Introducing Azure
Overview
The paper aims at expressing the need for employing different business intelligence tools to help solve diverse business challenges. To achieve the study objective, the paper outlines how Azure can be introduced to "Your House, Your Design Company" which is a business company with significant issues in data management. The paper starts by appreciating the vital role played by information need to companies and the need for proper administration of the same. Furthermore, the challenge with data management at Your House, Your Design Company is explained in detail with an explanation on how the problem can be solved with the application of Microsoft Azure. The study further enlightens the reader on the diverse benefits of using information systems in the current era that is characterized by rapid changes with a particular focus on Azure. To indicate successful implementation of the tool, the paper uses the case study of Merlot Aero, which is an airline company that has successfully implemented Azure and experienced tremendous improvement. The paper finally concludes that business intelligence plays a critical role to an organization using different techniques. Information systems as a business intelligence technique, plays a momentous role in an organization and ought to be implemented to experience significant improvement in business operations.
Introduction
Business intelligence (BI) is a new field in the market and is considered as an efficient approach through which data is analyzed by corporate executives and managers to get adequate information to make informed business decisions (Shollo & Galliers, 2015). BI incorporates different tools and techniques, which are employed in organizations to support efficient business operations. It is worth acknowledging that data is lifeblood to any business hence should be secured, made available and accessible to different stakeholders that need to use it for the purpose of making informed decisions. Some of the significant benefits achieved through efficient management of data include making of informed decisions by organizational managers and staffs, efficient management of change and proficient management of different processes (Mousavifard et al., 2016). In the current era, business organizations are experiencing rapid changes, a matter that calls for efficient management of the firms to remain in business.
Azure Microsoft has changed the face of computing in the current global setting that is characterized by increased competition. The notion has made companies realize the benefits of engaging in centralized management and control of data as well as different organizational apps that can be run from servers or local networks. The concept has introduced the notion of storing data and apps in "cloud" and can only be accessed with the use of the internet. Besides, the new strategy allows users to gain access to information from any part of the world at any time as long as their machines are connected to the internet (Majchrzak, et al., 2016). Your House, Your Design Company as revealed from the company analysis, had a problem of data management, and the different users had a problem gaining access to the information for the purpose of making informed decisions. Therefore, with Azure Microsoft, the company will offer all its users an opportunity to obtain adequate information as demanded hence a chance for the company to increase its sales and market share in the current global setting.
Azure's cloud computing notion allows for the use of remote apps and data and although the services can still be offered by other companies such as Amazon, IBM, Google among others, the quality of services is yet to meet that of Microsoft (Copeland et al., 2015). Moreover, with the introduction of Windows Microsoft Azure, different cloud-based applications can be developed and managed off-site. Hence, some of the benefits associated with the use of the product to Your House, Your Design Company will include the following.
Because most organizations use windows in their daily, business activities, Azure can be used with windows hence has a user-friendly interface. The idea makes companies such as Your House, Your Design to find innovators who can customize apps for Azure platform. Azure is designed to run on 64-bit operating systems of Windows that support the operation of virtual machines hence allows cloud computing. The application will moreover offer Your House, Your Design Company with an opportunity to scale its use of the different applications while at the same time enhancing efficiency. According to Marnewick, (2016), the tool offers the company an opportunity to reduce management cost for the business as far as expansion of the company resource premises is concerned. Moreover, other than reduced expenditure for the company concerning the management of data, the company will also experience an efficient pricing model. Azure's pricing strategy is based on consumption rates for the company, which is reasonable as compared to other businesses.
Business strategies/Objective satisfied with use of Azure
Azure Microsoft like any technological innovation facilitates improvement in the management of the different business activities. With the application of Microsoft Azure, Your House, Your Design Company will be in a position of meeting different business objectives as required in the most efficient way possible. As echoed by Copeland et al., (2015) although there are different providers of cloud IAAS for business, Microsoft Azure remains to be the best practical business solution. The tool offers organizations with a chance to use varied platforms to engage with other business stakeholders including computing, a variety of mobile apps, and databases among other significant services.
