Information Environment

Assignment 9

Identify an information environment of your choice and write an essay to address the following questions:

• What should be your role within this environment?
• How can the principles of information organization and representation help you in performing this role?
• What are the challenges facing you in performing the role? How will you address these challenges?

To begin with, let me first define the word information. Information can be defined as facts, data or knowledge that has been acquired through study or communication. It can be sent or received by using any type of communication media. Through information, we have the knowledge about recent happenings in our surroundings, the latest market trends and the like and now that we are in the age of information technology, the most common source of information is the internet. Internet is an information technology infrastructure that is designed to interconnect hundreds of thousands of computers world wide. It is capable of sending and retrieving information from the different parts of the world in a matter of less than a minute depending on the speed of your internet connection and of your computer.

In the world of information technology, we have what we call Information Systems. Information system is the combination of the components of information technology which as we all know is the hardware and the software; and of the people or end users. According to what was written in the site www.elsevier.com, in the Information systems are the software and hardware systems that support data-intensive applications. Information Systems publishes articles concerning the design and implementation of languages, data models, algorithms, software and hardware for information systems.

Information environment refers to a group of people or an organization in the corporate world. It can also refer to the Management Information System or Information System department of a company. According to www.answers.com, information environment refers to the aggregate of individuals, organizations, or systems that collect, process, or disseminate information; also included is the information itself.

The information environment I chose is the Management Information System. This is where all the necessary and confidential information about the company is being secured or being managed. According to www.wikipedia.com, a management information system (MIS) is a subset of the overall internal controls of a business covering the application of people, documents, technologies, and procedures by management accountants to solve business problems such as costing a product, service or a business-wide strategy. Management information systems are distinct from regular information systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems applied in operational activities in the organization.

The challenges that the information environment I have chosen which is the Management Information System or the MIS department are keeping the company’s confidential information or data secured from any data thieves, moreover, protecting it from the damaging effects of unwanted computer programs like viruses, spywares, malwares and Trojans. Included in the protection of the company’s information is the maintenance of data or backing up of the databases of the company. It has been also a challenge for the Management Information System department or the Information Technology Department of a company to keep their databases up to date as always as possible. Another challenge is finding competent and dedicated Management Information System Staff or Information Technology professionals. Another challenge is deciding whether the company will opt for insourcing or the outsourcing of the business practices from the company. Another challenge is the creation of user – friendly applications needed by the company for their end users, having their end – users kept updated or taught about the system or application/s that they have created.

To address these challenges, it would be best if the company will support their Information environment by any means and at all times. The Management Information System department in return should be able to keep their staff dedicated in their work,

As an Information Technology student, I may become a part of the said information environment in the future. Align to this, I may be become one of their staff or even manage somehow the said environment because as an IT student it is the part of the field we are align with. To manage information system is part of the cycle and even so, to continue to grow, discover and find solution to the problems regarding information management system. To be part of a management information system department is a immense role to be consider.


Moreover, within this kind of information environment, the role that I preferred to be is being a MIS Supervisor. Since I am already belong on the field of IT industry because I am already an IT student right now and becoming an IT professional someday, I want to use this profession or my profession with this role though I know that MIS Supervisor is not an easy role. In fact, this is an exciting and a challenging role of a company which is the reason why I chose it. The MIS Supervisor will be responsible for day to day support of infrastructure computer equipment within the field locations. This position will provide guidance and support in installing and configuring software as well as administration of daily, weekly and monthly IT checklist. This position will involve the troubleshooting of infrastructure related problems including but not limited to, connectivity, operating systems, third party and in-house applications. This position will have supervisor responsibility over other Network Techs within their facility of operations, will drive the planning, reporting and analysis process through all areas of local operations.

