Management Information System: Virgin Trains

Management Information System Virgin TrainsMANAGEMENT INFORMATION dodgeA solicitude reading corpse is actually a combination of hardw ar. Softw ar and the people who social occasion the hardw atomic number 18 and software to manipulate the development within the scheme. These sources are armed service in the collection, storage and retrieval of the data in the organisation. The main function of the MIS is to store the learning and to furnish it to the management whenever it is required.INFORMATION SYSTEMAn randomness bulgeline is a brassatic structure which is formed by the organization according to its convenience for the handling of the information. There are umteen elements which piece of pass water unneurotic in the process of collecting, storing and processing of the data. A computer is physical equipment apply in the MIS or in other scripts it is the hardware involved in the information placement. The data which is mainly raw facts is not of both use so t he data has to be processed the computer programs hence help in the processing of the raw data in order to make it useful for the organizationThe computer programs are the technological comp starnts of an information system. If the people of the organization extradite proper intimacy of the programs only then they will be able to process the information effectively in the organization.RELATION BETWEEN THE ORGANISATION AND ITS MISThe organization and its information system are inseparable. The organization is very much dependent on its information system. Whenever there is a change in the strategies, or the policies in the organization the information system also goes by dint of a drastic change in the organization. The organizations inclose and future progress fully depends on the present a future functioning of its information system. Before the information systems ingrained only a small part of the organization i.e. some of the operational or the technical issues but at prese nt the information systems affect the major part of the organization such as the end making, strategy information, the products of the organization, the structure of the organization etceteratera Each and every part of the business is connected with its information system any change in the information system will affect the organization similarly any change in the organization will affect its information system.DIMENSIONS OF INFORMATION SYSTEMSORGANISATION In some of the organizations an information system is a major part of the organization. The information systems are a part of the organization only in some organizations which deal with financial services in such organizations the information system is the organizationMANAGEMENT The management is another dimension of an information system. The information system assists the Managers to dart necessary decisions. The information system succeeds the managers with the tools to plan allocate and swan work within the organization. TECHNOLOGY The technology is one of the most important dimensions of an information system. The technology is what that helps the organization to sacrifice an updated information system in the organization which can cope up with the day to day changes happening in the business environment.TYPES OF SYSTEMS IN ORGANISATIONThere are many types of systems in the organization according to the different processes in the organization the various systems are Transaction processing system, decision support system, office system, k like a shotledge work system.Transaction processing system The transaction processing system involves all the activities which are related to the ordering, order taking, and order tracking. The order processing, trading of the securities etc. The transaction processing system helps in systematically carrying out all the above mentioned activities in the organization.Knowledge work system A knowledge work system helps in connecting the different dimensions of knowl edge within the organization. The knowledge work systems combine the Engineering department, the managerial department, the Human resource department etc the knowledge work system helps in combining different dimensions of the organization and to effectively complete the work by integrating the knowledge from all levels.Management information system As seen before the management information system provides the manager with essential assistance. The MIS provides the managers with information relations to the gross revenue management, the inventory control, the decision support system the management level provides the management with the analytical models and the data analysis tools which would help in the semi structured and unstructured decision making activities. decision maker support system The executive support system provides the assistance to the management at a very higher spectrum. It helps the management with the functions such as the sales trend forecasting, reckon foreca sting, personnel planning etc so the executive support system helps the management to make decisions in these key areas. twain these above mentioned systems are interested with one another. The process done by one system helps the other system to carry out its work. The process by one system acts as a base for the activity that has to be carried by the other system in the organization. The decision support system and the executive support system often use the information obtained from the transaction processing system and the management information system. Some systems also obtain data from the outside for carrying out its activities the knowledge work systems and the decision support system use the information such as the stock market information from the outside and picture supplier information.DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMThe decision support system mainly helps in taking the structured and unstructured decision making in the organization. The decision support system uses information