- What are the seven key elements of a system? Explain what role each element plays in describing a system.
The seven key elements of a system are boundary, environment, inputs, outputs, components, interfaces and storage. Boundaries role is to set the scope of a specific system. Environment is where and to whom the system will be made and other environmental factors that may affect the system. Inputs and outputs are the things that can be taken by the system to be able to create a corresponding output or for the system to function as designed. Components are what makes up the system. It determines the modules needed by the system, what hardware equipments or other devices are needed. The role of the interface is to connect all the modules with the hardware and provide communication methods between the system itself and its users. Storage role is to keep every input and output available anytime these are needed and they must be reliable data.
- Describe some of the reasons that early dot-com companies had an initial advantage over traditional companies in developing an online sales capability.
The early dot-com companies had an initial advantage over the traditional companies in terms of sale capability because of several reasons. First, engaging in a dot-com company boosts the image of the company since this was a new way to handle business. The clients felt that this is a company that keeps up with the trend so the tendency to do business with them. Secondly, dot-com companies were available to everyone and everywhere so midevening their sources of customers. The ability to order or transact business at the comfort of their own homes was appealing to the market as burdens to physically be present in the stores are gone. Likewise, they were able to get immediate feedback with regards to the prices or availability of products. Thus they are able to store hop and do business with the company that suits their taste. Lastly, by doing business online, the companies were able to cut costs and had a free advertisement with widest coverage.
- What are some of the potential benefits of B2B applications that use the Internet?
B2B application that utilizes the internet has several potential benefits. First, an online B2B application allows buyers to have instant information on the availability of stocks and their prices. One example of this is Walmart which utilizes the internet for dealing with their suppliers. The suppliers can offer their products, send their specifications or submit quotation in an instant and with less hassle. Further, and internet enable B2B also increases the company’s market as it is made available anywhere around the world. Collaboration is among businesses is also enable through online B2B as well as capability of businesses to engage in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). For the part of the company, an online B2B will also help them in managing their data and serve as decision support as data gathered from any transaction can be utilized to determine production or in adjusting inventory levels. Likewise, these could also be link to existing company systems to serve for other functions.
- Compare and contrast a context diagram (using data flow diagram (DFD) modeling) and a use case diagram (using unified modeling language (UML))?
Data flow diagrams are usually used to model a single system and are usually used in structured or transaction oriented type of software development in a waterfall development environment. Since DFD processes that can change data, analysis how data flows and how it is stored, and the internal and external elements that may affect it, thus it becomes a process of identification, the modeling and documentation of how the data passes from one process to another in an information system but the program logic or processing steps are not shown. (Shelly, 2003) On the other hand, UML modeling can be both used in modeling single or numerous integrated systems even if these systems are not software systems in object-oriented environment. It is used to model both the structure and behavior of systems. An Activity Diagram of the UML can be equated to the function of a DFD.
- Choose one of the five competitive forces in Porter's model. Describe a new opportunity and a new threat due to e-commerce via the Internet for a specific industry of your choosing.
Threat of new entrants is is one of the Porter’s fie forces model that shapes the online sales industry. Because of e-commerce, these online sales companies or sometime online malls gain competitive advantages over the traditional stores because their coverage of market chare increases however, because this has been a trend, everyday, numerous new entrants exist with same services and sometimes utilizing social media networks. A new opportunity for these companies is to make their system available easily online to keep up. (Grundy, 2006)
References:
Grundy, Tony (2006). Rethinking and reinventing: Michael Porter’s five forces model. Retrieved from http://mis.postech.ac.kr/class/MEIE780_AdvMIS/2012%20paper/Part4%20(Pack8)/Strategic%20Management%20of%20Technological%20Innovation/8-7)%20Rethinking%20and%20reinventing%20Michael%20Porter's%20five%20forces%20model.pdf
Shelly, Gary B, Cashman, Thomas J. and Resenblantt, Harry J. (2003). System Analysis and Design. Thomson Course Technology. Thomson Learning. NY. USA.
