Week 7- Muddy: Software

Week 7 was very muddy for me. A lot of the concepts feel over my head and I have had a hard time wrapping my head around them. Open Source Software (OSS) was one of the main points discussed. OSS is a type of software that is free and available to anyone. The code can also be changed or modified by any person who is looking at it. With potentially thousands of users, this can improve the quality of the program and fix a lot of the bugs found in the software. As found in the text, there are numerous benefits to companies using OSS.

1.       COST- eliminates a cost spent developing their own operating system or licensing; zero marginal costs

2.       RELIABILITY- there are multiple people constantly checking for problems/bugs and improving product quality

3.       SECURITY- problems can be addressed with greater speed and reliability

4.       SCALABILITY- has the ability to handle increasing workloads or to be easily expanded to manage workload increases

5.       AGILITY AND TIME TO MARKET- may be able to skip segments of the development process; allows new products to reach the market faster

A few of the most well-known OSS are Firefox, Open Office, Apache, Linux, & MySQL.

Cloud computing is another type of software that is growing in popularity. Cloud computing replaces computing resources (hardware or software) with services provided over the Internet. Software as a Service (SaaS) is a type of this. SaaS is when a firm subscribed to a 3^rd party software replacing service that is delivered online. This could be payroll or distribution costs for vendors and reduced risk of software piracy (because it is free to start with!).  However, there are some risks associated with it.

1.       DEPENDENCE ON A SINGLE VENDOR

2.       CONCERN ABOUT THE LONG TERM VIABILITY OF PARTNER FIRMS

3.       USERS MAY BE FORCED TO MIGRATE TO NEW VERSIONS- possibly incurring unforeseen training costs and shifts in operating procedures

4.       RELIANCE ON A NETWORK CONNECTION- which could be slower, less stable, and less secure

5.       DATA ASSET STORED OFF SITE- could lead to security and legal questions

6.       LIMITED CONFIGURATION, CUSTOMIZATION, AND SYSTEM INTEGRATION OPTIONS

7.       THE USER INTERFACE OF WEB BASED SOFTWARE IS OFTEN LESS SOPHISTICATED AND LACKS THE RICHNESS OF MOST DESKTOP ALTERNATIVES

8.       UNAUTHORIZED IT SUPPORT

Virtualization is described in the textbook as an operating system for an operating system. Basically, it is a type of software that allows a single computer to function as if it were several different computers, each running its own OS and software. It can computing more efficient, cost-effective, and scalable. You take pieces of hardware (ie: CPU, memory, storage) and break them up. Then, you give the piecing to virtual machines who use them as if they were the original whole. You can use this for running several “virtual computers” on a single physical host computer system. This would be a perfect tool for a company who wanted to run OS X and Windows on a Mac computer. 

Virtualization was one of the harder concept for me to wrap my head around. I found this video on Youtube which helps alot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HItJ1ET4-oM&feature=related

Presentation Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWVTSg2qW6c

For my presentation, I chose Wounded Warrior Project as my philanthropic organization. I have completed multiple Powerpoint presentations in the years past for various classes and for presentations in my workplace. However, this was my first time being “trained” on the correct way to give memorable presentations. It was also my first time recording my own voice along with a presentation.

If I were to give myself a letter grade on how well I completed this project, I would give myself an A- or B+. I think I did well, but there were a few points that could have been improved. For example, there were a few spots in the voice recording where I stumbled on my words. Looking back, I should have re-recorded this and made it smoother. I believe I performed strongly in all of the other areas based off the Presentation Evaluation Rubric. There was a logical flow and sequence of content: I started out introducing the organization I was discussing, gave some information on what they do, who they serve, examples of programs, and how my audience can help. On my peer critique, the grader stated that I could have done a better job grabbing the audience’s attention. I agree with this. Maybe my next presentation could start out with a question or a story to draw them in. All of the information I presented could be validated and confirmed through the Wounded Warrior Project website, which is where I gathered my information. One thing I learned during the Presentations week is how to reduce clutter. I tried to minimize information on the screen and eliminate bullet points as much as possible. I know personally that I have a hard time reading what is on a screen and listening to the presenter simultaneously. I did not want my audience to have to try to do this and potentially miss an important point I was saying.

Overall, I think I did well on the presentation project. I applied tips I learned from the presentations week and Dr. Means’ lectures, which made my presentation more effective and hopefully memorable. Also, critiquing myself and having a peer critique my work allowed me to see what was done well and what needs improvement for my next presentation. 

Week 6 Clear (Kinda)- Software

Week 6- Somewhat Clear

In Week 6 of ISM3004, we talked about the various types of  software. We use software almost every single time we sit down at our computers, smart phones, or iPad. I am using a type of software right now, through Microsoft Word. For example, Microsoft word is a type of application software (it helps me accomplish a specific task with a specific purpose) The other type of software is known as system software, which enables you to use the hardware. An example of this would be Windows 7 or McAfee Antivirus.

  In this case, the application software is assisting me in completing my weekly blog through a word processor.  The textbook and video lectures described the process of communication as a layer cake. Another way to picture this is a relay race. The baton is passed from runner to runner….

