ASSIGNMENT 4



You were invited by the university president to prepare an IS plan for the university, discuss what are the steps in order to expedite the implementation of the IS Plan. (at least 5000 words)

If the university president invited me to prepare an IS plan I would discuss what are the process in developing a strategy and plans for aligning information systems with the business strategies of an organization.

The plan should align with the ff:

Mission
A company's mission is its reason for being. The mission often is expressed in the form of a mission statement, which
conveys a sense of purpose to employees and projects a company image to customers. In the strategy formulation process, the mission statement sets the mood of where the company should go.

Objectives

Objectives are concrete goals that the organization seeks to reach, for example, an earnings growth target. The objectives should be challenging but achievable. They also should be measurable so that the company can monitor its progress and make corrections as needed.

Situation Analysis

Once the firm has specified its objectives, it begins with its current situation to devise a strategic plan to reach those objectives. Changes in the external environment often present new opportunities and new ways to reach the objectives. An environmental scan is performed to identify the available opportunities. The firm also must know its own capabilities and limitations in order to select the opportunities that it can pursue with a higher probability of success. The situation analysis therefore involves an analysis of both the external and internal environment.
The external environment has two aspects: the macro-environment that affects all firms and a micro-environment that affects only the firms in a particular industry. The macro-environmental analysis includes political, economic, social, and technological factors and sometimes is referred to as a PEST analysis.
An important aspect of the micro-environmental analysis is the industry in which the firm operates or is considering operating. Michael Porter devised a five forces framework that is useful for industry analysis. Porter's 5 forces include barriers to entry, customers, suppliers, substitute products, and rivalry among competing firms.

The internal analysis considers the situation within the firm itself, such as:
• Company culture
• Company image
• Organizational structure
• Key staff
• Access to natural resources
• Position on the experience curve
• Operational efficiency
• Operational capacity
• Brand awareness

Evaluating the Implementation of Your Technology Plan

Technology implementation is a continuous process that adapts to the organization's changing circumstances and includes ongoing evaluation. Effective evaluation will force planners to rethink and adapt objectives, priorities, and strategies as implementation proceeds. Continuous evaluation also facilitates making changes if aspects of the plan are not working.
Evaluating the implementation of a technology plan can be conducted by various means. Simple observations, both negative and positive, that have been made by students and teachers using the technology are the most helpful. Interviews and informal meetings with both instructors and students can draw out the lessons that both groups have learned from using the technology. A simple written survey can assist in measuring the extent to which the plan has met its original objectives and expected outcomes.

The following questions should be addressed when planning the evaluation of the implementation of your technology plan:

• How and when will you evaluate the impact your technology plan implementation has on student performance?
• Who will be responsible for collecting ongoing data to assess the effectiveness of the plan and its implementation?
• What windows of opportunity exist for reviewing the technology plan? (For example, the plan might be reviewed during curriculum review cycles.)
• How will accountability for implementation be assessed?
• How will you assess the level of technological proficiency gained by students, teachers, and staff?
• How will you use technology to evaluate teaching and learning?
• What is the key indicator of success for each component of the plan?
• How will you analyze the effectiveness of disbursement decisions in light of implementation priorities?
• How will you analyze implementation decisions to accommodate for changes as a result of new information and technologies?
• What organizational mechanism will you create that allows changes in the implementation of the technology plan and in the plan itself?
• Market share
• Financial resources
• Exclusive contracts
• Patents and trade secrets

A situation analysis can generate a large amount of information, much of which is not particularly relevant to strategy formulation. To make the information more manageable, it sometimes is useful to categorize the internal factors of the firm as strengths and weaknesses, and the external environmental factors as opportunities and threats. Such an analysis often is referred to as a SWOT analysis.
Strategy Formulation
Once a clear picture of the firm and its environment is in hand, specific strategic alternatives can be developed. While different firms have different alternatives depending on their situation, there also exist generic strategies that can be applied across a wide range of firms. Michael Porter identified cost leadership, differentiation, and focus as three generic strategies that may be considered when defining strategic alternatives. Porter advised against implementing a combination of these strategies for a given product; rather, he argued that only one of the generic strategy alternatives should be pursued.
Implementation
The strategy likely will be expressed in high-level conceptual terms and priorities. For effective implementation, it needs to be translated into more detailed policies that can be understood at the functional level of the organization. The expression of the strategy in terms of functional policies also serves to highlight any practical issues that might not have been visible at a higher level.

The strategy should be translated into specific policies for functional areas such as:
• Marketing
• Research and development
• Procurement
• Production
• Human resources
• Information systems
In addition to developing functional policies, the implementation phase involves identifying the required resources and putting into place the necessary organizational changes.


Implementation Plan

According to the wiki Directing Technology "Technology implementation starts at the inception of the planning development strategy. There are two distinct types of technology implementation: implementing developed technology and implementing developing technology projects. They are very similar in that the projects need a plan that has a schedule with clear GO/NO-GO decision points and a project team that has well laid out responsibilities. The technology department will be implementing developed technology(2006)".
Implementation of your technology plan will be the most complicated and time consuming part of the process. It is important to allow yourself at least one year before the actual implementation starting day to make all the necessary arrangements. Your plans will depend on many things including the size of your district, status of your existing technology program, skill set of your teachers and administrators and size of your technology staff. Your plan may need to be implemented all at once or over the course of several years, phasing in different stages.
Your technology plan has been accepted by the district. Its time to plan the implementation. At least six months to a year prior to beginning the implementation, several elements of the plan will be carried out simultaneously by several different groups.

The progress of the project should be documented in writing and communicated to all persons involved. A good checklist should be developed to organize the associated details.

A sample checklist:
• Describe goals & objectives (as outlined in the Technology Plan)
• Identify participant’s roles and responsibilities
• Identify impacts
• Design methods to deal with impacts
• Identify resources needed and available
• Identify the completion date desired
• Identify the constraints
• Break the implementation into steps
• Identify milestones / decision points
• Design project paths
• Design tracking methods
• Schedule team meetings
• Design communication methods
• Design technical support
• Design professional development

The technical staff implementing developed technology must not only manage the deployment of the hardware and software, but they must also cope with the daily activities of the school district while they prepare for the transition to the new technology. Project management skills are necessary to provide as smooth a job as possible for all involved. Further information on project management: Sample list of project management organizational tools; Project Management Template
At the same time, the administrative team will have researched and decided exactly which laptops will be purchased and from which vendor. They will have determined necessary units and submitted purchase orders. They will include in their orders sufficient quantities of peripheral items like graphic tablets, mouses, headphones with mics, tables, chairs and extension cords.

