Internet and Technology

Employment is the primary income source for the majority of the world’s population. Developments in technology have reshaped the landscape of employment. Now there are work at home jobs which are a type of employment that allows us to work from home over the web. There is a wide array of people that can benefit from home based jobs, from students to parents.

The home based jobs movement was started by mothers. Mothers with small children had to have a break from office work to care for their young. With the tough economy, 1 parent can’t manage to support the whole family. This is where online jobs come in. Stay at home moms can now work while taking care of their children.

Another population group which could make use of work at home jobs are college students. School tuition students is costly. Sometimes the money sent by the parents isn’t sufficient. A lot of students are independent, paying their way through college. Work from home jobs provides both full time and also part time income opportunities. Students may take advantage of internet part time jobs. Online jobs have versatile working hours. So students can choose to work in their vacant time.

The father as the head of the family is typically the one who works the hardest. This may imply missing a lot of the childhood and events of his beloved children. A lot of high paying home based work opportunities are available these days online. Online jobs are a very good alternative to office jobs while still getting a high income. In this manner, a father can spend more time with his children and lead them as they grow.

Individuals with disabilities and illness are another beneficiary of online jobs. There’s no question that individuals with a handicap has a lesser chance of being hired in most conventional jobs. There’s also people with ailments who can’t function effectively on the outside world. Everyone can take on online jobs so long as they can work from a computer and has the skills needed.

Work at home jobs has grown to become a solution to the employment needs of various groups of people. People from parents, students and the ones with ailments are greatly benefitted. Even those that are not mentioned above can still benefit from online jobs for other reasons. In conclusion, work from home jobs is a great alternative for those whose needs require them to work from a non office environment.

 The American Dietetic association has called the advances in technology in the health sector as Telemedicine and defines it as “The practise of healthcare delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, transfer of medical data, and education using audio, video, or data communication”(Dina Aronson, 2007). This statement illustrates the vast functions and uses information technology plays in all sectors of health including Nutrition.

Information Technology’s contribution to education and research in Dietetics

A dietician must continuously re-educate them self in order to remain up to date with advances in research and new technology. In order to achieve this they must have access to a range of technologies. The internet and multimedia provide dieticians with magazines; journals and newsletters which help them stay informed about trends in nutrition which will in turn allow them to advise their clients more efficiently about nutritional issues (Human Resources and development Canada 2007).  Multi -media plays a large role in educating not only professional but also large portion of the public this type of information can be target at population at risk from certain conditions for example television advertisements aimed at young woman about increasing the intake of folic acid. This type of technology is an efficient way for dieticians to inform the public about nutritional information which will in turn improve the awareness and health of the population.

 In a cross sectional study carried out on a random sample of Dieticians from the British Dietetic association database. A questionnaire was distributed to determine dietician’s access to the internet and their views of the resources as a means of health and nutritional information. The results revealed that 66% of the respondents had access to the internet at work, with 39% using the internet once or more a week. The reported uses of the internet were for searching health information, researching and communication ( Kirk, 2001) . This illustrates the role internet plays in the professional world of dietetics, however this study was conducted seven years ago since then dramatic advances have been made in the use of the internet, such as the introduction of broadband and wireless internet access. This has undouthedly double the number of people who access the internet.

Table 1: Dieticians use of the Internet at work

Reason                                                                                                            percentage % (n=104)

Work-related research                                                                                                 83

Searching for nutritional information                                                                                     70

Searching for health information                                                                                58

Communication with colleagues                                                                                 51

Travel                                                                                                                          11

News                                                                                                                                       8

Personal research                                                                                                                     6

Jobs                                                                                                                                         3

Entertainment                                                                                                                         2

Shopping                                                                                                                                 1         

* Percentages do not add up to 100%, as some respondents ticked

more than one category.

( Kirk, 2001)

Figures of internet use in 1998 showed that from a world population of 6 billion there were 150 million internet users which is approximately 2.5 percent of the world population (Langford  2000). Figure 3 illustrates internet usage by the world in 2007. It estimates 1.1 billion people use the internet in a population of 6.5 billion in 2007 (Brown, 2007), which is 16.9 percent of the world population. This is almost a seven fold increase in internet users compared to figures from 1998. 

Fig 2: Internet use by the World

(Brown, 2007)

The technology of modern times has integrated interactive media into nutritional education. The introduction of Computer assisted instruction (CAI) and computer assisted learning (CAL) has complemented and improved conventional methods of teaching. A study performed on microbiology student illustrated the success of CAL. It found the student who used the software for microbiology tutorials scored higher in tests than students who had conventional teaching methods. Also another study found that CAL used in science and clinical study significantly decreased the number of hours students had in lectures, also in test performed 1 month into the study the students who used the CAL scores improved by 12 points in comparisons to the student who didn’t use the software (Shah, 1999). Undoubtedly this type of teaching methods will play a large role in the area of education in the Dietetics profession.  

Table. 2 The application and outcomes of using CAL and CAI in the education and health care profession

Profession

Application

Outcome

Dietetics

Clinical skills development
Higher clinical skills test scores
 More confidence in clinical performance
More clinical objectives met
Testing skills assessment
Increased proficiency
Decision making for more cost effective operations
improved decision-making ability
improved cost effectiveness

(Shah, 1999)

Information Technology influence on the Delivery of Nutritional information:

Information technology has undoubtedly made an immense change in the way nutritional information is delivered by a dietician or a nutritionist. The introduction of various programs on computers has helped improve numerous areas and sectors of the dietetic profession.

