The 19 Best Books on the Napoleonic Wars

Windows Xp Architecture vs. Mac Os X Architecture

Windows XP vs. Mac OS X Architecture Kurt Luchtman POS420 Irene Giouvanos May 29th 2006 When looking at the interface of the Mac OS X Operating System and the Microsoft Windows XP operating system many similarities can be seen. The most obvious is the use of blue in the interface. In the core of the systems they both have a micro kernel which addresses thread management, space management and other communications at the system level and is more resistant to attacks from a virus. Mac OS X is a powerful development platform; it supports multiple development technologies like UNIX, Java, Cocoa and Carbon. It also is host to many open source, web, scripting, database and development technologies. It was build around the integrated†¦show more content†¦Windows XP is a modular system that contains two main layers, a user mode and a kernel mode. The user mode refers to the mode in which the user programs are run such as Adobe Photoshop and Internet Explorer. These programs are limited in terms of what system resources they have access to. The user mode is made up of subsystems capable of passing I/O requests to the appropriate kernel mode drivers by using the I/O manager. Two subsystems make up the user mode layer, the environment subsystem and the integral subsystem. The Environment subsystem is designed to run applications written for many different types of operating systems. Unfortunately these applications run at a lower priority than kernel mode proc esses. The Environment subsystem has three main environment sub systems called Win32 sub system, OS/2 Subsystem, POSIX sub system. The Win32 subsystem runs 32 bit windows applications and also supports virtual DOS machines. This allows backward compatibility with MS DOS and Windows 3.x applications to run in Windows XP. The OS/2 subsystem support 16bit character based OS/2 applications and emulates OS/2 1.3 and 1.x however it will not emulate OS/2 2.x or later applications. The POSIX subsystem supports applications that are only written to either the POSIX 1 standard or the related ISO/IEC standards. The integral subsystem looks for operating system specific functions in the environment subsystem. It is made up of a securityShow MoreRelated Windows Xp Architecture Vs. Mac Os X Architecture Essay example1172 Words   |  5 PagesWindows XP vs. Mac OS X Architecture When looking at the interface of the Mac OS X Operating System and the Microsoft Windows XP operating system many similarities can be seen. The most obvious is the use of blue in the interface. In the core of the systems they both have a micro kernel which addresses thread management, space management and other communications at the system level and is more resistant to attacks from a virus. Mac OS X is a powerful development platform; it supports multipleRead MoreMicrosoft Vs. Application Software2060 Words   |  9 Pagesinterface is difficult to use. The corporation is currently looking to update our current system. IDENTIFY OS vs Application Software System Software WINDOWS 8.1 Benefits There are many benefits that can be found in Windows 8.1 that include easier access to applications and key controls, familiar mouse and key options, finding app will be much easier and more devices will be available with Windows. This upgrade will allow businesses to have better controls when it comes to extend policy settings forRead MoreQuestions On Operating Systems Structure1684 Words   |  7 Pageswith Macintosh operating system. Macintosh File Systems †¢ HFS - Hierarchical File System Standard †¢ HFS+ - Hierarchical File System Extended The file systems below are developed by Microsoft Corporation and run with Windows operating system also few other operating systems. Windows File Systems †¢ FAT32 – File Allocation Table 32bit †¢ exFAT – Extended File Allocation Table †¢ NTFS - New Technology File System The file system listed below are developed by VERITAS Software and are in use by SolarisRead MoreComputers7651 Words   |  31 Pagesto  industrial robots  are the most numerous. Contents  Ã‚  [hide]   * 1  History of computing * 1.1  Limited-function early computers * 1.2  First general-purpose computers * 1.3  Stored-program architecture * 1.4  Semiconductors and microprocessors * 2  Programs * 2.1  Stored program architecture * 2.2  Bugs * 2.3  Machine code * 2.4  Programming language * 2.4.1  Low-level languages * 2.4.2  Higher-level languages * 2.5  Program design * 3  Components Read MoreComputer Network : A Means Of Extending Interoperability And Promoting Self Productivity Through Sharing Of Computer Resources Essay9852 Words   |  40 Pageslimited threat to SOHO networks. With properly configured security settings, the vulnerable ports in the host computer can be hidden from the attacker using standard practices and tunnelling protocols. CWNP itemized some of this practices: cloaking, mac filtering, said naming, static IP, encryption, etc (CWNP 20 06). It is therefore expedient to conclude that for a simple transient SOHO network, it is possible to defy all the atrocities of the crackers, worms and script kiddies with the right movesRead MoreProject Mgmt296381 Words   |  1186 Pages11.4 Risk assessment 11.5 Risk responses (.2–.1.2) 11.6 Risk register 7.1.2.5 PERT analysis 7.1.2.6.3 Contingency reserves 7.3.3.4 Change control management G.7 Culture awareness 1.4.4 Project offices 8.1.2 Continuous improvement 5.1 Requirements vs. actual [5.3] Chapter 17 Agile PM 6.1.2.2 Rolling wave This page intentionally left blank Project Management The Managerial Process The McGraw-Hill/Irwin Series Operations and Decision Sciences OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT BeckmanRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pages269 United Chemical Company 269 Byron vs. Thomas 271 Active Listening Exercise 272 SKILL APPLICATION 274 Activities for Communicating Supportively Suggested Assignments 274 Application Plan and Evaluation 274 274 SCORING KEYS AND COMPARISON DATA 276 Communicating Supportively 276 Scoring Key 276 Comparison Data 276 Communication Styles 276 Comparison Data 276 SKILL PRACTICE Diagnosing Problems and Fostering Understanding: United Chemical Company and Byron vs. Thomas 278 Observer’s Feedback Form

Challenges of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya free essay sample

The definition of enterprises according to staff headcount and turnover or balance-sheet total is essential for identifying businesses able to benefit from European Union (EU) programs or policies specifically designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Challenges Facing SMEs in Kenya It is generally recognized that SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) face unique challenges, which affect their growth and profitability and hence, diminish their ability to contribute effectively to sustainable development. In this article, the following challenges are briefly discussed: Lack of Managerial Training and Experience, Inadequate Education and Skills, Lack of Credit, National Policy and Regulatory Environment, Technological Change, Poor Infrastructure and Scanty Markets information, lack of Managerial Training and Experience. Many SMEs owners or managers lack managerial training and experience. The typical owner or managers of small businesses develop their own approach to management, through a process of trial and error. As a result, their management style is likely to be more intuitive than analytical, more concerned with day-to-day operations than long-term issues, and more opportunistic than strategic in its concept (Hill 1987). Although this attitude is the key strength at the start-up stage of the enterprise because it provides the creativity needed, it may present problems when complex decisions have to be made. A consequence of poor managerial ability is that SME owners are ill prepared to face changes in the business environment and to plan appropriate changes in technology. Majority of those who run SMEs are ordinary lot whose educational background is lacking. Hence they may not well equipped to carry out managerial routines for their enterprises (King and McGrath 2002). Inadequate Education and Skills Education and skills are needed to run micro and small enterprises. Research shows that majority of the lot carrying out micro and small enterprises in Kenya are not quite well equipped in terms of education and skills. Study suggests that those with more education and training are more likely to be successful in the SME sector (King and McGrath 2002). As such, for small businesses to do well in Kenya, people need to be well informed in terms of skills and management. SMEs in ICT appear to be doing well with the sprouting of many commercial colleges offering various computer applications. Further, studies show that most of those running SMEs in this sector have at least attained college level education (Wanjohi and Mugure, 2008). Lack of Credit Lack of access to credit is almost universally indicated as a key problem for SMEs. This affects technology choice by limiting the number of alternatives that can be considered. Many SMEs may use an inappropriate technology because it is the only one they can afford. In some cases, even where credit is available, the entrepreneur may lack freedom of choice because the lending conditions may force the purchase of heavy, immovable equipment that can serve as collateral for the loan. Credit constraints operate in variety of ways in Kenya where undeveloped capital market forces entrepreneurs to rely on self-financing or borrowing from friends or relatives. Lack of ccess to long-term credit for small enterprises forces them to rely on high cost short term finance. There are various other financial challenges that face small enterprises. They include the high cost of credit, high bank charges and fees. The scenario witnessed in Kenya particularly during the climaxing period of the year 2008 testifies the need for credit among the common and low earning entrepreneurs. Numerous money lenders in the name of Pyramid schemes came up, promising hope among the ‘lit tle investors,’ that they can make it to the financial freedom through soft borrowing. The rationale behind turning to these schemes among a good number of entrepreneurs is mainly to seek alternatives and soft credit with low interest rates while making profits. Financial constraint remains a major challenge facing SMEs in Kenya (Wanjohi and Mugure, 2008). National Policy and Regulatory Environment The national policy and regulatory environment has an important impact on technology decisions at the enterprise level. The structural adjustment programs (SAPs) implemented in many African countries are aimed at removing heavy policy distortions, which have been viewed as detrimental to the growth of the private sector. SAPs tend to severely affect vulnerable groups in the short run and have been associated with the worsening living conditions in many African countries (USAID 1991). The findings in the study by Wanjohi and Mugure (2008) indicate that business environment is among the key factors that affect the growth of MSEs. Unpredictable government policies coupled with ‘grand corruption,’ high taxation rates, all continue to pose great threat, not only to the sustainability of SMEs but also to the Kenyan economy that was gaining momentum after decades of wastage during KANU era. Technological Change Change of technology has posed a great challenge to small businesses. Since the mid-1990s there has been a growing concern about the impact of technological change on the work of micro and small enterprises. Even with change in technology, many small business entrepreneurs appear to be unfamiliar with new technologies. Those who seem to be well positioned, they are most often unaware of this technology and if they know, it is not either locally available or not affordable or not situated to local conditions. Foreign firms still remain in the forefront in accessing the new technologies. In most of the African nations, Kenya inclusive, the challenge of connecting indigenous small enterprises with foreign investors and speeding up technological upgrading still persists (Muteti, 2005). There is digital pide between the rural and urban Kenya. With no power supply in most of the rural areas, it is next to impossible to have Internet connectivity and access to information and networks that are core in any enterprise. Thus technological change, though meant to bring about economic change even among the rural lot, does not appear to answer to the plight of the rural entrepreneurs. Poor Infrastructure Poor infrastructures pose a major challenge to small enterprises in Kenya. In Kenya, the provision of better infrastructures has lagged behind over years. There are poor roads, inadequate electricity supply. According to the proceedings of the National Investment Conference, November 2003, Kenya still stands in need of better infrastructures. It has been the pledge NARC government (when it took over from KANU in 2002) to improve the infrastructures, but there is yet much to be done. Scanty Markets Information (information asymmetry) Lack of sufficient market information poses a great challenge to small enterprises. Despite the vast amount of trade-related information available and the possibility of accessing national and international databases, many small enterprises continue to rely heavily on private or even physical contacts for market related information. This is due to inability to interpret the statistical data (Muteti, 2005) and poor connectivity especially in rural areas. Since there is vast amount of information and only lack of statistical knowledge to interpret and Internet connectivity, small enterprises entrepreneurs need to be supported. With connectivity being enhanced (by connecting Kenya globally through Fiber Optic Cable project) there is renewed hope for the SMEs. Conclusion and Recommendations One major question we should pose is: what solution can be offered to the plight of small enterprises in Kenya? For one, policies should aim to encourage and promote the development of local technologies. Emphasis should be on the promotion of the local tool industry to reduce reliance on imports. SMEs are said to face a liability of smallness. Because of their size and resource limitations, they are unable to develop new technologies or to make vital changes in existing ones. Still, there is evidence that SMEs have the potential to initiate minor technological innovations to suit their circumstances. However, for SMEs to fully develop and use this potential, they need specific policy measures to ensure that technology services and infrastructure are provided. Further, research and development institutions that are publicly funded should be encouraged to target the technology needs of SMEs. Secondly, the problem of access to information may be attributed to the inadequacy of SME support institutions. This points to the need for a supportive policy to encourage the establishment of documentation centers and information networks to provide information to SMEs at an affordable price. Thirdly, the government should come up with training centers for training managerial and technical courses for the small enterprises entrepreneurs. Equally, there should be business information centers. Fourthly, government should come up with proper regulatory policies that are small enterprises friendly since many of what we have in Kenya, frustrates every effort of a junior entrepreneur. The policies we have seem to care for the well-established businesses. Since majority of small enterprises lack finance, government should establish friendly small loaning system. This would include low interests rates to ensure the continuity of these businesses. SMEs have the potentiality of transforming the economy of a crippling nation. As such, every effort should be made to boost their growth. By Anthony M. Wanjohi Wanjohi is an experienced Researcher (education and social sciences), Educator, and an Author. He is qualified in both natural and social sciences. He holds postgraduate diplomas, one in education and another in projects management (both from The Catholic University of Eastern Africa CUEA), a bachelors degree in Biology (Madras University, INDIA), diplomas in software engineering (INDIA) and philosophy and Religion (Tanzania). He is the Director of Research and Projects with Kenya Projects Organization (KENPRO); an author with Jomo Kenyatta Foundation and an online academic writer with uvocorp. com and essaywriters. net His experience in research, training and projects management spans over a decade. He has command in a wide range of fields: data analysis, project planning, implementation and evaluation, strategic planning, grant proposal writing, web and graphic designing, among others.