Laptops for Students

The implementation is so important that students will be asked to return to school two days early to be introduced to the laptops. During these two days, students will be involved in induction classes that will take them through the essential concerns of using the new laptops in school. The students will complete two days of formal training with technology specialists and their presence is mandatory. At the end of the induction session, a test will be taken to identify students that can possibly receive further assistance during the start of the year.
The students will be assigned their laptops at before the start of the school year and will be asked to sign an acceptable user policy agreement form and encouraged to personalize their new laptops in case they get assigned laptops for the year. The administrative and professional development teams will assist teachers in introducing the students in understanding how the program will be run and what their responsibilities for using laptops will be.
In addition, parents will also be sent an policy agreement that covers all the necessary information about the consequences of mistreatment of the equipment. This document will also have insurance information. Parents are required to sign this docuemtn and send it back to school.

Laptop care

The schools will provide specific features for the school bags that students will use for carrying computer equipment. Those students in the elementary and middle school will be required to use smaller backpacks in comparison to the students in high school. The laptops that students will be using in high school are fully-equipped laptops that need more care that the other robust models used in the lower sections of the school.
In addition, staff and administrators will reinforce the rules of laptop carrying around campus. No computers in high school will be moved without the use of a suitable laptop bag that can safely strap the equipment inside the bag.

Staff Development

Teachers and administrators will be the first ones to have a chance to get familiarized with the equipment that will be introduced in their classrooms. It will be necessary to prepare comprehensive tutorials or manuals to allow a quick switch into using the new technology. The professional development group will have finalized their plans for training sessions and will have begun designing the instruction. This instruction will include specific information about the change of school structure as a well as content and grade specific methods for conducting student-centered classes. Teacher responsibilities and technology integration strategies for student-centered project-based units of study will be included.

The administrative team and the professional development team will be carrying out intensive, paid, summer training sessions to prepare teachers for the changes to come in the fall. Teachers will then be given time to restructure their lessons and will have support available when they have problems.
Numerous schools have found ways to adjust schedules and provide one hour of planning and inservice for teachers while maintaining state requirements for students contact time. In some schools teachers have agreed to start earlier and end later each day as well as give up some recess or duty time in order to develop a one-hour block of time per week for inservice and planning. A key is to make sure that at least one early-out per month is devoted to a technology inservice activity.

It is crucial that consideration be given to teacher learning well in advance of the arrival of computers in the classroom. The list that follows is a brief synopsis of beneficial staff development suggestions:
• Formulate detailed plans for staff development and implementation.
• Decide who will lead staff development programs and evaluate each stage of implementation.
• Develop a working schedule for the staff development program.
• Determine appropriate staff development activities for special services and support staff.
• Identify who will lead and evaluate staff development for auxiliary staff members.
• Identify in-house technical consultants who will help teachers deal quickly with problems that might arise.

Technical Support

Maintaining and servicing networked equipment continues to be a challenge for schools' effective use of technology. More states are now requiring that districts and schools have a technology specialist or coordinator who supports teachers in integrating instruction and technology before that district can receive state funding. Schools could also have in-house technical support to deal with all the technical problems that could arise. You should foresee a great number of incident reports that deal with student damaging display screen or damaging equipment because of negligence in carrying them.
The summer before the implementation, the same groups will be working to get things ready for the students in the fall. The goals are to have the technology in place to facilitate as smooth a transition as possible. The technology team will receive the laptops, inventory them and load them with the chosen operating systems and software. They will also check connectivity at each school and important points around the district to ensure that the laptops can work from the first day of school. Finally, they will create a yearly maintenance plan for cleaning and preventative care.
If staff or students need to use equipment like projectors, digital cameras or even cables, they can request the media center to facilitate the equipment and provide operational guidance.

Flexible Scheduling

They will also conduct public relations meetings for members of the community to inform them about the specifics of the program, including the change from a seven period isolated subject schedule to a more integrated block schedule that includes math-science-art blocks, history-literature-reading-writing-music blocks, world language-history-art music blocks and physical education-art-music-history blocks. They will explain the benefits of changing the school structure to a more constructivist, student- centered one by explaining the theory of how students learn best and demonstrating some proposed class exercises.
Flexible scheduling provides quality time either in the lounge or in the classroom for specific staff members to get together and share ideas about technology. A bonding often occurs between the mentor-teacher and the staff member needing encouragement. This new-found relationship helps solve technical problems and misunderstandings and opens the way for future inservice opportunities.
Local Intranet
Data intranets are becoming commonplace in schools. Intranets give schools an unprecedented ability to manage their budgets, buy supplies, and analyze student data. For example, districts are using the data intranet to provide information on student records, text scores, attendance, and health information, to create student profiles.
Additional Key Points
The key to success with technology is allowing teachers to develop a sense of ownership of the school's technology. Once teachers develop a sense of ownership, they will be ready to move on to higher levels of technology use. When all is said and done, it will be teachers who determine the success or failure of a technology plan. They are the people who connect technology with curricular practice in a way that will enhance student achievement. In every class, teachers must contend with a variety of learners, such as the fast-paced learner, the less-motivated learner, students with learning difficulties, and the list could go on. With computers in the classroom, teachers have access to tools that have potential for providing learning experiences relevant to each of these unique learners.

Infrastructure

When speaking of infrastructure, one is generally referring to the basic facilities and mechanical and electrical installations found in a school. These facilities and installations form the foundation for proposed technology upgrades.

The following points provide a brief outline of things to consider when reviewing infrastructure:
• Decide how existing equipment and infrastructure can be integrated into the project.
• Visit other schools to evaluate successful programs for structural adaptations that could be copied and, in particular, look for unique ideas to solve local problems.
• Make sure that the network wiring satisfies the needs of the teachers.
• Make sure to count with the necessary expertise to ready the infrastructure for implementation.
• Make sure professionals are brought in order to handle remodeling and other infrastructure needs.
• The technology staff will run diagnostics on the district to check for adequate connectivity and electrical resources and take action to fix any inadequacies or to bolster the already existing systems.

Teaching and Learning

When considering how technology will be brought into the classroom, both teaching and learning should be considered. Several points to remember when considering the effects of technology on teaching and learning are:
• Evaluate hardware purchases and coordinate them to student needs. Consider features like user-friendliness, dependability, and speed.
• Evaluate projected software purchases to determine which programs will best complement, support, and expand classroom teaching and learning.
• Evaluate planned software purchases for comprehensiveness and user-friendliness. Comprehensiveness is important because ease of use flattens the learning curve and helps ensure that the programs will be used. When checking the software programs, all updates to versions and site licenses will also be completed.
• Determine the simplest approach that will effectively bring computers into the teaching and learning environment. Simplicity aids understanding and allows stakeholders to support the process more readily.
• Establish dialogues with teachers to evaluate classroom space and decide on computer locations withing each classroom.
• Determine the amount of use teachers will make of the new technology.
• Regardless of the size of the technology project, standardizing hardware and software are essential to maintaining control of the technology. Having a single configuration for all computers helps simplify maintenance. More time can be spent using the technology.


