Technology with Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Technology with Business - Essay Example It is used to automate the payroll functions. As a result of this automation, Microcel has been able to reduce the level of paperwork to a substantial level. Another module is attendance which in combination with biometrics automatically tracks employee attendance records. These software modules are tested in-house and therefore the HR processes which are standardized are automated. This saves a considerable level of costs. The company operates in a highly competitive industry and the use of cost-saving technology enables it to develop a competitive advantage. Technology in sales and marketing Because the software development industry is characterized by high competition, Microcel must attempt to provide solutions which deliver a high level of value. By employing information technology, the company improves operational efficiency and therefore is able to provide great customer service. According to the sales manager, the implementation of information technology enables his sales forc e to stay in constant touch with the customers, thus creating an efficient communications system. Because the company is in the business of providing IT services, it has the infrastructure which can incorporate the latest IT technology. This also serves as a unique selling proposition. The clients can see the software technology function at Microcel and thus make their purchase decisions. Therefore the use of IT enables Microcel not only to improve the efficiency of operational processes within the company but also to demonstrate the products to the clients. In this manner the software products not only generate revenue but also save costs. As mentioned before, the company operates in a competitive industry. There are quite a number of other companies which are developing human resource software. Other companies such as Trinet and Administaff are also developing human resource software. Therefore Microcel has to develop the best products in the industry so that it can continue to wi n market share away from other competitors. Because competitors like Trinet and Administaff are already well entrenched in the market, it may not be possible for a smaller company like Microcel to compete with them. Therefore the strategic focus of the company has been to focus upon those segments of the market which have not been using software products up to this time. These smaller companies do not have the resources to make massive cash outlays for purchasing software products. For this reason Microcel has focused upon minimizing product development costs. This allows the company to offer products at a relatively lower cost, thus making them affordable to the smaller companies which have not considered installing human resource information systems. Technology in human resource management At Microcel , the employees are considered to be the most important assets. Therefore the management focuses upon maintaining a motivated work force. Since the company operates in a competitive environment, it has to create a sustainable competitive advantage. According to Porter’s framework for competitive strategies, a company can implement the strategies of cost minimization, differentiation and focus to create a competitive advantage. However the competing organizations can also implement these same strategies and therefore none of the companies has a competitive edge any longer. On the other hand, if the organizational culture serves as the source of the competitive edge, then it becomes sustainable

Management information system (IT) case studies assignment Essay

Management information system (IT) case studies assignment - Essay Example They have a competitive edge because the web based program accurately predicts consumer buying pattern and accordingly, the company can facilitate the changes in its products and services, to meet the changing demands of its customers. Harrah’s approach to determining and rewarding customer loyalty has significantly increased the number of committed customers and opened scope for targeted marketing for customers with similar profiles. CDW and Harrah can considerably increase the number of products and services by efficiently analyzing customer buying behaviour and also introduce interactive and custom based products and services,at little extra cost. The purpose and business value of Web services is to provide a large platform for its users to improve their e-commerce activities and generate huge revenue. The ‘programmable website’ of Amazon has given its customers a readymade website of their own which can be customized as per their requirements. The benefits of Web services to Amazon, eBay, and their developer partners are extensive in the form of exposure to a whole new world of creative output, whose scope is unlimited with ever increasing customer base. The business benefits to Amazon and eBay of opening up some of their databases to developers and entrepreneurs are extensive in scope and revenue because each new developer brings many more new surfers in its ambit, each of which translates into revenue for Amazon and eBay. Google has been hesitant in opening its database to its users mainly because it thought that it may lose control over its core operations and gradual opening of its web based business areas would help it to better organize its activities to facilitate emerging opportunities. The other companies should follow Amazon and eBay’s lead and open up some of their databases to developers and