TOPIC: THE KNOWLEDGE - BASED SYSTEMS (KBS)

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.


1. Knowledge-based System is 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.It is also a systems based on the methods and techniques of Artificial Intelligence.

2. Knowledge-Based Systems 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. MIS Information systems include systems that are not intended for decision making.Management Information System also is focused in discipline.It is a system based on the database of the organization evolved for the purpose of providing information to the people of the organization.

3. By Knowledge Based System the company can compete to other its because the employee has expertise in his decision making, it provides the company the ability to capture critical business knowledge.This knowledge can be used in existing applications and made available company-wide for decision support.
Companies utilizing knowledge based systems benefit from a greater bottom line, an increase in staff and customer satisfaction. These benefits translate to a competitive edge. Companies that are slow in adopting this technology find their competition outpacing them as they struggle with higher training costs, delayed decisions and bad choices.

TOPIC: THE VIRTUAL OFFICE (VO)



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.

1. Virtual Office is workplace that is not based in one physical location but consists of employees working remotely by using information and communications technologies. A virtual office is characterized by the use of teleworkers, telecenters, mobile workers, hot-desking, and hoteling, and promotes the use of virtual teams. A virtual office can increase an organization's flexibility, cost effectiveness, and efficiency.

2. MIS uses computer science totally in organizations decision making process and use management of an organization's IT infrastructure.VO in term of services they shared office services, which normally includes business address, mail & courier service, phone services, fax services, answering services, web-hosting services, and meeting & conference facilities. MIS are distinct from regular information systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems applied in operational activities in the organization.

3. Virtual office is also a common term for an environment that enables a network of co-workers to run a business efficiently by using nothing other than online communication technologies.The company's employee will be able to manage their time effectively if applied the virtual office system.The purpose of a Virtual Office Service is to provide a professional business environment for your organisation. Whether you're a home-worker, start-up or sole trader.Employees in a Virtual Office are free to work without being intruded upon by management. Self-management also cuts down on non-productive work such as repetitive memos, reports, presentations, administrative meetings, etc. which can plague some corporations. Also, employees now have a better opportunity to fully develop their ideas as they envision them with less interference and micro-management. A home office makes it easy to get to work, meaning more work is done over a day since employees can readily access their computing environment. A mobile office extends this high availability to going where the person goes. In addition, the annoyance and cost of the commute is eliminated. Generally, the money saved by not commuting should cover the cost of extra utilities.

TOPIC: THE DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM (DSS)

Question # 3:
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.

1. A decision support system (DSS) is a computer program application that analyzes business data and presents it so that users can make business decisions more easily.DSS is extensively used in business and management. It is an "informational application" (to distinguish it from an "operational application" that collects the data in the course of normal business operation).Typical information that a decision support application might gather and present would be:

• 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

A decision support system may present information graphically and may include an expert system or artificial intelligence. It may be aimed at business executives or some other group of knowledge workers.

2. Management Information System a computer-based system that provides managers with the tools for organizing, evaluating and efficiently running their departments.Like Decision Support System MIS include software that helps the managers to their decision making process and also it is a computerized processes that enable the department to run efficiently,supports business and organization to its decision making.MIS are quite similar to DDS but it is distinguished because DDS 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.It is a properly-designed information system that used in decision making.

3. DSS can give big help to the company. The company can improve a lot and can compete to others because if the company has DSS system it could be easy for them to decide and easy for them to compile useful information from raw data, documents and personal knowledge.An example of it is bank loan officer verifying the credit of a loan applicant or an engineering firm that has bids on several projects and wants to know if they can be competitive with their costs.The company can improve its competitive advantage by having expedites problem solving of the company itself,the promoted learnings and training of the said company,increasing organizational control and others.The performance of the oganization is more flexible and easy if they apply Decision Support System.

Question # 1 (Finals)

Research one company from the Internet and describe their MIS strategic plan in 1-2 paragraphs. Discuss too the impact of this strategic plan on the company's management, competitors, customers and the company as a whole.

Evaluate how can this strategic plan be applied to any local company in the Philippines. Discuss too the possible effect on the company.

Include your reference.



National Bookstore

Rapid growth and expansion can lay some tough demands on even the most successful enterprises. Such difficulties weren't lost on National Bookstore, the Philippines' biggest retailer of books and office supplies. As well-stocked branches of the store mushroomed around the country in the early 1990s, the resulting higher purchasing costs had to be addressed by integrating its entire supply chain.