Developing Your Basic Strategic Plan

1. Write Your Mission Statement
In the section labeled "Mission Statement" in the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write a concise description of the purpose of your organization. Answer the question: "Why does our organization exist?" When answering this question, include the nature of your products and the groups of customer who buy your products. The mission statement should provide continued direction and focus to your plans and operation in your organization.

Write Your Vision Statement

In the section labeled "Vision Statement" in the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write your vision statement. Answer the question "What do you hope for your organization and customers?" Ideally, it should be written in a compelling, inspirational fashion. Write Your Values Statement
In the section labeled "Values Statement" in the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write down the important values from which you want your organization to operate. The values statement depicts the priorities in how the organization carries out activities with stakeholders. Conduct an External Analysis
In Appendix C of the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write down your thoughts from an external analysis. An external analysis looks at societal, technological, political, and economic trends effecting the organization, e.g., trends in the economy, recent or pending legislation, demographic trends, rate of access to trained labor, and competition. In your external analysis, don't forget to look at stakeholders’ impressions of the organization, including bankers', customers’, community leaders’, etc. Conduct an Internal Analysis (SWOT)
In Appendix C of the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write down your thoughts from your internal analysis. Write down the major strengths and weaknesses of your organization. Write down the major threats and opportunities regarding your organization. Consider trends effecting the organization, e.g., strength of sales, reputation of the organization, expertise of employees, facilities, strength of finances, strength of administrative offices and operations, etc. Identify Strategic Issues
In Appendix C of the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write down the major immediate and near-term issues that your organization must address. New organizations, in particular, are often better off to first look at the major obstacles or issues that if faces, and next identify the more forward-looking, developmental goals to accomplish over the next few years. For example, current issues might be that sales are dropping, there is no research and development to generate new products, employee turnover rate is too high, etc. Developmental goals for a new organization might be, for example, build a board, do a strategic plan, do a market analysis to build a new product, hire employees, etc.
To identify the key issues identified from your strategic analyses, consider the following guidelines:
a) From considering the effects of weaknesses and threats that you identified, what are the major issues that you see? List as many as you can. Consider issues over the term of your strategic plan, but look very closely at the next year especially. Many organizations have stumbled badly because they ended up "falling over their feet" while being focused much too far down the road.
b) Consider each of issues. Ask whether it’s “important” or “urgent.” Often, issues seem very important when they're only urgent, for example, changing a flat tire is an urgent issue -- but you'd never put "changing a tire" in your strategic plan. Attend only to the important issues and not the urgent issues.
c) Deal with issues that you can do something about. Issues that are too narrow do not warrant planning and issues that are too broad will bog you down.
d) Issues should be clearly articulated so that someone from outside of the organization can read the description and understand the nature of the issue.


2. Establish Strategic Goals

In the section labeled "Goals and Strategies" in the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write down the strategic goals to address the above-identified issues and the more forward-looking, developmental goals. Consider goals over the term of your strategic plan, but look very closely at the next year especially. Design and word your goals to be "SMARTER", that is, specific, measurable, acceptable to the people working to achieve the goals, realistic, timely, extending the capabilities of those working to achieve the goals and rewarding to them. Don't worry so much about having to specify goals to be exactly "correct". Carefully consider whether the goals and strategies are closely aligned with your mission, vision and values.
As noted above, if you are developing a new organization, then you'll probably have goals to build a board, do a strategic plan, do a market analysis to build a product, hire employees, etc. You'll probably have organization-wide goals (for example, goals in regard to building and running your organization, for example, board development, staffing, getting a new building, etc) and product-specific goals (goals that are directly in regard to providing products or services to your customers.Establish Strategies to Reach Goals
In the section labeled "Goals and Strategies" in the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write down the general approaches needed to reach the goals -- over the next year especially. Consider strategies over the term of the strategic plan, but especially over the next year. Carefully consider whether the goals and strategies are closely aligned with your mission, vision and values. Note that these strategies may become overall action plans for developing programs. Develop Staffing Plan
In Appendix E of the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write a rough draft of a staffing plan. To do this, reference each of the strategies to reach the goals and consider what kind of capabilities are needed to implement the strategies. This might seem like a lot of guesswork, particularly if you don't have experience in supervision. However, don't worry so much about being exactly correct -- you will likely refine your staffing plan later on as you design and plan your products. If you are developing a new organization, you might think about including the following typical roles in your initial staffing plan (but again, consider these roles in terms of implementing the strategies in your plan): chief executive, administrative assistant and product managers for each of your major product goals. Conduct Action Planning (objectives, responsibilities and timelines)
In Appendix A of the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, for each strategy, write down the objectives that must be achieved while implementing the strategy, when the objective should be completed and by whom -- especially over the next year. As you identify who will accomplish each of the objectives, you might end up refining your staffing planDevelop an Operating Budget for Each Year in the Plan
In the table labeled "Your Budget Planning" in Appendix F of the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, list the resources you will need to achieve the goals in the strategic plan and what it will cost to obtain and use the resources. You don't have to be exactly accurate -- besides, you may end up changing your budget as you give more attention to product design and planning in the next learning module. You should do a budget for each of the years included in the span of time covered by your strategic plan -- but give particular attention to the first year of the time span.
Look at each of your product-related goals. Think about how much revenue the product might generate. Next, think about the expenses to produce, sell and support the product, such as human resources, facilities, equipment, special materials, marketing and promotions, etc. (Note that this budget planning often provides strong input to the overall budget. We'll likely convert your operating budget to a set of program budgets. Associate Strategic Goals to Performance Goals for Board and Chief Executive
In Appendix D of the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write down which board committees (in the case of corporations) will be addressing which strategic goals. The chief executive should be attending to responsibilities and goals that are directly aligned with the strategic goals of the organization (as should the responsibilities and goals of everyone else in the organization). Therefore, after strategic goals have been identified, it's timely for the board to update the performance goals of the chief executive (who, in turn, updates the performance goals of everyone else in the management and staff of the organization). Specify How Implementation of Plan Will Be Monitored and Evaluated
In Appendix H of the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write down how the status of implementation will be monitored and evaluated. Consider, for example, weekly written status reports to the chief executive from employees, and monthly written reports to board members. Status will address whether goals and objectives are being met or not, current issues and any resource needed to implement the plan.Specify How Plan Will Be Communicated
In Appendix I of the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document, write down how the plan will be communicated. Consider distributing all (or highlights from) the plan to everyone in the organization. Post your mission on the walls of your main offices. Consider giving each employee a card with the mission statement on it. Publish portions of your plan in your regular newsletter. Complete Rest of Strategic Plan Document
To complete your strategic plan document, update the following sections of the Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document:
a) Complete the section labeled "Executive Summary" (guidelines are provided in the framework)
b) Gain authorization from your board (in the case of corporations) (they should sign in the section labeled "Board Authorization of Strategic Plan")
c) In the body of the plan in the section titled "Organizational Information", include descriptions, for example, of the history of the organization, its major products and services, highlights and accomplishments during the history of the organization, etc.
d) In Appendix B, provide description of the process you used to develop the strategic plan, including what worked and what didn't. This information will be useful to planners when they next do strategic planning.


