System Development vs. Procurement that I learned in this course.

 

We construct an information system from scratch to suit the purpose of system development. This approach allows for a high degree of customization to meet the specific organization’s needs. It can provide a competitive advantage by enabling unique processes that differentiate a company. However, it requires significant resources, including time, skilled human resources, and financial investment. Knowledge of systems development helps you understand the complex tasks involved in building a system, such as requirements gathering, design, coding, testing, and maintenance. This understanding will be invaluable for future coursework and career, as it will provide you with the skills to oversee complex projects and ensure that the systems developed are aligned with business goals and strategies.

Understanding the “System Development vs. Procurement” concept is crucial for making informed decisions in Management Information Systems (MIS). This knowledge is a foundation for determining whether to build a custom system or procure an existing one, which can significantly affect a business’s efficiency, competitiveness, and innovation.

On the other hand, Procurement refers to acquiring an off-the-shelf software solution that has already been developed. This option can be more cost-effective and quicker than creating an in-house system. Procured systems often come with vendor support and updates, reducing the need for a large IT staff. The trade-off, however, is that these systems may not fit the company’s needs perfectly, and there may be limitations in terms of customization and integration with existing systems. Procurement knowledge is equally essential, as it teaches one to evaluate the market offerings critically, assess the compatibility with organizational needs, and make strategic decisions that balance cost, time, and functionality.

In the future, whether working on a project team or leading an IT department, the insights gained from understanding both system development and procurement will be instrumental. It will allow for a balanced approach to decision-making, considering the organization’s long-term strategic goals, the available resources, and the potential return on investment. This knowledge will also aid in communicating effectively with stakeholders, managing expectations, and ensuring that the chosen solution aligns with the broader business objectives. Ultimately, it will contribute to a more agile and responsive business environment that can adapt to technological changes and maintain a competitive edge.

Team, O., & Team, O. (2023, October 24). What is system procurement in software engineering? Oboloo. https://oboloo.com/blog/what-is-system-procurement-in-software-engineering/

IBM Cloud Case Study Entry – American Airlines

 

IBM Cloud Case Study Entry – American Airlines

Cloud computing has become essential for businesses seeking operational agility and efficiency. I selected the American Airlines case from the IBM Could Case Study. I will explain some of the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing. The world’s largest passenger airline, American Airlines, founded in 1930, announced on June 28 that it has selected the IBM Cloud. (Big Blue has announced the discontinuation of the BlueMix Cloud brand.)

American Airlines | 2014 Boeing 737-823 | cn 31210, ln 5226 | N964NN
American Airlines | 2014 Boeing 737-823 | cn 31210, ln 5226 | N964NN

The world’s largest passenger airline, founded in 1930, announced on June 28 that it has selected the IBM Cloud. (Big Blue has announced that they are discontinuing the BlueMix Cloud brand.) I chose this case study because I work for airlines and have seen their history with new technology platforms and the latest developments. Simplifies business operations and enables operations with fewer personnel. However, it may become difficult to hear customer voices, and the quality of customer service may decline due to a decline in service.

Advantage:                           Lower costs: Cloud computing reduces the need for initial capital expenditures on hardware and infrastructure1.
Strategic edge: Access to the latest technology and applications gives you a competitive advantage.
Fast: Rapid service deployment allows companies to bring products to market quickly.
Backup and restore: Backing up and restoring data is usually more efficient in the cloud.
Reliability: Cloud services often provide high reliability because updates and changes are communicated instantly1.
Mobility: Employees can access cloud services from anywhere with an internet connection.
Unlimited storage capacity: Cloud services typically offer scalable storage options.
Collaboration: Cloud platforms facilitate collaboration between geographically dispersed teams

Cons:                            Downtime: Cloud services are subject to outages that can impact access to your data and applications.
Security concerns: Storing sensitive data offsite can raise security and privacy concerns.
Less control: Businesses may have less control over the management of their data and services2.
Vendor lock-in: Switching cloud providers can be difficult and can lead to dependence on a single provider. When it comes to IBM cloud solutions for American Airlines, it appears to be a strategic move to improve customer experience and operational efficiency. Migrating to IBM Cloud reportedly lowers costs, improves operational reliability, and speeds the development and release of new applications3.

If I worked for American Airlines, I would buy into the IBM Cloud solution because of my past airline experience. It will depend on a variety of factors, including your specific business needs, compatibility of IBM Cloud with your company’s existing systems, and the potential risks involved. However, based on the reported results, the IBM Cloud solution is consistent with American Airlines’ goal of transforming the customer experience through technology. Before making such a decision, it is important to conduct a thorough analysis and consider both the advantages and potential disadvantages. We believe that the right cloud solution must be aligned with a company’s long-term strategy and operational goals.

https://www.tag-group.com/group/news/american-airlines-two-new-app-features

Reference:

Preimesberger, C. (2021, February 2). American Airlines Heads for a New Cloud with IBM. eWEEK. https://www.eweek.com/cloud/american-airlines-heads-for-a-new-cloud-with-ibm/

Advantages of Cloud Computing | Google Cloud. (n.d.). Google Cloud. https://cloud.google.com/learn/advantages-of-cloud-computing

American Airlines’ two new app features. (n.d.). TAG Group. https://www.tag-group.com/group/news/american-airlines-two-new-app-features

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blockchain Technology and Supply Chain Transparency – The Supply Chain Has No Clothes

 

I chose this article because I previously worked at a supply chain company for about 17 years, and I wanted to know about blockchain technology and how it affects the supply chain. When I read the first part of the article titled, The Supply Chain Has No Clothes, it was true that surely, there were no businesses that used clothes. This article caught my eye, and I thought I wanted to know more about how it can be applied to different fields and industries.

