Thursday, November 28, 2019

Westye Article Analysis Essay Example

Westye: Article Analysis Essay The first part of the process of selection of an applications software package was to determine what Westye needed. Under this process, they sought to develop criteria for how business solutions companies would address their specific needs. Here, they outlined these through the creation of 160 issues related to Westye’s business processes. The second step included determining the specific small midmarket business solutions that can address Westye’s needs. In here, considerable attention was given by the company towards finding competent providers and was equally reduced to 27 companies who shall then be subjected interview and questioning. The third process that the company took was the selection process. Here, Westye based their choice in the capacity of small midmarket business solutions to address their needs. Given the specific criteria, the company was able to consolidate effective responses coming from Microsoft Business Solutions – Navisione and became the primary choice. The last part involved finding the necessary partner that can help address the issues and problems of Westye. Here, the choice of ICS Advantage revolved around the ability of the company to facilitate better means of integrating a collaborative long term strategy and relationship with Westye. Likewise, the company also sought a committed and driven partners who can fulfill the company’s needs accordingly. We will write a custom essay sample on Westye: Article Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Westye: Article Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Westye: Article Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Analyzing the specific strategy employed by Westye, it could have improved its selection process if it had tried (1) to set specific standards for choices above the 160 criteria, (2) provided inputs on how the old MAPICS system can be integrated towards the recommended changes, and (3) considering long term strategies and options for employees. Seeing this, the value then of the first input corresponds to the capacity to examine further not only the technical and operational business schemes influencing Westye but also try to integrate it in the way people do business. By setting up these standards, vendors can then align their proposals to meet these realities accordingly. The second part corresponds to allowing Westye proper transition from its old system and incorporating them into the new one. This can help new participants to have a grasp of what the new system is and leverage increased costs in education and training of people. The last part corresponds to outlining how these new strategies impact the workforce in both education and application. By inducing opportunities to include feedback and reaction, it can help facilitate better means of transcending competency and ability to harness effective skills for operation and diversification of tasks by employees within Westye. (2)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Analyzing the specific advantages of utilizing a package development, it revolves around (1) revamping the old MAPICS system, (2) effective support mechanism, (3) allows standardization of Westye’s processes and (4) infusing simple means to increase efficiency of production. Here, the first process takes into consideration deriving valuable opportunities for Westeye to address the loopholes and inefficiencies of the old MAPCIS system. By incorporating packaged software, it can veer away from the old system and incorporate new ones that can be synchronized with the companies needs. The second advantage is that technicians can effectively carry out repairs and updates of a packaged system compared to a customized one. Such directions also provides standardization of processes as the new software then incorporates actions by the workforce and takes into account key trends in a more facilitative and effective manner. Lastly, using the tools of a packaged software, it can help Westye align these to infuse efficiency in production and consolidate these with the goals of the company. On the other hand, specific disadvantages of a packaged system revolves around (1) associated costs, (2) lack of innovation, (3) issue of control, and (4) the issue of customization. In the first part, it considers the value of costs related to training employees once again with new processes and how to operate such packaged system. Another hurdle that packaged system can contribute is the lack of innovation wherein companies have the last say in the design and applications included in the design of the software package. The same can be seen with the issue of control. Though ICS provides Westye control over data and inputs, it limits the capacity of businesses to take into consideration establishing a user-interface that is efficient for their use or responsive to their needs.   The last one revolves around the process of customization. Here, additional costs can be incurred if new changes and amendments may be undertaken by Westye in expanding its business processes and integratin g new means for gathering data necessary for production. Seeing this, the idea of using a Navision package is more suited to the needs of the Westye group. Such analysis revolves around the need to revamp and change the old MAPICS system and consolidate better means of acquiring information in a more effective and efficient manner. By using a packaged solution, the company can cater towards creating better means to address the problem in a faster manner and take advantage of its comparative advantage over its competitors. Similarly, this decision can also align the company’s processes to what is essential to the needs of the company both in its short and long term strategies. (3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Responding to the advantages of Navision compared to ERP, they include (1) filtering inefficient processes, (2) consolidating data effectively, (3) incorporating new technological features, and (4) new structure to cater for the needs of Westye. The value of the first advantage corresponds to taking into consideration changing the loopholes and boundaries within the old MAPICS system and generating better means for analysis and acquisition of data. In the second part, Navision gives better means of consolidating data with its new framework and platform different from that of the old system. Alongside this is the associated new features wherein employees can take advantage of. By using these new technologies, it has developed effective means to cater the needs of Westye in terms of determining inputs and data necessary to transact and establish partnerships with clients. On the other hand, there are also associated disadvantages that Navision