3. Acknowledge What You've Done -- Congratulations!


These are some factors that could help expedite the implementation of the IS plan.

References:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Technology_Planning/Implementation_Plan
http://www.ncrtec.org/capacity/guidewww/eval.htm
http://www.tdan.com/view-articles/5262

Based on your learnings of chapter 1, identify and discuss some characteristics you have as a good Systems Analyst. (at least 2500 words)

What is System Analyst?

A systems analyst is responsible for researching, planning, coordinating and recommending software and system choices to meet an organization's business requirements. The systems analyst plays a vital role in the systems development process.

A good system analyst must possess the following characteristics:

1. The system analyst must be able to communicate in writing and orally.

2. The analyst must easily get along with people.

3. The analyst must be a good listener and be able to react to what people say.

4. The analyst must be knowledgeable of technology. The analyst is not expected to know the intricacies of programming, but a decent general knowledge of concepts and terms is essential.

5. The analyst must be knowledgeable of business. The analyst is not expected to be an expert in business but a decent understanding of the client's world is required.

Skills
1. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
2. Writing computer programs for various purposes.
3. Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
4. Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
5. Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
6. Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
7. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
8. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
9. Talking to others to convey information effectively.
10. Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Knowledge

The Knowledge of:
1. Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
2. Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
3. Principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
4. Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
5. Principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Abilities

The Ability to:
1. Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
2. Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
3. Choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
4. Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
5. Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
6. See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
7. Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
8. Come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
9. Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
10. Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Tasks

1. Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling and information engineering.
2. Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user environment.
3. Confer with clients regarding the nature of the information processing or computation needs a computer program is to address.
4. Define the goals of the system and devise flow charts and diagrams describing logical operational steps of programs.
5. Determine computer software or hardware needed to set up or alter system.
6. Develop, document and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.
7. Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
8. Interview or survey workers, observe job performance and/or perform the job in order to determine what information is processed and how it is processed.
9. Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
10. Recommend new equipment or software packages.

A successful systems analyst must acquire four skills:

Analytical, Technical, Managerial, and Interpersonal.

Analytical skills - enable systems analysts to understand the organization and its functions, which helps him/her to identify opportunities and to analyze and solve problems.

Technical skills - help systems analysts understand the potential and the limitations of information technology. The systems analyst must be able to work with various programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware platforms.

-Fundamental knowledge about the computer hardware, software, operating systems, database management systems, software development phase is required, recent trends and their comparison.
- The systems snalyst should be well versed with the software system development techniques and tools, such as Integrated Development Environment (IDEs), CASE tools, and other system development tools.
- In order to complete specific system development activities, the systems analyst needs to know the techniques of project planning, systems analysis, system design, coding and testing , implementation and system support.

Management skills- help systems analysts manage projects, resources, risk, and change.

Interpersonal skills- help systems analysts work with end users as well as with analysts, programming, and other systems professionals.

Because they must write user requests into technical specifications, the systems analysts are the liaisons between vendors and the IT professionals of the organization they represent. They may be responsible for developing cost analysis, design considerations, and implementation time-lines. They may also be responsible for feasibility studies of a computer system before making recommendations to senior management.

These are the characteristics I have as a good System Analyst

A good system analyst must possess the following characteristics:

As a future system analyst I can communicate to people well and also through writing.
I can easily get along with people and a good listener and can react to what people say.
As an IT student I’m knowledgeable in technology.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_analyst

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080725042042AA2MqMh

http://jobs.virginia.gov/careerguides/computersystemsanalyst.htm

JOURNAL

First in foremost, we looked for the companies that we proposed through the internet and luckily it was also approved by our professor.

July 6 – We proposed again 3 companies to our instructor but this time is for our major paper already. We proposed the Damosa Land Inc., Sta. Ana Multipurpose Cooperative (SAMULCO) and Six Eleven Global Services but only SAMULCO was approved. Likewise, our approval letter was also completely signed within that day.

July 8 – We gave our approval letter to SAMULCO.

July 11 – We called SAMULCO for the follow-up of our letter and they answered that they have already approved it and we will just meet their MIS Personnel on July 14.

July 14 – My group mates, Dolor Mancera, Jovylin Sandoval and I, had our first interview with the MIS supervisor of SAMULCO on that day. As we have introduced with each other first, we have found out that the supervisor knew our instructor because as what he said, he was also been his student before in UIC and actually until now they still have a communication with each other. Anyways, the interview is for our Assessment on their Information System. And with that interview, we have gained informations about their company and their MIS but we think these informations are not enough so therefore maybe on some other times we should visit there again.

August 26 – This day was our second interview to SAMULCO , it should be on August 24 which is also the date scheduled in our Gantt chart, but because of the emergency meeting that the MIS Supervisor had, that’s why we cannot go there.

On the other hand, this day we’ve interviewed the MIS Supervisor about our follow up questions regarding on their systems. With that interview,we discovered that they have a problems now in terms of outsourcing because of the financial matters, that’s why they have decided to make it insource already and they are still working on it now. Aside from that, we also asked about their SWOT and STEEP but unfortunately, he didn’t answered on it because for him, he is not the right person to talk about it. Therefore, he suggested us to have an interview regarding on it with their HR Manager also for the current problems that they have in POS System, he also suggested us to interview their Operation Manager of the company. But before that, we should first give an approval letter to them for the formal process.

September 1 - This day, we gave the 2 another approval letter which addressed to the HR Manager and the Operation Manager. The letter for HR Manager was received by the secretary but the other one was rejected because the name is wrong, it’s just that we just followed what’s the name that had given to us by their MIS Supervisor so because of that, we made another approval letter for it.

September 22 - As you have noticed, it took for 3 weeks passed before we went back again to SAMULCO because it seems that we were so busy at that time with the other projects in other subjects. Actually, it always had postponed or moved our time to go there that’s why it ends up like this, we are now getting panicky. And we admitted it that it’s our fault.

On the contrary, we gave already the new approval letter to the Operation Manager this day. And he approved it without further ado. Then he scheduled us to have some interview by tomorrow, Sept. 23 at around 3:00 pm. This day also, we have told by the secretary in HR that they cannot entertain us within this week or on the incoming weeks for an interview because they are so busy with their recreational activities at the moment.

September 23 - We went to SAMULCO this day on the time that we had agreed for the interviewed but we waited there for almost an hour thinking that we will come back from where he was at that time but suddenly, he texted on us saying that he cannot meet us that time because he has his emergency business meeting. So we had agreed again that we will just move it on Sept.25 within the time of 1:00PM – 5:00PM.