            Microsoft word is one piece of software which every health care profession needs. This software can be used to write up reports on client’s profiles such as health history, dietary needs, goals, contact information, diet plans, writing recommendation for clients and much more. Also having all these files on a computer reduces clutter, and can be retrieved with the touch of a button which can help save time and reduce stress. Other Microsoft software which are of great value to a dietician are excel and PowerPoint. These tools help a dietician to provide a more efficient and professional service to the customers. PowerPoint is software that produces a presentation on the computer which can be projected to an audience. This software is extremely useful for educating people on nutritional information. While excel can be used to analyses information and create graph and charts to display information in a coherent and understandable manner. They can also use the information from tables such as nutrition analysis to understand the nutritional value of food products they can then use this information to adapt diets for specific groups (Aronson 2007).

A more recent development in Information technology is the rise in the use of software packages which are designed for nutritional analyses. One such software is Win diets which is a package that provides Nutritional information for both a professional dieticians and the public it also aids in education as there is specific software which is designed for college and school use. The software Contains databases which can analyses energy expenditure, nutrient analysis, recipes and cooking instructions which include nutrient analysis, Access wizards to query information, produces numerous diet analysis spreadsheets and the users or clients can use information on how to prepare the dishes as well as producing calculations on the nutrient loss during cooking (Wise 2008). The program takes into account every aspect of the work of a dietician from education to producing individual meal plans or nutrient analyses research. This is just one of the many programs on the market which have been designed in order to aid the work of Dieticians (Wise, 2004).

Fig 1: Sample of the win-diets program features

(Wise 2004)

Information Technology contribution to the marketing of nutritional information

Information technology takes issues such as time management, costs, and client retention and helps improve them. With internet access you have the freedom and resources to educate and reach people all over the world. This form of Information technology also gives one the choice to work from home at a pace that suits them.

            Time management is one subject that every working individual has to contend with. Using E-mail to contact clients can help reduce the number of personal contact visit which they receive, as an online food diary could be set up which the client can fill out and then E-mail the information back. The Dietician can then generate a nutritional analysis and send it back. At the next visit they could discuss recommendations and meal plans. Through using this method of online treatment the client stays motivated and engaged without occupying too much time from the dietician, thus improving time efficiency (Aronson 2007).

Client retention is a major concern of Dietician particularly private practitioners, generally clients stop visiting their dietician after only a few visits checking in online with their dietician saves them money and time while reducing the need for personal visits. Nowadays many private practise Dieticians and consultant Dieticians have personal websites which their clients can visit and find BMI calculators, body weight calculators, self nutritional assessments and a great deal more. The internet increase choice and methods of practise which reach a larger portion of the population (Holli, et al 2003).

Conclusion

The mergers of Dietetics and information technology have certainly changed the way nutritional information is accessed and delivered. The use of information Technology has transformed every aspect of Dietetics from research and education to how the professional delivers and markets their profession. The use of thousands of health related website with nutritional news, sound eating advice, and helpful recipes along with specially designed nutritional database such as win-diets it’s clear that information technology has played a massive role in improving the efficiency and productivity in all sectors of the Dietetic profession.  It’s a foregone conclusion that information Technology will indeed play a massive role in future trends of nutrition information and research.

Reference

Wise A, (2004) Interactive Web-based program for teaching nutrition, J Nutrition and Food Science, 34, 2 pp: 77-79. http://images.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.emeraldinsight.com/fig/0170340205001.png&imgrefurl=http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/ViewContentServlet?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/0170340205.html&h=1463&w=1760&sz=410&hl=en&start=6&usg=__N_Og4ok0nSREOwdg6ouQK12H27A=&tbnid=RWfR9GeF84QBkM:&tbnh=125&tbnw=150&prev=/images?q=windiets&gbv=2&hl=en&sa=G

Wise A, (2004) Windiets professional, http://www.windiets.co.uk/public/WinDiets_Homepage.jsp (accessed 15.11.08)

Winterfeldt A, Margaret L Bogle, Ebro L, Winterfeldt A, (2005) Dietetics practises and future trends, pp. 283, Sudbury: Jones and Barlett. http://books.google.ie/books?id=57dkUfiseIUC

Holli B, Calabrese J, O’Sullivan Mallet, J (2003) Communication and education skills for dietic professional, published xyz. http://books.google.ie/books?id=c6uboBVNKFMC&pg=PP8&dq=Communication+and+education+skills+for+dietetic+professional  (accessed 11.11.08)

Aronson D, (2007) High tech counselling: an untapped market for today’s dietician, Great Valley Publishing, 9, 3, pp: 46.

     http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/tdmar2007pg46.shtml

Human Resources and development Canada, (2007) essential skill nutrition and dietetics.http://srv108.services.gc.ca/english/profiles/324.shtml

Langford D, (editor) (2000) Internet ethics, London, Macmillian press.

Brown L, (2007) Interesting Internet Statistics, http://images.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://tenerife-training.net/Tenerife-News-Cycling-Blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/internet-world-use.png&imgrefurl=http://www.tenerife-training.net/Tenerife-News-Cycling-Blog/2007/08/thats-business/interesting-internet-statistics/&usg=__5_QoMKyOGiEPNw6CWYrNDdm9ce4=&h=357&w=579&sz=8&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=lyN1qzPDxSwVZM:&tbnh=83&tbnw=134&prev=/images?q=internet+use+in+the+world&um=1&hl=en&rlz=1T4SKPB_enGB295GB301&sa=N( accessed 12.11.08)

 Kirk S, Cade J & Greenhalgh A (2001) Dieticians and the internet: are dieticians embracing the new technology, Leeds, Nutritional Epidemiology Group. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/118993269/PDFSTART

Wise A. (2008) Developments in nutritional

programming illustrated by

WinDiets, http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/119421484/PDFSTART (accessed 16.11.08).