from both the transaction processing system and the management information system. The decision support system provides the management with the advanced analytical tools and data analysis tools which help in analyzing the data in a much wider spectrum and take the decisions much more effectively. The decision support system is much more advance than the Executive support system because the decision support system uses much more advanced analytical tools such as the linear programming or forecasting. deed PROCESSING SYSTEMTransaction processing system is one of the main systems of the MIS and the transaction processing system has five more systemsSales or merchandise systems The sales or marketing system mainly provide all information related to the market. It provides information about the product pricing, the promotion of the product, the system of the sales commission, the market research and the predicting of the market and the demand for the products etcManufacturing and produ ction systems Manufacturing and productive systems provide all information regarding the inventory, the movement of the inventory, the procurement of the inventory. It also maintains data related to the manufacturing trading operations of the organization and the quality control activities related to the organizationFinance and accounting systems Finance and accounting systems provide all information related to the financial activities of the organization. All the information of the day to day activities of the financial transactions are stored, analyzed and retrieved whenever it is required. Many activities such as budgeting, general ledger, funds management etc are carried out with the help of this system.Human resource systems The human resources systems take maintain the information relate to the each and every employee in the organization. All these informations are used for providing the employees with the compensation and other benefits. It provides help in various areas of human resource such as payroll functions, compensation, training and development of employees etc.CHANGES BROUGHT IN BY MIS IN ORGANISATIONSThe information systems are growing and achieving various levels of improvement day by day. There is mod MIS hardware and softwares which are being invented and hence there are lots of changes occurring in the organization. Due to the information systems the layers of the management has been reduced as a result of that there is a proper flow of information in the organizations. The organizations gain become much more flexible in their functioning. The flattening of the organization is one distinct feature through which the decision making of the line workers has also increased and so this has lead to the increase in the work satisfaction of the employees as the management span of control has broadened.CHALLENGES INVOLVED IN BUILDING, OPERATING, MAINTAININGINFORMATION SYSTEMSThe strategic business challenge encourages us to realize that we must be able to use information technology to design organizations so that they are competitive, effective and digitally-enabled. The globalization challenge facing us is that we must ascertain how firms can understand the systems requirements of a global economic environment. The information architecture and infrastructure challenge is that we must be able to help the organization develop an information architecture that is able to support the company goals when both the business conditions and the technologies are changing so rapidly. The information systems investment challenge is for us to know how the organization can determine the business value of systems. Finally, the responsibleness and control challenge is for us to understand how organizations can ensure that their information systems are used in an ethically and socially responsible way.ETHICAL ISSUES think TO MISEnd-user development refers to the development of information systems by end users with minimal or no assistanc e from professional systems analysts or programmers. This is accomplished through sophisticated user-friendly software tools and gives end users direct control over their own computing.Advantages include improved requirements determination, realizing large productivity gains when developing certain types of applications, enabling end users to take a more active role in the systems development process, many can be used for prototyping, and some have new functions such as graphics, modeling, and ad hoc information retrieval.Disadvantages include not being suited for large transaction-oriented applications or applications with complex updating requirements, standards for testing and quality assurance may not be applied, and proliferation of uncontrolled data and private information systems.End-user development is suited to solving some of the backlog problem because the end users can develop their necessitate applications themselves. It is suited to developing low-transaction systems. End-user development is valuable for creating systems that access data for such purposes as analysis (including the use of graphics in that analysis) and reporting. It can also be used for developing simple data-entry applicationsPolicies and procedures to manage end-user development include the followingThe organization must establish sufficient support facilities for end-user computing information centers or distributed end-user computing centers.Training and support should be targeted to the specific needs of those being trained.End-user application development should not be allowed to be undertaken randomly but should be incorporated into the organizations strategic plan.Management should develop controls over end-user computing in the following areasCost justification of end-user information system project.Hardware and software standards for user-developed applications.Company-wide standards for microcomputers, word processing software, database management systems, graphics so ftware, and query and reporting tools.Quality