...For Companies Both Big and Small: Running a Business on Smartphones 02 September 2015 In which ways do smartphones help these companies be more profitable? To what extent are improvements in performance coming from revenue increases or cost reductions? Provide several examples from the case. Smartphone’s assist these companies in multiple ways to increase their profitability. In the case of San Antonio based utility provider, CPS Energy, it streamlined there operations. In some situations in the field their current model of operation often required multiple, non-specialized individuals to address a single incident or work order. The use of cell phones allowed not only for a single individual in most cases to be dispatched, that individual could perform multiple functions. The Smartphone could be utilized to take pictures on site of damage or infrastructure concerns and relay that information (photo) to the office immediately. This allows expert troubleshooting off-site, enabling instructions to be sent back to the employee in the field or the appropriate individual dispatched; who also will be available, in a moment’s notice, via theory Smartphone. In addition the Smartphone provides GPS capability for tracking and locating and as emergency notification if necessary. All of this translates into to fairly significant cost reductions for CPS Energy. While it does not specifically state in the case study, it can be assumptive that the fewer field personnel dispatched...
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...Real World Case 2: For Companies Both Big and Small: Running a Business on Smartphones BACKGROUND CPS Energy CPS Energy, based in San Antonio, Texas, is the largest municipally owned energy provider in the nation. Acquired by the City of San Antonio in 1942, it serves 717,000 electric customers and 325,000 natural gas customers in and around the 7th largest city in the nation. The company’s VP and CIO compared the company to other major companies like UPS and FedEx, and realized there was a disparity in his business operation – insufficient labor usage due to the lack of adequate communication. From this realization, the Magellan Program was created. As a traditionally siloed workforce, the Magellan Program was a way to “better mobilize and connect its workforce to the people and systems they needed to do their jobs.” It provided smartphones and custom mobile devices to field employees, most of who did not previously have PC’s, cell phones or Internet access. The company was able to build its own secure Wi-Fi networks. Workers now have access to SAP, e-mail, office applications, voicemail, video and pictures, conferencing, and other corporate systems and applications. It extended CPS’s networking infrastructure and connected a traditionally siloed workforce. The program reduced workers resolution process. Field employees can work more efficiently because they have access to data they need to...
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...ADM 3713 - Management of Information Systems 24 May, 2014 For Companies Both Big and Small: Running a Business on Smartphones Table of Contents Introduction Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Citations Introduction CPS Energy a company based in San-Antonio, Texas, the nation largest municipally owned energy utility providing both natural gas and electric service. Christopher Baaron, CPS Energy's vice president and chief information officer show that external changes was imminent or else they won't have been a position to compete in the future that's when the company introduced the Magellen Program; as a better way to mobilize and connect its traditional workforce to the people and systems they needed to do their jobs. The goals of the program is to extend CPS’ networking infrastructure, build its own secure wi-fi networks in offices and warehouses, deploy smartphones and custom mobile applications to all CPS staffers who didn’t have a laptop or other mobile device. Previous to the Magellan Program CPS workers had limited access to IT systems and resources if they are not in the office or warehouse, they had to be physically present to diagnose problems, which meant deploying several employees to a particular problem site taking several days to finish. Lloyd's Construction in Eagan, Minnesota, a family run company that provides expert demolition, excavation, roll-offs, waste management, and related services, taking down commercial...
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...Europe, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. OPPO is dedicated to delivering customers with the most extraordinary mobile experience through meticulous designs and smart technology. The Art of Technology There’s an Art to Living Life. At OPPO, we’re here for those that expect more from their smartphone than a run-of-the-mill experience.This is the reason for the dedication and effort we put into bringing users the very best, which is why we put as much effort into what our phones can do for you. We are driven by our love for art. Our devotion and dedication to the art of technology is what inspires us to create beautiful products-inside and out. Everything is considered. From the tactile qualities to the aesthetic aspects of each of our devices; every angle, every color, every piece is meticulously crafted…so we are left with not just a remarkable looking device, but a cultivated experience. We put as much thought and consideration into the designing of our products as one would into designing their own unique lifestyle, right down to the very minute of details. It is here, where the art of technology and life convene. OPPO Global Business OPPO is relentless in the pursuit of the latest technology, the highest hardware quality standards and in delivering the best user experience possible. We design, manufacture, and promote our own products to assure customers of reliable and the highest end products possible from beginning to end. Since its founding...