Online Banking Essay Example

Online Banking Essay Table of contents 1. Abstract 2 2. Introduction 3 3. Group Assignment 4. 1. Functionality 7 4. 2. Advantages 9 4. 3. Disadvantages 12 4. 4. Impact of the Technology 13 4. 5. Conclusion 14 4. 6. References 15 4. Individual Assignment 5. 7. Human Aspect of Computing 7 5. 8. We will write a custom essay sample on Online Banking specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Online Banking specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Online Banking specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer 1. Recommendation 19 5. 8. 2. References 19 5. 8. Security Issue 20 5. 9. 3. Recommendation 22 5. 9. Real-time Systems 23 5. 10. 4. Recommendation 25 5. 10. 5. References 25 5. Group Task Report 26 Abstract Today, technology is part of our life and certainly, it effect on all the matters of our life. It can help us to live easier and more comfortable. It even effect on how we communicate with and how we do trades and businesses with each other. One of the inseparable parts of technology that we use is E-banking. It’s one of the most important parts of effect of technology on our life. Day by day it become bigger and more complicate, we must study on it and know the advantages and disadvantages of this new technology if we want to get more benefit of it. In this research we are going to explain what exactly Electronic banking means and explain the definition of E-banking and talk about it problem and benefit for us. We are going to explain the advantages and disadvantages of this new technology and give some recommendation about it problems. We are going to talk about it functionality and know about that where we should use this technology to get more benefits. Introduction E-Banking It is an umbrella term for the process by which a customer may perform banking transactions electronically without visiting a brick-and-mortar institution. The following terms all refer to one form or another of electronic banking: personal computer (PC) banking, Internet banking, virtual banking, online banking, home banking, remote electronic banking, and phone banking. PC banking and Internet or online banking is the most frequently used designations. It should be noted, however, that the terms used to describe the various types of electronic banking are often used interchangeably. Guide to E-Banking With the improvement of online banking, you don’t have to do all yours banking in person. No more waiting in the lines. No more dealing with bank officer. Online Banking gives you this chance to sit at home on your sofa and access to your account 24/7. You can transfer money from an online account to another one or get information about certain check has cleared or not. In this way your Personal Computer becomes a virtual bank. Ready to Cooperation you with your banking needs. Common E-Banking Services Retail Services| Wholesale Services| Account management| Account management| Bill payment and presentment| Cash management| New account opening| Small business loan applications, approvals, or advances| Consumer wire transfers|Investment/Brokerage services| Commercial wire transfers| Loan application and approval| Business-to-business payments| Account aggregation| Employee benefits/pension administration| You may hear electronic banking as a different names like: Online Banking, Home Banking, Internet Banking or PC Banking. They are simply different names for same product. You’ll need two things to banking online: a Personal Computer and a modem connected to phone line. If you use your bank’s software, you’ll normally have to use a Dial-Up connection to access your account directly from the bank’s computer. Otherwise you’ll have to go to your bank’s website on the Internet. You will need an Internet connection and a web browser. (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer). Definition of E-Banking E-banking is defined as the automated delivery of new and traditional banking products and services directly to customers through electronic, interactive communication channels. E-banking includes the systems that enable financial institution customers, individuals or businesses, to access accounts, transact business, or obtain information on financial products and services through a public or private network, including the Internet. Customers access e-banking services using an intelligent electronic device, such as a personal computer (PC), personal digital assistant (PDA), automated teller machines (ATM), kiosk, or Touch Tone telephone. While the risks and controls are similar for the various e-banking access channels, this booklet focuses specifically on Internet-based services due to the Internet’s widely accessible public network. Accordingly, this booklet begins with a discussion of the two primary types of Internet websites: informational and tra nsactional. History of E-Banking At the early 1980s step by step modern home online banking services took the place of distance banking service. Online services started in New York in 1981 when four of the city’s major banks (Citibank, Chase Manhattan, Chemical and Manufacturers Hanover) offered home banking services using the videotext system, because that video text got commercial failure. This banking service never became popular except in France and UK. In France videotext (Minitel) was subsidised by the telecom provider and in the UK Prestel system was used. First UK bank which was setup home online banking services was Bank Of Scotland for the use of customers from Nottingham Building Society (NBS) in 1983. The system used was based on the UK’s Prestel system and used a computer, such as the BBC Micro, or keyboard (Tandata Td1400) connected to the telephone system and television set. The system was gave chance to customers to view their statements, bank transfers and bill payments. Stanford Federal Credit Union was the first financial institution to offer online internet banking services to all of its members in October 1994. Today, many banks are just virtual banks on the Internet. These banks don’t have real Branches instead they offering better interest rates and online banking features. Online Banking Methods We have 3 ways to banking online: Bank Software Your bank will give you Special Software to install on your PC. The software will allow you to connect to your bank’s computer through a Special network instead of using Internet, then u can access to your account. Internet-Based You can access to your account information through bank’s website via modem connect to Internet Personal Finance Software Software such as Quicken or Microsoft Money allows you to exchange financial information with your bank. The software connected to Bank’s computer via Internet-Based. But your bank system must be compatible with this software. Mobile Banking In their simplest form, mobile banking services enable users to receive information on their account balances via SMS. The new WAP- and Java-enabled mobile phones using GPRS support a wider variety of banking services such as fund transfers between accounts, stock trading, and confirmation of direct payments via the phone’s micro browser. Functionality If you want to use online banking, for example in CIMB Clicks (CIMB Bank Online Banking Websites), firstly you should go to the nearest CIMB Bank branch to get the password. This password is function as the user account of online banking system. After you get the password from the bank, you can directly login into CIMB Bank online banking system, but at the first you must register first by filling the CIMB Bank Online Banking Account Registration Form (write your name, address, choose the online banking user ID and password, etc. and also put the password that given by the bank into the form (the chosen password may different with the password that given by the bank, depends on you). After the registration is successful, then you can put the user ID and the password and login. When login, you have to put the correct user ID and the password, you will successfully login into online banking. And then, after that, all of the transaction menu will appear at CIMB Bank Online Banking Websites Homepage. To see your CIMB Bank account balance, you just click the Account Enquiry menu in CIMB Click homepage, and then your CIMB Bank account balance will appear followed by your CIMB Bank account number and type of your CIMB Bank account. In Account Enquiry menu you also can check your transaction history, by clicking your CIMB Bank account number. If you want to transfer your money, between your saving account and current account or vice versa, or transferring money between CIMB Bank account and others bank account, you just click Transfer Funds menu in â€Å"CIMB Click† homepage. And then, you will need a TAC code for do transfer money. TAC is Transaction Authority Code, that functionally for do transfer money, and TAC code can you earn by register your mobile number to the CIMB Bank and the TAC code will be sent to your mobile number by SMS. And then, after you receive the TAC Code, enter the code and you are ready for transferring your money. But, before you confirm transferring your money, you can view the transaction details, in order to check the money recipient name and the recipient bank account number. If you want to pay your bills, you just choose what bill to be paid, and then money from what account which you will use, then enter the TAC (Transaction Authority Code), and then confirm. If you want to reload your mobile phone prepaid card, you just enter your mobile phone number, select your mobile phone operator, then enter the reload value, money from what account which you will use, and then enter the TAC (Transaction Authority Code), and then confirm. Basically, the method of the others transaction is same with money transfers, pay bills, and reload mobile phone prepaid method. You just fill the transaction requirement, enter the TAC (Transaction Authority Code), and then confirm. Advantages At the page before, we already describe what is online banking system and how does this system work. Every system usually has an advantages and disadvantages. At this segment we want to describe what the advantages of this online banking system. 1. Pay your bill online You can use online banking to pay your bills. By using online banking system, you don’t have to worry for stamps again and it can protect yourself from the mistakes that you have done for example check that you have lost it in the mail. Most banks will have a section in which you set up payees. When you are using online banking system, you will need to fill out the information once, and then you can just simply choose that profile every time you pay a bill online that you want to see. If the bank that you use doesn’t have any online bills payment system you can also do the paying trough other online company. But usually this kind of company will charge some amount of fee. 2. Effective and efficient Online banking conducts the transactions from the comfort of your home. It is wasting time and energy if we go to the bank. Rather than go directly to the bank, we can use the time and energy to do another more useful things. Paying bills online becomes easier because of this system. Many banks offer online calendars, which is use to assist us about the monthly payment of bills and prevent a thing called default. However, not all transactions can be done online. There are some transactions and actions that would require direct interaction with the bankers. 3. Free to use (access) Almost all the online banking services which are available right now are offered free by many banks to all who want to use it. But there are also some banks that charge a certain amount for using this online service system. Normally, bank that has many branches will have the online banking service system, but smaller banks may not have the online banking service. 4. View you transaction Online banking system allows you to access your account history and transactions anytime anywhere. By using this online banking system, you gain the quickest way to check your account and see if your account has cleared from the transaction that you have been made. This can help you to find out the amount of a transaction from the receipt that you have lost. It also allows you to find out any transactions that you didn’t make and it is there more quickly. And also this system can help you to resolve the issues that you have more quickly. 5. Transfer money between account Online banking system also allows you to transfer money between accounts much more quickly. It is more efficient than using the automated phone service, and can save you trip to the bank that can cost you some money. When you are using online banking system, make sure that all of the accounts that you have at the bank are listed. This will make you easier to transfer money to other account and make loan payments online if you wanted to. 6. Easy account maintenance By using online banking system account maintenance become very easy. Online Banking makes you easier to keep track of your balance and the activity of your accounts. For those who have multiple accounts in the same bank, many online banking systems allow you to check the balances of all of your accounts at once. Besides that, you can also easily go back and forth between your accounts and monitor their activity easily. 7. Account alert Online banking also got one system that user can use called account alert set up. This system sends an email or even text message to you based upon certain criteria that you have applied. For example, if you have any bill payment that is doubled or stated twice, there will be an electronic check is drafted and mailed, you could set up an alert to be sent to you advising when the bank has mailed out the payment. Other alerts like weekly activity alerts, statement alerts, and low balance alerts are also included. These alerts provided to monitor your account easier. The advantages of online banking are increasing every time. Banks realize that online banking have the potential for savings and also focus on the â€Å"Go Green† event by reducing the amount of paper usage. Over time, you will realize the convenience and cost effectiveness to your budget as you see the money and time saved by using this online banking system. Disadvantages Although online banking has many benefits or advantages for the customers, actually online banking also has some drawbacks or disadvantages. Here are some of the drawbacks or the disadvantages of online banking. 