Information System For Caterpillar Information Technology Essay

Information System For Caterpillar Information Technology Essay Information is a vital to running a business today, hence the needs to control and utilise information has been developed rapidly in order to gain a competitive advantage. Information system is a useful general term which used to describe about the way of organisation manage their information successfully. Today is twenty first century and computers and computer-based system are very essential to run and setup the organisation. A comprehensive and integrated information system provides a space to consolidating fragmented pieces or sub systems, improving country decision-making capabilities, implementing evidence-based decision making and providing easy access to reliable and valid data and subsequently to good quality information for better decision-making. Caterpillar is one of the worlds foremost manufacturers of earthmoving machinery and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and electrical power generation systems. Caterpillar has declared that the Caterpillar Inc. Company was officially established in 1925.Since it was founded in 1925, Caterpillar has a proud history in product development, technological innovations and globalizations with presence around the world in Europe, South-North America, Russia, China, Japan, and Africa, the company provides products and services in a multinational market, Caterpillar employs about 200.00 people around the world between dealers, employees, and suppliers. In 2006, Caterpillar reported Sales and Revenues of $ 41.517 billion and profit of $ 3.537 billion, up 28 percent compared with the previous year. (General Motors Annual Report 2005) Introduction: To ensure the success, organization always depended on information system. For their continued survival all the medium to large organizations depend on their information technology. All kind of business like small to co-operation enterprise everyone use their own information system. In daily Telegraph they published a recent article; IT supplement advises that many large organizations could not survive longer than 24 hours without IT support! Day by day, year by year organizations have changed their information systems from dealing purely with data processing to strategic and decision support. Without the valid information is impossible to find success in the short, medium and long term plan. At present situation it is also recognized that in an organization information is very common required at all levels and that information can have find from many source. To gaining competitive advantage the valid information is very Importance to needs to be stressed. INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR CATERPILLAR: The different kind of Information System depends on different needs of the company. Today the market offers a range of software; accounting programs, management programs. The company depending on its budget have to identify the most effective system which will bring about more benefits. Despite using the information systems in each level, an alternative system called Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) may be used to replace all the other systems mentioned above for each level within the organization. The information systems mentioned before address different functional areas usually in fragmented and incoherent fashion. The systems are created to meet the particular needs of the organization. On the other hand, the ERP system leads to more effective sharing of information and eventually to the production of more precise forecasts and plans. It is a package of programs that allow the company to integrate and share information by linking the subsidiaries, suppliers, employees, sales analysis, human resources, inventories, and financial issues simultaneously with managers and customers. It is an all-in-one package. The adoption of a single system has advantages such as dealing with only one software vendor, reduced maintenance and other repair costs, comparability between systems within the organization; and a more unifying strategy for the organization. However, it may be an expensive system to purchase and operate; and may lack flexibility to adapt to changing business need. ERP has been an effective system to adopt and Caterpillar will definitely gain competitive advantage over its rivals. INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION: These systems are focused on determining what information must be provided in order to achieve the objectives of the business strategy. Caterpillar being the worlds leading producer of earth moving equipment, industrial gas turbine engines and a global leader supplier of diesel engines, selling over 300 products with a service life of fifty or more years to support distributors in over 120 countries, needs to plan and establish accurate designs of Information system for each level within the organization. These systems will help the organization to make reliable decisions within each level of the organization as mentioned below. a) STRATEGIC LEVEL The strategic level is the top most level in an organization and through the use of Executive Support System (ESS) which is the highest level of information systems used within the senior management, it establishes medium to long term strategies which assist in strategic decision making. Caterpillars strategic decisions will have a major impact on the organization and will be based on future assumptions rather than the current. It is analysed from external sources (market surveys, trade publications, demographic studies, government reports and commissioned research from specialist suppliers). The information will tend to be highly uncertain and more of a general nature or summary. The organization needs to make decisions which will help them gain a competitive edge within the market by maximising its share, attaining huge profits, develop quality and right products, control the costs and provision of satisfaction for customers. Information Requirements at this level would therefore include: Profit forecasts Patterns of expenditure Sales analyses Demographic Survey Development of market forces General economy Information Technology: The organization needs to understand and forecast customer demands so as to keep up with the future trends. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a system which provides information about customers such as categories of customers and predicts their behaviours. This system would update Caterpillar to be able to fulfil customers demands (by innovating new products) and prevent wastage of customers to competitors. b) TACTICAL LEVEL This is associated with the middle management and involves medium term decisions. The information required will normally be in aggregate form and it is subject to less uncertainty compare to information required in the strategic level. Within this level, the organization can use two types of systems; Decision Support System (DSS) and Management Information System (MIS). MIS facilitates routine summarizing and reporting while DSS allows ad hoc queries and analytical reporting. Caterpillar will have to effectively manage and control its finances (prepare budgets), labour, inventories, machinery and other resources. Information Requirements at this level would be: Variance Reports Sales analysis Cash flow forecasts Personnel Records Management Reports Information Technology: The organization needs to maintain good relationships with its suppliers since they provide the necessary inputs and components for its production. One way of doing so is by creating Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) which establishes an electronic connection between the business and its suppliers and automatically sends messaged to the supplier when orders are to be made. c) KNOWLEDGE LEVEL This level is often present in some organizations and helps to keep up to date with the technology and makes use of the Knowledge Work Systems (KWS). For Caterpillar, this level would help to create designs and graphics of its machinery and other forms of design specification. Information Requirements: Design Specifications Drafts Previous or existing models Information Technology: Through the use of expensive Computer Aided Design/ Computer Aided Manufacturing equipment, Caterpillar has a chance to produce differentiated products which would act as a barrier to entry for other firms and to gain competitive advantage over other firms within the industry. d) OPERATIONAL LEVEL This level is concerned with the decisions made in the normal day to day operations within a business. Decisions in this area are designed to ensure the effective and efficient use of existing resources to realise budget objectives. This level makes use of the Transaction Processing System (TPS) which includes systems such as payroll, order tracking, machine control and employee records. Information Requirements: Personnel information Inventory and production levels Pricing decisions Credit control over customers Cash controls and other forms of accounting Cloud computing: Cloud computing is a term that normally using for anything that involves delivering hosted through the internet. Generally these services are divided in to three categories: Infrastructure-as-a-service (laas) Platform-as-a-service (paas) and Software-as-a-Service (saas).The name of cloud computing is stirred from the cloud symbol that usually symbolized the internet in flowchart and diagram. In the simplest, cocktail-hour terms, cloud computing is managed, shared applications, development platforms or computing infrastructure accessible via a network such as the internet. Above the clouds: Managing Risk in the World of Cloud Computing By Kevin T McDonalds. Cloud computing technology boasts all the benefits of multitenant, including built-in security, reliability, upgradeability and ease of use. Normally cloud computing platforms are growing in popularity, its exceptional advantages does a cloud computing architecture offer to companies in todays economic climate. Suitability of cloud computing: Proven Web-services integration: Cloud computing technology is most easier and quicker to compare with other enterprise applications by their unique nature. Such as McDonalds company using their web site logo I am loving it this is proven that all over the world for McDonalds recognition. World-class service delivery: Cloud computing infrastructures offer much greater scalability, complete disaster recovery and impressive uptime numbers. McDonalds offer their same service to the customer all over the world and they maintain their service in the same label. No hardware or software to install: The main beauty of cloud computing technology is its simplicity. This doesnt require any software to install and it requires significantly fewer capital to get up and running. Faster and lower risk development: No more waiting moths or years and spending millions of dollars before anyone gets to log into new solution. Cloud computing technology applications are live in a matter of weeks or months, even with extensive customization or combination. Support for deep customizations: Several IT professionals mistakenly think that cloud computing is difficult to customize as a result it is not a good choice for complex enterprises. This infrastructure not only allows deep customization and application configuration, it preserves all those customization even during upgrades. This is also ideal for application development tosiness support organizations evolving needs. Empowered business users: cloud computing technology allow on the fly, point and click customization and report generation for business users, so IT doesnt spend half its time making minor changes and running reports. Automatic upgrades that dont impact IT resources: These infrastructures put an end to a huge IT dilemma; if we upgrade to the latest and greatest version of the application, well be forced to spend time and resources to rebuild our customizations and combinations. Cloud computing doesnt force to decide between upgrading and preserving all hard work. Because all the customization and integrations are automatically preserved during an upgrade. Conclusion: According to research literature and Caterpillar information system it is evident that well establish system running by the company. From particular store to head office and also around the world the whole company running by one network. Every store is monitored by head office and how they operate business operation, tracking stock, ordering system, distribution channel, internal communication going through one IT network. Caterpillar has very strong relationship with cloud computing technology that gives great security and data storage facilities without investing additional amounts. Around the world data transfer and hassle free communication with secure system made Caterpillar in driving position in construction and mining equipment industry. Quality development strongly controlled and improved through latest technology and that made customer satisfaction and also keep customer loyal for future business. References: Above the Clouds: Managing Rusisk in the World of Cloud Computing  By Kevin T. McDonald

