustrate (give examples) how KBS can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance. Cite your reference.
knowledge-based system as a computer system that is programmed to imitate human problem-solving by means of artificial intelligence and reference to a database of knowledge on a particular subject. KBS focuses on systems that use knowledge-based techniques to support human decision-making, learning and action. Such systems are capable of cooperating with human users and so the quality of support given and the manner of its presentation are important issues. The emphasis of the journal is on the practical significance of such systems in modern computer development and usage. While Management Information Systems (MIS) is the term given to the discipline focused on the integration of computer systems with the aims and objectives on an organization.

As well as being concerned with the implementation of knowledge-based systems, the journal covers the design process, the matching of requirements and needs to delivered systems and the organizational implications of introducing such technology into the workplace and public life, expert systems, application of knowledge-based methods, integration with conventional technologies, software tools for KBS construction, decision-support mechanisms, user interactions, organisational issues, knowledge acquisition, knowledge representation, languages and programming environments, knowledge-based implementation techniques and system architectures. Also included are publication reviews.


Posted by: Nemarie Gandas

reference: http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge-based_systems - 21k
elsevier.com http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIS

Question # 3:

1. Describe or define VO.
2. Distinguish VO from MIS.
3. Illustrate (give examples) how VO can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

Virtual office is a term for shared office services, which normally includes business address, mail & courier services, phone services, fax services, answering services, web-hosting services, and meeting & conference facilities.^[1]

Certain providers of virtual office services will provide other in-house or outsourced services such as corporate secretarial services, accounting services, or legal services. Professional firms such as law firmsaccounting firms often provide registered address services as part of their service offerings. and

A virtual office is a set of interconnected tools that centralize organizational, communication and collaboration data, accessible through different channels at any time. These tools include a calendar, an address book, email, documents storage and exchange, discussion forums, to-do list, etc. WhileManagement Information Systems (MIS) is the term given to the discipline focused on the integration of computer systems with the aims and objectives on an organization.

Virtual office solutions from Cisco provide a comprehensive set of products, technologies, and services. Cisco Virtual Office gives employees greater flexibility while enhancing productivity and reducing costs.



reference:

Wikepedia.com
http://www.bestpricecomputers.co.uk/glossary/management-information-system.htm
http://www.contactoffice.com/virtual-office/en/solutions/virtual-office.jsp
http://www.cisco.com

Final Question # 2

1. Describe or define DSS.
2. Distinguish DSS from MIS.
3. Illustrate (give examples) how DSS can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

Cite your reference.

Decision Support Systems – DSS

Decision Support Systems (DSS) are a specific class of computerized information system that supports business and organizational decision-making activities. A properly designed DSS is an interactive software-based system intended to help decision makers compile useful information from raw data, documents, personal knowledge, and/or business models to identify and solve problems and make decisions.

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 System, Expert systems, and Executive information systems. MIS and DSS can help track customers and DSS can make it easier to serve a specialized customer group with special services.

DSS...

• Accessing all of current information assets, including legacy and relational data sources, cubes, data warehouses, and data marts
• Comparative sales figures between one week and the next
• Projected revenue figures based on new product sales assumptions
• The consequences of different decision alternatives, given past experience in a context that is described

DSS can help managers reduce the cost of rivalry actions by targeting expenditures and in some cases DSS may reduce the need for competitive actions and reactions.

A specific DSS can help differentiate a product or improve service and hence reduce the threat from substitute products.

DSS can potentially help a firm create a cost advantage. DSS can provide many benefits including improving personal efficiency and reducing staff needs, expediting problem solving and increasing organizational control.

DSS can create a major cost advantage by increasing efficiency or eliminating value chain activities.

DSS can be used to help a company better focus on a specific customer segment and hence gain an advantage in meeting that segment’s needs.


Posted by:
Nemarie Gandas


References:
DSSResources.com
InformationBuilders.com
Wikepedia.org

For those who are not working, research one company in the net who is using computerized database systems. Describe the use and/or nature of these systems and describe too the benefits/disadvantages from these systems. Include your reference.