1. The most important drawbacks or disadvantages, which often occurs on the bank customers is about security issues. Hacker probably still could hack the customer’s online banking account although the online banking website is heavily encrypted. Some bank’s customers who use online banking, suddenly complaint to the bank because their money that saving in their bank account suddenly lost, stolen by unknown persons (refers to the hacker), and the bank cannot do anything. 2. Bank’s customers must have a User ID and Password for login on the online banking website. To get the User ID and the password, customers must come to the bank for applying online banking User ID and waiting for a moment for approval. Of course the customers will spend much time for doing that. 3. Online banking is hard to navigate at the first time. Many bank customers got confused when they had first time login at online banking site. Some bank customers got little-bit confused about the feature in the online banking websites at the first time. 4. Online banking cannot do withdraw the money directly. When you are lazy to go to ATM, if you want to do withdraw the money, of course you should go to the ATM to withdraw money. Except if you want to do money transfer, pay your bills, top up your mobile phone value, etc. , you can use online banking when you are lazy to go to the ATM, so you don’t need to go to ATM for doing that (transfer money, etc. ). So, if you are in case of emergency, need the money immediately, you cannot withdraw your money immediately via online banking. 5. Online banking has lack of trust. When you are using online banking for doing transaction, you may wondered whether you are doing the right thing or not, or you are doing transaction correctly or not, because you did not get the transaction receipt. So, you cannot make your own record because the receipt did not print. Printing the transaction statement is important, if someday there is mismatch of data with the bank’s data, maybe you will think that your money is lost. Impact of the Technology Of course we all already know the term e-banking. But, how much effect the changes caused by this technology to CIMB companies? In this section, we will explain what changes are happening with the e-banking system coming up. With the e-banking system, CIMB obtain higher profits than banks that do not use e-banking system. Why? Due to the existence of such systems, virtually CIMB will be open 24 / 7. So profits will be generated even greater because there is no limit of time if there is any customer that wanted to do some transactions. By having e-banking system, CIMB don’t need to have many buildings because all transactions can be done online. Which means any costumers that have internet access can access to his/her account without going to the bank itself and by doing that, CIMB will save more because they only need to have server rather than a new building in different areas which cost more money. By using e-banking, CIMB will have more satisfied customers because customers can do their transactions faster, easier, safer and more reliable. So people prefer to choose banks which have e-banking system. If many people join that kind of banks, the profit of that bank will automatically raise. Conclusion The Internet has grown exponentially, with more than 30 million users worldwide currently. The Internet enhances the interaction between two businesses as well as between individuals and businesses. As a result of the growth of the Internet, electronic commerce has emerged and offered tremendous market potential for today’s businesses. One industry that benefits from this new communication channel is the banking industry. Electronic banking is offering its customers with different services: Customers are able to be in touch with their banking accounts as well as make financial transactions from virtually anywhere without time wasting. Electronic Banking is offered by many banking due to pressures from competitions. In order for electronic banking to continue to grow, the security and the privacy aspects need to be improved. With the security and privacy issues resolved, the future of electronic banking can be very rosperous. The future of electronic banking will be a system where users are able to interact with their banks â€Å"worry-free† and banks are operated under one common standard. References Peterson, Marcus. 2006. Ezine Articles. Advantages of Internet Banking. [online]. Available at: http://ezinearticles. com/? Advantages-of-Internet-Banking;id=273438. [Accessed 28 October 2010] Kenny, Joseph. 2006. Ezine Articles. Benefits Of Online Banking. [online]. Available at: http://ezinearticles. com/? Benefits-Of-Online-Banking;id=358315. [Accessed 28 October 2010] Caldwell, Miriam. n. d. About. com. Three Advantages of Online Banking. [online]. Available at: http://moneyfor20s. about. com/od/financialinstitutions/tp/Online-Banking. htm. [Accessed 28 October 2010] ShawnTe, 2010. Bright Hub. The Advantages of Online Banking. [online]. Available at: http://www. brighthub. com/money/personal-finance/articles/35101. aspx. [Accessed 28 October 2010] World of the Wise. 2009. Hubpages. Online Banking: 10 disadvantages you must know. [online]. Available at: http://hubpages. com/hub/Online-Banking-10-disadvantages-you-must-know. Accessed 30 October 2010] Bantwal, Natasha. n. d. Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Banking Services. [blog] n. d. Available at: http://www. buzzle. com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-online-banking-services. html. [Accessed 30 October 2010] Russel, Michael. 2007. Ezine Articles. Online Banking: Advantages and Disadvantages. [online]. Available at: http://ezinearticles. com/? Online-Banking:-Advantages-and-Disadvantages;id=445102. [Accessed 30 October 2010] Cheahyuniq, 2009. Hubpages. The Basics of Internet Banking using CIMB Clicks. online]. Available at: http://hubpages. com/hub/The-Basics-of-Internet-Banking-using-CIMB-Clicks. [Accessed at 30 October 2010] MYeCASH, n. d. How to use CIMB Clicks?. [online]. Available at: http://myecash. com. my/topup/CIMB_Clicks_guide/myind. html [Accessed 30 October 2010] CIMB Clicks, n. d. Frequently Asked Questions. [online]. Available at: http://www. cimbclicks. com. my/faq_tac. htm. [Accessed 30 October 2010] Human Aspects of Computing Human Computer Interface (HCI) HCI is describing about how human interact with the computer. In this part, I want to explain about how human interact with the computer which is online banking to get what user wants. In order to get what the user desire, there must be some acts from the human because this system cannot work without any interaction from the user. While using this system, firstly users need to sign into the e-banking website which is CIMB-Click. To do some transactions in this part, users need to sign in by using their own registered ID. After that they need to choose what transactions will they do then the computer will redirect the user to the webpage they desire. E. g. transfer money. After getting to this kind of website, the system will ask for the amount of the money will the user transfer and which other account the user will transfer to. In case that the users still don’t have any registered ID in CIMB Click, they just simply need to fill some form that CIMB already provide. By doing that all, it proves that computer need some acts or interactions with the users while processing. Ergonomics Ergonomics is also important things that banks to notice. By ergonomics, it means that we must put some attentions to the user’s size. At ATM machine, banks design the machine in like a way so that any size of user will not have a hard time to use it. E. g. the height of the ATM machine, how the monitor facing and etc. System Failure System failure of a system can be caused by many things. Most of them are caused by the misact of the user themselves. At this segment will explain about what and why system fails. Lack of information This system failure happens because the system didn’t provide the user all the information that they need to use that system that will cause a system failure. Maybe for young user they still can use that system, but for old people, this system is very complicate because they don’t understand what should they do and that cause the system fail. Natural disaster Natural disaster can also make the system fail. For example if there is any bad weather such as thunder storm and raining hardly can cause the internet down and because internet down, automatically we also cannot use the online banking. Technical issues Talking about technical issues, there are actually two kinds of technical issues. The first one is internal technical issues. This system failure usually caused by the error of the program or software which that system using. If we applied to e-banking, we can say that we cannot draw some money from the ATM because there are any technical issues with the server. This is called system failure. The second one is the external technical issues. This system failure usually caused by the error of the hardware which that system using. In e-banking, usually external kinds of technical issues can be found if there is any problem with the for example hard drive, monitor, etc. Human Health Concern In human aspects of computing, health concern also one of the important topic. Why? Because if didn’t concern about health while using some technologies which is available right now, people will suffer the negative effect of technology. For example computer stressed injuries. What is a computer stress injury? Usually many people seat in front of their computer for a long time because they are working or doing something else. This can cause people to have a fair amount of computer stress, from minor amounts of frustrations and become huge frustrations. By having a high level of stress can actually kill people themselves. Most of the worker which have a high level of stress may have a higher risk of having a heart diseases or even cancer. So by knowing that e-banking system should have a more simpler kinds of progress so people can get it through without any stress or sitting in front of the computer too long. Recommendation Judging by the similarities and differences that I discuss, e-banking should have more reliable and saver system such as server, prog rams, and way to use it because all this elements can effects the user’s satisfaction. The higher or lower profits of will the bank get depends on high or lower the customer satisfaction. And also bank should make the system easier so aged people can use this system and less consuming time for the customers who use this system. References Alex. 2008. Healthy Healthy List. Top 4 Health Problems Caused By Computer Use. [online]. Available at: http://heheli. com/business/top-4-health-problems-caused-by-computer-use. [Accessed 29 October 2010] Security Issue Nowadays technologies had effected on smallest matters of our life. It changed that how we behave to other people and how we do business today. As result of Internet and new technologies, Electronic Commerce has come out, allowing trades easily be in touch with their customers and other companies inside and outside of their industries. One of the important industries that use these new technologies is Electronic Banking. Elec tronic Banking systems lead the demanding of customers to new things compare to before, demand for any time any where services, and products with respect to demanding of customers change and get more complicate. According to these complication and changes of banking systems, discuss the security on Electronic Banking become so disturbing and important. They are some tips that should care about side, customer and bank. First we are going to mention the tips that customer must care about them: Phishing Phishing happen when you an E-mail, text message and IM that shows to be from your bank. If you click on the link and enter your username and password, you may be giving your information to another person. You must always know that your bank never going to contact you in this way or never ask you to provide your username and password. Hackers will create banking website exactly same looks with your real bank website. Saved Username and Password For your Tranquility, many online browsers like Safari, Internet Explorer (IE), Firefox and Google Chrome will automatically save your passwords and usernames to login to your account for the next time that you use it. If the computer that you are using is ever lost or stolen or if you are using a public computer that other people may have access to, they may have access to your information. This matter can be avoided by not allowing your username or password to be saved when these Internet providers ask you to save your username and password. Viruses Viruses, which are created by hackers, are group of codes that can cause different things to happen when it installs on a PC or network. Viruses can collect personal information or your login information. Using a good anti-virus software and do not click on suspicious emails or links that you do not know can protect you from viruses. Now we are going to talk about Security on E-banking for Banks: ATM By using of ATM Machine you can withdraw cash money from your account. You ha ve to put your bank account inside the machine, and then the machine will ask you for the password. Usually, when you apply for ATM Card from your bank, your bank will ask you to put in your Card in to the ATM Machine for the first time and change your password. Usually the banks have limit to withdraw money from your account per day, this is for preventing of abusing your card. It means that if you lost your card and sadly someone find your card and find out your password, he/she can’t withdraw from your account more than limit of the day before you report about your card to your bank. Related Papers No related posts.