Internet :: essays research papers

Internet Ad #1 1) Tide 2) This series of ads shows all of Tide’s laundry detergents which include liquid, powder, powder with bleach, powder with bleach alternative, tabs, high efficiency, and Tide kick. 3) Tide uses a different approach from some of the other types of laundry detergent companies. They devote a separate page to each type of product. Each of these pages shows pictures of each individual type of product (for example the different types of liquid detergents). Next to each picture is a full description of the product, which includes the uses and scents. Below the pictures is a chart that lists the various formulas and sizes. This website invites the viewer to try out the Tide products to see which one best fits their family. 4) This website used no special techniques. 5) The Tide ads are very effective. Besides showing ample information about each type of product, the website also shows special offers, related articles, a Tide product locator, and common question about stain removal and laundry detergents. Also, the website is full of bright colors, which help to grab your attention. Internet Ad #2 1) Wisk 2) This page is an advertisement for all of Wisk’s laundry detergents. 3) This ad is a one-page advertisement for the Wisk products, which include dual action tablets, liquid with wrinkle reducer, liquid with bleaching action, liquid with no perfumes of dyes, and high efficiency. Each different product is shown, followed by a short description. Below the products is a statement most of their products can be purchased in liquid and powder forms. This website tell the viewer to wash their clothes right the first time, by using Wisk products. 4) This website features a washing machine icon that you can click on that will show you how to wash certain clothes.

Psychology: Human Memory Essay

The article addresses the problems of interference as related to implicit memory. The study reveals the inconsistencies of the previous studies in the area of explicit and implicit memory, and the impact of interference on the memory performance. The authors of the article analyze the three major studies conducted in previous years. Lustig & Hasher (2001) refer to interference as â€Å"a primary source of forgetting and a major focus of memory research†. Previous research has proved that implicit memory is immune to interference, but there is no evidence whether earlier studies have referred to proactive or retroactive interference. The results of the previous research have determined the different patterns of interaction between explicit memory, implicit memory, and interference mechanisms. This difference was later used to suggest that explicit and implicit memory tasks measure different forms of memory and act within different systems of the brain. Despite the clear evidence that implicit memory is immune to interference, Lustig & Hasher (2001) suggest that this evidence is impaired by using wrong methods of research: the authors emphasize the importance of differentiating between target and nontarget memory responses. Lustig & Hasher (2001) have designed a new study, â€Å"in which each fragment presented at test could be completed only by one previously presented target word†. The authors have utilized the three-group study design: in the interference group, the nontarget items were similar to the correct completions; for the control group, nontarget items were unrelated to the test fragments; the third group was used as a baseline and received only test fragments. The control and interference group participants viewed a list of words divided into the two groups of target and nontarget items. The list was followed by a set of exercises to be completed by both groups (word-fragment test). Lustig & Hasher (2001) used planned comparisons to analyze the results of the fragment-completion test. â€Å"The critical question was whether orthographically similar nontargets impaired implicit memory for the target words† (Lustig & Hasher, 2001). Although the control and interference groups have displayed better achievements in fragment-test as compared to the baseline group, the successes of the interference group members were negatively impacted by their exposure to the list of nontarget words. Thus, implicit memory was impacted by interference mechanisms. The authors have analyzed the proportion of incorrect answers as impacted by the group exposure to nontarget words. The results have shown an increasingly great number of intrusions of the non-target words in the interference group as compared to the control and baseline groups.   The results of the study, combined with the previous research results, have led to the conclusion that explicit memory cannot be the only critical factor in determining the presence of interference. On the contrary, the combination of the explicit and implicit memory responses determine the exact patterns of interference and their impact on human memory. Lustig and Hasher (2001) clearly demonstrate that implicit memory is not immune to interference. In addition, the researchers create a new vision of the critical boundary condition for interference, which â€Å"is similarity between critical and nontarget items, not deliberate retrieval† (Lustig & Hasher, 2001). Discussion questions 1. How is the interference phenomenon discussed in earlier studies? 2. Is there any unilateral evidence that implicit memory is immune to interference? 3. Why is the similarity between target and nontarget items potentially important for the investigation of interference and its impact on implicit memory mechanisms? 4. How has the use of fragment-completion test been beneficial for the discovery of interference impact on implicit memory? 5. In the light of the current research results, how can we define a critical boundary condition for interference?

