TASK 1

1. -Operational excellence
   -New products, services, and business models
   -Customer and supplier intimacy
   -Improved decision making
   -Competitive advantage
   -Survival

2. • DSS tends to be aimed at the less well structured, underspecified problem that upper level managers typically face.

– DSS attempts to combine the use of models or analytic techniques with traditional data access and retrieval functions.
– DSS specifically focuses on features which make them easy to use by non-computer-proficient people in an interactive mode.
– DSS emphasizes flexibility and adaptability to accommodate changes in the environment and the decision making approach of the user.

1. • Inbound Logistics : automated watehousing systems.

– Operations : Computer-controlled machining systems.
– Sales and marketing : Computerized ordering systems.
– Service : Equipment maintenance systems.
– Outbound Logistics : Automated shipment scheduling systems.

1. • Identify and clearly describe the facts.

– Define the conflict or dilemma and identify the higher-order values involved.
– Identify the stakeholders.
– Identify the options that you can reasonably take.
– Identify the potential consequences of your options.

1. Connect multiple storage devices on dedicated network.

2. • Interfaces between applications and physical data files

– Separates logical and physical views of data
– Solves problems of traditional file environment
*Controls redundancy
*Eliminates inconsistency
*Uncouples programs and data
*Enables organization to central manage data and data security

1. Convergence:
   Telephone networks and computer networks converging into single digital network using Internet standards

2. • Goal is to reduce human effort in searching for and processing information

– Increased communication and synchronization with computing devices, communities

TASK 2

1. Information technology departments in larger organizations tend to strongly influence the development, use, and application of information technology in the organizations. A series of methodologies and processes can be used to develop and use an information system. Many developers now use an engineering approach such as the system development life cycle (SDLC), which is a systematic procedure of developing an information system through stages that occur in sequence.

2. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) is an act passed by U.S. Congress in 2002 to protect investors from the possibility of fraudulent accounting activities by corporations. The SOX Act mandated strict reforms to improve financial disclosures from corporations and prevent accounting fraud.

3. Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a type of performance measurement. KPIs evaluate the success of an organization or of a particular activity in which it engages. Often success is simply the repeated, periodic achievement of some levels of operational goal (e.g. zero defects, 10/10 customer satisfaction, etc.), and sometimes success is defined in terms of making progress toward strategic goals.

4. Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is the creation of a strategy through the recognition of threats and risks facing a company, with an eye to ensure that personnel and assets are protected and able to function in the event of a disaster.