September 25 – This is the day that we finally had our interview with the Operation Manager of SAMULCO. Since he is the Operation Manager who is in-charge in their COOPMART, so we interviewed him about their POS System and the problems behind it. With that interview, we found out that they have a lot of problems on their systems. And as he said, they are now trying to find solutions to resolve these things. Furthermore, since we can’t already interview their HR Manager for the SWOT and STEEP analysis, we then asked the Operation Manager about this. Opportunely, he also answered us. He actually lends us also their manual for additional info and references. After the interview, we already have our picture taking with him.

September 26 – We came back to SAMULCO for the data that we haven’t yet obtain which is their networking scheme or the system flow. We also have again our picture taking again with the personnel for evidences. And with all of that, we think this is going to be the last visit that we were going to have with SAMULCO. We are so thankful for the personnel that we had interviewed specifically the MIS Supervisor and the Operation Manager for being so good, approachable and accommodating to us.

COMDDAP EXPERIENCE


What is COMDDAP?

COMDDAP is an association of the country's top information technolgy businesses. Its primary objective is to promote the sustainable development of the of the country's information technology industry through voluntary collaboration of its member companies. It is the goal of COMDDAP to be able to provide its members general views and updates from different sectors - private and government, and highly regarded individuals to further uplift the morale and knowledge of its organization.

The vision of promoting and elevating the standards of Information technology (IT) in the Philippines fueled a group of prominent computer companies to form the Computer Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines or COMDDAP. Its initial member-companies represent the world's leading makers and providers of computer products, solutions and peripherals.

In 1997, the manufacturing sector - represented by industry leaders Hewlett Packard, Epson and Compaq, among others - was integrated into the COMDDAP membership, making the association a more diverse representation of the IT sector and thus the new name, COMPUTER MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.

The annual COMDDAP endeavor encourages its participants to launch their products and services, as well as hold seminars with a variety of topics in the areas of technology, trends, applications, and information management.

COMDDAP's biggest leap was being able to cross boarders or go regional by bringing the exposition down south in Cebu and Davao City, and to even greater heights in the cities of Baguio and Naga, and most recently, in Iloilo City.

Apart from its exhibits, the organization holds COMDDAP Leaning Center Project and Training the Trainors program. This is part of the civic and social responsibility programs that the association has vowed to pursue. The project provides public high school students and public school teachers the opportunity to learn basic computer theories, get hands-on experience, and become familiar with computers.


My Experience..


It was July 2, 2009 when we visited the expo held at APO View Hotel, it was very interesting because there's a lot of new technologies displayed in the said event. With their seminars, we gain knowledge which are related to our course. I was amazed with the thin clients despite its slim size, the t5720 Thin Client is full of features: it’s powered by the AMD Geode NX 1500 processor with 512 MB of Flash memory and a standard complement of either 256 MB or 512 MB of DDR RAM.

What are the Key Features of an HP thin client?


• Reliability: Solid-state design means no moving parts, which results in higher reliability, lower ownership costs, and extended product life.

• Design security: HP makes it easy to lock down user settings and parameters on the client, or add a Smartcard reader for user authentication. Additionally, all critical user data and applications reside on your secure, centralized server. HP Sygate Security Agent is pre-installed on all t5720 Thin Clients.

• Improved manageability: HP’s alliance with Altiris brings a leading management solution to the thin client market. Altiris Deployment Solution’s standards-based, advanced thin client management solution helps reduce the costs of deploying, updating, and maintaining your thin clients. Free with each HP client!

• Open operating system: The HP Compaq t5720 Thin Client offers Genuine Windows XP Embedded operating system with Citrix ICA, Microsoft’s latest RDP client, Internet Explorer 6.0, Windows Media Player 9.0, and terminal emulations.

• Processing power: The processing power your workers need for a great server-based computing experience, whether running general office applications or your specific line of
business software on a terminal server.

• Smart graphics: Support for HP’s latest monitors with superior resolution, outstanding color, and high refresh rates.

• Invisible client: HP’s unique thermal design allows the t5720 to be mounted in many orientations. Recapture desktop space by utilizing HP Quick Release mounting solution. Chassis can be set either vertically or horizontally for positioning on a desktop or mounting on a wall, under a desk, or even on the back of a compliant monitor.

• Connectivity: Advanced connectivity features include a wide range of ports and support for options including smart card readers, modems, and other common options.

ASSIGNMENT 9



Information Environment

What is the Information Environment?

The Information Environment (IE) is a term used to refer to work to develop and provide services which enable people to find and manage information efficiently and effectively in their learning, teaching or research.
The information resources which people need are very varied - books, journals, research papers, teaching resources, videos, maps and more - and while they might be in any format they are increasingly digital.

There is now a critical mass of digital information resources that can be used to support researchers, learners, teachers and administrators in their work and study. The production of information is on the increase and ways to deal with this effectively are required. There is the need to ensure that quality information isn’t lost amongst the masses of digital data created everyday. If we can continue to improve the management, interrogation and serving of ‘quality’ information there is huge potential to enhance knowledge creation across learning and research communities. The aim of the Information Environment is to help provide convenient access to resources for research and learning through the use of resource discovery and resource management tools and the development of better services and practice. The Information Environment aims to allow discovery, access and use of resources for research and learning irrespective of their location.



A changing environment

Over time there has been a great deal of change to the context in which we are working. The Information Environment programmes have primarily worked with the over-riding aim of improving access to and use of heterogeneous resources but have also taken account of changes and provided a way to test, develop and evolve appropriate means to manage and use resources.

The significant environmental changes have been:

* moves towards Open Access research and learning being undertaken on the Web as the Web is able to support flexible models of research and learning
* dominance of search engines e.g. Google
* the development of ‘Web 2.0’ applications and services which support collaborative working and the creation and sharing of digital resources
* cloud computing
* the huge and continuing growth in digital 'data'
* increased awareness of the utility of service and resource orientated approaches to designing services

Cloud computing is a paradigm of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the Internet. Users need not have knowledge of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure in the "cloud" that supports them.

The rise in importance of repositories as a means of managing and sharing digital resources created as part of learning and research has meant that since 2005 much of the JISC Information Environment programme investment has focused on that area. Whilst in the last tranche of repository funding there was some work in the area of preservation, discovery, and other shared infrastructure, there is now a need to move away from the emphasis on 'repository' and to see repositories and the wide variety of resources and delivery mechanisms as part of the wider Information Environment context.




References:
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/themes/informationenvironment.aspx

ASSIGNMENT 8



Since outsourcing and insourcing were already defined by my classmates I will not include their definition anymore.
As for me, I would prefer insource. Because our school cannot provide such budget for the said project, its better to check our resources and allocate solutions that would suit our financial capabilities.

