Nostalgia 10: A week of pure torture!

The week of torture, the best title to fit this hellish week. This week is pure of deadlines and mountain of projects that needs to be done. Really, they just gotta put all the things in week!!!

So then, the start of monday became our doom that week. After our field trip in makro, the next monday, Sir Oli told us to submit a paperwork about makro, that is actually a midterm paper, and it is to be sumbitted the following wednesday...What a long span of time that I we don't have to sleep anymore!!! Ok, I'm ranting already... :D

Our lesson was all about how information is organized. So, we were grouped into five, and Sir Oli gave us an envelope each, containing informations. We were set-up in way that we are going to have an immediate meeting, and we need to present the given data that is asked. We were timed with only minutes to matter...So then, with a lot of information to handle, the information itself was lost. Sir Oli told us that without a computer or proper software to use, our information is more or less not accurate than of with a machine or computer. So..he was right...Thoguh he told us that some group in the other class got it all right...It was quite impossible for us somehow coz no one got it correct in oru class...what a pity...Although our group almost got it...except for a few tiny mistakes in computing...tsk tsk...So then...our week ended with a grade of a negative 30 so we have a consequence to partake...really...Life is hard...

Nostalgia 9: Input Devices and Makro

In related to the campaigning going on this week, our lesson is, nonetheless more different, for we have discussed the new input devices that can be used for the upcoming elections in 2010. Sir Oli told us that we are having a electronic elections since all the officials will be replaced, and really, it will take so long before it ends without the use of said machines.

So then, Sir Oli let us picked between these two input devices to use for the upcoming elections, since it is not yet decided which input device to use. The two will be tested for the ARMM elections.

DRE - Direct Recording Electronic

Advantages:

• easy to use
• 0.0% of any errors (even cheating would likely be improbable)
  
• something people would really want to use because of touch-screen thingy

Disadvantages:

• take a long time to finish for the government can only give up to two machines per election room
• low endurance

OMR - Optical Mark Recognition

Advantages:

• Fast voting

Disadvantage:

• There's a possible error

Important Factors in Data Capture

• Complete
• Correctness and Accuracy
• Reliablity
• Precisions for Correction and Error Direction
• Wow! I like it factor

*Input and Output Devices Always go together
Why?

• INPUT(Capture the data)
• OUTPUT
• Presentation of needed information to make a choice of data to be captured
• Presentation of the possible choice data
• Informed Choice (Why make the choice? ; What may happen if I make a particular choice?)
• Reduction of wrong data to be captured
• Persistance of Data Captured

And For our Makro Field trip (It's like a live broadcast or something...really..)

MAKRO – Girly Velenzuela

• Computers are situated in a vacant space

• Use to operatae a chain of large volume raven

• Low price

• 1968 in the neitherlands (start of Mkaro)

• Trade in food and non-food

• Gas trading

• Capital investmentment cash and easy distribution

• Partners with SM

• Strong buying power (lowest prices for customers)

• Allow customers to conveniently find the things they need

• Macromail – communication between customers and makro

• Ordering stock control admin (things that the comp do)

• Advance data packaging software – basis of makro unique management and marketing

• Maximize thye potential of product by having a low price –downsize for customers

• “Where’s the product, there’s replenishing

• Loading system – above the lights (new stock) below the lights ( for sale)

• Top 2 for fresh food!

• Receiving time is 5 am to 10 am for wet dock (they used a flat weighing scale on the floor)

• Products should be frozen and fresh

• Presyong divisoria

• Mini IT or ALC – reports and etc.

• Dry dock – dry products

• Dock checker – “just in time delivery” and production plan

• 7 days return policy…

• Productivity – price/no of p

• Makro units

• CMM – Customer Marketing Management

Nostalgia 8: Something we MUST remember

4 Areas to Remember:

• Stages of Information
• System Development
• Organizational Knowledge
• Information Problem

- Data Capture
- Data Storage
-Processing Info
-Distribution and access to Information
-Presentation of Information

Planning - "What is the situation that requires the use of an information System?"

