Group Assignment: Post # 5 (Answer)

Internet privacy consists of privacy over the media of the Internet: the ability to control what information one reveals about oneself over the Internet, and to control who can access that information. Many people use the term to mean universal Internet privacy.

Cookies-are tools which are sometimes used for user-tracking, a common concern in the field of privacy.

Data logging-Many programs and operating systems are set up to perform date logging of usage. This may include recording times when the computer is in use, or which web sites are visited. If a third party has sufficient access to the computer, legitimately or not, the user's privacy may be compromised. This could be avoided by disabling logging, or by clearing logs regularly.

To avoid cookies and data logging , we can use opt out model , business can collect personal information until the consumer specifically requests that the data not be collected.
Also blocked the cookies in the browsers and privacy policy. When after using the computer , remember to delete the cookies.

Group Assignment: Post # 5

Businesses and individuals must be aware of the information security and ethical issues that come together with their dependence and frequent use of information systems.

Not knowing or caring about these issues may bring about loss of confidential information and lasting damage to their business reputation. In this post, you will talk about the following:

1) Think of 2 to 3 ways in which businesses may violate privacy or ethical rights without realizing it.
2) How can the violations mentioned in the previous question be avoided or minimized ?

Group Assignment: Post # 4 (Answer)

a)Supply Chain is a network of organizations and processes for procuring raw materials, transforming them into products, and distributing the products.

FedEx is continuously developing cutting-edge e-solutions that give you the ability to succeed in today's new economy.

An integrated series of eSupply Chain Tools is now available to ensure the seamless flow of goods along the complete supply chain - from sourcing to order processing, shipping, tracking, invoicing and return management.

Inventory-FedEx EC-Inventory Visibility allows you to utilize the Internet to access and maintain inventory and warehouse management information. The system also offers shipping and tracking functions, empowering you with complete visibility of where your goods are throughout the supply chain.

Manufacturing-FedEx EC-Manufacturing Visibility represents an innovative solution to manage one's inbound supply chain. It enables you to track inbound shipments of components and raw materials via the Internet. The system also allows for data management, forecasting of lead times, and comparison of forecast versus ordered products.

Warehouse Management-FedEx EC-Warehouse Management is a Java-based system that provides inventory and warehouse management. This system offers the complete functionality including reporting and administration features. EC-Warehouse Management possesses Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capabilities, allowing flexible data exchange between systems.

Return Management-FedEx EC-Return Management builds customer confidence and satisfaction by providing an Internet-based post-sales system for handling returns, repairs and replacements with a superior level of after-sale service.

b)Supply Chain Management means the process of planning, implementing and controlling the operations of the supply chain with the purpose to satisfy customer requirements as efficiently as possible.

The new customer can visit FedEx Supply Chain Solutions web site and register as a member. then they can enjoy the services include Warehouse management, Order processing and distribution

Customers can check the track, take order though the website by using the solutions. It can save the time for customers.

Group Assignment: Post # 4

Logistics companies such as FedEx and UPS no longer merely carry goods from one place to another. Some of them also provide supply chain planning and management services to their customers and help them manage their supply chain information.

Investigate the web site of FedEx OR UPS to see how these companies’ services may be used for supply chain management. Then, answer the following questions:

a) What supply chain processes can each of these companies support for their clients ?b) How can customers use the Web sites of each company to help them with supply chain management ?

Group Assignment: Post # 3 (Answer)

a)Hong Kong Yellow Pages Online Map, supported by Geographic Information System (GIS) includes creating sales and service territories, calculate routes which the decision made by operational management levels.

e.g. 1: Search for the schools

e.g. 2: Search the public facilities

b)Here is the module can be used to handle each step within the Order-to -Cash business process:

Accept / Enter Order - Sale management

Order Acknowledgement - Sale management

Purchases Materials - Procurement management

Receive Materials - Procurement management

Production - Production management

Packing - Warehouse management

Shipping - Warehouse management

Invoicing and Collection - Financial management

c)Sales and Marketing, Accounting and Finance and Production Planning and Manufacturing Department need to coordinate from start to finish of the Order-to-Cash business process.

ERP software makes their work easier because it replaces traditional, disconnected information systems,reduces incompatible data. It also minimizes response time to customer and suppliers, and allows real-time sharing and monitoring of information across organization. Besides that, it can standardizate the data and business processes.

Group Assignment: Post # 3

1. Try any one of these decision support systems and describe two examples of decisions which they may help to support. For each decision, describe whether the decision would be made by operational, middle or senior management levels :

o Break-even Calculator
o Online Customer Lifetime Value Calculator (from Harvard Business School)
o Hong Kong Yellow Pages Online Map
o HSBC Mortgage Planner

2. Next, try out the different modules within the OpenBravo ERP demo. After you've familiarized yourself with these tools, identify which module can be used to handle each step within the Order-to-Cash business process below:

o Accept/Enter Order
o Order Acknowledgement
o Purchase Materials
o Receive Materials
o Production
o Packing
o Shipping
o Invoicing and Collection

3. Which departments need to coordinate from start to finish of the Order-to-Cash business process ? Describe how the ERP software makes their work easier. Also explain why ERP software can serve as the foundation or platform for decision support systems.

Group Assignment: Post # 2 (Answer)

Online analytical processing, or OLAP, is an approach to quickly answer multi-dimensional analytical queries. OLAP is part of the broader category of business intelligence, which also encompasses relational reporting and data mining. The typical applications of OLAP are in business reporting for sales, marketing, management reporting, business process management (BPM), budgeting and forecasting, financial reporting and similar areas. The term OLAP was created as a slight modification of the traditional database term OLTP (Online Transaction Processing). Databases configured for OLAP use a multidimensional data model, allowing for complex analytical and ad-hoc queries with a rapid execution time. They borrow aspects of navigational databases and hierarchical databases that are faster than relational databases.

1) Internet Sales Amount by Geography by Product by Date by Sales Channel

Measure: sales amount both internet

Geogharpy: united states

Date: financial year:04, 05

Product: category(bikes, accessories, clothing)

Report 1: According to the shown report, we can saw the different between total of the financial year 2004 and 2005. It separates into several items and each item show its own total. It helps the company to find out the balance from each item. And set up some relevant policies to deal with.

2) Reseller Gross Profit by Reseller by Promotion by Customer by Date

Measures: reseller gross profit

Reseller: specialty bike shop, value added reseller, warehouse

Promotion: new product

Date: financial year 04,05

Customer: united states

Report 2: As the Grid shown to us, we can see the reseller from United States that the new product promotes. It shows us the gross profit between the new product and the regular products. It helps us to know the effective and efficiency of the product promotion.

3) Order Count by Ship Date by Geography by Product by Date

Measures: order count

Ship date: financial year 04, 05

Product: bikes

Geography: united states

Date: financial year 04,05

Customer: united states

Report 3: Base on the Grid, classify with date, product and geography. It shows all the products with detail information. Moreover, the Grid helps to find out the most efficiency suppliers and contractors.