Catcher in the Rye Potrays American Dream essays

Catcher in the Rye Potrays American Dream essays A dream cannot exist without another person. The Catcher in the Rye illustrates the American dream by revealing the heartaches one must go through while growing up and finding their place in society. Holden Caulfield is amazed by peoples' "phoniness". He believes that no one is truly real and that the world has lost its innocents. The only creatures that still posses the innocence is a child. His world consists of childhood vs. adulthood. Childhood seems to be made of immaturity and pure innocents, while adulthood is where phonies arewhere the world starts to become evil. At the beginning of the book Holden criticizes everyone for the things they do. While doing this, he isolates himselfcreating his own level of self-protection. He never looks at himself to find the flaws in which he possesses. Like the child he still isquick to point fingers at others but never toward himself. He sees adulthood as a bad turn over in his life. Towards the middle of the novel, Holden Caulfield is approached with a question from his little sister, "What would you like to do when you grow up?" His response is, "Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around-nobody big, I mean-except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff-I mean if they?re running and they don't look where they?re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I?d do all day. I?d just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I?d really like to be.? Here is a very symbolic part of the book. Holden wants to save the world from loosing its innocents. He wants to save the children from falling off the cliff?into adulthood?into the phony world. Later on Holden realizes he cannot hold onto adolescence forever, but must become and adult. Here he faces the choice to be "phony" like the rest or simply be himsel ...

A Smorgasbord of Food Terms Meaning Mixture

A Smorgasbord of Food Terms Meaning Mixture A Smorgasbord of Food Terms Meaning Mixture A Smorgasbord of Food Terms Meaning Mixture By Mark Nichol A number of words referring to an assortment of food in one dish or display of dishes also allude to a mixture (often a confused one); here are those terms and their meanings and origins. A figurative alphabet soup, by analogy to the soup featuring pieces of pasta shaped like letters of the alphabet, is a series of initials, often appearing as a string of groups of letters after a person’s name indicating degrees or honors or as a list of acronyms and initialisms that refer to agencies or organizations. Speaking of pasta, several hundred years ago, pasticcio (from the Italian word pasta, meaning â€Å"paste†), an Italian term for a macaroni dish, was adopted into English to refer to a mixture (it was never used in the food sense), but it was later supplanted by the French translation pastiche. Meanwhile, far, the Latin word for the grain we call spelt (and the root of farina, the term for a meal used to make hot cereal) is the origin of the Latin term farrago, meaning â€Å"cattle feed† but also acquired by English only in the extended sense of â€Å"a mixture.† Gumbo, probably ultimately derived from a word in an African language for â€Å"runaway slave,† refers to a type of soup or dish made of multiple ingredients, often thickened with or including okra. (The term also refers to a type of silty soil or mud, or to a mixture in general.) Jambalaya, by contrast, is a spicy rice dish with one or more types of meats and vegetables; the French Provenà §al dialect term jambalaia, from which it is derived, means â€Å"mix-up.† In its original sense in Swedish, smorgasbord literally means â€Å"open-sandwich table,† but in English it refers broadly to a self-service buffet spread. Macà ©doine (from the French word for the culturally diverse southern European region of Macedonia) is a mixture of fruits or vegetables served in a variety of ways, including a salad. Salmagundi, an alteration of the French word salmigondis, meaning â€Å"hodgepodge,† is a salad plate of arranged vegetables as well as meat, fish, and eggs. Salad (the word is ultimately derived from the Latin term sal, meaning â€Å"salt†) can itself refer to a mixture of disparate elements. Hash, stemming from the French verb hacher, meaning â€Å"chop,† is a dish made of chopped meat and potatoes often served as leftovers, hence the additional sense of â€Å"a restatement of something already known.† (The word also appears in â€Å"hash brown potatoes†- alternatively called â€Å"hash browns†- a description alluding to the chopped-up form of the potatoes.) In addition, hash refers in general to a figurative or literal mess, and as a verb it means â€Å"chop,† â€Å"confuse,† or â€Å"review† or â€Å"talk about.† The expressions â€Å"hash (it) out† and â€Å"hash (it) over† refer to discussing something or solving a problem, and to make a hash of something is to ruin it or do a poor job. Hash is also an alternative term for the pound sign, also called the number symbol; the word refers to the lines in the symbol, which resemble chopping marks. The term has become popular thanks to its widespread use in tweets, or messages sent using the social-networking service Twitter; the symbol, due to its use as a marker in tweets, is also called a hashtag. (Hash as a short form of hashish is unrelated; the latter is an Arabic term referring to resin collected from hemp for use as a drug.) â€Å"Olla podrida† and potpourri, from Spanish and French respectively, both literally mean â€Å"rotten pot,† though they consist of savory ingredients; the former is the name of a Spanish or Latin American stew usually featuring sausage and chickpeas, and the latter refers to a mixture of flowers, herbs, and spices collected to provide a pleasant scent. Stew itself refers to an assortment of chunks of food cooked in a hot liquid, though it can also mean â€Å"a hot bath† (the Middle English term stewe means â€Å"a heated room for a steam bath†) as well as â€Å"a state of congestion or heat or of confusion, excitement, or worry.† (It is also outdated slang for brothel or, in plural form, an obsolete reference to a red-light district.) Three other words for stew derive from forms of French: hotchpotch (from the Anglo-French term meaning â€Å"to shake† combined with pot), which was altered to hodgepodge; ragout, which comes from the French verb ragoà »ter, meaning â€Å"to revive the taste† (the second syllable is related to gusto, meaning â€Å"taste† or â€Å"enthusiasm,† and gustatory, meaning â€Å"relating to taste or tasting†); and gallimaufry, from galimafree, a Middle French term for stew. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Compared "to" or Compared "with"?How to spell "in lieu of"5 Tips to Understand Hyphenated Words

Can Advertisers Catch Your Attention Research Paper

Can Advertisers Catch Your Attention - Research Paper Example It will further explain why the advertisement did a good job in convincing the target market into taking action and suggest other ways the advertisers could get the target market’s attention. The Brand The anti-obesity theme in the â€Å"coming together† campaign by Coca-Cola is attention-catching as it touches on a sensitive issue in the American community and, indeed, worldwide. The corporate branding that runs for two minutes was well thought, planned and executed. Most consumers react favorably when advertisers communicate with them with respect and intelligence (Statt, 1977). It marked a strategic and successful shift from the traditional humorous and dreamy approach consumers have long associated with the brand. â€Å"Coming together† applies serious commentary to a similarly serious matter in America, and its authenticity is acknowledged and appreciated in the responses received from consumers. The advertisement shows that the brand is evolving with times, innovating constantly to meet the dynamic needs and wants of consumers. The Target Group The advertisement is designed to appeal to a diverse target group. Looking at it from the perspective of female consumers aged between 21 and 35, one appreciates the fact that the brand has tackled the menace of obesity in a sincere and straightforward manner. For male consumers in the same age bracket, they get a feeling that the brand cares for its consumers’ health in America and around the world. For consumers aged 50 and above, â€Å"coming together† shows, in a very educational way, that change can be achieved if all people work together, exhibiting a sense of corporate responsibility by the brand. The advertisement has the power to take a consumer through the process of creating awareness, imparting product knowledge and develop a liking that leads to purchase. Effectiveness of the Advertisement â€Å"Coming together† was effective in convincing the consumers to take action by using a theme that emphasizes sensible choices in a bid to meet calorie and nutritional needs of individuals. All stakeholders must collaborate to have workable solutions to the obesity problem. Awareness is created among consumers that all beverages and foods have a belonging in a sensible and balanced diet, accompanied by physical activity. The informative nature of the advertisement provides consumers with more options that facilitate informed decisions. The brands collaboration with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services shows the level of seriousness invested into bringing quality and healthy products for human consumption, which is easily an attraction to most consumers (Stuart, 2012). Alternative Way for Advertisers to get Attention Another way advertisers could get consumers’ attention would be to segment the market and target different groups through different media. For example, the older generation i s known to have a preference for the print media. Therefore, advertisements in the real estate or stock markets would generally reach them through newspapers or magazines. On the other hand, the younger generation spends a considerable amount of their time online, therefore, web based advertisements can easily get their attention. A survey showed that 42 percent of college students in America watch TV or listen to radio online