Insource, aside from being cheaper, is more secured than outsource. Though outsourcing can provide better competition that makes it a little cheaper, it would not outweigh the advantages given by insourcing.

Making use of our resources is better since we can communicate with the programmers easily if something went wrong in the system. As IT soon to be professionals, we know that the top priority of a system is security. Also, being concerned with the security doesn’t mean being careless with the quality.

Finally, the university has skilled faculty and students. I’m not bragging but it’s the reality that of all universities in Mindanao, our school offers high standards of learning when it comes to Information Technology. So why settle for the better if we can have the best?

here are some facts about insourcing and outsourcing to be fair:

Outsourcing is subcontracting a process, such as product design or manufacturing, to a third-party company. The decision to outsource is often made in the interest of lowering cost or making better use of time and energy costs, redirecting or conserving energy directed at the competencies of a particular business, or to make more efficient use of land, labor, capital, (information) technology and resources.

Outsourcing became part of the business lexicon during the 1980s. It is essentially a division of labour. Outsourcing in the information technology field has two meanings. One is to commission the development of an application to another organization, usually a company that specializes in the development of this type of application. The other is to hire the services of another company to manage all or parts of the services that otherwise would be rendered by an IT unit of the organization. The latter concept might not include development of new applications.

Outsourcing involves the transfer of the management and/or day-to-day execution of an entire business function to an external service provider. The client organization and the supplier enter into a contractual agreement that defines the transferred services. Under the agreement the supplier acquires the means of production in the form of a transfer of people, assets and other resources from the client.

The client agrees to procure the services from the supplier for the term of the contract. Business segments typically outsourced include information technology, human resources, facilities, real estate management, and accounting. Many companies also outsource customer support and call center functions like telemarketing, CAD drafting, customer service, market research, manufacturing, designing, web development, print-to-mail, content writing, ghostwriting and engineering. Offshoring is the type of outsourcing in which the buyer organization belongs to another country.

Outsourcing and offshoring are used interchangeably in public discourse despite important technical differences. Outsourcing involves contracting with a supplier, which may or may not involve some degree of offshoring. Offshoring is the transfer of an organizational function to another country, regardless of whether the work is outsourced or stays within the same corporation/company.

With increasing globalization of outsourcing companies, the distinction between outsourcing and offshoring will become less clear over time. This is evident in the increasing presence of Indian outsourcing companies in the United States and United Kingdom. The globalization of outsourcing operating models has resulted in new terms such as nearshoring, noshoring, and rightshoring that reflect the changing mix of locations. This is seen in the opening of offices and operations centers by Indian companies in the U.S. and UK. A major job that is being outsourced is accounting. They are able to complete tax returns across seas for people in America.

Multisourcing refers to large outsourcing agreements (predominantly IT). Multisourcing is a framework to enable different parts of the client business to be sourced from different suppliers. This requires a governance model that communicates strategy, clearly defines responsibility and has end-to-end integration.

Strategic outsourcing is the organizing arrangement that emerges when firms rely on intermediate markets to provide specialized capabilities that supplement existing capabilities deployed along a firm’s value chain (see Holcomb & Hitt, 2007). Such an arrangement produces value within firms’ supply chains beyond those benefits achieved through cost economies. Intermediate markets that provide specialized capabilities emerge as different industry conditions intensify the partitioning of production. As a result of greater information standardization and simplified coordination, clear administrative demarcations emerge along a value chain. Partitioning of intermediate markets occurs as the coordination of production across a value chain is simplified and as information becomes standardized, making it easier to transfer activities across boundaries.

Due to the complexity of work definition, codifying requirements, pricing, and legal terms and conditions, clients often utilize the advisory services of outsourcing consultants (see sourcing advisory) or outsourcing intermediaries to assist in scoping, decision making, and vendor evaluation.

Insourcing is the opposite of outsourcing; that is insourcing (or contracting in) is often defined as the delegation of operations or jobs from production within a business to an internal (but 'stand-alone') entity that specializes in that operation. Insourcing is a business decision that is often made to maintain control of critical production or competencies. An alternate use of the term implies transferring jobs to within the country where the term is used, either by hiring local subcontractors or building a facility.

Insourcing is widely used in an area such as production to reduce costs of taxes, labor (e.g., American labor is often cheaper than European labor), transportation, etc.

Insourcing at United Parcel Service (UPS) was described in the bestselling book The World Is Flat, by Thomas Friedman.

According to PR Web, insourcing was becoming more common by 2006 as businesses had less than satisfactory experiences with outsourcing (including customer support). Many outsourcing proponents responded to a negative consumer opinion backlash resulting from outsourcing their communications management to vendors who rely on overseas operations.

To those who are concerned that nations may be losing a net amount of jobs due to outsourcing, some point out that insourcing also occurs. According to a study by Mary Amiti and Shang-Jin Wei, in the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other industrialized countries more jobs are insourced than outsourced. They found that out of all the countries in the world they studied, the U.S. and the U.K. actually have the largest net trade surpluses in business services. Countries with a net deficit in business services include Indonesia, Germany and Ireland.

Insourcing is loosely referred in call centers who are doing the work of the outsourcing companies. Companies that outsource include Dell, Hewlett Packard, Symantec, and Linksys. The callcenters and technicians that are contracted to handle the outsourced work are usually over-seas. Customers may refer to these countries as "India" technical support if they are hard to understand over telecommunications. These insourcing companies were a great way to save money for the outsourcing of work, but quality varies, and poor performance has sometimes harmed the reputations of companies who provide 24/7 customer/technical support.

I suggest our school should go for insourcing in favor of the reasons and benefits stated above.

ASSIGNMENT 7



"Kung noong nakaraan, lumakas ang electronics, today we are creating wealth by
developing the BPO and tourism sectors as additional engines of growth. Electronics and
other manufactured exports rise and fall in accordance with the state of the world
economy. But BPO remains resilient. With earnings of $6 billion and employment of
600,000, the BPO phenomenon speaks eloquently of our competitiveness and
productivity. Let us have a Department of ICT.”

-BPO (Business process outsourcing) with this more Filipinoes have the oppurtunity to have a good job and and increasing our competitiveness and productivity.


"Sa telecommunications naman, inatasan ko ang Telecommunications Commission na kumilos na tungkol sa mga sumbong na dropped calls at mga nawawalang load sa cellphone. We need to amend the Commonwealth-era Public Service Law. And we need to do it now….”

- A dropped call pertains to an irregularly disconnected call. A call attempted but dropped before six seconds after the called party answers should not be considered a call. The agency noted that blocked and dropped calls were caused by network congestion and system failure. In amending the commonwealth-era Public Service Law, consumers will be grateful with this because it is advantage for us.


"As the seeds of fundamental political reform are planted, let us address the highest exercise of democracy, voting! In 2001, I said we would finance fully automated elections. We got it, thanks to Congress.”