USER--->APPLICATION SOFTWARE-->OPERATING SYSTEM (OS)-->HARDWARE

Each individual components communicates with the other one, allowing a more simplistic approach since each layer is independent. The method in which each layer communicates with the other is called API’s (Application Programming Interface). The operating system provides a common set of controls for managing computer hardware. This makes it easier for users to interact with the computers and for programmers to unite application software.  The consistency of the OS allows everyone to be on the same page and serves as our gateway to the hardware. The analogy Mr. Olson used in the lecture related an OS to a traffic cop.

Furthermore, there are two categories of software: desktop and enterprise. Desktop software is like what I am using now to write this entry (Microsoft Word). It is an application installed on a personal computer that typically supports tasks performed by a single user. Another example is games or a photo editor. Enterprise software is an application that addresses the needs of multiple users throughout an organization or work group. Take for instance, the company of Heinz. “Over 650 million bottles of Heinz ketchup are sold around the world in more than 150 countries.” This of course does not take into account the single serve packets of ketchup that are traditionally found at fast food restaurants. This massive amount of productions, supplies, and the large numbers of workers and vendors that are involved in a year’s worth of work is not something that can be kept in an old fashioned ledger book. They would have to utilize a type of enterprise software to keep track of sales, shipments, and payrolls.

 http://www.heinz.com/our-company/press-room/trivia.aspx

Images allowed for reuse through Creative Commons/Flickr

Week 5: Clear- Presentations

Week 5: Clear

Week 5 was all about proper Powerpoint presentations. The material offered numerous tips from various sources about “do’s and don’ts” of presentations. I personally believe Powerpoint presentations can be extremely effective, if done right. For example, the method in which information can be delivered to an audience through presentations is virtually unlimited. Text, audio, video, and images can all be used to evoke an emotional response from an audience. The key to successful Powerpoint presentations is moderation and creativity. A slideshow full of text with no images or other forms of multimedia to engage the audience will surely result in some snoring from the crowd. On the other hand, too many images can cause a slideshow to seem cluttered and the audience can lose focus on what you are trying to get across. Once again, moderation is vital in creating a memorable presentation.

My first exposure to Microsoft Powerpoint was when I was in middle school, circa 2001. Powerpoints were never regularly used in my classrooms until I got to high school. I have seen countless presentations since then and many of the “don’ts” that were reviewed in the lecture material are common mistakes, some that I am even guilty of doing. Here are some things to keep in mind when creating a Powerpoint and presenting it to an audience.

1.      Be clear in what you are trying to get across. Unneeded information and getting sidetracked on irrelevant information will lose the attention of your audience and leave them confused on the main point.   

2.    Do some spring cleaning! Lose the clutter and “extra stuff” that is on your slideshow. If it isn’t a key factor in demonstrating your argument, it’s usually a good idea to eliminate it.

 3.        Use multimedia wisely. If possible, use images and your own voice rather than reading text on the screen. Images, video, and audio can all be used to illicit an emotional response from the audience.

      4.      Don’t overcomplicate or make your graphics too vague. For example, having too many images on the screen can be just as harmful to your presentation as having a single picture that is vague & your audience cannot make the connection

      5.    Readability: Make sure the text is big enough to read, even from the back of the room.  Another component of readability is only putting what is necessary. Putting a whole slide full of text can overwhelm your audience.

      6.     Don’t forget that your audience might not have any background information on the topic you are presenting. If they do, they still are probably not familiar with the topic at hand now. Therefore, it is important to tie all loose ends on whatever topic you are presenting, so your audience doesn’t walk out of the room scratching their heads.

       7.    Meet the needs of your audience. For example, if you are attempting to sell a product from your company to the CEO of another company, it is crucial to get inside his or her head. They are listening to your presentation, thinking “how will this benefit me and my company?” Make sure you address these questions and tailor your presentations to your specific audience.

By remembering these suggestions regarding Powerpoint presentations, it can ensure that the next presentation you have to give will be a phenomenal and memorable one. 

Permission for reuse granted by Standard YouTube License 

Week 4: Clear- Porter's 5 Forces

 Porter’s 5 Forces

Porter’s 5 Forces are crucial to understanding the interplay between firms in an industry and also formulating strategic moves in order to succeed as a company in a competitive market. Also known as “Industry and Competitive Analysis,” its’ purpose is just as it name describes: it is used to analyze the competition in an industry (our rivals) and come up with a strategy to differentiate our product from theirs. Or at least, the way the consumer sees it. Michael Porter, of Harvard Business School, came up with this model in 1979.

1.       The intensity of rivalry among existing competitors

·         Customer loyalty

·         Number of competitors

·         Switching costs

2.       The threat of new entrants

·         Time and cost of entry

·         Economies of scale

·         Barriers to entry

·         Cost advantage

3.       The threat of substitute goods or services

·         Substitute performance

·         Cost of change

4.       The bargaining power of buyers

·         Number of customers

·         Difference between competitors

·         Price sensitivity

·         Ability to substitute

5.       The bargaining power of suppliers

·         Number of suppliers

·         Uniqueness of service

·         Your ability to substitute

These 5 factors illuminates an industry’s fundamental attractiveness to consumers, exposes the underlying drives of average industry profitability, and provides insight into how profitability will evolve in the future. A firm (or potential firm) can evaluate these five factors to determine their chances or how difficult it will be for them to survive in their respective industry.

The website below explains Porter’s 5 forces in simple terms and gives a good example to tie it all together.

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_08.htm

This YouTube video is amusing and also explains Porter's 5 forces!