Israel and The Middle East Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Israel and The Middle East - Research Paper Example There are traces that have been found for the beginning of the conflict and it was the large-scale immigration of Jewish to Palestine especially after the Zionist movement was established as one of the main reason behind the conflict (Pressman, â€Å"A Brief History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict†). There is evidence of too much violence in recent times between Israelis and Palestinians. The vital point is that Israel has been confined to illegal military activity since 1967, in the vicinity of Gaza Strip and the West Bank. This is a continuing and original violence against which all Palestinian acts of violence have been directed (Pressman, â€Å"A Brief History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict†). In the year 1947, British Government asked the United Nations to deal with the question of Palestine. As per 1937 Peel Plan the majority of the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) gave privilege to the partition of Palestine into two states comprising of Arab and Jewish one. According to the UNSCOP, the Jewish state would be about 55% and the Arab state would be about 42% of Palestine and the remaining territory, including Jerusalem would be termed as an international zone (Pressman, â€Å"A Brief History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict†). The Arab state would have about 400000 Arabs and the Jewish state would have 500000 Jews. In the year 1947, on 29th November, UNSCOP’s majority reports were accepted by the United Nations General Assembly as resolution 181. The Jewish people had accepted the partition but the Arab people had rejected it. Approximately right away, warfare started in Palestine between Jewish and Arab forces (Pressman, â€Å"A Brief History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict†). The conflict had existed for a long time and still it is found to be present in Palestine between the Arabs and the Jews. The main objective of the study is to find out the relationship between the Israelis and

Article Analysis Essay Example for Free

Article Analysis Essay This article gives us an insight on whether how a society in a specific country especially like of China can have a say on what their government is doing especially on projects that in return might have an effect on their lives, and also giving added revenue to their government and at the same time protecting the lives of their citizens. Even the social activist like Xue ye of the Beijing – based Friends of Nature had stated that â€Å"We are weak, but we have a chance. † He already knew that it would be hard for them to convince the villagers around the place where there is a project or a construction that has to be created by the government. There may be some factors, which may take effect if the projects will continue. That is why it must be thoroughly evaluated first by all sectors before they allow it to pursue. They must not think on the benefits alone upon the relocation but through a lifetime perspective too. It is not only their future but also for the future generation of their country. The whole article is a depiction of social construction regarding the issue of trade and industry. There are different evidences and justifications that the author has redeemed. He also stated his own opinion and ideologies regarding the issue, which somehow important to the whole article because it will state the stand of the author in representation of the society based on the evidences that were found and researched. From all of this, the whole article shows the facts and data exist within the situation will state its own ideologies and perceptions of the social realization. It means that the author has its own depiction of truth and accuracy of facts and data that he has stated whether it is for or against the authorities of the society. Reference (Author). (Date). Power to the People. (Publisher)

I Hate Cell Phones :: Personal Narrative Writing

I Hate Cell Phones Let me come right out and say it: You chronic cell phone users, I’m thoroughly sick of you. I’m sick of having to listen to your dumb conversations as I walk down the street or sit in the park or anywhere people used sit in peace. I’m sick of having to be wary of you while you chat away in a car too close to me, especially you vapid girls and young women with your attention far away from moving several tons of metal along a road. I’m sick of having to maneuver my shopping cart around you while you talk to someone at the other end about the goddamn freshness of the cantaloupe or whether to buy Cheerios or Wheaties. I’m sick of hearing your one-sided chit chat while I’m trying to enjoy a meal in a restaurant. Hey, I don’t want to hear about your romantic problems, your job woes, your vasectomies or your yeast infections. I’m sick of the various sounds of your phones’ â€Å"ringing,† all those sounds engineered just for you. I’ve lately preferred the whine of the dentist drill as I wait for my name to be called. Those of you who don’t turn off your cell phones while in a movie and then actually take the call—if you’re not a surgeon waiting to do a kidney transplant, I think you should be taken out into the street and beaten up by six bikers juiced on amphetamines. Those of you taking classes, try very hard to remember to turn off your cell phones because someday your professor is not going to be able to control himself and is going to take your chirping little device and is going to stomp it into little pieces, then throw sixty dollars at you in three 20s. Those of you who call me on cell phones, let me be frank and say I don’t like it. Unless it’s an extreme emergency or you’re in some quiet place where other people can’t hear you—because it bugs me that those people might be like me and not appreciate having to become privy to a conversation that has nothing to do with them—please wait until you get to a â€Å"land line† to call me. And those of you who call me on your cell phone, if at all possible, make sure your batteries are new or your reception is perfect or, if not, that you only call to tell me some simple, brief thing, because trying to hold a normal conversation while your voice comes and goes is pretty irritating to me.

Implications of Information Technology on LAPD Essay

Los Angeles is one of the cities in the United States, in the year 2010; the city is approximated to have a population of four million people, with an area of four hundred and sixty eight square miles. In 1869, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was created to serve the area. Currently, LAPD is the third most prevalent police department in the United States. The police force faces an array of challenges Corwin, (2004), these includes governance, financial constraints, resource allocations, sustainable evidence gathering and storage, crime detections and operational priorities. Brief background of the organization Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has been in the forefront in innovative techniques in an effort to fight crime, the technological systems proposed to be adopted by LAPD, takes into consideration the implementations which are currently in place. LAPD has adopted several Information Technology centered techniques which includes remote camera surveillance system, automatic license plate-recognition system, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and facial-recognition software. The information Technology driven approaches adopted by LAPD have had strategic implications on the performance of the police department Chu, (2001), considering the diverse challenges encountered by the police force; the technologies are also envisioned to offer a competitive edge, to the police force in fighting crime. The report considers and evaluates the strategic implications of information technology in the police force in future. Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has been cooperating with several partners in implementation information technology driven solutions to fight crime. Over the past the department has utilized Information Technology in gathering watertight evidence in criminal cases and gaining public trust, the phased implementation of installation of video cameras in one thousand six hundred cars, to serve more than twelve thousand officers, to cost approximately $25 million is evidenced highlight of the utilization of Information Communication Technology. Northrop Grumman has long history with the American armed forces, the company was contracted in the year 1996 to plan and construct the Los Angeles Police Department Emergency Command Control and Communications System with subsidiary self-sufficient emergency dispatch centers, the project lasted for five years. With diverse experience, they have assisted the police to deploy computer-aided dispatch (CAD) the police boast of Emergency Communication System which integrates CommandPoint(tm) Mobile applications from Northrop Grumman and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) Discussion of Current Business Issues Governance has been a business challenge in the United States police force, Los Angeles inclusive. There has been a mix up in roles and responsibilities of the police officers, where at times the states have had mixed hierarchies confounded by bureaucratic empires and fiefdoms. Furthermore, there have been a massive amount of units, which has complicated the crime fighting due to diverse hierarchy of reporting structures. The current business environment calls for paradigm shift to increase accountability and transparency. Governance in the police force has also been an issue in waning public confidence, the current business environment favors self perpetuating oligarchy, this call for implementation of systems that favor accountability to the public. As regards financial expenditure in the police force, the police have over the years been consumers of tax, without resultant direct creation of wealth. Business wise, the police force have been viewed as liabilities to the tax payers, the fact that criminals have been advancing in technology calls for a rejoinder in form of technological advancement from the police quarters, this comes with increased expenditure. Moreover, the area covered by the Los Angeles police department is wide, with the ever increasing population means that the financial expenditure rises with time, however, the prevailing economic situations means that there are several competing needs for the funds available; this has curtailed monies allocated to the police department. The business environment also involves utilization of resources. Human resources, which in this case involves police officers and Information Communication Technology staff are the essential resources in the LAPD, currently, the legendary system requires the police department to have trained personnel to manage the network infrastructure. The systems also have the police department utilizing its own network link, which is very expensive in terms of maintenance as well as the regular training of officers as argued by Glenn, (2003), to update on the latest encryption techniques, so as to maintain the integrity of data. A crucial examination of the duties and responsibilities of all the officers has at times generated duplication of responsibilities, with several officers dedicated to supervisory duties rather than in directly fighting crime, therefore the roles of the officers have to be defined and the human resource streamlined to meet the customer demands, which in this case, is the public. The biggest challenge however has been escalating crime and solution lies in effectively detecting and avoiding crime. Some researchers have argued that senior police officers condone the practices associated with fiddling the figures, â€Å"Cooking the Books† also referred as gaming, to portray crime levels as decreasing, by techniques such as cuffing, stitching, skewing, nodding. The business issues are weakness in terms of evidence to charge suspects, where suspects have escaped judgment due to weak evidence mechanism, Joycelyn, (2008). Moreover, with the escalating number of criminals, officers have at time had to rely of the strength of their memories to remember all the suspects, in addition some suspects may be available in the police departments’ database, but the officers may not be able to access the data while in the field. There is therefore a need of a system which can capture and sustain evidence, while assisting the officers identify criminals hence improving security in Los Angeles. Another current issue is the operational priorities challenge where the priorities of the police force have been diversified and not in agreement with the Peelian principles, which lays emphasis on protection of life and property and the prevention and detection of crime, in this case anything else is a distraction. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has faced the challenge of operational priorities, where the systems being utilized have demanded the officers to concentrate on maintaining the systems; there is therefore need to implement a system which fosters Peelian principles. The current business environment has therefore a myriad of challenges, the police at all times are expected to have a strategic competitive advantage over their competitor – the criminals. The police have to adopt a paradigm shift which invilves adoption and implementation of Information Technology driven solutions, the application of not only creativity but also imagination in the approach to its adoption gives credence to the common caution to innovators that you cannot use yesterday’s tool for today’s job and expect to be in business tomorrow. With respect to Los Angeles Police Department, , LAPD cannot afford to keep using traditional methodology of detecting and fighting crime and expected to beat the criminals who are advancing with technology. Discussion of Proposed Solution The proposed solution lies in total implementation of the Emergency Communication System which integrates CommandPoint(tm) Mobile applications and computer-aided dispatch (CAD). The implementation of CommandPoint Mobile interfaces acts as a link between the command centre and the field units, improving access to the latest information by the field officers while fostering exchange of information, between the field officers, command centre and other interested police forces within the United States, such as the detectives and crime busters. The envisioned solution should in addition encompass remote camera surveillance which posses’ intelligent video competence to tenuously recognize and scrutinize apprehensive occurrences, when illegal actions transpire the police officers can be alerted. The automatic license plate-recognition system (PlateScan) involves patrol vehicles fitted with video cameras and mobile data computer, where the scanned license plates are systematically compared with existent data in databases incase the vehicle may be of need to the law enforcers. The facial-recognition software works in concord with camera surveillance system to scrutinize the captured images of human faces, then quickly and accurately judge against images contained in the database, these video cameras are deployed in patrol vehicles. This is envisaged to address the problem of identification of suspects, since suspects can be identified in shorter times. To interconnect the several disperse officers in the field, LAPD’s Information and Communications Services Bureau adopted, it is proposed that the officers utilize public network to decrease costs while improving security by increasing coverage, using public network also reduces the human resource constraint the network shall have, since the police shall not have to maintain their own network, neither to they have to maintain the network. With the implementation of the automated field reporting system and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), the need for mobile communication with high speed broadband was imminent, the legendary system was restricted to certain areas, while operating in low speeds of 19. Kilo bits per second, the proposed solution is to consider the existent LAPD installed Sprint Data Link where the patrol vehicles are fitted an antenna connected to an EV-DO Sierra Wireless 595 connection card in a Dell D610 laptops installed with Windows XP operating system SP2, 1 GB of RAM, a DVD drive, and an 80 GB hard disk, the police can easily access databases, crime-analysis data, photographs, fingerprints, reports and mapping data,. The fact that Sprint is a private network calls for need to increment the security measures. The proposed solution includes utilization of registered modems by the officers to avoid unauthorized access to the network; this is fostered by end-to-end encryption as well as the providers’ authentication server. Computer Aided Dispatch in combination with the proposals above provides the officers indispensable wide source of information for strategic decision making. The utilization of information technology has been fostered further by Bluetooth fingerprint scanners; currently the scanners are limited in application. However, it is proposed that every patrol vehicle to be equipped with fingerprint scanners, such that persons with clean history cannot be subjected to suspicious arrests, this addresses the issue of arbitrary arrests therefore improving the customer image of the police force, furthermore, the devices to be utilized by the officers should be GPS capable therefore the police can accurately determine locations and positions with precision. The utilization of a private mobile broadband network is intentioned to reduce the costs associated with network access since utilizes high speeds, with minimal costs, furthermore, officers are relieved the duties of maintaining the network. The laptops have to preserve the image determined for mission critical systems to guarantee dependability and security with minimal downtime without dependence on Information Communication Technology personnel; this requires the deployment of Anti-Executable and Deep Freeze as a comprehensive solution on the MDC laptops. Deep Freeze allows the users to promptly reboot the laptop to return it to its original Configuration, this has avoided the need to substitute the laptops when a problem occurs. This is in addition to Anti-Executable’s whitelist technology which standardizes the operating environment by regulating the programs installable. This has been adopted to reduce the number of personnel required to keep the systems in performance mode, therefore addressing governance challenges. The proposed solution is not immune of challenges, considering that the operations are in data sensitive environment, the shifting of the computing environment from MDT to MDC denote new software and hardware, this introduces threats and vulnerabilities. Using more than one thousand five hundred laptops and modems introduces new threats and probable software configuration issues. Windows XP is predisposed to external threats such as spyware, viruses, and other malware. The strategic utilization of Information Technology in LAPD The future of LAPD in utilization of Information Technology has great potential. The Department has optional innovations which include empowering police on foot; horseback or bicycle patrols with high-speed data network access by facilitating handheld devices to utilize wireless data cards, the officers can effectively access the data, from the centralized station, without necessarily using patrol vehicles. Furthermore, having high definition video streamed from cameras and patrol cars to a centralized system in the station enables the police to have real-time information of scenarios as they unfold. In addition, the department can integrate GPS information into the dispatch system for mobile resource management. Recommendations Whereas the police department has been faced with an array of challenges such as the large population size and density, the bulky geographical area, and further complicated by the cultural diversity of the residents. Information technology has been extolled as the ultimate solution, while progressing efficiency of the Department. Implementation of the proposed system shall enable the LAPD reduce costs associated with networking, since they shall be utilizing public network and already available software such as Windows XP, Deep Freeze and Anti-Executable. Moreover, the system shall require fewer officers to manage, hence reducing costs while addressing governance challenges by ensuring that officers get access to all the requisite information as and when needed, hence avoiding bureaucracy in accessing information. While fostering the relationship with the customers – the public, the officers shall also be able to detect and deal with crime as it occurs, while getting substantial and immense evidences against criminals. The system also enables the officers to concentrate on their operational priority – fighting crime in Los Angeles. To protect the people of Los Angeles therefore, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) should adopt information technology driven solutions which are anticipated to offer several merits in the next three years and beyond. These strategic impacts of the proposed system are intentioned to have a competitive advantage over criminals, these strategic impacts include enhanced coverage, faster response to emergencies, mapping capabilities and harmonization of communication among the police personnel, connectivity to the investigators and detectives as well as to the entire United States police unit – hence reducing or even eliminating crime in Los Angeles.