-It provides efficient way for voting and fast and reliable results

ASSIGNMENT 6




1. Boost computer speed

It is important to use high-speed computers in order for our connection to be fast.
But since the university lack the budget to buy or even just upgrade our computers,
it is not practical for us to implement this.

2. Use software that speeds up any internet connection

for example:

WEBROCKET

webROCKET is a powerful, easy-to-use program for Windows® 95, 98, Me, NT,
2000, and XP which accelerates your Internet connection speed by up to 200%.

What does webROCKET do?
Without webROCKET, Windows® lacks the power to provide you with an optimal
Internet connection because of changing, unstable network conditions.

webROCKET automatically turbo charges your Internet connection by boosting
Internet data transport efficiency. webROCKET adapts your modem or high-speed
connection to its maximum potential.

webROCKET is compatible with any home or office Internet connection that works
in Windows®, including dial-up modems of any speed, and high-speed connections
such as cable modems, DSL, ISDN, T-1, LAN, etc. It works with all Internet services,
including AOL and local ISPs.

The disadvantage of using accelerators is that the quality of the interface will be
decreased. Not a bad option for us since our concern is only to speed up internet
connection. But if i were to ask, i would not sacrifice quality for speed.

3. Use repeaters or routers

Network repeaters regenerate incoming electrical, wireless or optical signals.
With physical media like Ethernet or Wi-Fi, data transmissions can only span a
limited distance before the quality of the signal degrades. Repeaters attempt to
preserve signal integrity and extend the distance over which data can safely travel.

Thus, if CAS to ENG'G building or to other buildings exceeds the max distance,
we can use repeaters to regenerate the signal.

Routers are specialized computers that send your messages and those of every
other Internet user speeding to their destinations along thousands of pathways.

So if we use routers, best path will evidently accelerate internet speed. Our school
is currently using routers but internet connection was still very low.

4. Careful selection and planning of medium to be use.

Since we are already using fiber-optic cables and UTP cables (if I'm right), we should
maintain and maximize the use of these mediums in order for the data to travel faster.

5. Increase in bandwidth

We've already increased our bandwidth but still our connection hasn't worked out well
yet. So i think it is not the solution to our problem because increase bandwidth
will cost us much.

6. Proper usage

Ask we've discuss in our MIS subject, we've learned that no matter how fast or
advance the technology your using, it will be useless if the users doesn't use their minds...
What i mean is, these are only tools, and we are the users of these tools.
As I searched the web, here are some tips on how to improve internet connectivity:
Broadband Connection Speed
The only thing better than a fast broadband Internet connection, is a faster broadband Internet connection. Broadband Internet speed tests allow you to measure your current broadband speed against that of faster broadband Internet connections. There are various programs and software packages that you can purchase through which you can increase the speed of your Internet connection. You can also make adjustments to the hardware components (Upgrade processor speed and memory levels) of your system maximizing your computer’s broadband connection potential.

If you’re not looking to purchase additional software / hardware add-ons, there are manual “tweaks” that you can make to your system through which you can boost your broadband speed.
Increasing Your Broadband Internet Speed
Let’s assume that you access the Internet via a broadband LAN line. The following are 3 examples of ways through which you can manipulate your network settings and increase your broadband speed:
Reduce your network latency by increasing the request buffer size
Tests of LAN broadband connections have shown that delays can be caused as a result of the default request buffer size setting of 4356 decimal. As it is, it has been proven that an increase to a 16384 decimal setting can allow for better performance. (Such an increase is only possible if you have the necessary memory) By utilizing this slight “tweak,” you can noticeably increase your Internet speed and broadband networking capabilities.
Altering your network task scheduler
If you’ve encountered long waits when trying to open network folders, then this “tweak” is for you. One of the default settings with broadband networking is that when you open a network folder, your system performs a test of the networked computer in order to search for scheduled tests. By disabling this option for a LAN connection, you can increase your broadband networking speed.
Increasing your network transfer rate
Transfer rate, also referred to as throughput, refers to the speed at which data can be moved from 1 location to another. Network redirector buffers serve the purpose of optimizing your disk performance, and therefore allowing for the fastest possible broadband networking speed. If you increase the number of network redirector buffers functioning on your system, you could greatly increase your throughput. An Internet speed test following this change will yield noticeable results.
Internet Speed Tests
If you are looking to perform an Internet speed test for your system, there are various tools online through which you can provide your ISP, your area code, your connection type, etc., and receive a reading of your broadband speed compared to the top providers in your area. This allows for you to realize if your broadband speed is lacking in comparison to others, and work to maximize your broadband networking potential. This can be achieved through implementation of the above tweaks or through hardware upgrades and software purchases.
How to Increase Internet Connection Speed
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
• Computer
• Internet connection
• Web browser
• ISP telephone number
1. Step 1
Find out from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) what Internet connection speed your paying for. Make sure the speed your paying for is the speed programmed in their network.
2. Step 2
Speedtest.net
Test your Internet connection speed. You can do this by going to one of these speed test websites: Speakeasy.net/speedtest or Speedtest.net. Record your results.
3. Step 3
Compare the speeds from step one and step two. If your getting the speed your paying for go no further. If your not, go to the next step.
4. Step 4
Manage Add-ons screen
Disable web-browser Add-ons that can slow down your Internet connection speed. Check to see if you have multiple web browser Add-ons operating with your browser. For example, if your web browser is Internet Explorer , go to Tools, select Manage Add-ons, and look at what Add-ons are enabled. Disable the ones you do not want to use.
5. Step 5
Run anti-virus, adware, spyware, and malware scans. All of these, if found on your computer, could negatively affect your Internet connection speed.
6. Step 6
Run Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter from your System Tools menu.
7. Step 7
SG TCP Optimizer
Download TCP Optimizer software to optimize your computers MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) values, RWIN (Receive Window) values, and broadband related registry keys. The most popular and FREE TCP Optimizer that I found is called "SG TCP Optimizer". You can download it at CNET: http://www.download.com/SG-TCP-Optimizer/3000-2155_4-10488572.html?tag=lst-1 or at PCWORLD: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,68524-order,1-page,1/description.html.
8. Step 8
Speakeasy.net/speedtest/
Retest your Internet connection speed by going to one of these speed test websites: Speakeasy.net/speedtest or Speedtest.net. Record and compare these results with the results obtained from steps one and two.
Step 1: Modifying your LAN Properties.

a) Go to Start>Network Connections.

b) Right Click>Properties on your main Internet connection.

c) Make the following changes: [Unselect everything except "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)"





Step 2: Running Lvllords Patch.