 Shaz Z, George V & Himburgs S (1999) Computer-Assisted Education for Dietetics Students: A Review of Literature and Selected Software (research article). Department of Dietetics and Nutrition.

Technology is a great enabler when used properly, and when used appropriately by virtual contact centers can really improve customer service.

First you need a good definition about your strategy, How do you want to offer your service? So many times we want the latest in technology and the supplier persuades us with technology excellence and ROI, but we don’t know how to use it to give better service.

Technology is not the end all be all cure of customer service issues. While CRM or call management system applications are useful, they should never overshadow the use of intuition and intelligent thought. The tip here is to use computers as a tool to improve customer service, not become a computer. Don’t use technology to make pretty stats! Use the tools the customers benefit from and use it because your job gets done right – and use the stats to tell you the truth and then work on fixing the truth. Don’t use technology to give pretty stats to the manager, who hasn’t a clue on how the customer feels when he looks at “fake” stats. Make sure that your technology is simple to use and reliable. The best integrated systems are no good if they don’t work when the customer needs them or they are put off by navigating through the telephone menus and web sites. Get your staff and their families to try it out and act on what they tell you.

At the most basic level companies need either a CRM system or take advantage of a PIM. If you are not tracking your transactions, looking at some basic reports on buying patterns, and having the discipline to enter your interactions into a system of some sort, you are letting invaluable data just walk out the door. The CRM is the foundation for making any customer care infrastructure and the use of an integrated telephony and CRM system is critical to ensuring the service loop is always closed to the satisfaction of every caller. Building automated reporting, notifications and work flows to ensure each issue can meet Service Levels and the ball is never dropped. Automation wherever possible is key and then processes to back up the technology.

Get up to date; find out what the new technologies can deliver and spend the money to get up to speed. Before you reach that point, however, companies need to give customer care the priority it deserves in support of growing sales, increased customer loyalty and retention. Executive attitude and attention to customer service is mandatory.

Make usability tests – focus groups with clients, a prerequisite when considering the use of new technologies. Most companies are good in leveraging technology to create new products for channels of interaction with clients, yet the creators are too often focused on meeting internal objectives – achieving cost savings for the organization; reducing handle times internally. Before implementation, ask clients for their feedback. Not only will this show the organization is listening to its clients, it can also lead to uncovering nuggets which the internal experts may have missed.

It seems that each and every day there is some sort of technological breakthrough that helps human beings live more efficient and less stressful lives. A human being from the twenty first century would have more than a hard time without all the technological advancements we have taken for advantage in this day and age. Just think of your everyday American struggling to wake up without instant coffee, to say nothing of have to walk or goon on horseback, infinitely extending journeys by days, weeks, or even months without the benefit of ultra fast twenty first century modes of transportation such as airplanes, trains, bullet trains, and exceptionally quick boats and other aquatic craft. It truly boggles the mind to think that just one hundred and fifty years ago, many of today’s modern conveniences would be considered nothing more than a flight of fancy of some hair brained inventor who always has his or her head in the clouds. Thusly, it is truly a thing of wonder to marvel at the various technological advancements that human beings from every economic background depend on each and every day.

However, with all the technological advancements that continue to astound us each and every day of our lives, there is a price tag for all these fantastic modern contraptions. Many individuals get suspicious of new technologies, thinking that they do not really need whatever breakthrough is currently capturing the public’s imagination. Worse yet, some people are more critical of certain advancements that they view as morally bankrupt, such as stem cell research or even advances in health care such as heart transplants. The same can be said of financial technology advancements. Many financial services providers use sophisticated, cutting edge equipment in order to provide the best services they possibly can for their clients. It stands to reason then that many of these companies have started to use the fully qualified and fully licensed services of a firm that specializes in the unique field of financial technology PR. By employing a firm that specializes in the unique field of financial technology PR, financial services providers seek to enhance their public reputations. Thus, it can be said that it is the primary and most important duty of a firm that specializes in the unique field of financial technology PR to protect a financial service provider’s image. This means that the firm that specializes in the unique field of financial technology PR has to control all the bad press that may follow in a financial service providers wake if they should use new and cutting edge financial technologies.

It may seem silly to the layman that people should fear change, but any firm that specializes in the unique field of financial technology PR worth its salt knows that this undesirable trait is all too present in the human condition. Every day, firms that specialize in the field of financial technology PR have to work tirelessly night and day to combat this unnerving notion that technology is somehow bad for human beings. To achieve this end, financial technology PR firms have to use every single tool that is available to them so that they can change the public’s viewpoint. But using clandestine suggestive psychological techniques, financial technology PR firms can slowly but surely affect how individuals think about the services of a financial services provider. If they are successful, then a financial technology PR firm can help maximize their clients’ revenue stream and increase business.

For more information visit http://www.makovsky.com/technology_business_services/financial-technology-pr

1. Shell

Website: www.shell.com.my

Industry: Oil & Gas

An excellent company to work for, Shell provides you with a platform for trainings and knowledge, while at the same time providing you with opportunity for growth while climbing the technical and corporate ladder.

2.  Intel

Website: www.intel.com, www.intel.com/jobs/Malaysia

Industry: Manufacturing

Intel is the world’s largest chip maker, also a leading manufacturing of computer, networking and communications products. Intel currently has the largest plant of all manufacturing companies in Penang & Kulim industrial area.