The other duties and responsibilities of MIS Supervisor:

• Manage and coach the local IT support team.
• Coordination and Implementation of multiple IT projects.
• Supervise other IT staff in regards to project delegation, vacation coordination, scheduling.
• Troubleshooting of system problems to minimize down time.
• Installation and configuration of desktop computers.
• Installation and configuration of hardware accessories.
• Installation, maintenance and troubleshooting telecommunications.
• Preparation of project status reports for team manager.
• Take appropriate actions in case of IT equipment failure.
• Maintenance of Server Backups and tape management.
• Execution of daily, weekly and Monthly IT procedure checklist.
• All other duties assigned

Qualifications for this exciting position are:

• Associate or equivalent technical training required
• 10 + years working experience in the above requirements
• Strong working knowledge of Intel base computers and Servers.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft XP and Server 2003 operating systems.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Active Directory.
• Must possess demonstrated sound judgement and decision making skills
• Must have demonstrated attention to detail
• Must possess outstanding organizational skills
• Willing to work flexible hours and shifts including weekends and 24X7 on call.
• Excellent Interpersonal Skills
• Ability to work in Cross Functional teams to accomplish business driven projects.
• Excellent communication skills verbal and written.
• Ability to lead by example.
• Consistently sets an example as a high performing team member.
• Has a positive and constructive approach when dealing with others and when faced with difficult taks.
• Uses influence and organizational dynamics effectively for positive results.
• Resolves more complex issues/problems while weighing risks and considering alternatives.
• Consistently demonstrates forward thinking when presenting ideas/solutions.
• Communicates effectively in highly visible situations.
• Sought out by peers for technical/operational information.
• Confronts problems quickly and escalates issues as appropriate.
• Takes the initiative to generate ideas/solutions.


These duties and responsibilities, experience requirements and qualifications are also can be as the challenges of being a MIS Supervisor because and it will measure the proportion of your effectiveness in this role and as how much and deep is your ability, skills, and knowledge on this field.

Reference:

www.answers.com

www.wikipedia.com

http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/236/description#description

http://www.medcohealth.apply2jobs.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=mExternal.showJob&RID=8876&CurrentPage=8

http://jobfunctions.bnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=322715&tag=content;col1

Assignment 8

Outsource or In-source



Most organization nowadays already engaged in automation. Technology plays a great role in the success of a business and to be competitive in the market. Adopting the way of technology, gadgets and hardware are necessary as well as its software and people ware. One of the wide issues covered by technology is outsourcing and in-sourcing. Every business, university or organization has to determine whether they should perform a service themselves in-source or outsource. However, it is not essential or required to limit the option by choosing only side of the coin because in business things are viewed in different directions to see the right angle to make the decision more accurate based on the current situation of the company.

Outsourcing refers to the subcontracting practice of taking company business functions and contracting them out to a third party. While, in-sourcing, is the opposite of outsourcing; it means “contracting in”. In in-sourcing, an entity or company personnel who can be said to be an expert in the field to be tested is the one who will deliver/create and manage what the university needs in regards to information system.

In taking the sides on where to stand between outsource or in-source depends on the situation of the school if what would be the best option for them. There are cases that outsourcing is a good thing to do. However, in-sourcing could also be a better choice if the school holds a number of skilled individual who can do programs better than what they can get outside. In any stand there are factors of advantage and disadvantage effects to the school. These factors are essential to know and identify well to come to the right decision in concern to the current situation and resources of the company.

Resources would be the biggest factor that can effect the decision whether to choose outsourcing or in-housing of information system. The company or the school would see to it that they have sufficient funds for their forwarded action. The decision is a case-to-case basis. As a decision maker, I must have the list of all the information, advantages and disadvantages between the two proceedings.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing and in-housing of Information System.