assurance reviews that specify whether the end-user systems must be reviewed by information systems and internal audit specialists. harbour for end-user developed applications covering testing, documentation, accuracy, and completeness of input and update, backup, recovery and supervision.Critical applications that supply data to other important systems should be flagged and subjected to more rigorous standards.ANALYSIS OF MIS AT virgin TRAINSThe company which is taken for this study is the Virgin trains. The virgin trains belong to the virgin groups. This private railway has done a reinforcement of its information system. It has fully change information system to provide better service to its customers and also to carry out its business processes effectively. The main come in of the company is to provide its employees, customers and other pursuit h venerableers with the maximum benefit through various management information tools.GE NERAL OBJECTIVESThe general objective of the virgin trains is to have an advanced information management system. The aim of this system is to have a strong IT infrastructure. Virgin aims to maintain to facilitate both the employees and also the customers in all its business activities by having an a intimately information management system backed up by advanced technology.HALCROWThe reinforcement of the technology at Virgin trains has been done by Halcrow. It is an organization which provides the organizations with outcome to maintain their information at Halcrow they have combined cutting edge information technology skills along with front line conditionway management skills to provide a very effective and efficient management information system.I.T STRATEGY USED BY virgin TRAINSThe main strategy which virgin trains is adopting now is to renew its entire information system process, feasibility studies of the information system which is implemented is carried out, also the risk involved in the system has also been analyzed .It is now concentrating to effectively maintain its marketing information. in order to do that areas like warehousing commercial data, data analysis, warehousing and using click-stream data are devoted more importance.As a part of its IT transformation Virgin trains has also transformed some of its systems such as the Train planning and scheduling data, on-train observe and reporting systems data.MIS AT EACH LEVEL OF VIRGINMIS IN CUSTOMER SERVICEVirgin has lots of facilities which help the customers with the booking of ticket. There are many facilities like the mobile ticketing platforms, chip and pin units to Bluetooth based equipment for onboard payments. These are the devices used to maintain the services provided to the customer through advanced MIS tools provided by Halcrow.MIS FOR THE MANAGEMENTThe MIS used for the management to carry out its activities is designed by Halcrow. Virgin uses the MIS solution that was framed by Hal crow to maintain activities like recruiting, Decision making, financial management etc. This MIS also helps to improve reporting around areas such as on-train shopping patterns.The MIS provided by the Halcrow also interfaces with the CRM system which is written in .NET so this helps the Virgin trains to have a good CRM with its customers.MOBILE ROLL OUTVirgin is currently finalizing trials for a roll out of handheld devices. These devices will be given to the drivers of the trains and these devices are equipped with Vodafone supplied PDAs. This device helps the drivers by replacing the paper based materials and would help in effective handling of the information.HARDWARE USED FOR THE MIS AT VIRGINHP is the main supplier of all the hardware devices used at virgin for MIS. Citrix supplies thin-client Technology for applications such as rail operation systems.SOFTWARE SUPPLIERS FOR MIS AT VIRGINThe main provider of software to the MIS at virgin is Microsoft and Capgemini has also been one of the key suppliers of softwares for the system.SWOT ANALYSISSTRENGHTThe virgin trains have a lot of potential for improving its processes. As mentioned before it is doing a revamp of all its MIS processes this puts the Virgin trains in an advanced stage and also in a strong position to face its competitors.WEAKNESSThe maintenance of the system is very expensive and the company aims to get a full return on all the investments made by it on IT. Any failure of any system which is currently being used will become a peachy weakness to the organization. since most of the processes are being experimented still.OPPORTUNITYAs mentioned before the revamping of the IT processes at the virgin is a greater opportunity for the organization to rectify the shortcomings of the old system and to have an effective new system.THREATSince most of the data used by virgin trains is dependent on electronic data any minor fault in the system would cause a threat to the entire system of virgin trains. CONCLUSIONIn this project we have seen concisely about MIS and its function in an organization. The Virgin Trains is taking MIS to a whole new level by investing firmly in its IT and also experimenting with its new systems which are going to be implemented. We saw how the use of MIS facilitates the organization on all angles of the business.MIS helps not only the organization but also its stakeholders and it helps the organization to come through its objective in a very short period.REFRENCEWendy R. (1997) Strategic management and information system, 2nd edition, pitmanMcleod.R, Schell.G.P, Management information system, 2007, Pearson Education Inc, New Jersey, Pp (8-15). weathervane CIO interview virgin train, online verified onhttp//www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/06/02/241427/CIO-interview-Virgin-Trains39-IT-remains-on-the.htm (accessed on 18/07/2010)Web Rail data management and management information systems, online verified onhttp//www.halcrow.com/Areas-of-expertise/Rail /Data-management-and-management-information-systems/ (accessed on 19/07/2010)