3. DHL

Website: www.dhl.com.my

Industry: Logistics & Freight Forwarding

DHL’s international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. Around 285,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers’ expectations in 120,000 destinations in all continents.

4. Petronas

Website: www.petronas.com.my

Industry: Oil & Gas

PETRONAS is an integrated international oil and gas company with business interests in 31 countries. As at end of October 2005, the PETRONAS Group comprised 101wholly-owned subsidiaries, 19 partly-owned outfits and 57 associated companies.

5. McKinsey & Co

Website: www.mckinsey.com

Industry: Consulting

As one of the world’s biggest consulting firms with offices all across the globe, McKinsey helps many of the world’s leading organizations think about and improve their strategies, organizations and operations.

6.  Maxis

Website: www.maxis.com.my

Industry: Communications

As one of the largest communications giants in this country, Maxis will be a preferred platform for aspiring executives to be part of in the quest to reach their career heights. There are so many opportunities available as Maxis is expected to continue growing in terms of size and profits.

7.IBM

Website: www.ibm.com/my

Industry: System/Hardware

To date, IBM has played a major role in delivering solutions to the customers to help solve business problems. IBM’s key strengths are in people, skills and experience in IT and complex projects, and worldwide infrastructure of international offices and laboratories from which they can quickly assemble the best expertise required by the customers in Malaysia and worldwide.

8. Motorola

Website: www.motorola.com/my/

Industry: Manufacturing

First established in Malaysia in Penang (1974), Motorola today is a total solutions provider for wireless telecommunications and energy products. It is the first Motorola Asia-Pacific Regional Integrated Manufacturing, R&D and Distribution Center. Capabilities include design & development of two-way radio products, world-class manufacturing and distribution to global customers.

9. ExxonMobil

Website: www.exxonmobil.com.my

Industry: Oil & Gas

A merge between Esso and Mobil produced ExxonMobil which is now the biggest oil and gas company globally, covering upstream, downstream, technology and chemical activities.

10. Hewlett Packard

Industry: Hardware/multimedia

Website: www.hp.com.my

HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company’s offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing for consumers, enterprises and small and medium businesses.

11. CIMB

Industry: Investment

Website: www.cimb.com.my

CIMB is the largest, award winning investment bank in Southeast Asia. They offer a full range of integrated capital markets and advisory solutions tailored to a diverse client base, including large corporations, financial institutions, private individuals and institutional investors. Requires talented and hardworking people, but you’ll be well compensated. Min yearly bonus average more than 6 months, depending on your performance.  In 2004 claim a record bonus payout of 13 months!

12. Ernst & Young

Industry: Financial & tax services

Website: http://www.ey.com/global/content.nsf/Malaysia/Malaysia_Home_Page

In Malaysia, Ernst & Young is one of the largest professional services firms with more than 2,400 employees in 17 offices in West and East Malaysia. It was established in early 1900s and was one of the first internationally linked public accounting firms in the country.

13. Citibank

Industry: Banking

Website: www.citibank.com.my

Citibank is part of Citigroup, the world’s largest banking entity, with operation in more than 100 countries and having more than 200 million customers worldwide. Citibank also offers one of the most comprehensive trainings to their sales force.

14. Dell Asia Pacific

Industry: PC/Hardware

Website: www.dell.com.my

Dell is one-stop PC and notebook supplier with state of the art assembly operation in Penang, supported by a world-class standard of customer service operation. At the heart of Dell’s Asia Pacific operations is the Asia Pacific Customer Center (APCC) in Penang, Malaysia. The 238,000-square-foot manufacturing facility opened in October 1995 and in February 2001, Dell’s second Asia Pacific Customer Centre (APCC2) of 370,000-square-feet began operations. Desktops, workstations, notebooks,
servers and storage products are manufactured to order for customers throughout Asia Pacific.

15. Accenture

Industry: Consultancy

Website: http://www.accenture.com/Countries/Malaysia

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with operation in 110 offices worldwide. Accenture collaborate with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. Accenture mobilizes excellent qualified people having the right skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance.

16. PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC)

Industry: Financial & Tax services

Website: www.pwc.com/my

PWC provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. Their Malaysia operation is supported by a strong 1700 workforce in 9 locations.

17. Toyota

Industry: Automotive

Website: www.toyota.com.my

Toyota Motor Corporation is one of the world’s leading automakers, offering full range of models. As of March 2004, Toyota employs 264,000 people worldwide, and market vehicles in more than 140 countries. Their diversified operations include telecommunications, prefabricated housing and leisure boats.

18. Nokia

Industry: Mobile communications

Website: www.nokia.com.my

A leading player in mobile communications in the Asia Pacific, Nokia first started operations in the region in the early 1980s. It has since established a leading brand presence in many local markets, and business has expanded considerably in all areas to support customer needs and the growth of the telecommunications industry in the region.

19. Bank Negara Malaysia

Industry: Banking

Website: www.bnm.gov.my

Bank Negara Malaysia is the central bank for Malaysia, established on 26 January 1959. The functions of the Bank are carried out within the context of the broader goals of promoting economic growth, a high level of employment, maintaining price stability and a reasonable balance in the country’s international payments position, eradicating poverty and restructuring society.

20. Western Digital

Industry: Manufacturing

Website: www.wdc.com

Winner of Best Employers in Asia awards, Western Digital is really an excellent organization to be in. You’ll get a chance to get a closer look on the manufacturing operation of enterprise drives, desktop, external and mobile drives.