• Internal Improvement
• Internal Problem
• External Mandate
• Strategic Decision

* It is feasible?
- Economic - affordable
-Technical
- Organizational - accepted by people

Although Sir Oli was absent, things to do just can't get tired to us. So without wasting anytime, although, freecut, Sir Oli told us to list down some input devices and define them. I think this is for the preparation for the next week lesson :D

For this week...remembering is an important factor...

Nostalgia 7: What's up Coconut?

Surprisingly, we have a surprise quiz by group. After a traumatic experience from last week, alas, we are finally having another nightmare! Yes, as I said, we were grouped by 4 to answer the supposed "quiz". Surely, sir Oli was even kind to let us open our book, and yes, we blindly scanned the book for the supposed "quiz", expecting some test or whatsoever. But as usual, we were wrong! We don't need some book cause we just need some brains, a very critical and logical brain, that is rarely found this days. So then, he started off by telling us some problem of a coconut factory - coconut spoilage.

We as future IS people should know what questions to be asked to confront or to solve the problem. You get a point for a correct answer and a minus for a wrong one. So we did what we were told, ask some questions. Most of our questions was about the transportation and the storing of the coconut. Although some gave some close answers, still it was not enough. So at the end of the so-called quiz that is undeniably a quiz, only a few groups got a close track with the correct answer. So then, enough with the questioning, sir Oli answered the given problem.

He first enumerate the different functional units that the coconut factory have. That was the most basic thing to do - as sir Oli told us. Then, he questioned about the connection of the distribution to the sales. After some 4 questions, he had proved that the problem is the communication and collaboration of the distribution to the sales. And as IS people, we are the ones responisilbe in making an information system to help them with their problem.

With this given activity, somehow, I feel that I'm really far far far away from being fully pledge IS, although, I hope I can be at least. :D

Nostalgia 6: Information System Development

Monday - Our second exam was announced and it is consists 4 chapters - without me knowing that it at least consist of 50 pages per chapter, for I don't have a book yet...

Now, back with the lesson thingy...

Information System 6 Parts

• Software
• Hardware
• Data
• Procedure
• People
• Network

What is the efffect of integrating Technology in an Organization

• How Things are done
• What needs to be done
• Who does things
• Where it can be done

Sir Oli let us watched some film so that we can actually know what an information system does. Really, my answer was out of the question...

So the meaning of IS after many attempts is...

"It is a more accurate Information, anywhere, anytime, when needed by people works for an organization"

Tuesday - The day I was told about the terrible news, the day I crammed!!! (I photocopied the said chapter and it cost me P60 or something...The bad part was, My class ended at 5:30PM and I got home at 9 because of the "inevitable" extinction of bus - actually, there were buses but they are all sardines in there...And I just got a bus after walking to Quirino Avenue.

Wednesday - The day of the cursed exam...

After having our terrible shock of knowing our quiz score - no one actually passed the designated score...We continued with our lesson. The first lesson I learned is to never crammed and never underestimate INTRICT!!!

For the lesson...

Why is an Information System needed to be developed and implemented in an organization?

• Internal improvement in the conduct of operations
• Internal correction of problems hampering the operations
• Exernal mandate
• Strategically determined

Internal Improvement in the conduct of operations

• The sales is starting to peak and customers are increasing, the company needs to respond quickly

Internal Correction of problems hampering the operations

• Too much inventory is lost monthly. Payments are always not tallying with record sales

External Mandate

• Corporate Buyers require electronically printed forms and a way to track orders online

Strategically determined

• The executive managers wanted to reach as many customers outside of the normal area coverage

Mainly, as the meaning of IS suggest it helps a certain organization with different things. Like Sir Oli's example, sometimes certain organizations doesn't need some of this; but it will greatly help in advertising or making your organization or company more interesting for the customers - just like the id thingy... :D End of blog...

Nostalgia 5: Interview Stress

Before the 4th week end, our teacher asssigned us to interview an operational manager and a tactical manager that work in the same company. Of course, we were grouped. Our group interviewed a friend of my father and so on. My friend and I learned a lot of things from them and how it tiring and stressing it is to be one of those two. Well, to be one, you have to be mentally prepared.

So...At the dreaded day of our interview that had been moved to wednesday since typhoon frank swept as with a great disaster last monday.

