What is strategy? Explain the relationship between a business strategy and information systems. Give an example of such a relationship.
The development of the modern business world depends on the effective strategies used in companies and on operating contemporary information systems, which can influence the use of a business strategy. From this point, it is necessary to focus on a strategy as the method in business and on the relationship of a business strategy and information systems.
A business strategy can be discussed as a detailed plan of action and as the means to realize the plan and achieve the definite business goals. Strategies determine the goals to be achieved and markets to enter. The range of resources to overcome the market’s threats is determined along with the opportunities to succeed within the industry. An example of a business strategy is the detailed plan of the company’s further actions in order to achieve the competitive advantage while using the company’s available tools, human resources, managerial techniques, and methods effectively.
Modern business relies on contemporary information systems to gain a competitive advantage within the industry. Information systems are the necessary operational support tools for management that are used to promote business strategies. Thus, the relationship of a business strategy and information systems depends on improving business strategies and processes with the help of technologies. Information systems contribute to the effectiveness of business strategies providing operational support. For instance, to improve the processes associated with the strategies of the change management, information systems are used to calculate associated costs, to improve employee perception, productivity, and performance, and to develop the most effective plan of action.
The impact of technology and information systems on a business strategy can generate a competitive advantage for that business, which can lead to the firm’s success and can enable a corporation to accomplish its objectives and goals effectively.
Define input technology. Explain how to input technology can be used to reduce cost and increase customer satisfaction. Give two examples.
The usage of information systems and technologies is associated with the use of different input technologies, which can contribute to reducing costs and increasing customer satisfaction if they are used appropriately.
Input technologies can be defined as systems and devices which allow capturing the data and information in order to be collected in computer systems. Thus, users can enter symbols with the help of input devices and guarantee the preservation of the information in the system. The examples of input technologies are the work with data collection devices and source data automation devices.
The effective use of input technologies can lead to successful management of business operations and reducing costs as well as to increasing customers’ satisfaction. Input technologies are necessary to contribute to creating customer loyalty with the help of improving customer service with references to the use of websites, data management services, and source data automation in marketing. For instance, many firms use input technologies connected with websites, which are important to collect data about customers with the help of website profiles and the provided data. This strategy helps to reduce costs on enhancing customer loyalty and brand image. Moreover, the companies use discount cards and information on them as input data to systems in order to attract customers and increase loyalty.
Input technologies are effective in gathering data from the customer to evaluate their interests in the brand. Companies should keep comprehensive profiles of their clients to know their requirements and other personal information.
Define output technology. Explain how output technology can be used to reduce cost.
Output technologies are as important to influence companies’ interactions with customers as input technologies. Moreover, output technologies are effective in reducing costs.
Output technologies are devices and a type of data that are generated and collected by a computer. Thus, output technologies are used to distribute the data and information generated from calculations and other activities in order to use the information for the concrete purpose to achieve the end goal of the process. For instance, output technology is necessary to provide a manager with information on a product with the help of entering the bar-code.
Output technology can be used to reduce cost when the information and data are collected and organized appropriately in the system to be used immediately. For instance, the work of a restaurant chain depends on effective management and control with the help of output technologies providing information for the chain’s owners in different locations while reducing costs and giving improved service to both the customer and user.
As a result, output technologies are necessary to improve the work of the managerial chains and for the effective use of input technologies.
What is the operating system? Explain its functions.
To manage the work of hardware, operating systems are necessary. Thus, it is important to focus on their functions.
An operating system can be defined as the specific software controlling the work of the computer hardware. It is necessary to control the performance of key tasks as input and output operations. Examples of an operating system are Microsoft Windows and Android.
The main functions of an operating system are memory allocation, file system manipulation, provision of communications. An operating system also detects errors in the work of a computer and regulates the work of the hardware. For instance, an operating system can load a definite program into the computer’s memory in order to realize certain operations for the user’s needs in the future.
Operating systems control the commands to the program and check and detect errors that may occur in the hardware work and in the operations associated with different input and output devices.
Explain the open-source model. What are the main advantages of this model?
The term an open-source model describes the software available for the public because of the conditions of accessing it. That is why this model is discussed as advantageous for users.
The open-source model is characterized by certain accessibility or availability for users globally because the open exchange of the model is possible. The source code of the model is accessible for the users in spite of the location. Furthermore, the model can be improved, and some features can be added to it. For instance, using the free license, a user can receive access to any open-source software which is needed (e.g., Mozilla Firefox, Emacs, Linux).
The advantages of the open-source model are in contributing to the universal redistribution of the software, depending on the speed of distribution and availability for customers. For instance, by changing the code, a user receives more opportunities to improve the product and service.
The open-source model allows changing a product to contribute to the needs of the market.