Need DQE paper complied of part1-4 CLA2 subjects
Running head: APPLE INC. PAGE 1
APPLE INC. PAGE 12
Apple Inc.
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Business-driven MIS
Management information system (MIS) can simply be understood as computerized databases which helps store a wide spectrum of data such as financial and human resource data in a well-organized manner (Uhl & Gollenia, 2016). The MIS is programmed in such a way that special reports can be generated and insights drawn from the data. Business-driven MIS means maintenance of these databases that help a business progress or achieve its goals. This happens given that the MIS helps to furnish managers with the performance report, avail accurate data necessary for decision making, better management and even aid in communication just a few roles to mention.
Business-driven MIS has incredibly or played a crucial role in the growth of Apple Inc. first and foremost the Business-driven MIS has helped in communication and efficient management of a large number of employees who work in tee firm. Apple Inc. human resource department uses MIS to communicate the employees. The department is able to send generic emails to all the intended employees and even short messages which the employees receive through their mobile phones. This means that a message, notice, memo announcement or anything can reach the employees in a matter of seconds regardless of their number and location. Effective communication is key to the growth of any firm given that it helps in relaying instructions, guidelines and communicating the targets placed for every worker. Having employees who are goal oriented, have clear instructions about their jobs chances are that productivity will be high. This hence informs one of the reasons that Apple Inc. has been experiencing constant growth over the last decade.
The other importance of business-driven MIS is that it helps to measure the achievement of goals with the aim of showing every unit manager in an organization his or her progress and performance. This benefit has been realized in Apple Inc. whereby lazy managers are fired while hardworking executives are promoted to more senior positions. A good example is the Firm’s CEO whose selection was informed by MIS. Timothy Donald Cook who is the Current Apple Inc. CEO was an industrial manager at the firm prior to his promotion. Tim Cook’s excellent performance led to his appointment as the CEO a position previously held by the Apple founder that is Steve Jobs. MIS enables this given that it helps to store data of previous years or seasons, avail the current data as well as the estimates or target variables such as sales units that were placed before the year began. With this kind of data, it’s possible to see whether a manager is able to meet the set goals or if he is even able to surpass the targets.
Information security
Information security is one crucial aspect of every organization. Information security entails a set of measures and strategies necessary for preventing, detecting as well as countering any threats on an organization’s information (Uhl & Gollenia, 2016). The aim of information security is to maintain integrity, confidentiality as well as the availability of data only to the authorized persons only. Data is a vital asset of a business and it lands on wrong and unauthorized hand it can be stolen, manipulated, deleted and other malicious things for the benefit of the unauthorized party. An example is that one can steal the identity of an employee so as to access other vital information like banks accounts and details which can be used to transfer funds. Another example is that access to a firm’s accounts such as social media accounts can damage the reputation of a firm since If accessed misleading information can be posted from the accounts. On its evident information security is important in a business.
Information can either be in soft copy that is stored in electronics such as computers and on the internet or can otherwise be in hardcopy that is stored in books and files just a few to list. Apple Inc. has ensured that both hardcopy and softcopy information is secured. To start with is the hardcopy information which mainly stored in the firm’s data centres. The company have employed a heavy security detail to guard the centres 24hours in a day. The security personnel is also well trained and well remunerated to prevent them from any temptation of allowing access into the data centres to unauthorized persons. Secondly, the firm’s data centres are only accessed by a limited number of people whose identity is captured. To enter through the doors of the data centres one is required to use his fingerprints for the doors to open. This implies that if your fingerprints or identity is not captured in by the company entry is denied.
To secure its softcopy information Apple Inc. has a department led by chief information security officer called George stathakopoulos committed to secure the data (Nonaka & Kenney, 2017). The department is responsible for carrying out a risk assessment and risk management of data. The department also does set develop information security policies to be used by the company. An example of measures that the encrypting the company’s information. This makes it hard for malicious people to read and get the information. The other strategies are like the use of passwords policies whereby employees are advised on how to create passwords, use of firewalls to deny access to certain online information and use of antiviruses. These measures have helped to keep the company’s information secure but more innovative ways need to be developed to provide more security given that technology is evolving fast and at some point, the measure may be obsolete.
Business intelligence
Business intelligence simply refers to ways, technologies and tools that a business uses to gather, analyze and also present the data to gain business insights. Collection and analysis of data by a firm is vital for the growth of any company given that first and foremost it helps in making informed decisions. Secondly, data collected from the customers help the business realize the market trends and identify the existing market gap as well as needs (Chen, Chiang & Storey, 2012). The general benefits a company which has business intelligence accrues is getting a competitive advantage in the market and being able to generate new sources of revenues.
Apple Inc. used business intelligence to develop the popular I watch. This was after realizing that there has been an increased demand for electronic gadgets necessary for health management. The data was collected from the iPhone database which showed many clients bought the iPhone since I helped them in managing their physical exercises for example running. The insight developed from the data was that if consumers would appreciate a cheaper and smaller gadget which would help them manage their physical exercises to keep them fit. It from the insight that Apple developed the smartwatch which is popularly known as iWatch. There is a wide spectrum of benefits that apple inc have accrued from the iwatch among them being increased revenue. Secondly, it evident that business intelligence is vital for noting marketing trends.
The other way that Apple Inc. collect data for analysis is through the collection of customers’ email addresses and the use of pay per click ad advertisement method. The pay per click method helps, in particular, to inform the company the number of clients who view it add online and the effectiveness of the method. This is crucial for the marketing department since the department is able to make decisions about the best advertisement methods it will employ using the data. This proves that business intelligence has played a key role in decision making of the company.