Sir Oli gave us some small papers and told us to write our number and names I think...So when all our finished, he let Jet draw a paper...and yes, Sir Oli's wish was granted, they were the first group to report...As for us, lucky as always :D

So after the report, Sir Oli asked a few questions (actually, a lot of questions) The question I think I still remebered is the most important tangible thing in an organization...and after many failed attempts, the answer was organizational structure. The other questions was about what are the roles of a tactical and operational manager and what units do they control. The answer are kinda long so I'll skip this part :D But I know it has soemthing to do with the 9 managements...And then, based what they have reported and what we have interviewed, tactical managers are responsible in stratigical planning or long-term planning, while operational are repsonsible for operational planning that ic considered to be daily.

After them, we were lucky again since we were not called and somebody even volunteered - Ivan together with Decee and Chester...They interviewed one of Sir Oli's old student that right now has his own company. Althoguh there was no time for question and answer portion, I think they reported well and we were once again saved!!! That's all- end of blog!

Nostalgia 4: Management Shock

What I learned this 4th week of INTRICTness is that the distribution of papers doesn't mean a hand-out; It means a QUIZ!!! The quiz was shockingly not included in my stock knowledge. But thankfully, there were some items that are multiple choice, though I more or less just base my answers in instinct. Then, Sir Oli, who understands our blankness at the second part gave us some clues or some obvious answers...If he didn't, we were doomed! The last part was essay, and yeah, I just blab something gibberish...But with all my talking, the quiz was not recorded since most of us are unwilling to record it since a lot failed...Well, enough with my nonsense and let's get with the learning stuff that is only 1/4 of this post LOL :D Durign the test, I spot some things that is quite oblivious in my part, like the different kinds of management. That one was the give away part in the test.

So here are the 9 kinds of Management...Hopefully, I still remember since I don't have a copy of it...TSK TSK!!!

1. Accounting Management - is often referred to as billing management. The goal is to gather usage statistics for users. Using the statistics the users can be billed and usage quota can be enforced.

2. Human Resources Management - HRM) is the strategic and coherent approach to the management of an organization's most valued assets - the people working there who individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the business. The terms "human resource management" and "human resources" (HR) have largely replaced the term "personnel management" as a description of the processes involved in managing people in organizations.Human Resource management is evolving rapidly. Human resource management is both an academic theory and a business practice that addresses the theoretical and practical techniques of managing a workface.

3. IT Management - Strictly speaking, there are two incarnations to this definition One implies the management of a collection of systems, infrastructure, and information that resides on them. Another implies the management of information technologies as a business function

4. Distribution - They are the one responsible in the distribution of the products.

5. Customer Service Management - (CRM) is a multifaceted process, mediated by a set of information technologies, that focuses on creating two-way exchanges with customers so that firms have an intimate knowledge of their needs, wants, and buying patterns. In this way, CRM is intended to help companies understand, as well as anticipate, the needs of current and potential customers.

6. Sales Management - is critical for any commercial organization. Expanding business is not possible without increasing sales volumes, and effective sales management goal is to organize sales team work in such a manner that ensures a growing flow of regular customers and increasing amount of sales.

7. Marketing Management - is a business discipline focused on the practical application of marketing techniques and the management of a firm's marketing resources and activities. Marketing managers are often responsible for influencing the level, timing, and composition of customer demand accepted definition of the term. In part, this is due to the fact that the role of a marketing manager can vary significantly based on a business' size, corporate culture, and industry context. For example, in a large consumer products company, the marketing manager may act as the overall general manager of his or her assigned product

8. Production Management - is an area of business that is concerned with the production of goods and services, and involves the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient and effective. It is the management of resources, the distribution of goods and services to customers, and the analysis of queue systems.

9. Inventory Management - is a list for goods and materials, or those goods and materials themselves, held available in stock by a business. Inventory are held in order to manage and hide from the customer the fact that manufacture/supply delay is longer than delivery delay, and also to ease the effect of imperfections in the manufacturing process that lower production efficiencies if production capacity stands idle for lack of materials.

And thankx For wikipedia for the info :D End of Blog...