In outsourcing, some of the advantages are:
- through outsourcing it can be used to bring in new ideas and to train internal staff,
- it ca also increased productivity and it is more service guaranteed.
- lower personnel costs
- Can focus on your core competencies
- Don't have to worry as much about keeping current in outsourced activities
- Frees up space that can be put to alternative uses
- Increases speed of delivery for outsourced activities
- Increases quality of delivery for outsourced activities
- Frees up management time
- Can reduce cash outflow
- Focus On Core Activities - In rapid growth periods, the back-office operations of a company will expand also. This expansion may start to consume resources (human and financial) at the expense of the core activities that have made your company successful. Outsourcing those activities will allow refocusing on those business activities that are important without sacrificing quality or service in the back-office.
- Cost And Efficiency Savings - Back-office functions that are complicated in nature, but the size of your company is preventing you from performing it at a consistent and reasonable cost, is another advantage of outsourcing.
- Reduced Overhead - Overhead costs of performing a particular back-office function are extremely high. Consider outsourcing those functions which can be moved easily.
- Operational Control - Operations whose costs are running out of control must be considered for outsourcing. Departments that may have evolved over time into uncontrolled and poorly managed areas are prime motivators for outsourcing. In addition, an outsourcing company can bring better management skills to your company than what would otherwise be available.
- Staffing Flexibility - Outsourcing will allow operations that have seasonal or cyclical demands to bring in additional resources when you need them and release them when you’re done.
- Continuity & Risk Management - Periods of high employee turnover will add uncertainty and inconsistency to the operations. Outsourcing will provided a level of continuity to the company while reducing the risk that a substandard level of operation would bring to the company.
- Develop Internal Staff - A large project needs to be undertaken that requires skills that your staff does not possess. On-site outsourcing of the project will bring people with the skills you need into your company. Your people can work alongside of them to acquire the new skill set.


Disadvantages are:
- more expensive,
- risk in data security


While in in-sourcing some of the advantages are:
- less expensive,
- more likely to be data secured,
- easy to access the manpower,
- offers easy access to maintenance,
- IT support if any complications occurred.
In my own opinion, taking a stand on whether to outsource or in-source the IS functions of the schools would first require a thorough study on the matter. Define the pros and cons of the two situations and weigh the two against each other. The one that has more benefits should be the action that would be taken.

To take it seriously, choosing between the two without knowing the parameters and the situations to be considered in decision making is critical. In relation to the school, outsourcing maybe good and fair. Outsourcing is mostly made to organizations that do not have the resources in making the information system. All that is needed to do is to find the people who are capable and competent enough to do the job. Tap these people to do the work and let them do there task inside the school. Present to them the functions that the school wants to be the process of the system. After that, a little assessment to the system then waits until the system is fully made. In addition, the maintenance after the making of the system is also taken cared of by the provider. The school won’t problem anymore the installation and maintenance after. But, the greatest negative factor to it is the school need to allot money for hiring the people that is enough and sufficient to support the project all the way. In which, monetary is the problem in the school.

However, in-sourcing may offer advantages to the school. Since, we have the resources of people that are capable and competent to make the system it would lessen the budget in making the system. Aside from that the data are more secured compare if the maker of the system is from outside of the school. Since, in-source the maker of the system is more reliable to the confidential data of the school. On the other side, the makers of the system will mostly the faculty member of the school which probably affects the teaching performance of the faculty maker. Where the main purpose of the instructor is to inculcate its student would possibly affect. Since, we all know that the first priority of professors should be to teach and not to create or to manage the IS facilities.

School Internet Connection

Assignment 6

If you were hired by the university president as an IT consultant, what would you suggest (technology, infrastructure, innovations, steps, processes, etc) in order for the internet connectivity be improved?

Internet connection….

Internet connection nowadays is somehow important. Internet had become essential part of any organization, may it be educational institution or business organization. It has been part of our everyday life. Especially in schools, where internet helped in a great way in easing the problems of homeworks, researches and so on. Having a stable internet connection is essential for it to cater to the needs of the user. Through, internet connection information may gather easily and disseminate easily as well. Internet is a global computer network that links computer networks all over the world by satellite and telephone, connecting users with service networks such as e-mail and the World Wide Web. It is a medium where exchanging of information is possible, can use to explore new things, search different ideas, discover things easily, see different concepts, open up issues, and even allow you to experience travel in different places in just one click.
It is also use for communication and even entertainment. There are a lot of things to do over the internet, even businesses, organizations and schools uses internet and get benefits from it to continue the work and allows advance opportunity.


As a consultant…

As a consultant, there are things need to consider in giving suggestion and recommendation. Considering on the current situation in the university’s internet connection an intricate issue to be discuss.

I would suggest first thing is to educate the users. Make it simple and go into small detail because we all know that we are in a state university and budget in limited.