Douglas MacArthur Essay

Carlos Peà ±a Romulo once wrote that each of his careers â€Å"might have been lived in a different country and a different age.† Soldier, journalist, educator, author, and diplomat, he was a definitive world figure of the 20th century. Romulo grew up in the town of Camiling in the province of Tarlac in northern Philippines. He was born within the Spanish walled city of Intramuros, Manila, on January 14, 1898, at the twilight of one colonial regime and the dawning of another. His father, Gregorio, fought in the revolution for Philippine independence against Spain and, until surrender, America. The bitterness of the conflicts left an impression on the young boy—marking â€Å"the beginnings of a rebel,† as he called it—and he made a promise never to smile at an American soldier. His levelheaded father eventually welcomed American schoolteachers who came to Tarlac to teach English, however, becoming the first of the town’s elders to learn the language. Likewise, the young Romulo’s hatred abated not only because of his father’s example but also because he became friendly with an American sergeant. His father’s dream of an independent and democratic Philippines lived on. One of the last to take his oath of allegiance to America, the elder Romulo learned to accept the foreign power’s rulings except—as the young Romulo recounts in his memoirs—â€Å"in the manner of the flag.† â€Å"The American law says we cannot display our flag in any public place,† Gregorio Romulo told his family. â€Å"Well, my bedroom is not a public place.† In World War II Romulo was aide-de-camp to General Douglas MacArthur. As a journalist he wrote a series of articles, after a tour of the Far East, about Japanese imperialism, and predicted an attack on the United States. For this he won the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism for Distinguished Correspondence, and it was MacArthur himself who delivered to his friend the good news. His skill at using words made Romulo the logical choice to become â€Å"the Voice of Freedom,† which broadcasted news of the war effort to Filipinos and Americans alike. Often contrary to Japanese propaganda, Romulo’s reports earned the ire of the enemy, who put a price on his head. But Romulo kept broadcasting until the Fall of Bataan, and abandoned his post only after MacArthur’s strict orders to leave. He flew first to Australia, eventually ending up in the United States in exile, leaving behind his wife and four sons. In 1924 Romulo married Virginia Llamas, a local beauty titlist. They met at a picnic and they married not long after being crowned King and Queen of a Manila carnival. She once commented that she was the type of wife who preferred to glow â€Å"faintly in her husband’s shadow,† to which one acquaintance quipped, â€Å"this didn’t leave much room to glow in†Ã¢â‚¬â€a jab at Romulo’s height. Standing only 5’4† in his shoes, Romulo often made fun of his height. His book I Walked With Heroes opens with the anecdote about being the newly elected president of the United Nations—the first Asian to ever hold the post—and having to be â€Å"perched atop three thick New York City telephone books† just to see and be seen by all the delegates below the podium. When MacArthur fulfilled his promise to return to the Philippines, with Romulo at his side, it was reported that the American general was wading in waist-deep water. One correspondent, Walter Winchell, immediately wired back asking how Romulo could have waded in that depth without drowning. He also used his height to his advantage. â€Å"The little fellow is generally underrated in the beginning,† he once wrote. â€Å"Then he does something well, and people are surprised and impressed. In their minds his achievement is magnified.† A very early photo of Romulo Team members of the University of the Philippines debate team, with Professor Carlos P. Romulo (center). From left: Pedro Camus, Teodoro Evangelista, Deogracias Puyat, and Jacinto C. Borja. The photo was taken in San Francisco, California, April 18, 1928, and the caption reads: â€Å"Four students of the University of the Philippines, under the leadership of Prof. Carlos P. Romulo of the College Faculty, recently arrived in the United States on a tour of the world to debate the question of Filipino independence. The round-the-world debate on the Philippine question is academic and has nothing to do with politics.† This kind of understanding served him well as he began a career as a diplomat at the United Nations. Describing himself as the â€Å"barefoot boy of politics,† he had never before attended an international conference and was new to diplomacy. To add to this challenge, he was representing a small nation that had not yet achieved independence. (There already had been reports of Filipino delegates being ignored at international meetings.) Romulo—whose lifelong dream was to help build a body such as the United Nations—resolved to make the Philippines the voice of all small nations. As a signatory of the charter forming the United Nations in 1945, he spoke the famous line, â€Å"Let us make this floor the last battlefield† at the first General Assembly. There was at first silence, but then he received a standing ovation—the only one given to any speaker at the conference. Romulo launched himself fully into the world of international diplomacy, standing his ground against the big powers and committing himself to the causes of fledging nations. Dismissed by some, like Andrei Vishinsky, chief of the Soviet delegation, as a â€Å"little man from a little country,† Romulo was undeterred, fighting â€Å"like David, slinging pebbles of truth between the eyes of blustering Goliaths.† President of the UN General Assembly Carlos P. Romulo introduces US President Harry S. Truman to Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Vishinsky of the USSR, October 24, 1949, during the cornerstone laying ceremony of the UN headquarters in New York City. President of the UN General Assembly Carlos P. Romulo introduces US President Harry S. Truman to Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Vishinsky of the USSR, October 24, 1949, during the cornerstone laying ceremony of the UN headquarters in New York City. Dubbed by his colleagues â€Å"Mr. United Nations,† he was elected president of the United Nations General Assembly in 1949—the first Asian to hold the position—and served as president of UN Security Council four times, in 1981, in 1980 and twice in 1957. Despite all the triumphs, Romulo hit low points in his life. His eldest son Carlos, Jr., died in a plane crash in 1957, and his beloved wife died in 1968, near the end of his terms as president of the University of the Philippines, his alma mater, and, concurrently, Secretary of Education. â€Å"I had to be outstanding,† he wrote, â€Å"to make the greatest effort to win, to prove I was capable not in spite of having been born a Filipino but because I was a Filipino.†

Analysis of a Possible Merger Between Vodafone and Verizon Communication The WritePass Journal