In Win XP SP 1, TCP connections were set to unlimited. However, Microsoft limited these connections to 10 in SP2. You can open more TCP connections and give your speed an all time high by following these steps:

a) Extract the patch and run it:
b) Press "C" to change the limit and set it to 100.

c) Press "Y". After you do that, you'll be prompted with a Windows XP message saying that your original files are being replaced and blah blah. Thats normal so DONT PANIC. Click "Ignore" or "Cancel" to that window, and press "Yes" after it asks for a confirmation.

d) You'll get a message that your patch was successfully executed. Exit and reboot your computer. Don't forget to Bookmark this page (Hit CTRL+D) so you can return once you've rebooted.


3) SG TCP Optimizer - using it!

Back already? Cool! So, this is where you use SpeedGuide's TCP Optimizer. How? Its your lucky day, my friend.

a) This program modifies your system registry (Nothing to worry about!) in order to boost your Internet speed. Here's what you have to do:
b) Choose your connection speed - mine is 256 kbps. Go down and select "Optimal Settings". Click on Apply changes after that. You'll be promoted with a box somewhat like this after that:

c) Click OK, and click "Yes" to reboot your computer. Thats all you need to have a full-on High Speed Internet Connection! Enjoy browsing, and don't forget to check out other tweaks & tricks present on this site. (Hint: Bookmark this page in order to make an easy comeback).

ASSIGNMENT 5


Organizations are as alike and unique as human beings. Similarly, group processes can be as straightforward or as complex as the individuals who make up the organization. It is vital to successfully launching a new program that the leaders understand the strengths, weaknesses, and idiosyncrasies of the organization or system in which they operate. Try to anticipate barriers to implementation so that you can develop strategies to minimize their impact or avoid them altogether. The following list of common barriers can be used to help your leadership team identify potential obstacles. The list of essential elements for change can help the team brainstorm possible solutions.


A barrier is an obstacle which prevents a given policy instrument being implemented, or limits the way in which it can be implemented. In the extreme, such barriers may lead to certain policy instruments being overlooked, and the resulting strategies being much less effective. For example, demand management measures are likely to be important in larger cities as ways of controlling the growth of congestion and improving the environment. But at the same time they are often unpopular, and cities may be tempted to reject them simply because they will be unpopular. If that decision leads in turn to greater congestion and a worse environment, the strategy will be less successful. The emphasis should therefore be on how to overcome these barriers, rather than simply how to avoid them.

How should we deal with barriers in the short term?

It is important not to reject a particular policy instrument simply because there are barriers to its introduction. One of the key elements in a successful strategy is the use of groups of policy instrument which help overcome these barriers.

How can we overcome barriers in the longer term?

It is often harder to overcome legal, institutional and technological barriers in the short term. There is also the danger that some institutional and political barriers may get worse over time. However, strategies should ideally be developed for implementation over a 15-20 year timescale. Many of these barriers will not still apply twenty years hence, and action can be taken to remove others. For example, if new legislation would enable more effective instruments such as pricing to be implemented, it can be provided. If split responsibilities make achieving consensus impossible, new structures can be put in place. If finance for investment in new infrastructure is justified, the financial rules can be adjusted.



Operational problems
* Need for co-ordination and networking among professionals and educational institutions
* Need for supportive policy to release information
*Insufficient access to information source
*Confidentiality
*Redundancy of information
*Nature of policy directives
*Need for identifying sources of information
*Centralization of activities
*Need for systematic documentation


Operational improvement

* Set clear policy guidelines on information dissemination
* Encourage government to have depository laws and enforce them
* Introduce information system
* Use mass media
* Follow a bottom-up approach
* Develop grassroots level inventory of information
* Create awareness of the value of information
* Identify user information needs
* Consult target groups
* Develop target-oriented and useable information
* Develop effective system of information management and dissemination; information should be simple, understandable and manageable
* Institute efficient and effective co-ordination and networking
* Encourage a free flow of information — horizontally and vertically

Financial barriers

The figure below provides perceptions of the severity of financial barriers for European cities. It suggests that road building and public transport infrastructure are the two policy areas which are most commonly subject to financial constraints, with 80% of cities stating that finance was a major barrier. Information provision, again, was the least affected in terms of financial constraints. The only differences by city size are that small cities are less likely to perceive financial constraints on land use policies, and large cities are even less likely to identify financial constraints on information measures.

Political barriers

The figure below summarises information on political barriers for European cities. It suggests that road building and pricing are the two policy areas which are most commonly subject to acceptability constraints, with around 50% of cities stating that acceptability was a significant constraint on road building and pricing measures. Public transport operations and information provision were the least affected by acceptability constraints. Generally, large and small cities were more likely than medium sized cities to identify political barriers. Large cities were much more likely to perceive such barriers for road and rail infrastructure projects; small cities were more likely to identify them for pricing measures.

Practical and technological barriers

While cities view legal, financial and political barriers as the most serious which they face in implementing land use and transport policy instruments, there are some concerns also over practical limitations. For land use and infrastructure these may well include land acquisition. For management and pricing, enforcement and administration are key issues. For infrastructure, management and information systems, engineering design and availability of technology may limit progress. No attempt was made to survey cities' views on these, since they are very specific to individual instruments.



References:
http://www.mywhatever.com/cifwriter/content/22/4481.html
http://www.elseviersocialsciences.com/transport/konsult/public/level1/l1_barr.htm

ASSIGNMENT 4



http://www.campuscomputing.net/summaries/2000/index.html

The growing demand for IT talent across all sectors of the booming economy poses significant staffing challenges for US colleges and universities, according to new data from The Campus Computing Project. Campus IT officials place “retaining current IT personnel given off-campus competition” and “helping IT personnel stay current with new technologies” at the top of the list of 27 strategic, budget, and personnel issues confronting their institutions over the next two-three years.



http://www.it.utah.edu/leadership/green/index.html


Green computing techniques are easy to incorporate and will result in:

* A reduction in overall operating costs by reducing power use, using shared hardware resources, reusing similar systems, and reducing supplies such as toner, ink and paper.
* Enhanced work environments such as campus computer lab space and office work space with reduced noise pollution and eye strain from traditional CRTs.
* Corporate and social responsibility through a focus on the Triple Bottom Line, an expanded set of success values focusing on people, planet and profit.
* An enhanced University Image: green computing solutions on the U campus can be used as marketing tools for potential students and researchers.


http://inews.berkeley.edu/articles/Spring2009/green-computing



Green computing: Decreasing IT-related energy consumption on campus


Anyone who reads blogs or billboards in Berkeley knows energy efficiency matters to the campus and community. At UC Berkeley, energy efficiency relates to the "triple bottom line" philosophy, the view that social, environmental, and economic consequences should all be considered when planning for the future. Chancellor Birgeneau has committed the University to lowering its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2014, a target six years ahead of California's statewide goal. But this is a tall order, as much has changed on campus in the last 19 years. For one, the role computers play has dramatically increased — and, despite the improved efficiency of newer machines, so has the energy that computing consumes.