To conducting a seminars would be helpful. Most of the students don't know the effects in the connection upon downloading in the Internet. It can reduce the connection speed especially when most of the user is downloading at the same time. Through seminars the student will be educated on this matter. We are already certain about the increased of bandwidth in our school, but it is just a short term solution if the students won’t follow the rules and continue to download everything from the Internet. Another one is by not making use of Internet in school as a source of entertainment. As a student it is inappropriate to the school if you are making any jobs not related to your course. You can make use of the Internet outside of the school if your purpose is to download files from the Internet. Limit the student of video streaming which I believe is already implemented in the school. In addition to these rules could be implemented to further boost the internet connection is at most 2 internet browsers with only 1 tab each should be open at a time. If a student want to video stream or to download something then only 1 browser window should be open at his station. These rules should be implemented with strict compliance to make effective.

By proper orientation of the users, faculty or student, about the proper usage of the Internet or the computer will help to lessen the cause of the problem and if the users are the ones causing the delay, then our efforts would be useless. Proper usage mean so much because no matter how fast or advance the technology your using, it will be useless if the users doesn't use their initiative. Computers are only tools, and we are the users of these tools.

Realistically speaking, imposing such rules and regulations somehow restrict the students to explore more and learn new ideas in the internet. It maybe a good way to increase the speed of the internet connection but at the same time it would put into the line the role of the school in cultivating the student.

Computer viruses are also a problem. One factor that affects the performance of the computer and the Internet connectivity is the virus dilemma. This is something that is also acquired from the Internet. Adequate and appropriate anti-virus software should be installed in all computer units or there could be one unit where removable storage media must be scanned and cleaned of any infections. I noticed that most students do not scan their removable storage media and just use them without hesitation. My suggestion would be to introduce to the users some anti-virus software and encourage them in using that software for their protection. Good and up-to-date anti-virus software would also help make the processes of computer a lot faster. In relation to the virus problems, it would also be practical and wise move to apply the deepfreeze mode on all the units in the laboratory to prevent virus to spread.


Another thing is upgrading the unit in the school. It is important to use high-speed computers in order for our connection to be fast. But since the university lacks the budget to buy new units, it is even more practical to just upgrade the computers. Even by doing it partially and one at a time would be a big help than doing nothing but wait.


Similarly, by using internet connection software that speeds up the pace of the internet that is a effective, easy-to-use program and lacks the power to provide an optimal
Internet connection because of changing, unstable network conditions. But the down side of using accelerators is that the quality of the interface will be decreased. To think of it, it is not a major problem and not a bad option since the concern is to speed up internet
connection.


Caching proxy server. A proxy server can reply to service requests without contacting the specified server, by retrieving content saved from a previous request, made by the same client or even other clients. This is called caching. Caching proxies keep local copies of frequently requested resources, allowing large organizations to significantly reduce their upstream bandwidth usage and cost, while significantly increasing performance


Using Proxy Servers. A proxy server is a kind of buffer between your computer and the Internet resources you are accessing. They accumulate and save files that are most often requested by thousands of Internet users in a special database, called “cache”. Therefore, proxy servers are able to increase the speed of your connection to the Internet. The cache of a proxy server may already contain information you need by the time of your request, making it possible for the proxy to deliver it immediately. The overall increase in performance may be very high. Also, proxy servers can help in cases when some owners of the Internet resources impose some restrictions on users from certain countries or geographical regions. In addition to that,
among proxy servers there are so called anonymous proxy servers that hide your IP address thereby saving you from vulnerabilities concerned with it.



Use network repeaters or routers to regenerate incoming electrical, wireless or optical signals. With physical media like Ethernet or Wi-Fi, data transmissions can only span a
limited distance before the quality of the signal degrades. Repeaters attempt to
preserve signal integrity and extend the distance over which data can safely travel. Routers are specialized computers that send your messages and those of every
other Internet user speeding to their destinations along thousands of pathways. So if we use routers, best path will evidently accelerate internet speed. Our school is currently using routers but internet connection was still very low.


Since we are already using fiber-optic cables and UTP cables, we should maintain and maximize the use of these mediums in order for the data to travel faster.

Increasing the bandwidth is also a good solution, but nothing will happen if it is not properly allocated. Applying the idea of properly allocating bandwidth depending on the usage is an alternative solution maybe. With this, probably, the tasks that require the most bandwidth can be properly attended to and the tasks that require the least bandwidth can also be done at the same time.