Analysis of a Possible Merger Between Vodafone and Verizon Communication Introduction: Analysis of a Possible Merger Between Vodafone and Verizon Communication Introduction:Vodafone Group Vodafone and Verizon Wireless Merger Ownership Issue   Business environment with USA Partner  External environment PESTAL AnalysisPoliticalEconomical Social factorsTechnological factors Environmental FactorsLegal factors Internal EnvironmentMichel Porters Diamond Model Rivalry, Firm strategy, structure   Demand ConditionsRelated Supporting Industries Factor conditionsRecommendation and Conclusion Appendix1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  SWOT analysis on VodafoneStrengthsWeaknessOpportunity Threats 2) Porter’s generic strategiesMarketing strategyMarketing mix  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Product  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Place  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   PriceBibliography WebsiteRelated Introduction: Mobile evaluation is only three decade old but there are major changes been seen year after year. There are more than 5 Billion mobile users all over the world which is served by different service provider. The major names in UK are:- Vodafone Orange Three T-Mobile O2 The services include voice calling, Internet service, multimedia messaging, video conferencing, fixed line internet etc. Vodafone Group In 1982 Racal Electronics won a private sector UK cellular licence and they set up a new network although The first call was made by using Vodafone service is few minutes passed midnight on 1st January 1985, and by 1987 Vodafone was known as largest telecommunication company in the world. They are the first in business to launch Vodapage which provides 80% of UK population paging service. By year 2010 Vodafone proved their significant global presence over 30 countries and over 40 partners markets in Europe and worldwide. The Group operates in three geographic regions Europe, Africa and Central Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and has an investment in Verizon Wireless in the United States. By market capitalization, Vodafone Group plc. Is one of the largest companies providing service to more than 500 million users in Europe and worldwide. The group’s main principal activity is to provide mobile telecommunication service to mobile users and operate a fixed line services for business and offices in privet and government sector. Vodafone has tried and retain their leadership in telecommunication market by providing better value, better product, and services in Europe and worldwide .Their global strategy is to embrace voice, data and internet service and to focus on satisfying customer’s needs and for that they had invested large amount for developing and launching new services for customers such as free mobile application, money transfer service, fixed and individual line internet service, Vodafone 360 etc.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Vodafone group’s objective is to achieve and maintain a position of dominance in its markets in worldwide .The company has maintained a strategy of focusing on global mobile communication and providing network to allow its customers to communicate using mobile product and services. Their growth strategy is Attract, service and retain high value customers Continued geographic expansion Provision of new products and services to support growth in revenues from both voice and data. http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true_pageLabel=template09pageID=PAV_0015 Vodafone and Verizon Wireless Merger Vodafone group has able to establish his network and on several continent including Europe, Asia, Africa, north and South America. Joint venture with Hutchison Essaar is their one of the biggest investment. Vodafone group had developed their business successfully all over the world apart from America. They had entered to USA in 1999 merger with air touch communication and later in 2003 they also invested in Verizon wireless in which they hold 45% but still after all these they are not able to get success which they achieved in other countries. Verizon communication who owns the 55% shares in Verizon wireless is formed in 2000 mergers between two biggest companies in USA Bell Atlantic and GTE. The merger also made Verizon wireless a largest wireless network provider in USA and after that they had managed well to involve in good deal such as acquisition of Alltel Corporation who ranks eighth largest wireless network provider in USA with approx. 800000 customers. Currently Verizon communication owns most of the shear in company and management decisions in Verizon wireless. Ownership Issue   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Vodafone group has successful business in UK and Europe but even after 10 years in USA telecom Market they still not able to expand their business. After investing in Verizon wireless they are trying to grow in USA but they are still waiting to achieve that. At one stage there was a persistent speculation of possible merger between these two companies which will be helpful for the future of both the companies. There is huge battle going on these companies for ownership of Verizon wireless and both companies had shown interest buying out the rest of the shares. The USA telecom market is growing rapidly and with every opportunity these two companies try to be on top of each other which are one of the reasons behind delaying the possible merger between Vodafone and Verizon wireless. After financial downturn CEO of Verizon communication advised Vodafone to sell their shares in Verizon wireless which also shows the business environment between these two organisations is unstable. As research figure shows that if Vodafone and Verizon wireless obtain full merger in future the company could worth  £120 billion .Vodafone group had a market value of  £77 billion and Verizon communication $86 billion ( £57billion). Vodafone group had been expecting merger between two companies should be 60:40 in Verizon wireless but the partner company is not agreed on these terms. Although with less market value Verizon wireless generates significant and continuous cash flow. They had paid dividends to his shareholder which is Vodafone group till 2005 but afte r they stop explaining reason is to reducing a down debts of the company. As per Bloomberg report there are three possibilities could be seen between this two organisations 1)   Full merger of these two companies 2)   Verizon wireless would start paying dividend to Vodafone 3)   One of the partners to sell their share either to each other or to the third party. Many of the city business analyses have seen potential in these companies and they think they should solve their problems and issues in Verizon wireless which could worth  £40 billion. Royal bank of Scotland one of the largest organisations in banking sector in UK suggested that Vodafone should either merge with Verizon communication or they should sell their stake in Verizon wireless for better profitability. Vodafone CEO Vittorio Coalo also thinks the same way and he said merger is the best alternative to solve the problems in Verizon wireless than other. They had discussed number of options earlier in 2010 which could be helpful foe Verizon wireless future but they also think merger would be more complex because of competition between UK and USA businesses compared to the other option such as separation between Verizon communication and Verizon wireless. ft.com/cms/s/0/b1d3df72-43e7-11dd-842e-0000779fd2ac.html#axzz1KDYiXA2E ft.com/cms/s/0/90bb3ae4-3ab5-11df-b6d5-00144feabdc0,s01=1.html#axzz1KDYiXA2E guardian.co.uk/media/2006/mar/07/newmedia.citynews   Business environment with USA Partner   External environment Vodafone group is facing huge competition from his American partner and their rivals in business such as ATT wireless. Verizon communication had a joint venture with Vodafone in Verizon wireless putting pressure to sell their 45% stake in company. Expected merger between Vodafone and Verizon wireless is still on hold but in competitive telecom market partner group is bearing down Vodafone. The group operates their business from United Kingdom and provides services more than 27 countries in 5 continents. The group 80% of revenue is comes from their UK business but existence in emerging markets like India makes their position strong in telecom sector. Verizon communication is trying continuously to buy the Vodafone stake in company and ruled on Verizon wireless. In 2006 both group had played down ownership battle for Verizon wireless but they failed. Since 2000 when Vodafone group was new to US telecom market and Verizon communication was newly formed company had pooled out their US wi reless assets. Both are the largest wireless network providers in world had suffered from periodic tension. Mr Seidenbeg CEO of Verizon communication said in an interview that he would like 100% of earning from Verizon wireless because they are doing 100% work. In 2008 business analysts reported the Vodafone stake value in Verizon wireless is been increased by $10 billion to $60 and even after 2005 they had not received a dividends from Verizon wireless it seems that group thinking positive about the merger with Verizon communication. ft.com/cms/s/0/c20625be-44a7-11de-82d6-00144feabdc0,s01=2.html#axzz1KDYiXA2E ft.com/cms/s/b1d3df72-43e7-11dd-842e-0000779fd2ac,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2Fb1d3df72-43e7-11dd-842e-0000779fd2ac.html_i_referer=#axzz1KDYiXA2E PESTAL Analysis Political   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Vodafone group had always focused of customer satisfaction for that they had shifted their business approach towards customer benefits. They had moved on from unit pricing to unit based tariff. Vodafone group had invested in United States to explore their business and make more profit from highly developed market. The group outsource their US business from outside and so they had considered different international laws in order to explore their business in other countries. They had considered the tread restriction which is also important in political factor. Recently communication commission in USA made attempt to bring telecommunication sector under government oversight more specifically put under government regulation but apparently US court denied this appeal for the D.C. circuit ruling which regards information service underlying of telephone rules. Economical   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Economical factors are interconnected with political factors which might affect the development of the company. The economic factors include growth rate, exchange rates, interest rates and inflation. These factors are pretty important which gives right and accurate cost to the customer so that everybody can aware of their product. During the investment in Verizon group Vodafone group had received returns in form of dividend till 2005 but after that they stopped paying explain reason to reducing the lower debt. In 2009 Verizon communication used Verizon wireless $5 billion to pay off their debts. Vodafone and Verizon wireless have 87.8 million retail customers all over America. Vodafone group owns 45% share and both the partner companies are made compelling amount of stock in telecom infrastructure class. According to Bernstein Report there are four option Verizon communication have to pay the internal borrowing which are either they could rebuilt their debt level or they could just buy Vodafone 45% share which could be more expensive. Another option they have is to start paying dividends to Vodafone or a merger with partner group. Social factors   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Social factors are very important for the development of the company more than any other. This is because social factors have more impact on customers regarding to the product and services. Vodafone group had invested in social factors and to make them effective they are mainly focusing on education, enterprise, health and welfare. The group runs several charitable trusts in USA and Europe which is making positive contribution to the local communities in specific projects which are run by Vodafone and Verizon group. The group had also made investment in youth projects to draw a traditional philosophy. In 2001 they had managed to raise  £3 million donation through these welfare which helped youth people all over the world to take informed decisions and choices.   The group also founded Peace Parks international foundation which supports in sustainable economic development conservation of biodiversity and regional peace. Both groups also a part of voluntary service champagne to fight against HIV and AIDS and other deceases like Cancer. Technological factors   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Technological factors focuses on research and development activities which includes development of new technology and services. Mobile phone industry is growing rapidly a great deal of technological changes and development is continued to be seen. Vodafone group offers variety of mobile phones with latest technologies to their customers. 