Christianity to Japan Essay -- Religion Religious Japanese Christian E

Christianity In JapanJapan has been a home for Shinto and Buddhist religions for centuries. The Christian missionaries during the 16th, 19th and 20th centuries worked hard to evangelize the Nipponese ground but could not get desired success. in that respect efforts in past failed partly due to sanctions imposed by the local rulers. The Jesuits missionaries traveled with Spanish and Portuguese traders to many areas of America and Asia-Pacific and established their churches and religious missions. They were funded, sponsored and trained by their respective governments in order to spread Christianity. At several places they preached the Christian faith by force but the aboriginal population did not accept it wholeheartedly. Initially the Jesuits targeted the elite class of the country and a vainglorious number was converted. The rulers overly squeeze their subject to embrace the same faith. About 300,000 Japanese were converted in the first phase. Later on, Christianity was prohib ited as the rulers started seeing them as a curse to their authority. Following a change of regime, the ban was lifted and missionaries were again allowed to enter Japan. Like many Native American tribes, the Japanese also resisted the new religion. As a result, presently Christians form only 1% of the total population in Japan. This paper is focused on how the Christian religion was introduced in Japan, the maturation of evangelism, establishment of churches, the restrictions and hurdles faced by the missionaries and priest of the new religion and the response of Japanese nation towards an alien faith. All these queries are answered in expand given as follows. Christianity in Japan spread in various phases. Like many other parts of world, it was brought by religious missionaries and the European traders and invaders. It is well-nigh in middle of the 16th century that the Portuguese traders arrived on the land of rising sun. The traders, who landed at Kyushu, brought along gunpow der that was not antecedently known to the Japanese. The local barons cordially responded to these traders mainly because of the weapons they possessed. The traders were also accompanied by Christian missionaries who were allowed to conduct their religious preaching by the local barons. A large number of Japanese were converted by these missionaries. The formal conversion to Christianity began when Francis Xavier, the Sp... ...n the Kanto area and 23.8 percent in the Kansai region. At the very least, the fact that scores of younger Japanese are choosing Christian weddings indicates that the present environment is much more open to Christianity and that the stigma once attached to the Christian faith has declined during the past several decades. Mullins and states that this observance of Christian rituals may not be considered as an indication of solid faith in the religion instead it could be associated with popular picture show stars and all of that. At the turn of century, the total number of Christians living in Japan is estimated at about 1,075,000 that accounts to less than 1 % of the total residents. The Kondanshas Encyclopaedia describes that, There were 436,000 Catholics with some 800 parishes in 16 dioceses, while Protestants numbered 639,000 with nearly 7,000 churches. The statistics shows that overall the evangelist faith has not received the desired response in the Japanese society. No significant conversions have been witnessed during the last half century. It is still a foreign religion and the one practiced by a small minority is also more Japanized rather than Christianized.