has over adding ERP modules which include (1) costs, (2) employee integration and education, (3) adjustments, and (4) value of time. One essential setback by the Navision involves the corresponding costs. Since the overall system shall be revamped, it takes into account changing the business processes. Alongside this are the new means of training personnel and employees of proper procedures and mechanisms necessary. Such then brings about adjustments and puts into the table the question of time in achieving specific goals and objectives. These then create necessary implications for the company especially in the short term as it may affect the overall productivity of the company during these times of adjustment and changes. Though there are indeed associated setbacks with the application of the Navision package, it can be seen that it has consolidated better means for Westye to expand and develop its business processes. By utilizing specific strategies related to determining loopholes in the previous system, it was able to create a new framework that supports the interests and goals of Westye. At the same time, by infusing these directions, the company can then legitimize its opportunities to create competitive advantage and standardize the dynamics related to finding the means to diversify business processes and generate increased productivity. (4)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Analyzing the advantages of the customization scheme created by Navsion, they correspond to (1) wider company control, (2) taking into consideration competitive advantage, (3) access to real time data, and (4) consolidating to the needs of employees. In the first one, it caters to the formalization of how employees control the system. The customization process furthered this by giving opportunities for personnel to make important decisions concerning specific business processes. Such dynamic then provided the ability to establish competitive advantage as it opened up means to establish efficiency in decision making and harness the skills in responding to such. Alongside this direction, Westye was also able to provide effective access to trends and data necessary. Since they are heavily reliant in these, the customization process help employees fulfill their roles without having to sort and tabulate trends, hence easier transmission of data to clients. On the other hand, there are also associated negative reactions to such customization. These revolve around (1) re-training of employees, (2) hampering of production, (3) difficulty in establishing technical support, and (4) complexity in administering changes. In here, the customization process hampers employee’s responsibilities because they are given new training about the system and what they do. Such actions then hamper time and capacity to work at their optimal level and in turn hamper production. Another setback is that it creates difficulty in pointing out problems particularly if these processes remain intertwined and correlated with one another. The same can be seen with the application of changes within the system. Since it is designed to fit Westye’s needs, Navision may find it difficult to correlate including new features as it may need to be synchronized with other related processes. (5)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Analyzing the point established by the case that Westye’s system provides ‘real-time data access’, it can be argued that it is the same with the term ‘online input’ plus ‘online processing’. Here the idea of real time corresponds to the actual input of data provided by a specific program or software wherein it analyzes specific trends and issues inputted by the user. Seeing this, such process then corresponds to ‘online input’ plus ‘online processing’ for it utilizes specific measures in generating effective patterns of analysis and justifying its scope and value to whatever purpose it may seek to serve. Seeing this, the company indeed has ‘online input’ plus ‘online processing’.   This can be seen in the manner of how the company adheres to its business processes. In here, the derivation and analysis of information remains crucial for the company to remain competitive. That is why it needs up-to-date information to give its clients so as to harness effective means in making crucial business decisions and Westye provides such information to them. Reference Westye Group. (2005) Distributor Improves Competitive Edge with Business Management Solution. ICS Advantage LLC. pp. 1-7

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Education Essay Professor Ramos Blog

Education Essay It is widely known that education is the gateway to an overall better standard of living. Yet why are students underperforming in their classes? If education is the path to success, why do many fail at pursuing it? Students in today’s society are taking for granted an opportunity of a lifetime. Although education paves the way for success in life, it not only fails students to develop skills to prepare for the real world, but students also fail to apply what they are taught into the real world. By changing student management, implementing more life skills, and changing the student efficacy, we could further progress the educational system. One potential solution in improving student management is developing students at their own pace. A HuffPost explains that instead of instructing 25 or more students the same task at the same time, by making them learn at their own speed (â€Å"7 Ways to Improve†). By doing this it would facilitate the workload put upon the teacher or instructor while also giving them the opportunity to aid individuals instead of teaching the class in bulk. Moreover, this is beneficial in improving our education system as it would give the students a chance to set goals for themselves and be able to dwell in knowledge on their own accord. Another way to help improve student management is helping the parents and school staff be more involved in the student’s academic journey. More parent involvement with the schools will give an idea of what the parents can and cannot do for their children, communicating with the schools would also pave the way for the possibility of a two-way verbal exch ange between teacher and parent rather a one-way verbal exchange of a teacher (LaBahn). This would not only help establish a relationship between a parent and teacher, but it would also improve mutual contact between both the parent and teacher. Moreover, The Seattle Times post explained that the student administration came up with what they called â€Å"nudge letters† to inform their current problem of absences. These letters helped improved attendance by 62% and were stated that gains persisted then on (Morton). The administration took the matter to their own hands and got the parents involved