Cloning and Technology essays

Cloning and Technology essays Cloning is creating an exact copy of a living organism from a single cell, using a genderless organism where the organism inherits the genetical characteristics from the parent who donated the cell. Scientist have been studying and experimenting the concept of cloning for the last fifty years. Cloning in regards to technology has its advantages and disadvantages. Some of these advantages of cloning with the help of technology are help the increase of population, farm better livestock for human, child cloned for unfertile parents, cloning lost family members, and decrease in developing a serious disease. The disadvantages of cloning is decrease I genetic diversity, technology is new and very unstable, and maybe inhuman. One of the advantages that were mentioned earlier was increasing population in endangered species such as plants and animals. With this technology we can clone animals that can produce a faster way to provide food. We can use cloning with plants to produce more of certain species that are going extinct. Another advantage of cloning is to farm better livestock. This is basically to supply organs for humans in need, such as liver, heart, or a kidney. Organ transplants would be significantly aided I this way. Infertile parents could have their prayers answered by using the tissue of a one parent to give rise to a new baby. Brilliant people could be reproduced indefinitely. Banning human cloning is same as disallowing life. Depriving those who sincerely wish to experience pregnancy and raise a child biologically related to them may result in a large number of children throughout the world possibly available for adoption (Nussbaum Cloning can helped in giving birth and also with death. You can replace a lost family member by using the cloning tec...

Free Essays on Famous Latin American Authors

Josà © Martà ­ was a Cuban poet, essayist and journalist, who became the symbol of Cuba's fight to get independence from Spain. He said "No man has any special right because he belongs to any specific race; just by saying the word man, we have already said all the rights." He was born in Havana and he was the son of a Spanish soldier. He published Versos sencillos in 1891 during a really hard time in his life. This was after he and his wife had separated. He always emphasized the need to come to terms with the continents' multi-racial identity and the importance of teaching the history of America all the way from the Incas to now. Gabriel Garcà ­a Mrquez was a Latin-American journalist, novelist and story writer, and a central figure in the Magic Realism movement. This term was used in Germany in the 1920's to describe some contemporary painters, whose works expressed surrealistic visions. He basically considered himself a realist as he wrote about Colombian and Latin American reality just as he saw it. He was born in the banana zone of Colombia. His parents abandoned him and he was raised by his grandparents. He later wrote about Bolà ­var and his last journey down the Magdelena River. One Hundred Years of Solitude was the most popular work of Magic Realism. Garcà ­a said that he tries to tap the magic in commonplace events. Ruben Dario was born on January 18, 1867 in Nicaragua. His parents divorced and he was raised by his godfather Colonel Felix Ramirez. HE began reading at age 3 and publishing poems by the age of 12. In 1882 he tried to get a scholarship to a college by reading one of his poems but he was turned down because his poems were too liberal and filled with anti-religious sentiments. Throughout his life he was confronted with prejudice because of the darkness of his skin. Also throughout his life he indulged in alcohol and women in large amounts. His trademark was his rhythmic style and mo... Free Essays on Famous Latin American Authors Free Essays on Famous Latin American Authors Josà © Martà ­ was a Cuban poet, essayist and journalist, who became the symbol of Cuba's fight to get independence from Spain. He said "No man has any special right because he belongs to any specific race; just by saying the word man, we have already said all the rights." He was born in Havana and he was the son of a Spanish soldier. He published Versos sencillos in 1891 during a really hard time in his life. This was after he and his wife had separated. He always emphasized the need to come to terms with the continents' multi-racial identity and the importance of teaching the history of America all the way from the Incas to now. Gabriel Garcà ­a Mrquez was a Latin-American journalist, novelist and story writer, and a central figure in the Magic Realism movement. This term was used in Germany in the 1920's to describe some contemporary painters, whose works expressed surrealistic visions. He basically considered himself a realist as he wrote about Colombian and Latin American reality just as he saw it. He was born in the banana zone of Colombia. His parents abandoned him and he was raised by his grandparents. He later wrote about Bolà ­var and his last journey down the Magdelena River. One Hundred Years of Solitude was the most popular work of Magic Realism. Garcà ­a said that he tries to tap the magic in commonplace events. Ruben Dario was born on January 18, 1867 in Nicaragua. His parents divorced and he was raised by his godfather Colonel Felix Ramirez. HE began reading at age 3 and publishing poems by the age of 12. In 1882 he tried to get a scholarship to a college by reading one of his poems but he was turned down because his poems were too liberal and filled with anti-religious sentiments. Throughout his life he was confronted with prejudice because of the darkness of his skin. Also throughout his life he indulged in alcohol and women in large amounts. His trademark was his rhythmic style and mo...