3g technology is already helping companies to increase their sales revenues. However Vodafone has brought additional responsibility to protect young people from inappropriate content, gambling and violent games. Environmental Factors Environmental factors also important in successful business although telecom industries impact on environment is very small as compare to other industries however these companies have to work on to reduce it . Vodafone group has started CO2 ring to reduce energy consumption which will produce less carbon. Company estimated during year 2008 their business in Europe, Australia, NZ had produced 1.23 million CO2 and they aims with this ring they will reduce emission by 50% by 2020. Vodafone group is also worked in mobile phone disposals in which they helped to developed support industry to minimize phone disposals. They also had developed guidelines to reduce greenhouse gas emission and to monitoring progress. Legal factors   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Legal factors are very important for any organisation to form a business and it’s also important for organisation to follow them. Vodafone group have their business all over the world and throughout their business journey they had worked as per the laws and restrictions. However in some issues they had gone beyond government regulation while working in competitive market. Group also believes to retain the position in market companies must exceed the legal and industry self regulation. guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/22/vodafonegroup.telecoms vodafone.com/content/dam/vodafone/about/sustainability/reports/2000-01_vodafonecr.pdf stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_809fa95b-31a9-5f14-aa3f-c3c97cf20cb6.html iese.edu/research/pdfs/OP-0155-E.pdf bignerds.com/papers/17537/Pestel-Analysis-Of-Vodafone/         Internal Environment Verizon wireless works under management board of Vodafone group and Verizon communication. Although it’s true that Vodafone is included in board decisions but still they don’t have full control because of fewer stakes in firm. It’s been seen several times when Verizon communication opposed the Vodafone decision. Both companies had shown interests in buying Verizon wireless not ready for any settlement which shows their business instability. It all started in 2000 when Vodafone and Verizon communication bided for air touch communication and apparently Vodafone group won the bid which helped them to enter into USA telecom market. In March 1995 US cellular AB PCS auctioned for spectrum in 1900 MHz range in which Air touch USA, Bell Atlantic, Nynex and US west formed their joint venture called Prime co communication. Later in 1999 when Vodafone merged with Air touch Partner Company approached Air touch Vodafone about the merging wireless communication (air touch Voda fone, bell electronics, prime co)   to form a Verizon Wireless but due to FCC regulation prime co and Verizon territories and region was split. When Vodafone merged with air touch CEO of Vodafone Air touch Arun Sarin was involved in various other formations of partnership’s and technology dimensions as well. Sarin was also involved in decision to use CDMA technology over GSM in root of Verizon wireless network but Verizon communication opposed to this decision specifying CDMA technology to use on Vodafone network. Both the group had formal meeting about the company expansion it seems very often when these come to any mutual decision. In 2004 Vodafone considered to buying ATT wireless Verizon communication turn out the deal to take over joint venture. Vodafone however managed well to gain profit from their business and Verizon wireless also started paying dividends in 2009 and continued to gain its value. Michel Porters Diamond Model   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Michel Porters diamond model form competitive advantage helps to understand the comparative position of the organisation in global competition. The model helps to measure company performance over geographic regions. Rivalry, Firm strategy, structure     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Vodafone group business strategy is to meet social needs of the customers which create opportunity to increase profit. Vodafone group also made consideration in developing product and services which meet the specific needs of customer in local market. The group had set their goals to be leading communication provider but huge battle with competitor and instable business in USA they are facing problem to keep up the leading position. Vodafone group runes their business all over the world and major parts covered by group are in UK and Europe. Their UK business produce 80% of revenue were they are facing competition from O2, Orange, and T-mobile. Were in USA they are competing by their partner firm who is second largest in USA and who owns most of the Verizon company stake. Verizon wireless have their business all over the America who competing against ATT who recently announced merger deal with T-mobile USA which made them strongest and leader i n US telecom wireless network. Demand Conditions   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Demand condition plays crucial role in porter’s diamond model in business. Vodafone group have successful business in UK and Europe because they are able to evaluate demands and expectations and to fulfil them. In late 90s telecom sector was focused on providing fixed line services and in early 21 century wireless technology was introduced who gains popularity in very quick session. So as demand changed mobile companies are grown in telecom market. Vodafone group also considered customers demand they introduced I-Phone in 2010 and in first week they sold more than 400000 cells. In USA also they sold I-phone through their joint venture company and group was aware of the demand but they did not imagined the sales figure could go so high were demand was more and supply was less and therefore it is very important in business to measure demand in customer satisfaction point . Related Supporting Industries   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Related supporting industries are very important in relation to the grown of business. Vodafone group is working with few other companies on their territory. Vodafone group have been supported by air touch communication their partnership with Verizon communication is also somehow helping them to grow in US telecom market. Vodafone group also developed good relationship with mobile phone producing companies which is helping them to fulfil customer demands. In 2010 they made partnership with Apple to launch I-Phone which was great hit. The group also helped to develop mobile disposal industries they think disposal of mobile phone is very big problem and with their help this industries trying reduce this problem and help environment. They are also working with few other companies in telecom market to reduce CO2. Factor conditions   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Vodafone group had always looked for the opportunity in other countries to grow their business. They had considered emerging countries and made investment. Competitive environment also affects factors condition customers always have choices to choose between fixed lines or mobile its companies have to attract them to be in competition. http://incarnationrocks.com/2010/11/14/information-about-the-history-and-evolution-of-vodafone-as-a-companyhistory-of-vodafonevodafone-history/ http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20055922-266.html usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-02-01-iphone01_ST_N.htm vodafone.com/content/annualreport/annual_report09/exec_summary/op_environment_and_strategy.html Recommendation and Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Vodafone group has got successes in America but their business and relationship with partners is not stable. Vodafone group had already shown their co-operation while developing their business in US telecom market and working with Verizon communication. I think Vodafone group should try for merger with Verizon communication to obtain and retain their leading position. Verizon had a control over management decision and they had paid return in form of dividends to Vodafone until 2005 but after that they stopped paying explain reason is to reduction of lower debts and for almost four years Vodafone group did not received any returns for their stake. USA telecom market is moving rapidly so buyout of Verizon wireless or 50:50 partnerships could be a very good option for Vodafone although both options are never opened for group. I think they should try to maintain good relationship with partner group for the better future of Verizon wireless. Currently Verizon wireless is a second largest wireless network provider in America which was takeover by ATT in 2010 in multimillion dollar merger with T- mobile USA. Verizon communication should pay the dividend to their partner group in future or they could try to buy Vodafone stake in Verizon wireless which are quite expensive. The company currently serves nearly 93 million customers all over the America which shows the strong position and settled business of the Verizon wireless in American market. But recent controversial business environment between partner group could affect the market value and shares of Verizon wireless. Vodafone group had experience in managing business in different countries so they can be useful for Verizon wireless in subject of developing new products and services, entering new markets. The recent merger between ATT had already affected the positions of Verizon wireless which also knocked them out from top position to second and so if the new group’s strategy is to pay off then Verizon wireless will suffer in business. http://blogs.investors.com/click/index.php/home/60-tech/1656-would-dividend-payments-kill-talk-of-verizon-vodafone-merger http://incarnationrocks.com/2010/11/14/information-about-the-history-and-evolution-of-vodafone-as-a-companyhistory-of-vodafonevodafone-history/    Appendix 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  SWOT analysis on Vodafone To identify company’s internal and external strength and weakness swot analysis is very important. Strengths Vodafone group have their business all over the world and they have ability to grow in many countries. Vodafone group have nearly 500 million customers in nearly 40 countries and 5 continent. They have very strong platform which gives them power to work in RD to innovate new products and devices in subject to the growth of the market. Group’s biggest strength is their customers. They had managed well to maintain good relationship with their service users. Good decision makers and efficient people on the board is also Vodafone group’s strongest link. Weakness Vodafone group’s biggest weakness is the capital expenditure over fixed tangible assets. In past five years their average depreciation charge been exceeded by 58% which also suggest that group might have cash shortage in future. Vodafone group has been spending lot of money on research and developing new product and services. So if the product fails in market group could face heavy loss. Legal issues with partner companies are also their business weakness Opportunity New innovations and technologies and services are expected to be major hit in telecom market. Vodafone group always try to bring new services for their users which will use by them for data transfer, calling and internet. Mobile phone industry is growing very rapidly were persuasion to have at list 1 mobile gives opportunity to mobile companies to increase their size and share in market. If Vodafone merge with their US partner will give them opportunity to establish and make their position stronger in US market. Threats Vodafone group work in developing new technologies and services and if something goes wrong with product it will leave company with heavy loss. As industry grows mobile companies have to take special care so that no one can misuse the technology and at some point they also have to accept the decisions made by social or political reasons. Competition from other companies who serves same product and services. 2) Porter’s generic strategies Relating to the SWOT analysis, Porter (1980) identified three generic strategies for competitive advantage, which can represent a distinctive strength of a company.   These are shown in the diagram below: Vodafone use the cost leadership strategy and differentiation but do not adopt the focus strategy as they do not focus on a niche market.   Vodafone needs to compete on a cost leadership strategy because number portability means that people will move to whoever can provide a reliable service the cheapest and by becoming the lowest cost producer in the industry through economies of scales allows Vodafone to compete on price with other producers to earn higher unit profits which in turn achieves competitive advantage through driving down costs.   Vodafone also differentiate themselves through providing customers with added value through their product features and quality that are unique and different from their competitors. Marketing strategy In order to retain market leadership, Vodafone has established a set of marketing objectives.   These are to:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Obtain new customers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Keep the customers it already has   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Introduce new technologies and services   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Continue to develop the Vodafone brand. Vodafone is achieving these objectives by continually updating their range of phones and services offered to keep ahead of its competitors.   Vodafone also communicates with its customers to keep them well informed of the benefits of all Vodafone products. Marketing mix The marketing mix consists of many different factors, which are grouped together into four main categories: product, place, price and promotion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Product Vodafone’s products have many different features which   provides customers with opportunities to chat, play games, send and receive pictures, change ring tones, receive information about travel and sporting events, obtain billing information and view video clips and send video messages.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Place Vodafone UK operates over 300 of its own stores it also sells through independent retailers e.g. Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4 U.   Customers are able to see and handle products they are considering buying and staff are on hand to ensure customers’ needs are matched with the right product and to explain the different options available to them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Price Vodafone offer various pricing structures to suit different customer groups, monthly price plans are available as well as prepay options and phone users can top up their phone online.   Also Vodafone gives NECTAR reward points for every one pound spent on calls, text messages, picture messages and ring tones.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Promotion Vodafone has worked with icons in the past such as David Beckham to communicate its brand values they use advertising on TV, billboards, magazines and in other media outlets to reach large audiences and spread their brand image and message effectively.   Their stores have special offers, promotions and point of sale posters to attract customers inside the stores to buy and Vodafone actively develop good public relations through sending press releases to national newspapers and magazines to explain new products and ideas. Also relating to the product aspect of the marketing mix, the Boston matrix represents the company’s portfolio according to where the products stand regarding market share and growth. Bibliography Caroline Booth (2010) Strategic procurement (electronic resource through Anglia Ruskin library) organisation suppliers and supply chain for competitive advantage, London Philadelphia New Delhi page 26. David L. Rainey (2010) Enterprise- wide strategic management (electronic resource through Anglia Ruskin library) Cambridge university press page 70 J. Brits and G.H.K. Botha ,M.E. Herselman, Tshwane Conceptual Framework for Modelling Business Capabilities Retrieved from http://proceedings.informingscience.org/InSITE2007/InSITE07p151-170Brits297.pdf Claire Capon Understanding Strategic Management (2008) Pearson education ltd (page 33-53) retrieved from http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=BvD4FtMWAloCpg=PA27dq=White+C+Strategic+Managementhl=enei=xkG2TfHEOpHP4wb4odT0Dwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=book-thumbnailresnum=1ved=0CEEQ6wEwAA#v=onepageq=White%20C%20Strategic%20Managementf=false Robert M. Grant (2007) Contemporary Strategy Analysis John Wiley and Sons (page 271-322) retrieved from http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zFkXk7KbM-kCpg=PA148dq=Grant+R+M+(2007),+Contemporary+Strategy+Analysis,+Blackwellhl=enei=YES2TY6YNs7j4wbp_qQJsa=Xoi=book_resultct=book-thumbnailresnum=1ved=0CEUQ6wEwAA#v=onepageq=Grant%20R%20M%20(2007)%2C%20Contemporary%20Strategy%20Analysis%2C%20Blackwellf=false Website www.ft.com www.dailytelegraph.com www.gurdian.co.uk www.vodafone.co.uk www.verizonwireless.com www.bigneard.com www.academic.mintal.com