Barriers in IS/IT Implementation

Assignment 5

Barriers in their IS/IT Implementation

In an organization, barriers are common to all. In any form, there would be a barriers or hindrance to do the act and in doing some. But, these barriers may be good or bad. It would or would not help the company depending on how the company and its employee approach to these issues.

There are many forms of barriers present in an organization. Barriers that may occur may vary on what type of organization is, because in every circumstance things change. These barriers, employees have a big contribution. In fact, employees are one and have the major contribution, concerns and involvement in this matter. In addition, there are still a lot of factors that is involved in this matter of issue.

A barrier is an obstacle which prevents a given policy instrument being implemented, or limits the way in which it can be implemented. In the extreme, such barriers may lead to certain policy instruments being overlooked, and the resulting strategies being much less effective. Potential risks and barriers to implementation have board coverage.

Our adopted company is ANFLOCOR which is holding company. As a holding company their services to their affiliates or subsidiary companies is the core of their major business flow. Compare to other organizations, ANFLOCOR doesn’t produced goods or manufacture goods, but instead its focus and concerns are to its subsidiary companies. With the series of interview we had with the Senior Manager – IT and Management Services of the company, we identified some of their barriers in information system and information technology implementation.

Resistance to Technology
Resistance is present in almost everywhere. It is part of the action or activity in our daily life and in every change we plan to have. It is part of the circulation and it may or may not help to achieve the success in our action. As a matter of fact, without resistance things may won’t work well or make it balance. In a sense, it would serve as an evaluation of the action we did or the change we had.
More likely, people resist because they don’t want change. It may seems burden to them or not necessary to engage with. Frequently, resistance takes place due to lack of understanding to the changes and its implications, fear to lose something they value and missing skills or resources to carry out the change.

***In the said company, resistance of the end-users to implement new IS/IT is visible. It is one of the concerns of the IT personnel of the company every time they implement new system. End-users may experience the reasons why fear of change that is stated above. To point out, the said company does not directly consider their end-users or clients as “barrier” in implementing new IS. In fact, as a holding company, their focus is to the “internal service” they can offer to their client. They work for the benefit of its clients or customers. They also provide what the clients suggest or needed. In implementing new IS, client side and approval are sought first before the implementation made.
But, based on observation, it is most likely due to lack of orientation and evaluation to its users to the limitation, scope, parameters and opportunity of the change they plan to do.

Project Implementations Period
As stated earlier, end-user or clients approval plays a big role in implementing new IS. When a need of the client is shows, the company does their role of providing services and does the system as mandated by the clients. On the period of making the system, there would instances that alterations of the functionality occur as the pace of necessity move. In effect, it may consider as barrier in implementation of IS but only partially.


To all intents and purposes, barriers vary occasionally depending to the kind of organization. Organizations core value, concerns, goal, role, activity and priority play a significance role in every step of the way and pace of improvements. But still, a lot of factors still present and show now or later. Here are some of the potential risks and barriers in implementation of new IS that may occur in any kind of organization.


Potential Risks and Barriers in Implementation of New IS


Delayed Decision Making by External Agencies
- Delayed decisions by agencies may jeopardize timelines
- Decisions that alter requirements may affect contracts


Negative Customer Reaction
- Customer may not be satisfied because needs may not meet.
- May be customer backlash if expected benefits don’t materialize
- Customers may not be satisfied with implementation rate of program
- Customers may see this as a way to justify increase in bills

Public Pressure on Government to Change Direction
- Program will not be completed prior to some political events
- Public pressure on government to reverse decisions


Changing Technologies
- The rapid change of the technology may also be considered as barrier. Changes in technological aspect also consider before implementing new IS that in effect relate to planning. As a result, it can insure the effectiveness of the new system and cope up in the competing issue in the market.