The first objective that will be met with the application of Azure is the achievement of efficiency in the operation of the different business objectives. Microsoft Azure deploys speed in the various business operations, its use can be scaled based on demand and has a simple user interface. According to Barga et al., (2014), Azure is agile and can be used to explore new techniques hence device new strategies of accomplishing business goals. Your House, Your Design Company, will be in a position to establish whether new features can be employed in the organization to enhance business performance.
Employing Azure at Your House, Your Design Company will enable the business to meet its business objectives of conducting business on a global scale. Besides, the strategy will offer businesses with an opportunity to engage in global business operations with the company without consideration of their location. Moreover, it is in line with ethical consideration as far as environmental change is concerned. The product has various services integrated into its pipeline hence will assist in achieving the business goals in the most efficient way possible.
Furthermore, Azure has automated its tools for failover and disaster recovery to avoid any loss to the company whatsoever. Moreover, it can be used to expand its business operations to experience increased profit for the firm. Another significant benefit of using Azure is that it enhances the security of the company databases.
Users of the information system
Different users have diverse information needs, an aspect that makes providers develop information systems that satisfy their needs. The ultimate goal of information systems is to supply information that meets the needs of different users as demanded. One of the aspects that make information system relevant in the modern day business setting is because there are many users with diverse needs that ought to be met. Therefore, users of information are important individuals to IS as they are the ones that make the sector experience significant growth.
However, although users play an important role to an organization, they are often neglected as they are not given the attention that they deserve. Therefore, information systems as for the case of Azure have to put into consideration the potential needs of users. Besides, potential users are defined as individuals who engage in a huge volume of data use and access information more frequently. The issue, therefore, makes most information providers to offer information not based on demand levels but in the anticipation of users.
Some of the significant users of information include scientists, engineers, organizational managers, government stakeholders, business organizations and end user group (customers). Therefore, different user groups express different information seeking behavior based on their needs. Besides, according to Chukri, (2015), information user is a person who actively seeks for a particular type of information, and when he/she obtains the information, he/she puts it into use. For instance, some of the significant companies that use Azure include Apple iCloud, eBay, Boeing, Samsung, Mazda, LG, BMW and Dell (Soy, 2015).
Business application/implication
For the purpose of understanding the effective implementation of Azure to help solve business needs, we will use the case study of Merlot Aero, which is an airline company. Prior to application of the product (Azure), the company employees had to make many phone calls to their esteemed consumers to understand their specific requirement, issues and key expectations (Connelly, 2015 Para 1). However, most of the aviation companies expressed a desire to find a solution that would assist inefficient deployment of services while at the same time help in risk mitigation. This entailed a realizing low cost of acquisition and maintenance cost, an aspect that would contribute towards increased profit for the company.
Moreover, the business required a tool that will offer the company a chance to explore new markets as for the case of Your House, Your Design Company. However, in the past, the aviation industry had experienced a challenge of adapting to strategies that will assist the respective firms to meet their desired goals. As expressed by the company management, the organization wished to get a technique that will help in obtaining adequate customer information and engage in effective data management for the business to make informed decisions.
Benefits of information system
It is worth appreciating that information system plays a critical role in the management of different business corporations in the modern day setting. As for the case of Merlot Aero, the company experienced vast benefits from the implementation of Azure in meeting its business needs as required. As evidenced by the case study, the company (Merlot Aero), optimized most of the company operations as far as aircraft and crew utilization is concerned. To solve the issue of data management about information needs of customers, implementation of Azure led to the development of a cloud-based solution that significantly played a role in eliminating the different issues concerned with data management (Connelly, 2015 Para 3). From the implemented information system, the company benefitted from the computing services that assisted in data storage through the cloud platform. Although there were many providers of information systems, the company settled on using Azure due to the company's ability to offer a complete set of tools and techniques that enhance quicker development of the business.
Merlot Aero successfully implemented the product in the company in 2009 and to date, it has received significant improvement. Within one year, Merlot Aero was able to test the important role played by Azure to the company business and used the product to develop different platforms to assist in developing of key competencies for the company. Moreover, through the various platforms that were developed, the company could easily exchange a huge amount of information with their customers than before in the most efficient and effective manner. Besides, through different devices like Smartphones, tablets, Windows, iOS and other significant platforms, the airline company can interact with a broad range of stakeholders.