ANs: Philippine National Bank (PNB) and i-flex solutions, provider of IT solutions to the global financial services industry, signed an agreement to implement i-flex's FLEXCUBE as the core banking solution for PNB's domestic and international banking operations. FLEXCUBE will be implemented across PNB's domestic network and six of its international branches. PNB is the preferred remittance services provider of Filipinos overseas with branches in United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. The bank aims to be the leading financial services provider in Philippines, with a strong customer focus and high service excellence. For i-flex solutions, this is the first FLEXCUBE core banking solution win in the strategic Philippines banking and financial services industry, where banks, spurred by fast economic growth, are looking at transforming their systems to gear up for faster customer acquisition and greater customer demands. FLEXCUBE is the world's number one selling banking solution and globally more than 280 financial institutions in over 100 countries have chosen FLEXCUBE. Speaking on the selection of FLEXCUBE, Omar Byron Mier, President and CEO, Philippine National Bank, said, "Technology is one of the key enablers in our growth strategy, and the right core banking platform is the most critical aspect in this strategy. Among the solutions we evaluated, FLEXCUBE ranked as the leader in terms of architecture, functionality, and domain capability. This next-generation system will enable us to launch new products and services faster and, ultimately, help PNB transition into a highly competitive and customer-centric financial institution in line with our vision." Speaking on i-flex's behalf, Kishore Kapoor, CEO, i-flex solutions pte ltd, said, "PNB is a prestigious and significant customer win for i-flex and we are committed to provide PNB with a solution that will enable it to achieve growth, profitability and a strong competitive advantage. This success further strengthens our commitment to the Philippine market; it is a growth area for us in Asia-Pacific as banks here are increasingly looking at adopting new generation and open banking systems." PNB is set to centralize its entire domestic and global business within one datacenter in Manila, enhancing delivery across multiple channels and offering a consolidated view of customers across segments with true 24/7 capability. With FLEXCUBE, PNB shifts from a mainframe based system to an open software platform based on Java architecture and Oracle Database.

Published Aug. 2, 2006— Reads 9,739 — Feedback 4 Copyright © 2008 SYS-CON Media. All Rights Reserved.

Research 1 company and describe how they protect their company from internet risks.

Also, research for possible risks or dangers and/or impacts of internet - related crimes to a company.

Answer:
The PNB company uses, userId and password to be able to access PNB’s Internet Banking facility, customer's will be asked to provide their UserID which you have nominated upon enrollment and their password before they can successfully log in to the system. For additional security, they also keep track of the customers log-in attempts. The company shall automatically disable the customer's Internet Banking access if they have provided three consecutive invalid passwords. they will need will need to call the Customer Service to reactivate their online access.
PNB also uses ONLINE BROWSER SECURITY-verisign,It gives the customer's information on how to verify if the website they are visiting is safe and secure before the customer provide any sensitive data in the internet. The Digital Certificate this allows to validate the authenticity of the site you are visiting to ensure data integrity and confidentiality.

PNB uses 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Encryption for Internet Banking (both Personal and Corporate). This keeps confidentiality of the information between the bank’s computer system and customer's browser. The information entered when transact online is converted into a string of unrecognizable characters when transmitted to the internet. 128-bit encryption is the most widely used security layer in the internet banking industry today.

PNB makes use of firewalls to protect their computer system from external threats (e.g. hackers and viruses) and entry of unauthorized users.

Session timeouts..If a customer's session is left idle for ten minutes, the system will ask to re-encode the password before they can resume the session.

posted by: Nemarie Gandas

MIDTERM-ACtivity 1

Research 1 company that makes use of E-commerce. Describe the nature of this company in 1-2 paragraphs.

The Philippine National Bank was established as a government-owned banking institution on July 22, 1916 with headquarters in the old Masonic Temple along Escolta, Manila. Its primary mandate was to provide financial services to Philippine industry and agriculture and support the government's economic development effort. The Bank is one of the largest banks in the country with a wide array of competitive banking products to answer for the diverse needs of its huge clientele including more than 2 million depositors.