Similarly, group processes can be as straightforward or as complex as the individuals who make up the organization. It is vital to successfully launching a new program that the leaders understand the strengths, weaknesses, and idiosyncrasies of the organization or system in which they operate. Try to anticipate barriers to implementation so that you can develop strategies to minimize their impact or avoid them altogether. The following list of common barriers can be used to help your leadership team identify potential obstacles. The list of essential elements for change can help the team brainstorm possible solutions. The lists are a good starting point for a planning session that will be most effective if it also takes into account the organization's unique characteristics.
Common Barriers
• Studying the problem too long without acting
• Trying to get everyone's agreement first
• Educating without changing structures or expectations
• Tackling everything at once
• Measuring nothing or everything
• Failing to build support for replication
• Assuming that the status quo is OK
More Barriers to Change
• Lack of such resources as time and commitment
• Resistance to change
• Lack of senior leadership support or physician champion
• Lack of cooperation from other agencies, providers, departments, and facilities
• Ineffective teams
• Burdensome data collection
Essential Elements for Change Effort
• Define the problem
• Define the target population
• Define effective treatment strategies and establish procedural guidelines
• Establish performance measures; set goals
• Define effective system changes and interventions
• Develop leadership and system change strategy


To address the problem, there are 3 things to consider in implementing new IS:

Still, as difficult as major IT implementations can be, they can be properly executed. The roadmap to success lies in successful planning and management of the overall project. Many problems can be avoided or at least mitigated by paying constant attention to the "three R's" of project management: requirements, resources and recovery rates.
These three R's comprise the foundation of effectively planning and implementing projects. Successful large-scale project managers measure each of these project components and continuously communicate their status to senior management and the project team.

Requirements
The requirements of an IT implementation define the core reasons a business is investing time and resources in the project. The requirements of a project, often referred to as the project scope, must clearly set out what the project team is expected to deliver, and should be documented in detail.
By accurately documenting the work that needs to be done, the project manager can provide senior management with a better understanding of the time frames and resources that will be required to complete the project.
Prior to commissioning a major initiative, senior management should require the project team to complete a cost/benefit analysis. This analysis should outline high-level deliverables that will result from the project meeting its goals. The project team also should define metrics and benchmarks that can be used to measure the benefits of change and the progress and completion of each deliverable.
For example, if a new system is being deployed that reduces the time required to print, sort and attach hangtags, the current amount of time required to complete these activities must be accurately benchmarked. After the new system has been deployed, management can compare the new tagging time requirements against the historical benchmarks and quantify the amount of time saved.

Resources
The second of the 3 R's -- resources -- includes all employees, consultants and vendors who are required to successfully complete the project. Resources also encompass the budgets, capital expenditures, equipment and infrastructure necessary to achieve the requirements of the project within the target time frame. Resources are the most important commodities of the project. Without them, none of the project requirements will be completed. They also can be the most difficult aspect of a project to accurately pinpoint.

In determining the amount of resources that will be required to complete a project, many base their calculations on the firm's number of full-time employees (FTEs). Deriving an accurate FTE count, however, can be a difficult task. Thousands of variables change the resource requirements of major projects on a daily basis. People become ill, quit, go on vacations and take maternity or paternity leave.
When establishing an estimate for a project, the project manager must consider the amount of work that needs to be completed and put a stake in the ground in terms of the resources that will be required to do the job. As the project progresses, it is important that the project manager revisit the original estimates with updated information, and adjust his or her team's size, budget projections, etc. accordingly.

Recovery Rates
The recovery rate can be measured from the time any requirements of the project are completed through the time the business begins to recover its capital investment. A classic mistake of many project managers is to focus 100 percent on the end of the project. If project managers do not develop and manage interim milestones, they are unable to determine the rate at which they are achieving project requirements. As a result, they are not able to clearly determine whether the project is on time and if it will meet the deadline.
In the end, requirements, resources and recovery rates must all be carefully balanced to successfully realize the benefits of a large-scale project that is on time and meets budget. As changes occur, it is imperative that the project manager identifies which of the three R's each change affects. When a project is in balance, any change to one of the three R's will cause a compensatory change in another. For example, as requirements are added to a project, either additional resources or additional time must be added to the initiative.



http://www.growthhouse/palliative
http://www.mywhatever.com/cifwriter/content/22/4481.html
http://informationr.net/tdw/publ/papers/1989ISstrat.html

SONA of the President (27 July 2009)

Assignment 7

Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's State of the Nation Address for the 3rd Regular Session of the 14th Congress
27 July 2009

During on the SONA of the president, she mentioned about the ICT or Information and Communications Technology.