The Impact of Morality, Religion, and Law Upon Advertising Essay

The Impact of Morality, Religion, and Law Upon Advertising Religion and other value systems ar certainly crucial in defining and sanctioning sex and decency. Moslem countries tend to frown upon all kinds of salacious displays and even indirect sexual references. alike(p) Christian standards operate in such countries as Ireland, South Africa, Mexico, and the Philippines. Other cultures may be considered rather tolerant in sexual matters (for example, French commercials on public television readily show live semi-nude models) but may prohibit any show of pubic hair (Japan), the promotion of contraceptives (France), or the lewd use of women (Scandinavia and the Netherlands) in advertisements. Values change, however. Thus, the spread of AIDS has reopened the issue of advertising condoms and other contraceptives in a totally different context, which transcends the older concerns about experience control and venereal-disease prevention.The law usually parallels religious and moral stand ards.There are often statutes dealing with public indecency (in Switzerland, Thailand, and the United Kingdom), the moral protection of minors, the labor of violent displays (including sado-masochistic ones), and discriminatory job advertisements (particularly in Australia, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Restrictions on the publication and circulation of "sexy" magazines of the Playbqy variety, with their usually more risque ads, also belong to this form (Argentina, Lebanon, South Africa, and Thailand). Reflecting concerns about "sexist" portrayals, a 1979 amendment to the 1972 Norwegian Marketing Control Law states An advertiser and anyone who creates advertising matter shall ensure that the advertisement does not mesh with the inherent parity between the sexes, and that it does not imply any derogatory judgment of either sex or portray a woman or a man in an offensive manner."Similar provisions have been enacted in India , Peru, and Portugal to protect women against indecent or derogatory representations.Still, the matter of constitutional emancipation of speech as applied to advertising has raised serious questions concerning control of sex and decency in advertising. Swedish courts, for example, have not sustained some initiatives of the Consumer Ombudsman in this matter and the Swedish Parliament sta... ...and P.R. Parsons, "Self-Regulation and Magazine Advertising," Journal of Advertising, 18, 4 (1989) 33-40.Randall Rothenberg, Condom Makers Change Approach," New York, Times, August 8, 1988, p. D1.Colin Shaw, Sex and Violence, Plus Decent Research," Marketing refreshen (UK), February 1989, pp. 6-7.Sherry B. Valan, Broadcast Ad Standards for Personal Products," Advertising Compliance Service, December 21, 1987, pp. 5-7.Laurel Wentz, AIDS Condom Advertising Charts Broader Course Overseas," Advertising, Age, March 9, 1987, p. 62.Aubrey Wilson and Christopher West, The Mar keting of Unmentionables," Harvard Business Review, January-February 1981, pp. 91 102.World Federation of Advertisers, "The Portrayal of Women in Advertisements" (Brussels, April 1988).R.G. Wyckham, "Self-Regulation of Sex Role Stereotyping in Advertising The Canadian Experience," Journal of Public Policy and Marketing, 6 (1987) 76-92.Jean J. Boddewyn is a professor of marketing and international business at Baruch College, City University of New York. Heidi Kunz is an assistant vice president and financial controller with FISERV, Inc., New York.

The World Trade Organization Essay -- essays research papers

World Trade Organization (WTO)The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only planetary foreign organization dealing with the rules of peck between nations. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business. The World Trade Organization came into being in 1995. One of the youngest of the international organizations, the WTO is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) established in the wake of the Second World War. The World Trade Organization exists to en sealed that trade between nations flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. It provides and regulates the legal issues which governs world trade now . The legal documents of the WTO explore this idea and the individual obligations of member countries. Consumers and producers get laid that they can enjoy safe supplies and greater choice of the finished products, components, raw materials and services that they use. Producers and exporters k now that foreign markets will remain open to them. The result is similarly a more prosperous, peaceful and accountable economic world. Trade friction is set into the WTOs settlement process where the focus is on interpreting agreements and commitments, and how to make sure that countries trade policies work together. Then, the chance of problems spilling over into political or military situations is lessened. By lowering trade barriers, the ...

Staying Fit Without a Gym Membership :: essays research papers

Life has change in the way people ticktack in good physical condition. In the past three decades, hotshot of the many popular trends has been receiving gymnasium rank and files. People go out of their way to buy memberships to gyms which they just now even attend. Three ways that young people can stay in fit physical rule without having to pay, drive and join a gym are running, using the school gym and substituting exercise in their perfunctory routine.If one does not want to pay to get a membership to the gym but still want to stay in physical shape, they can always exercise by running. Running helps with anything you are having problems with. Running strengthens your point muscles and many other muscles as well. By running, one result stay in great physical conditions. Having daily runs will improve all chances of staying in good physical conditions without having to pay to join a gym.Furthermore, using the school gym is a great substitute for someone who does not w ant to get a membership and join a gym. They have the same quality equipment and so there is no difference. Access to the local school gym will save you a lot of money throughout the years on membership alone and yet it is the same quality exercise as if one were to pay for it.Finally, by taking epoch out of their schedules to do daily routines will help one stay in fit physical shape without having to pay for it. At work, one can take a quick five minute break and do some standing exercises. Or art object at school, one can take physical education and practice daily on staying fit. Anywhere, anytime, one can make a little time for exercise. Keeping this up daily will ensure good physical condition.Running, using the school gym and substituting exercise in a daily routine will help young people stay in fit physical shape without having to pay, drive or join a gym.