21. Air Asia

Industry: Aviation

Website: www.airasia.com.my

Air Asia has a record history of being a debt-ridden company turned into a multibillion organization within a span of merely 3 years. Headed by one of Malaysia’s most successful businesspersons, Datuk Tony Fernandez, there’s a limitless chance for your career to reach this sky, as of their planes, once you’re part of this ever growing company.

22. LogicaCMG

Industry: IT outsourcing

Website: www.logicacmg.com/my

Currently the biggest IT outsourcing provider in Europe, LogicaCMG is continuing to make impact in Asia Pacific. It provides management and IT consultancy, systems integration and outsourcing services to clients across diverse markets including telecoms, financial services, energy and utilities, industry, distribution and transport and the public sector. Formed in December 2002, through the merger of Logica and CMG, the company employs around 20,000 staff in offices across 34 countries and has nearly 40 years of experience in IT services.

23. KPMG International

Industry: Financial Services

Website: http://www.kpmg.com

KPMG International is the global network of professional services firms providing audit, tax, and advisory services with industry focus. Its aim is to turn knowledge into value for the benefit of its clients, people, and the capital markets. With nearly 94,000 people worldwide, KPMG member firms provide audit, tax, and advisory services from 717 cities in 148 countries.

24. Oracle Corporation

Industry: Software/system

Website: www.oracle.com

For nearly three decades, Oracle, the world’s largest enterprise software company, has provided the software and services that let organizations get the most up-to-date and accurate information from their business systems.

25. Federal Express (FedEx)

Industry: Logistic & freight forwarding

Website: www.fedex.com/my

Federal Express, part of transportation powerhouse FedEx Corporation connects areas that generate 90 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product in 24 to 48 hours with door-to-door, customs-cleared service and a money-back guarantee. The company’s unmatched air route authorities and infrastructure make it the world’s largest express transportation company,
providing fast, reliable and time-definite transportation of more than 3.2 million items in 220 countries each working day. FedEx has more than 138,000 employees, 50,000 drop-off locations, 671 aircraft and 41,000 vehicles in its integrated global network.

26. Deloitte Malaysia

Industry: Financial & tax services

Website: www.deloitte.com

Deloitte Malaysia is among the nation’s leading professional services firms, providing audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services through nearly 1,100 people in 8 offices throughout the nation. Having built a strong presence with a portfolio of clients spanning a variety of industries, Deloitte Malaysia has a proven record in providing services to some of the world’s largest multi-nationals as well as local enterprises, financial institutions, government bodies, public and newly privatized organisations.

27. Ericsson

Industry: Mobile communications

Website: www.ericsson.com/my

Ericsson is the leading telecom supplier in the world. In the Asia Pacific region, Ericsson has over 30 percent market share in mobile communications infrastructure. Ericsson’s net sales in the region for Q3 2005 accounts for 22% of Ericsson’s global sales.Ericsson has a strong presence in Asia Pacific, with 16 operating entities grouped into five market units: Australia & New Zealand, China, India & Sri Lanka, North East Asia (Japan, Korea, Taiwan), and South East Asia (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos  and Brunei).

28. Samsung

Industry: Electronics

Website: www.samsung.com

In this region, Malaysia plays a key role in SAMSUNG’s strategy as both a manufacturing export base as well as a market for high-value technology products. They currently employ a total of 2200 employees in Malaysia. SAMSUNG Electronics offices in Malaysia consist of 1 subsidiary office and 2 manufacturing facilities. In recent years, SAMSUNG has evolved as a major
consumer technology brand. We consistently clinch top 3 positions across South-East Asia for televisions, monitors/LCD monitors, side-by-side refrigerators, washing machines and DVD players.

29. Sony Malaysia

Industry: Manufacturing/electronic

Website: www.sony.com.my

Sony has helped developed discerning Malaysians who have come to expect quality, integrity and reliability in audio/visual equipment. Sony’s cutting-edge technology brings sights and sounds, expectations and experiences into the home as well as the office.

30. Berjaya Corporation

Industry: Various

Website: www.berjaya.com.my

Berjaya Corporation is a major Malaysian conglomerate with annual revenue in excess of RM2.93 billion. Through a series of acquisitions, organic growth and the entrepreneurial leadership of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan, Berjaya Corporation today has a total employee strength of over 17,000, and is engaged in the various core activities including property development, vacation & resorts, education, food & beverages, investment holdings and others.

Introduction

In this report, I will provide the many roles that Information Technology plays in Operations Management. Moreover, I will review the various types of Information Technology, and how they are utilized within an organization.

The Idea in a Nutshell

Everyday, business owners are faced with the challenge of seeking ways to streamline their operation in ways that are not only cost effective and efficient, but that is conducive to increased sales as well. During the strategic planning phase, some businesses will concentrate on aggressive marketing strategies, while others will create a product that is superior to their competitors. Both plans are promising; however, regardless of what plan is selected, the key factor in determining rather either will be successful is how it reaches the end user, the consumer. Businesses must insure that all their hard work reaches its target market. Investing in Information Technology will insure success, for not only is it cost effective, but it is also efficient.

As defined by the Information Technology Association of America, Information Technology is “the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware. Information Technology (IT) deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information”. In operations management, IT plays a crucial role in business transactions, without it, most businesses would go under.

Although the term IT dates back to the 1960’s, it actually begin becoming a well known concept during the 1980’s, specifically with the introduction of the personal computer. Since then, IT has skyrocketed to become very fundamental in the business world. It is difficult to finger just one pioneer of IT, as countless have assisted in pioneering some of the most savvy systems known to the business world. However, if we must bestow the honor upon just one, I would have to nominate Samuel Morse as being the father to IT, for his invention of the telegraph in 1844 began the conquest of delivering information in electrical form over long distances. To him we must pay homage. Over a century has passed, and IT has dominated our culture. Let’s review the different faces of IT in Operations Management.