Information and communication technologies (ICT) is an umbrella term that covers all technical means for processing and communicating information. The term has gained popularity partially due to the convergence of information technology (IT) and telecom technology. ICT defines a broad range of technologies, including methods for communication (communication protocols, transmission techniques, communications equipment, media (communication), as well as techniques for storing and processing information (computing, data storage, etc.)

In relation to this, the president mentioned to have an ICT department…..

“But BPO remains resilient. With earnings of $6 billion and employment of 600,000, the BPO phenomenon speaks eloquently of our competitiveness and productivity. Let us have a Department of ICT.”


ICT allows users to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are increasingly transformed by access to varied and developing technologies.
ICT tools can be used to find, explore, analyze, exchange and present information responsibly and without discrimination. ICT can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures.


More funds to education were also brought up. “Pondohan ang mas maraming classroom at computers. Kaya namuhunan tayo ng malaki sa edukasyon at skills training. Ang magandang edukasyon ay susi sa mas magandang buhay, the great equalizer that allows every young Filipino a chance to realize their dreams.”

More attention to education is a big help to all especially to the youth because what we already know, education is the key to success. More funds for classroom will make the student more effective in class and will give productive place to learn and gain more knowledge. To be aware and expose in technology would also be a great help to the student. It would make the student to be more equipped after the school life, to face the real world.


"In 2001, I said we would finance fully automated elections. We got it, thanks to Congress."

Election is a crucial event in our country. It is a big issue that is needed to have attention and concern of. Truly, it should not take advantage and even use to personal interest of any. Making our election to be automated is a big help to the process of election and to make it effective timely manner. Having automation has many advantages to the voters and to everyone. But, there are still important things that should take into account. Implementing the automation should properly discuss well, plan well and make sure it is secure.
Automation in election would be very helpful to make it more organize in manipulation of data, to make the result more reliable and fast, it may lessen the human error, and can make the process more easy and timely. It may reduce any anomaly during the election process and even in the casting of votes.
We cannot deny that the result of the election is very important to the government of our country including its constituent. The elected individual will be in the position to serve its people and to manage the political issues and concerns of the country. To make sure the laws and regulations are implemented well and assure its people to protect their rights from any vices. That is why, this automation would be a great help but it should make sure to make it fair and honest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_and_communication_technologies
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/technology/07/27/09/arroyo-oks-creation-ict-department
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_and_communication_technologies

Green Campus Computing

Assignment 4

Green Campus Computing

Environmental issues of today….

The climate is changing. The earth is warming up, and there is now overwhelming scientific consensus that it is happening, and human-induced. With global warming on the increase and species and their habitats on the decrease, chances for ecosystems to adapt naturally are diminishing. Many are agreed that climate change may be one of the greatest threats facing the planet. Recent years show increasing temperatures in various regions, and/or increasing extremities in weather patterns.

We all know that the world today is facing not only economic crisis but also with the environmental crisis. Everything that we do that has something to contribute to the environment affects us directly or indirectly. More likely, we are now starting to perceive the effect of what they called “Global Warming”.

Global Warming is defined as the increase of the average temperature on Earth. As the Earth is getting hotter, disasters like hurricanes, droughts and floods are getting more frequent.

According to Encarta Dictionary “Global Warming” is the increase in world’s temperatures that believed to be caused in part by the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse Effect is warming of the earth’s surface as a result of atmospheric pollution by gases coming from factories, burnings of plastics, etc. made by human activities. It is now feared that the warming effects are being undesirably increased, causing climate change and melting icecaps. Changes that would really inflict all creatures in the world.

To address this very important issue that everyone is involve one of the advocacies is green campus computing.

Green Campus Computing is a way that make our practices using computing devices environmental friendly and contribute to the welfare of our environment. Its concern is to the electrnic waste or e-waste to lesssen and save energy.