PNB uses personal internet banking, phone banking, mobile banking and automated teller machine. Personal internet banking allows you to browse, chat, and send email also lets you do your banking from your PC. PNB’s Internet Banking service offers people convenience and security. Through personal internet banking, you can Monitor account balances,Transfer funds to family and friends,Pay your bills,Schedule payments and fund transfers in advance and program recurring transactions,Order check books, View statement of account online or request for a copy which can be sent through email or for pick up at the depository branch.Get notification via email or text message to help you monitor your transaction. you can also transact also in the bank through their phone banking and mobile banking. The Automated teller machine where you can transact through machines and withdraw your money from it, inquire balance,Transfer funds immediately to any PNB account or an account maintained at Megalink member banks, pay bills and reorder checkbooks.

ACTIVITY 4

Question: As we make use of Information Systems in a company's operation, we get to notice the good effects of this computer-based information, and so, we also wonder, if certain manual operations can also be computerized for a much convenient procedure both for employees and the client.

Thus, if you are currently working, can you cite one manual working procedure that you wish to propose a computerized information system. Further, describe how this system should function and how can this help the employees and the customers.

If you are just a student of RMMC and not currently working, cite a manual procedure here in our school which you prefer to computerize. Describe how this system should function and how can this help the employees and the students of RMMC.

Answer:
Manual procedure in school that needs to be computerized is the ID system. It's much convenient for the students as well as to the school to have control by using computerized ID system. Each student have their respective student numbers. Through computer system, students may just swipe their IDs in a computer machine as they enter the school. It will help the school to monitor students and at the same time to control those unregistered people who tries to enter the school. Another thing that I want to be computerized in school is the security system. By entering the gate, student will pass in this detector machine to know if students or any people who enters at school brings any deadly weapon. This will help the safety of the school.


Posted by: NEMARIE LAYOG GANDAS

ACTIVITY 3

Question: Justify or contradict MIS trends by citing some examples


Answer: More computing power is available to the user. With the help of MIS computing is easily done. One good example of this are the machines/computers used in the mall. With MIS, the price and control numbers of the products are easily monitored and easily computed. The computers in the cashier area helps a lot in minimizing the effort to be done, because with the help of MIS computation is done easily. This helps the company to control, audit, and help the inventory done much easier. This helps the users to be more knowledgeable as well. MIS provides the idea needed by the user and gives more and wide options about it.

Activity 2

How can the managers and employees make use of information system as a strategic/competitive advantage over their competitors.


Ans.---->info system gives managers and employees ideas and strategy in doing their job within the company. Information system provides accurate, complete and relevant information that is needed by the managers and employees to be apply in the organization. In this, they can have the information that they need and they can apply it in thier work.

What is Manangement Information System

Management Information Systems (MIS) is the term given to the discipline focused on the integration of computer systems with the aims and objectives on an organisation.

The development and management of information technology tools assists executives and the general workforce in performing any tasks related to the processing of information. MIS and business systems are especially useful in the collation of business data and the production of reports to be used as tools for decision making.

Applications of MIS

With computers being as ubiquitous as they are today, there's hardly any large business that does not rely extensively on their IT systems.

However, there are several specific fields in which MIS has become invaluable.

* Strategy Support

While computers cannot create business strategies by themselves they can assist management in understanding the effects of their strategies, and help enable effective decision-making.

MIS systems can be used to transform data into information useful for decision making. Computers can provide financial statements and performance reports to assist in the planning, monitoring and implementation of strategy.

MIS systems provide a valuable function in that they can collate into coherent reports unmanageable volumes of data that would otherwise be broadly useless to decision makers. By studying these reports decision-makers can identify patterns and trends that would have remained unseen if the raw data were consulted manually.

MIS systems can also use these raw data to run simulations – hypothetical scenarios that answer a range of ‘what if’ questions regarding alterations in strategy. For instance, MIS systems can provide predictions about the effect on sales that an alteration in price would have on a product. These Decision Support Systems (DSS) enable more informed decision making within an enterprise than would be possible without MIS systems.