As an emerging retail giant, National had been aggressively launching new branches, and even new store concepts, such as Powerbooks and Office One Superstore. Such expansion begged for robust information systems that could provide critical decision support---from tracking company sales at a moment's notice to monitoring inventory to the last item---delivered in time, of course. National thus undertook a strategic I.T. initiative in 1996 to streamline its retail operations and also improve the quality of in-store service. By aligning its I.T. and business objectives, National was ultimately hoping to get a good return on its I.T. investment.

The company initially hired international consultants who evaluated the stores' needs and long-term goals, developed a technology road map and recommended appropriate applications software. Hardware selection was just as judicious in view of universal worries over runaway operating costs, including expenses for managing upgrades and maintenance. NBS chose to address the total-cost-of-ownership issue by standardizing its store automation platform on a single solution from a single vendor.

The consultants examined a number of offerings, before endorsing the proposal of Fujitsu Philippines, Inc. FPI offered to implement front-office automation for the first thirty branches of National Bookstore, using Fujitsu teamPOS point-of-sale terminals, Fujitsu DESK POWER PCs and Fujitsu team servers. Fujitsu's reputation as a high-quality hardware brand, with minimal unplanned downtime and superb after-sales service, helped in closing the deal.

"For sure, Fujitsu's reputation as a superb hardware manufacturer played a big role in clinching the deal. But equally important, FPI was the only proponent who proposed total responsibility for implementation - a full turnkey systems integration project. That was also part of the attraction," recalls Aleth Pusta, manager of the General Business Systems Division at FPI.

The bookstore chain was won over, too, by Fujitsu's plan for integrating front-line data from the stores, with the back office systems at headquarters. The Fujitsu POS runs SoftwearPOS, a software application specifically designed for specialty stores such as a bookstore. This application captures an immense amount of customer transaction data, which can then be transferred to the existing JDA back-office system of NBS.

More important, the same data could now be analyzed by Powerprobe, a Decision-Support-Software tool recommended by FPI. Powerprobe produces both printed reports and colorful user-friendly graphs that highlight sales trends for each branch or each product. In the future, National Bookstore could implement data warehousing projects and customer loyalty schemes, also on the basis of the historical data produced by the Fujitsu POS systems. Fujitsu has come a long way since the start of the National Bookstore project. The initial activity was a "proof-of-concept" demonstration in September 1997. Fujitsu installed its equipment and linked branches to a simulated head office, to show that the system would work. After a successful implementation of the first few branches, FPI set up a ten-man team of software and hardware engineers, under a full-time project manager, dedicated to implementing and supporting more NBS branches. Additional Fujitsu people were made available during peak loads, especially when more than two branches were being simultaneously implemented.

Special attention was given to teaching the branch staff in using the new system. In fact, Fujitsu engineers would remain on stand-by for a few days, to support the newly-implemented branches, and instantly respond to any problems that would arise. Pusta believes that "the quality of our support, including our effort in hand-holding the customer during his learning curve, is what differentiates Fujitsu from other I.T. vendors."

The typical NBS branch is outfitted with two Fujitsu DESKPOWER PCs, one Fujitsu team server each, and 10 teamPOS point-of-sale terminals, plus dial-in facilities to transfer transaction data to the head-office at the end of the day. Of course, bigger branches have more POS systems. As of May 1999, FPI had successfully complied with the contractual requirement to implement the new system in thirty National branches. Discussions are now being held to address the need of the remaining fourteen branches.

"Fujitsu's teamPOS, DESKPOWER and team server lines indeed set the standard for top-of-the-line design and superior quality when it comes to high-performance and reliability," says Ruel D. Magat, MIS Manager of National Bookstore. "More importantly, FPI has delivered an impeccable after-sales support which is very critical to our business. This comprehensive support from FPI transcends the common sales pitch that we usually hear from IT vendors before the sale. We look for a responsible partner, not just an IT supplier who disappears whenever trouble comes. And we find such a partner with Fujitsu."

Challenges:

• National Bookstore had been aggressively launching new branches. Such expansion begged for robust information systems that could provide critical decision support---from tracking company sales at a moment's notice to monitoring inventory to the last item---delivered on time.

Benefits:

• The Fujitsu POS runs SoftwearPOS to capture customer transaction data, which can then be transferred to the existing JDA back-office system of NBS. The same data could be analyzed by Powerprobe, which produces both printed reports and colorful user-friendly graphs to highlight sales trends for each branch or each product.
• In the future, National Bookstore could implement data warehousing projects and customer loyalty schemes based on historical data produced by the Fujitsu POS.

Note:

Fujitsu is a leading provider of IT-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 160,000 employees supporting customers in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers.
Fujitsu is the world's third-largest IT services provider and Japan's market leader.


Reference:

www.fujitsu.com