To broaden the idea, let us take the side from Encarta dictionary about green campus computing. It denotes to become environmental advocate, to become aware of environmental issues, and make somebody aware of environment issues. As well, supporting or promoting the protection of the environment and produced an environmentally and ecologically friendly way such as by using renewable resources. An advocacy that has something to do with the use of computers or activity of using computers software, electronic gadgets, and the like that is more likely involve to school activities and universities.

An eye-opener and movement to make everyone to…Go GREEN… to become actively interested in environmental issues and support environmental causes.

Since, it involves computers and technology; there are a lot of organizations and institution that support green campus computing. One of the medium in promoting it is through internet or specifically speaking sites, blogs, and forum. There are some of the sites that promote green campus computing is:

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/es/8450.shtml
http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2009/03/greencampus.html
http://www20.csueastbay.edu/news/2009/04/powerdown-040709.html

This site campaign to save energy and the environment by practicing green computing. They have several suggested practices of saving energy, to mention with:

Enable Power Management on your Monitor
Setting the monitor to go into "sleep" mode after 10 minutes when not in use. For the 2,800 computers on campus this could save as much as 574,000 KWh annually. Through following this, our university could really save energy and contribute to prevent the increasing condition of environmental crisis.

Turn off your Screen Saver
Despite the name, screen savers don't save anything, especially not power. Screen savers with a moving display use as much or more energy as a monitor in use. Unless it is conveying a message to the user, shut it off, and enable the "sleep" mode or turn off the monitor.

Turn off your Computer at Night and on Weekends
Turning a computer off at night so it runs only 8 hours a day reduces energy use by 141 kWh per unit or 57% savings. The 2,800 computers on campus could save as much as 394,800 kWh annually.
If your machine is a server, check with LITS or your department to see if hours of operation can be reduced.
· Shutting down computers does not reduce its life. Myths often do not keep pace with technology, modern hard
disks are not significantly affected by frequent shutdowns.
· Turning computer off uses more energy than leaving it on is not true. The truth is the surge of power used by a CPU to boot is less than the energy used by the unit when left on for over 3 minutes.

Turn off Printers (and Copiers) at Night and on Weekends
A typical laser jet printer uses 1,221 kWh if left on all the time. This can be reduced to 378 kWh by turning off at night and on weekends, a 69% savings. For the 235 LITS supplied printers on campus, this equates to 198,000 kWh.

Don't Turn Equipment on in the Morning until you Need it
Break the habit of turning on office equipment as soon as you arrive each day. Wait until the first time you need it!
For the 235 LITS supplied printers on campus, if each printer operated for 2 hours less each day, the additional annual savings would be $17,100 kWh.

Turn off Scanners and other Peripherals Except when being Used
In many offices, scanners and other peripherals are only used occasionally. Keep them off until they are needed and turn off after use.

Buying Equipment
If you are buying printers or other peripherals for the office, buy Energy Star compliant equipment. If you are purchasing monitors, purchase flat screens. Flat screens use 40% less energy (30W instead of 70W).
By switching the campus standard LITS saves approximately 103,000 kWh annually.

Reduce Paper Use
Producing paper is both an energy and resource intensive operation. In copiers alone, the Colleges may makes hundreds or thousands copies a month. Not using the paper in the first place is always better than recycling it after use.

Tips for reducing paper use:
· Print double-sided when possible
· Use 'print preview' to review documents before printing
· Archive your email by saving to a folder instead of printing it out
· Use the 'track changes' feature in Word when collaborating with others on a document to avoid printing it out
· Limit mailings — circulate by email
· Think twice before printing something off the web — save a bookmark for future reference
· Use recycled content paper (at least 30%)
· Recycle all toner cartridges and computer components

In addition…

Energy audits of campus buildings
Facilities Management that is conducting energy audits of the major buildings on the campuses. The audits identify energy cost saving measures that are implemented to reduce energy costs and consumption.

Recycling Policy
A policy that promote recycling in office materials and wastes. Unplugging electronic devices, changing light bulbs and recycling are made to help departments "green" their offices.

*** By practicing these little things in our university we may do our part as an organization to our environment. It may be little thing to consider but big things start with it. Let’s make our campus green.

References:
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/es/8450.shtml
http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2009/03/greencampus.html
http://www20.csueastbay.edu/news/2009/04/powerdown-040709.html
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