Information Systems
Information systems can be understood as interrelated components which comprise things such as hardware, software and data which work together to enable, collection, coordination, analysis, storage and retrieval on demand for information. There are various kind of information systems such as transaction processing, decision information and decision support information system just a few to mention.
Apple Inc. has been using information system since its inception and it is one of the company’s pillars. Firsts and foremost the Apple Inc. has been able to sell its products online such as the iPad and iPod successfully courtesy of transaction information system. This particular information system enables, display, modification, collection, processing as well as cancelling of a transaction. This implies that one can purchase an iPod online from the company’s online store from the comfort of his or her home using either a computer or smartphone. The other avenue information systems have proved to be inseparable with the business is in its iTunes business. The iTunes is one of the largest avenues for purchasing digital media such as music. The success has been brought about by information systems which enables the business collet client’s views and other important information which the company use to decide how to improve the iTunes.
Data management
Data management entails acquisition, storage, processing, validation as well as providing security for the data. The aim of data management is to have timely access to reliable information. Furthermore, information management is essential given that it helps simplify and provide quality information from which insights can be gotten from.
Apple Inc. has used data management to develop customer loyalty it and to better customer engagement. The company acquires, stores and analyses the customers’ feedback who uses and buys it products. It from these review, comments and feedback that is able to improve the quality of its products. A good example was when the company developed the Mac PC. The development came about as a result of Macintosh success but which was accompanied by tonnes of reviews. The customers wanted a friendlier graphical user interface which was not the case with Macintosh. The second avenue data management is essential especially to managers is the maintenance of resources data. This is, for example, human resource data. Apple inc manages its employees' portfolio through data management. This makes it easy to carry out some tasks such as payment of salaries to the over 100, 000 employees in less than an hour.
Tools Business
There is a wide array of business tools that are used to improve the performance of an organization and how it's controlled. Examples of the tools include but not limited to planning, record and control tools. Business tools are essential in the sense that for example if they aid in planning it means that they lower the cost of forecasting or save time that could else be used to manually analyze data so that to forecast and plan how to achieve the targets.
Apple Inc. uses an array of business tools to ease some of its operations. These tools are fortunately its own products. The company equips its employees as per their needs with Mac, iPad and iPhones. These gadgets have incredible features of gathering and analyzing data. Moreover, the gadgets can make good use of applications that help in planning such as Zoho. By doing so the company is poised to experience continuous growth.
Networking
Business networking entails forming a mutually beneficial relationship with customers and other organizations. There are several benefits that a business which networks get. Some of them are increased visibility, meeting new potential clients, converting other organization into your customers and sharing knowledge with the other business.
Apple Inc. has been keen to tap on these benefits. The firm has formed a mutual relationship with Nike which is a reputable sportswear producing company. Apple has collaborated with NIKE to make the NIKE-iPod sports kit (Nonaka & Kenney, 2017). The kit helps runner monitor how they run on two websites that are the iTunes and Nike+. This relationship has worked for the benefit of apple Inc. which have gotten an increased market for its iPods.
E-commerce
In this digital era, e-commerce has gained a lot of popularity and acceptance. A lot of business transactions are carried online. Apple Inc. revenues are driven by e-commerce. The company makes an average of $5billion from iTunes (Apple Inc Donohoe, McGill & Outslay, 2012). sells music and movies online which earns it this high revenue. The other products the company has and conducts e-commerce through them are iBooks and Appstore. Clients can purchase books online from the iBook. Additionally, customers can buy priced application simply on the app store.
Client Relation Management (CRM)
Customer relationship management means the techniques and strategies employed by a firm to enhance its customer relations, manage the relations and even maintain customer relations (Mascarenhas, Kesavan & Bernacchi, 2016). Customer relations are important to a business given that they determine whether there will be a brand switching or brand loyalty. Given that firms chase brand loyalty the management is obliged to devise ways through which to foster good customer relations.
Apple Inc. enjoys a notable brand loyalty courtesy of its good customer relations. One of the ways that Apple ensures good customers relations is by training its sales representative found in its stores. This ensures that apart from purchasing iPhone clients are well handled and educated on the importance of having an apple product. Secondly, the company has always been asking for feedback from customers after serving them. Thirdly, after purchasing and registering an Apple Inc. product the company does stop there, the customer receives emails pertaining to the product which also help manage customer relations (Mascarenhas, Kesavan & Bernacchi, 2016). Lastly, is the online presence of the firm. Apple Inc. has official Facebook and Twitter accounts whereby it responds to clients’ queries and questions at any time they arise.
References
Chen, H., Chiang, R. H., & Storey, V. C. (2012). Business intelligence and analytics: from big data to a big impact. MIS Quarterly, 1165-1188.
Donohoe, M. P., McGill, G. A., & Outslay, E. (2012). Through a glass darkly: What can we learn about a US multinational corporation's international operations from its financial statement disclosures?.
Mascarenhas, O. A., Kesavan, R., & Bernacchi, M. (2016). Lasting customer loyalty: a total customer experience approach. Journal of consumer marketing, 23(7), 397-405.
Nonaka, I., & Kenney, M. (2017). Towards a new theory of innovation management: A case study comparing Canon, Inc. and Apple Computer, Inc. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 8(1), 67-83.
Uhl, A., & Gollenia, L. A. (2016). Digital enterprise transformation: A business-driven approach to leveraging innovative IT. Routledge.