Food and beverage management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Food and beverage management - Case Study Example The restaurant is also renowned for its Franconian food, which is presented with the Franconian dialect. Dishes such as organic beef in buttermilk or sausages with kraut, among others, tend to entice and retain customers. This provides a unique and unforgettable experience to those experiencing it. ‘s Baggers also capitalize on their marketing strategies, which is often with the help of customers. They tend to do advertising through the word of mouth, and recommendations to the outside market, thus attracting more potential customers. This is evident from the distribution of 1500 loyalty cards or friends’ cards within the first four and a half months of the restaurant operations (Broom, 234). Perform a SWOT analysis of ‘s baggers restaurant technology. Strengths Use of technology and innovation in its operations is a major strength. This has led to efficiency in delivery of dishes and beverages to the customers. Such aspect as queues, has been eliminated. Dishes ar e easily identified through colour codes that correspond to each and every customer. This translates to good service, and customer satisfaction. Market penetration is also a major strength of the restaurant. Through recommendations and feedback from customers, the restaurant can be able to determine the level of satisfaction from their clients. Customers act as a major advertising element in terms of marketing. Word to word promotions, as well as loyalty cards, has proven to be effective, as this can be seen with the distribution of 1500 loyalty cards or friends’ cards within the first four and a half months of the restaurant operations. This has led to increased sales and returns (Genna 218). Image branding of the restaurant is also another vital strength. Being the first and only fully automated restaurant in the world, it attracts more customers, who tend to seek a different experience from the norm. This has led to the raising of requests and inquiries of creating franchi ses in Germany, Europe, Canada, Australia and even Korea. This will translate to more sales, and a larger market for the restaurant.License and patent rights are also a major strength of the restaurant. With full rights to this patent and licenses, the restaurant can be able to regulate and influence competition from other dominant food chains, as well as upcoming ones. This means more market and an even greater influence in customer loyalty (Mages 291). Weakness Technology can be considered as a weakness due to its dynamic nature. The Electronic Point of Sale software might change and become obsolete with time, and this means lower productivity, and inefficient delivery. Overall customer satisfaction will diminish, and customer loyalty will decrease. Customers may also find it hard interacting with the computer interface of these systems. Waiters will have a burden in ensuring that all customer needs are met, and this might be overwhelming considering they have other tasks to perfo rm. This may also discourage customers who prefer a more popular way of service delivery, in this case interaction with waiters (Steinhoff 389). Threats Technology can also be considered as a threat. Due to its dynamic nature, technology tends to become outdated and obsolete in a rather fast way. This might prove to be expensive in terms of upgrades and

Wk 11 (2nd Discussion) Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Wk 11 (2nd Discussion) - Article Example is really about questioning the authenticity of something regarded as fact, and this perspective should be adapted and not disregarded if one aspires to grow in truthful information.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One way to interact with information is by delving deeper into its research basis. If a claim is made, one should ask, â€Å"What scientific research supports such claims?† (Pope, 1998). If none can be provided, then this claim can be dismissed as mere hearsay, or looking at it as a challenge, is a statement which can fuel a research study to be conducted to determine whether it is true or not. If a research study is provided as a support though, then it is but proper and fitting to scrutinize the instruments and methods utilized in gathering and analyzing data. For example, if s survey questionnaire was given out by a psychologist to the respondents, validity of the tool should first be established to ensure that the questions will not bring about bias to the study or it should undergo face and content validation by experts in the field first to ensure that the questions are not leading towards specific results. This should be done since the anomalie s may be rooted foremost in the methodology, which also paved way for erroneous conclusions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Now, the aforementioned approach can be likened to the scrutiny of the branches of a plant. Another way to determine the accuracy of information is to examine closely vague and ambiguous terms. Repressed memories of sexual abuse during childhood have been studied by many, but the definition of repressed memories has been haphazardly used by in media, literature and in legal proceedings. A gray area has clouded the vivid demarcation of whether repressed memories are figments of the unconscious defense mechanisms or whether it is a scheme of forgetting (Pope, 1998). Defining terms and allotting which definition is described in which study can provide a much clearer way of assimilating information, and a way to determine