At first, Blockchain technology is a novel way of storing and sharing transaction information in a distributed and decentralized database. It has been widely used in the finance sector, but it also has potential applications for supply chain transparency and traceability. Supply chain transparency refers to the availability of information about the origins, processes, and impacts of products and services along the supply network,1. Supply chain traceability refers to the ability to identify and verify the components and chronology of events in all steps of a process chain. Consumers are increasingly demanding more transparency and traceability from the companies they buy from, especially for products that have social and environmental implications, such as food, clothing, and jewelry. Blockchain technology can provide a secure, reliable, and efficient way of tracking and tracing products from source to destination and enable consumers to access the “story” of their purchases,2.

Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize the supply chain industry by addressing its core challenges. It provides a single, immutable source of truth for all parties to trust, leading to increased transparency, traceability, and efficiency.

Blockchain in Supply Chain: The Transparency Revolution Debiprasad Bandopadhyay Debiprasad Bandopadhyay Entrepreneur, Former Professor of Strategy & Marketing, Blogger, Career Advisor, Amazon Author.

For example: Companies can use blockchain to record every step of a product’s production and distribution, from the raw materials used to its delivery to the final consumer. This transparency allows you to quickly identify issues such as product defects or delays, allowing for timely responses and preventing potential losses. Additionally, blockchain can automate contract agreements, reducing the need for intermediaries and ensuring conditions are met, potentially leading to significant cost savings. Overall, the potential for transformation lies in streamlining operations, reducing fraud, and building trust among supply chain participants.

The article by Francisco and Swanson (2018) explores the adoption of blockchain technology for supply chain traceability applications by end users, 3. The authors use the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as a theoretical framework to explain the factors that influence behavioral intention and use behavior of blockchain technology. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) examines technology acceptance as determined by the influence of expected performance, expected effort, social influence, and facilitating conditions. The UTAUT model consists of four main effects: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions4. The authors also introduce two trust constructs: trust in technology and inter-organizational trust, which are expected to moderate the relationships between the main effects and the behavioral intention5. The authors develop a conceptual model with researchable propositions and discuss the implications and limitations of their research, 6.

The article contributes to the literature on blockchain technology and supply chain management by providing a comprehensive and integrative perspective on the adoption of blockchain technology for traceability applications 3,7. The article also offers practical insights for supply chain managers who are interested in leveraging blockchain technology to enhance their supply chain transparency and traceability. The article suggests that blockchain technology can create competitive advantages for companies by improving their performance, efficiency, reputation, and customer satisfaction. The article also identifies the challenges and barriers that may hinder the adoption of blockchain technology, such as technical resources, organizational support, social influence, and trust issues.

References

Redirecting. (n.d.). https://www.proquest.com/docview/2124786084?accountid=13158&parentSessionId=dQZptkp1hmfWozgXU3M8n00L8SKPxGCqcjYlNQplrBo%3D&pq-origsite=summon&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals

 

About Yumi Nakaya

 

My name is Yumi Nakaya. My major is marketing. As part of that, I decided to take this class. I came to the United States from Japan about 20 years ago for work reasons. I was working at Korean Air for Los Angeles Airport, but I moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta for my new job at UPS Supply Chain Solutions. I’m enjoying Georgia life. Last year I lost my job at UPS Supply Chain Solutions for restructuring. Currently, I’m looking for a job during study.

I graduated from a Korean university called Shangmyung Women’s University (now Shangmyung University) with a degree in English Literature more than 20 years ago, and am currently in my third year of study at Pennsylvania State University, majoring in Marketing at Pennsylvania State University. The reason I chose Penn State University was because I had visited the University Park campus when I first came to the United States

The reason I decided to study again was because the concept of university was very different between Japan and America. I realized that to work in the United States, I needed to obtain a job-related degree, and that it would be difficult to get a job without it. So I decided to study again. This is why I’m attending college. I also realized that there is a big difference in the purpose and motivation for going to university in Japan and America. Now that I have started taking classes at an American university, I am always excited by the high level of the class content.

I had no experience learning about information systems. Moreover, I had never learned Excel either. I taught myself and learned a little bit of the basics of Excel due to work, but it was not enough. When I started to learn about it, I was surprised by the versatility of Excel. I want to study about Excel and get results in this class. My knowledge of Excel is very basic. It is difficult to learn and understand Excel from scratch, but I think I am very glad that I can learn it in this class. I want to be able to use Excel by the end of class.

Tokyo

Capital of Japan

Sapporo Japan

My Hometown Sapporo

Sapporo Snow Festival – my hometown Sapporo Japan

My first University in Korea. It changed a lot and bigger.