in what is going on with the student’s life in school. Effectively looking for an outlet to address a consistent problem has and will help with managing students better. Another possible solution that would aid in improving America’s education system is to develop the student’s life skills and educate them to apply these skills into real-life scenarios. One skill that is rarely taught in schools today is critical thinking. When it comes to the real world, making decisions could affect the balance of an individual’s life one way or another (Akins). The failure of learning this skill sets the students up for failure and would give them no preparation in these certain scenarios. Following up on making poor decisions, many students also do not apply what they learned to help them solve problems. Author Jake Akins also accentuated that students learn by rote memorization, failing to fully understand and apply the concept that they have learned (â€Å"20 Life Skills†). By thoroughly understanding academic concepts and topics, students would be able to use what they have learned instead of going through the motions. One consistent problem throughout the education system is the level of student efficacy rates in schools. In other words, student absenteeism is another problem that could be looked into in order to help better education. In The Seattle Times post they addressed that in the city of Tacoma, the absenteeism rate increased from about 19.5% to 22.8% during the span from the years 2012-’13 to 2014-’15 (Morton). Almost a quarter of students are absent from school throughout the academic school year. Absence could imply that the students lack the motivation to even be educated for their sake. Looking at this from a nationwide perspective, throughout the years 2012-2015 the absence rates have slowly crept from 14.7% to 16% on average among all students (Morton). Student efficacy is vital and corresponds with the student’s success and state of participation in academics. How can students even learn if they are not at school at all? By improving efficacy within the student s, it would allow more self-confidence and sustain motivation to learn. Education has been an important aspect in terms of moving up in life and taking the steps to success. History has proven that education was the outlet for a better quality of life, whether that is climbing out of poverty or just improving a better standard of living. But with today’s quickly evolving technologies and developing communities, many of today’s students have taken for granted the educational system that many considered to be a chance at a new life. But by taking initiative, there is a possibility to improve and bring back the education in its prime. By developing skills in order to prepare for the real world will greatly improve the quality of life for students. But many solutions should start with the school itself. Student and administration management would be the simplest and one of the more efficient ways to improve the educational systems. By getting everyone, whether that is the teachers, the parents, or the students themselves, more involved in the a cademics and extracurricular activities, it would help development student-teacher relationships while also keeping the parents in the loop. Although schools and universities are the best places to develop skills needed to pass classes, they certainly lack skills that could be applied to the real world. Learning is more than just going through the motions and it more than what is printed on a piece of paper or written on a whiteboard. Finally, by developing better student efficacy, education systems could improve better student participation and attendance in classes. These solutions are only scratching the surface on how to improve education for students. There are so much more that can factor into greatly improving academics, but by working small and building the way up, it is possible to further progress education. â€Å"20 Life Skills Not Taught In School.† Successful Student, 24 Apr. 2019, successfulstudent.org/20-life-skills-not-taught-in-school/. â€Å"Ask the Experts: 7 Ways to Improve K-12 Public Education.† HuffPost, HuffPost, 20 Apr. 2017, huffpost.com/entry/ask-the-experts-7-ways-to-improve-k-12-public-education_b_58f8d0ffe4b086ce58980e52?guccounter=1 LaBahn, J. Education and parental involvement in secondary schools: Problems, solutions, and effects. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. edpsycinteractive/files/parinvol.html Morton, Neal. â€Å"Is Your Kid Absent More than Classmates? School Nudge Letters Tell Parents Just How Much.† The Seattle Times, The Seattle Times Company, 1 Mar. 2017, seattletimes.com/education-lab/absent-students-schools-attendance-nudge-letters/.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Nestle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Nestle - Essay Example most appropriate growth strategy to pursue will be determined by arriving at decisions about whether to sell old or new products in old or new markets. (Ansoff, 1957). Nestle’s growth strategy falls under the category of concentric diversification, wherein a Company produces new products that are closely related to its current products, but introduces them into a new market (Ansoff, 1957). This has been Nestle’s strategy in countries such as infant formula, tofu and noodles which are basic food stuffs but are tailored to meet the needs of the new market, for example in India, the Company also sells pickles to appeal to the housewife market. Nestle’s financial strength and ability to weather the recession may be closely linked to its diversification strategy. Since it has such a broad based approach, any potential issues that it is likely to face are marginal. The efficacy of this strategy is also borne out through the application of the Shareholder Value Analysis, developed by Rapoport (1986). Rapoport identified three specific value drivers, namely Finance, Investment and Business, all three of which if improved, could lead to a direct increase in shareholder value. In general, shareholders in a Company are rewarded in two different ways: (a) dividends paid and (b) capital appreciation, which depends upon the kinds of investments that the Company undertakes. The total shareholder return for a specific year can be calculated using the formula: TSR = Dividends + Capital Appreciation (Pike and Neals, 2006). From an examination of Nestle’s balance sheets for financial records in the European region, it may be noted that the net dividend yield percentages have increased as follows: 2006 – 2.4%, 2007- 2.8% and 2008 – 3.1% (NestleSA, 2008). The last share price in 2006 was 42.85, in 2007 it was 48.05 and in 2008, it was 45.56.(www.nestle.com). The total shareholder value for each year may therefore be calculated as follows: This result from the