The Top Ten Things You Need to Know About the Role of Information Technology in Operations Management

1.            Business to Business (B2B): Information technology assists with electronic transactions between businesses usually over the internet. Before the internet, business to business transactions would take days to complete. Transactions such as sales, ordering, or the formation of contracts could only be done by either mail, or the phone system, creating a very inefficient and costly environment. Today, a mere click of a mouse is responsible for generating billions of dollars in sales,

2.            Business to Consumer (B2C): Not only does Information technology assist B2B transactions, it also allows consumers to participate in the convenience of on-line transactions. A B2C transaction is another type of IT which involves electronic transactions between businesses and their customers usually over the internet. A good example of a B2C is a company such as Priceline.com which lacks a traditional office for consumers to frequent, but instead has a website that initiates the majority of its sales transactions. .

3.            Internet: For those born on another planet, the Internet is a global information system of computer networks that facilitates communications and data transfers. The internet has become one of the most common IT feature known in the business world From sending e-mails to proposals, the internet is one of the most inexpensive forms of IT that can be utilized within an business.

4.            Extranet: The extranet is an intranet connected to the Internet. It allows collaboration of customer and vendors, usually between B2B. It is a form of shared access with suppliers, trading partners, and customers.

5.            Bar Codes: Bar Codes are a series of lines printed on packages that helps identify the product and other pertinent information when read by a scanner. Usually, this information is scanned into an inventory software system that allows business to keep account of what has been sold and what ultimately has to be re-ordered. Bar Codes are mostly used by manufacturers and retailers.

6.            Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Customer Relationship Management is software used for managing interactions with customers as well as compiling and analyzing customer data. CRM is a vital tool that marketers use to help them identify target markets. For example, CRM’s provide the type of demographic information that exposed the fact retired senior citizens’ are buying more convertible sports cars than hard top Cadillac’s. Moreover, it is also used to assist in improving the consumers buying experience.

7.           Supply Chain Management:  Supply Chain Management is software used for managing flow of goods and information among a network of suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors. Supply Chain Management is utilized heavily in the manufacturing industry where the collaboration between various businesses is critical to the operation of all parties.

8.            Decision Support Systems (DSS): DSS is an information program that assists managers in making vital decisions. It includes quantitative modeling components for what if analysis. The DSS system is an accountant’s and finance analyst companion, it can also provide use for a business manager.

9.            Expert Systems (ES): Expert Systems are normally used within the science industry such as: Chemical plants, Bio-laboratories, and Engineering firms. ES is a computer system that uses an expert knowledge base to diagnose or solve a problem.

10.            Enterprise Resource Planning: Enterprise Resource Planning is software used for managing basic requirements of an enterprise. This includes sales and marketing, accounting, materials management, production, and human resources.

The Video Lounge

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3774507973108570104#

The web is filled with data regarding Information Technology. A simple Google search will provide thousands of colleges aggressively recruiting potential IT majors to attend their organization, and understandably so. The IT field continues to have a steady demand for those interested in entering the field. However, in this video Sacha Vincent provides us with the effects that Information Technology has had on China; and how it ultimately shifted sales from the United States.

My Take

Information Technology is playing a crucial role in business. Whether you are a consumer buying concert tickets, a small business owner, or a teenager with the new IPhone, you have more than likely participated in the world of Information Technology. In the 21st century, no business that is looking to succeed can run its organization without insuring that it is equipped with the necessary resources needed to survive in a competitive market.

References

 Harrell, A. J. (2009) Information Age: People, Information & Technology, 186, 89

Russell R. (2010) Operations Management, 6, 276-285
 

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Contact Info: To contact the author of “Top Ten Management on “The Role of Information Technology in Operation Management,” please email Chastity N. Cyprian at W0010509@selu.edu.

Biography

David C. Wyld (dwyld.kwu@gmail.com) is the Robert Maurin Professor of Management at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. He is a management consultant, researcher/writer, and executive educator. His blog, Wyld About Business, can be viewed at http://wyld-business.blogspot.com/. He also serves as the Director of the Reverse Auction Research Center (http://reverseauctionresearch.blogspot.com/), a hub of research and news in the expanding world of competitive bidding. Dr. Wyld also maintains compilations of works he has helped his students to turn into editorially-reviewed publications at the following sites:

Management Concepts (http://toptenmanagement.blogspot.com/)

Book Reviews (http://wyld-about-books.blogspot.com/) and

Travel and International Foods (http://wyld-about-food.blogspot.com/).                

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Some American companies rock at taking care of working moms–and all their workers. In 2007, Working Mother gave these employers tip-top scores for their family-friendly policies and attitudes.

1. Baptist Health South
Florida, Floral Gables, FL
Almost half of all employees at this health-care organization flex their schedule, meaning they work full-time but vary their arrival and departure times to meet their own needs. Plus, the company offers a loan of up to $ 10K to first-time home buyers.

2. Booz Allen Hamilton,
McLean, VA
Workers at this consulting firm receive a 10 percent discount at a national child-care chain, plus have access to low-cost backup care. There’s also a career model for permanent part-timers.

3. Ernst & Young, New York City
A Working Moms Network at this accounting firm helps new moms transition back to work, and if a new dad is the primary caregiver, he gets six weeks of leave at full pay (if he’s not, he still gets two). Workers can also arrange for 12 full days per year of subsidized backup child or adult care (workers pay $ 4 to $ 15 per hour).