Point Paper :: essays research papers

10 point plan to remediate oversight of financial reporting process. 10 point plan to improve oversight of financial reporting process The New York Stock Exchange and The Blue Ribbon Committee saw a need for improvement in corporate auditing. They released a report of IO far-reaching recommendations intended to improve the quality of corporate financial reporting, degree 1. Revise the definition of independent director. They say the definition should accept as follows * Members of the audit charge should be independent and have no relationship with the corporation that may interfere with the exercise of their independence from management and the corporation. flower 2 Require an independent audit committee. This point states that * (NYSE) and the (NASD) Should require companies meeting the size criteria (large) should have an audit committee made up of independent directors. Point 3 Mandate minimum audit committee sizes and increased financial literacy. Companies that meet th e size criteria (large) should have an audit committee comprised of a minimum of three directors. Furthermore, at least one of the members should have accounting or related financial management expertise, Point 4 Mandate written charter expatiate responsibilities and duties. Adopt a formal written charter approved by the full board of directors that specifies the scope of the committees responsibilities, and to review and reassess the adequacy of the audit committee charter on an annual basis. Point 5 Mandate annual i3ublic disclosure of audit committee activities The (SEC) should require proof from the committee that it has adopted a formal written charter, and to see if the committee satisfied it responsibilities under the charter. These findings also should be disclosed in the annual report to the stockholders. Point 6 crystalize oversight responsibility for outside auditors. It should be specified that the outside auditor is ultimately accountable to the board of directors and the audit committee as representatives of the shareholders. Point 7 Mandate talk aboution with outside auditor regarding independence. The rules should require that the audit committee is responsible for ensuring the receipt from the outside auditor of a formal written tilt delineating all relationships between the auditor and the company, that is consistent with (ISBS) And to make sure there is no foul play. Point 8 Require outside auditor to discuss quality of financial reporting-. (GAAS) Should require that a companys outside auditor discuss with the audit committee the auditors judgments about the quality.

Essay --

JEAN PICOENGLISH 10211/23/13 ANNE sacristan HER KIND Anne Sexton is an extorianary poem writer that during the time period she began to write poems especi wholey about women , she was highly criticized because of her perspective how women were viewed and the shadow they had to live under. Male pronouncement was a huge impact that Sexton didnt face to agree with at all for which through her writing she didnt want to promote a sort of rebellions against men but to show the people what was going on , demonstrate what was really occurring during this time period and how women where outcast by society specially Anne Sexton. Anne Sexton became the voice of women through her poems and promoted this stereotype of modern women and how women role has increased in society during the years . Her Kind by Anne Sexton describe all the boundarys of a women judged by society and how this particular women the narrator in the poem describes her living condition a little different hence the usual average women , she is described as a witch and expresses her isolationfrom society by showing how she departs from everyone and people may say she not accountability in her head for the simple fact that she is not the typical ordinary quite women , instead she is more of an independent women living her life. Various critics wrote about at that place perspective about this poem Her Kind and demonstrated there different views on weather they agree or disagree with the context Anne Sexton is demonstrating in her writing and go into details to explain why she seems to think about society in this way. The dream life of MS Dog by Karen intestine , is an article ab... ...and dissatisfaction with her place in life all of her life. In conclusion both critics Karen Alkalay-Gut and Artemis Michailidou Have different analyses and ideas of the poem Her Kind , although the poem may seem very complicated to under root word at first when you read it further on it has a deeper meaning that explains Sextons life because thats what she would reflect in her writing. The writer lots uses literary elements to tell their criticism weather it would be foreshadowing certain parts or the use of smilies etc but the main concept that both critics had oer this particular Poem Her Kind is that Women used to live under male dominance until Anne Sextons poems in general changed the perspective of a women and gave them more authority to stand up for themselves and become an influence of this modern feminist lifestyle .