Description of how and why implementation was successful
One of the aspects that make Azure's implementation success in the different corporation is the fact that it enhances efficiency operations in the various firms. The product is quicker to deploy as compared to others and optimizes the various business processes that are involved in the airline industry. Another significant that contributed to the success of the product is the fact that it offers superior performance. Azure offers different organizations that utilize it a chance to provide instant messaging and sharing of data, regular update and management of information from any location at any time (Chukri, 2015). The product further helps the company to comply with ethical consideration as it boosts the company security in the management of data as it eliminates in any unauthorized entry by third parties. Moreover, the product can be acquired and marinated at a lower cost which is beneficial to the organizations that wish to employ it. Because it offers an integrated suite of applications, different organizations can easily choose relevant applications that suit their operations.
Cost of the information system
Compared to other products, Azure is cheaper regarding acquisition, implementation and maintenance cost. Besides, it use can be scaled based on information demand hence organizations will pay for what they use without incurring losses on what they do not need.
Problems/limitation of the information system
Information processed by IS
Input
It refers to all information/data that is entered into the computer system for the purpose of processing such as typed text and mouse clicks. An example of input data include data collected from customers on flight bookings, customer perceptions, sales input among other significant information.
Output
It refers to processed information that is provided to end users in the form of visual, auditory or tactile perceptions. For instance, it may text images that are retrieved from the computer by information users, sounds, videos among other significant information. Output information is usually used by different stakeholders to assist in making informed decisions.
Conclusion
Information system plays a major role in achieving effective management of data, a task that helps in the proper management of business. The study has proofed the fact that business intelligence plays a critical role in organizational management, especially with respect to management of business information. Through proper choice of the right information system to use, organizations can increase their efficiency level because of optimization of different business operations. Besides, with information, users can make informed decisions which are essential for proper utilization of resources. Moreover, for firms to remain relevant in the current business setting, there is a need to engage in the adequate management of information. Therefore, for companies such as Your House, Your Design Company to participate in the effective management of its business operations, there is a need to employ Azure as its information management tool.
References
Barga, R., Tok, W., & Fontama, V. (2014). Predictive Analytics with Microsoft azure machine learning: Build and deploy actionable solutions in minutes. Germany: APress.
Burela, D. (2012). Microsoft Silverlight 5 and Windows Azure Enterprise Integration: A Step-by-step Guide to Creating and Running Scalable Silverlight Enterprise Applications on the Windows Azure Platform. Birmingham, UK: Packt Publishing.
Chukri, S. (2015). Microsoft azure storage essentials. United Kingdom: Packt Publishing.
Connelly, N., (2015). Microsoft Azure Case Study on Merlot Aero. Retrieved August 21, 2016, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/microsoft-azure-case-study-merlot-aero-nicholas-connelly
Copeland, M., Manning, M., Gollob, D., Soh, J., & Puca, A. (2015). Microsoft azure: Planning, deploying and managing your data center in the cloud: 2015. Germany: APress
Majchrzak, A., Markus, M. L., & Wareham, J. (2016). Designing For Digital Transformation: Lessons for Information Systems Research from the Study of ICT and Societal Challenges. MIS Quarterly, 40(2), 267-278.
Marnewick, C. (2016). Benefits of information system projects: The tale of two countries. International Journal of Project Management, 34(4), 748-760.
Mousavifard, F., Kazemi, M., & Ayoubi, A. (2016). Employees' Productivity and Automated Information System in Telecommunication Organization in Iran. International Journal of Management, Accounting & Economics, 3(3), 211-221
Shollo, A., & Galliers, R. D. (2015). Towards an understanding of the role of business intelligence systems in organisational knowing. Information Systems Journal, 26(4), 339–367.
Soy, R., 2015. What are publicly known biggest customers of the Microsoft azure platform? Retrieved August 21, 2016, from http://www.quora.com/What-are-publicly-known-biggest-customers-of-the-Microsoft-Azure-Platform