4. General Mills,
Minneapolis
Forty-four percent of staffers at this food corporation use flextime, and others telecommute and job-share. There’s an on-site child-care center in Minneapolis, and employees at other locations receive a 10 percent discount at two national child-care chains. Plus, the company pays 85 percent of sick child care for employees’ kids.

5. IBM, Armonk, NY
To encourage family time, this technology company offers a program that teaches employees about boosting productivity and cutting unnecessary work. And staff can send kids to the firm’s science/tech summer programs for free (last summer, 1,600 kids participated!).

6. KPMG, New York City
At this accounting firm, more than 65 percent of staffers flex their hours, telecommute, or compress their work weeks. The firm also assists with in-house and center-based backup care.

7. The McGraw-Hill Companies,
New York City
New mothers at this publishing company get 26 weeks of leave, including four weeks fully paid and six partially paid leave, which can be used during the new baby’s first six months.

8. PricewaterhouseCoopers,
New York City
Staffers at this accounting firm receive discounted child care, and when they’re away on business, the firm foots the child-care bill. In addition to 12 weeks of leave (nine paid), if new moms have twins or triplets, they get two extra weeks off.

9. UBS, New York City
At this financial-services firm, The Working Parents Group provides mentoring, and the Career Comeback program offers advice for women on reentering the workforce.

10. Wachovia, Charlotte, NC
Almost a third of employees at this financial-services firm telecommute, and the company hosts an annual work-life balance event to educate employees.

Employees use two types of social networking sites. They bring their Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and other identities to the office. At the same time, they use professional social networking – LinkedIn and others – for more “official” duties.

It has the potential to be a major problem. This Newsfactor piece based on Forrester research identifies social networking as a key element of the ongoing corporate Web 2.0 wave. By 2013, the firm says, social networks will constitute a $2 billion chunk of what will be a $4.6 billion sector.

Hopefully, organizations will catch up on the security front. The piece says that only half of Web filters deployed by Barracuda Networks are blocking MySpace or Facebook. Those who are doing so are trying to guard against virus and spyware and to maintain employee productivity. It would be interesting to understand how many of these organizations understand that social networking sites are great avenues for phishing and other social engineer exploits, and for dishonest or ignorant employees to send vital information beyond the firewall.

This is a nice CNN overview of the flow of social networking into the corporate space. What the author doesn’t say is that the evolution of social networking from consumer to business use is precisely what happened with cell phones, Wi-Fi and other tools: People used them in their private lives, liked them, and brought them to work. In this case, the writer says, more secure, corporate-aimed offerings are available. Yammer, for instance, is a business version of Twitter. Other corporate social networking newbies, according to Forrester, include Awareness, Communispace and Jive.

One of the advantages of the fact that new technology has moved from the consumer to business world so many times in the recent past is that experts consider the security issues more quickly. There seems to be a bit less denial. This Legal Technology piece offers a good description of social networks, and references a Black Hat presentation that looked at insecure features of social networks and identified the biggest vulnerabilities. They include cross-site request forgery (CSRF), cross-site scripting (XSS) and the lack of a mechanism to validate the security of customer applications. The writer offers seven tips for safely using and administering social networks.

This is not all theoretic: Business people are using social networks – and the bad guys are going after them. For instance, SPAMfighter cites reports from The Washington Post’s Brian Krebs about spear phishing attacks against about 10,000 LinkedIn members. The story says social networking sites often are the target of spear phishers because users are used to getting e-mail from other members. This e-mail purported to come from support@linkedin.com and carried the subject line “Re: business contacts.” Recipients following the instructions in the e-mail installed a malicious program aimed at stealing sensitive information from the computer.

There is a lot to worry about. Dark Reading offers a scary vignette on how dangerous a social networking site can be. The big problem is that there is no way to simultaneously optimize security and interactivity. To a great extent, emphasizing one comes at the expense of the other. Dark Reading runs through some of the problems, and links to pages that describe in more detail seven of the most dangerous activities: impersonation and targeted hacks; spam and bots; “weaponized” applications; XSS and CSRF; identity theft and corporate espionage.

Solving the problem of employment may be more of a challenge for young workers today than for young workers of the past, however, more has changed than just the troublesome nature of job searches.  With prices soaring far above where they were when older generations faced the same trials for everything from a college education to renting an apartment, many recent grads and twenty-somethings are finding themselves in the last place they ever expected: back home with Mom and Dad.  Although just 10 years ago it was a living situation that caused many a great deal of shame, with the world getting less affordable every day and a large number of sons and daughters doing it, the level of acceptability has simply risen.  For many families, instead of empty-nesting, older generations are trying to figure out how to co-exist with 3 or more adults all living, eating, working, and sleeping under one roof.  Whereas before Junior moved back in the kitchen, living room and television may have seemed a little too large for just two people, these things may all suddenly seem slightly insufficient for a group of adults to share.  If in the midst of a job search, the newest re-addition to the household may be tying up the phone, computer and home office all day, every day, making it impossible for anyone else to get in.  Many families faced with this situation are looking for the solutions to problems caused by re-introduction of adult children into the home and coming up empty handed.  It’s just not an issue that parents’ confidants are likely to have a lot of knowledge about.  One of the best pieces of advice parents can follow is to help the grown child out with at least the illusion of some independence.  Families are finding that things like a separate internet connection are invaluable when it comes to diffusing family tensions.  One solution is treating the son or daughter to a WiMax internet subscription, which utilizes 4G internet technology and allows the user to connect anytime, anywhere.  This means that even if the child is unemployed they can get out of the house to do his or her job searching.  Even just getting out to a local café will keep him or her mobile, and can prevent the dangerous syndrome of becoming “overly comfortable” under your roof.In homes with other children, especially teenagers, freeing up the internet connection will save lots of tension and time bickering over whose turn it is to get online.  With the ability to download movies, songs and games at high speed with WiMax mobile broadband, kids will be able to entertain themselves.  A WiMax equipped laptop allows that song, movie or game to travel anywhere in the house, and allows Junior to travel with it.  Making your son or daughter feel right back at home is certainly priority number one, and one of the best ways to accomplish this is by giving him or her the ability to enjoy the convenience of anywhere wireless internet.  With a mobile air card, or WiMax ready laptop or other wireless device he or she can be not only connected to friends and family, but a world of career opportunities wherever he or she may be.

Do you blog? If your answer is “No”, start blogging today, because if you’re a freelance writer and your name doesn’t show up in Google, your credibility is zero. Here’s how to get the most from your blog.There’s more to blogging than you think. Forget considering your blog an online journal: your blog is a professional tool.I could spend hours talking about the benefits of blogs for writers (and often do), but here are four tips to make blogging work for you.1. Establish Your Portfolio Blog: Your “Name” BlogThe first blog (yes, you should have more than one) you need to establish is your “name” blog. So if your name is Milly Emmeline Smythe (which I hope is a fictitious name; I’m not referring to a real person), your blog would be titled Milly Emmeline Smythe.As soon as anyone types your name into Google, your name blog should appear.Big tip: please forget creative, cute names. Google and the other search engines are software programs; they have no concept of cleverness for the help www.bloggers-guide-to-profit.com. Your sole aim is for your name to show up as the first result in a search engine when a writing buyer types your name. If it does: instant credibility.2. Use Social Media to Share Your Blog PostsWith millions of Web sites online, your blog needs links pointing to it so that people can find you.The easiest way to get links is to use a couple of the many social media tools. Pick your favorites: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn… These tools can help you to get known via links, fast.Another way to get known is to frequent forums.3. Get Known on Forums Where You Can Get HiredStay away from writer’s forums. Your fellow writers, charming as they may be, can’t hire you. They may even harm your nascent career if you take their advice too much to heart. You’ll rarely find professional writers on writers’ forums: they’re too busy writing. However, you will find pro writers on forums for business owners, Webmasters and Internet marketers.Adding a link to your “name” blog in your forum signature is an easy way of getting a link, and getting hired too. Capable freelance writers are in high demand on the Web.4. Write About Your Favorite Topics (the Ones You Want to Get Hired to Write About)New blogging writers tend to write about writing: it’s top of mind, and it’s what you know. However, it’s rarely the way to get hired to write.Write about the topics you want to be hired to write about: parenting, business, technology…Remember the search engines. Over time, your name should appear somewhere on the first page of the search results whenever someone enters search query terms like “writer”, “freelance” and “your topic.”For example, if your pet topic is parenting skills for the help www.feed-reader-links.com, your name should appear whenever anyone types “writer parenting” into a search engine query field.Use these tips to make blogging work for you to build your freelance writing career. There’s never been a better time to be a writer: you can make a great income, thanks to your blogs.Do you blog? If your answer is “No”, start blogging today, because if you’re a freelance writer and your name doesn’t show up in Google, your credibility is zero. Here’s how to get the most from your blog.There’s more to blogging than you think. Forget considering your blog an online journal: your blog is a professional tool.I could spend hours talking about the benefits of blogs for writers (and often do), but here are four tips to make blogging work for you.1. Establish Your Portfolio Blog: Your “Name” BlogThe first blog (yes, you should have more than one) you need to establish is your “name” blog. So if your name is Milly Emmeline Smythe (which I hope is a fictitious name; I’m not referring to a real person), your blog would be titled Milly Emmeline Smythe.As soon as anyone types your name into Google, your name blog should appear.Big tip: please forget creative, cute names. Google and the other search engines are software programs; they have no concept of cleverness for the help www.bloggers-guide-to-profit.com. Your sole aim is for your name to show up as the first result in a search engine when a writing buyer types your name. If it does: instant credibility.2. Use Social Media to Share Your Blog PostsWith millions of Web sites online, your blog needs links pointing to it so that people can find you.The easiest way to get links is to use a couple of the many social media tools. Pick your favorites: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn… These tools can help you to get known via links, fast.Another way to get known is to frequent forums.3. Get Known on Forums Where You Can Get HiredStay away from writer’s forums. Your fellow writers, charming as they may be, can’t hire you. They may even harm your nascent career if you take their advice too much to heart. You’ll rarely find professional writers on writers’ forums: they’re too busy writing. However, you will find pro writers on forums for business owners, Webmasters and Internet marketers.Adding a link to your “name” blog in your forum signature is an easy way of getting a link, and getting hired too. Capable freelance writers are in high demand on the Web.4. Write About Your Favorite Topics (the Ones You Want to Get Hired to Write About)New blogging writers tend to write about writing: it’s top of mind, and it’s what you know. However, it’s rarely the way to get hired to write.Write about the topics you want to be hired to write about: parenting, business, technology…Remember the search engines. Over time, your name should appear somewhere on the first page of the search results whenever someone enters search query terms like “writer”, “freelance” and “your topic.”For example, if your pet topic is parenting skills for the help www.feed-reader-links.com, your name should appear whenever anyone types “writer parenting” into a search engine query field.Use these tips to make blogging work for you to build your freelance writing career. There’s never been a better time to be a writer: you can make a great income, thanks to your blogs.