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...Smartphones have changed the way we travel both abroad and locally. Before modern smartphones were available, individuals would have to rely on payphones (if they were even available at their destinations) in order to communicate with their companies, and had almost no way to send documents (until faxes, which do not hold the same quality as scanning and emailing) or attend meetings while on the move. From the creation of the smartphone that started the major smartphone movement (BlackBerry) to today’s phones, there are many ways that working professionals can utilize the now almost invaluable piece of technology in their pockets. Smartphones have changed the way we travel not just during, but from start to finish. With current smartphone’s on the market, working professionals can easily schedule, make changes, and receive notifications while they are on the move. With today’s smartphones becoming both more secure and more powerful, it is easier to use them for scheduling or rescheduling flights with just a few minutes’ worth of time. Getting caught in traffic can easily build up tension for travelers, which is not good for people in general. With the use of newer and more powerful phones, individuals can switch flights while they are stuck in traffic. Notifications of flights are another benefit that makes travel a more pleasurable experience. The flight coming in from Miami can be delayed due to rain can trigger an alert to the individual waiting at the Starbucks. This means...
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...in mobile gadget platforms. The Google Android platform is increasingly becoming dominant in the smartphones and tablets market. Nokia, a once leading company in the mobile phone market is slowly entering the smartphone market with a new range of Lumia smartphones powered by Windows 8 mobile as it phases out its range of Symbian powered smartphones. Equally, Motorola Mobility is trying to gain a share of the market by increasing its product portfolio of smartphones in the Droid family. The Android Operating System powers the Droid range of smartphones. Samsung is by far the largest mobile manufacturing company in the world with a full range of Android powered smartphones in the Galaxy family. The recent entry of the Samsung Galaxy SIII heightened the competitive advantage of the Android Software Platform based on the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) software. With HTC,Blackberry OS, and Microsoft Mobile as a distant competitors, the war is clearly not between mobile phone manufacturers but the war is between software manufacturers, and in this case,Apple iOS and Google Android (Katie, 2012). Currently, the competition between Apple iOS and Google Android is so close such that it becomes difficult to tell the superior operating system (Ian, 2011). Undeniably, each mobile platform has its strengths and weaknesses. Advantages of Android OS over Apple iOS For Consumers Devices running the Android Operating System are versatile such that the UI (User Interface) enables users to multitask...
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...Mobile Computing and Social Networking CIS 500 Info System Decision-Making With the advancement in technological innovations, users have migrated from desktop to smartphones. These smartphones provides a significant number of features than a desktop, which requires better hardware requirements and processor usage for running software and applications. While in comparison to desktop applications, smartphones requires less memory storage and processor requirements for running mobile applications, which can run on low powered handheld devices. Within a few years mobile users have increased at very high rate because of their features such as portability, rich graphical interface and support for media formats with high-quality resolution graphics. Most popular smartphone operating systems that are used on the smartphones are Android, iOS, Blackberry, and Windows. There are numerous advantages of mobile applications in which a user can perform most of their tasks with ease and flexibility. These smartphones have several features that support for E-Mails, text messaging and video conferencing with users who are residing far away. The reason for using smartphones is the availability of a large number of applications in which business organizations can also offer their services and performs their business processes. There are thousands of applications available from online application (app/apps) market for individuals such as educational apps, games, recipes, shopping, analysis...
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...Professor Kevin Ho December 09, 2011 Executive Summary The advancement of technology has helped organizations reach success. Because Information Technology (IT) plays an important role in business, it is important to understand how it improves business functions. Mobile devices are common in the market and since it reaches millions of consumers, it makes it easier for businesses to stay connected with their employees. In this paper I explore the correlation between organizational success and the use of mobile devices, what smartphones have to offer and how it creates employee mobility, and a comparison of the top two selling smartphones currently in the market, the Blackberry and the Iphone. Mobile Technology: Paving a Way to Organizational Success The invention and revolution of mobile devices Since the beginning of civilization, men have discovered ways to be more efficient. With the discovery of science sprang the creation of electricity. Since then we have been looking for more innovative ways to invent things that make our lives more comfortable. For example, the first car was invented in the 1700s and has come a long way since then. What was once to be considered heavy steel on wheels running on motor oil has revolutionized to a fuel efficient vehicle mostly running off electricity. With the advancements in technology, it is hard to imagine a world without it. Technology has opened many doors that has allowed us to do things people back then can only dream...
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...What it is: Portable power chargers are small battery packs that can be used during the day to top off batteries when they get low. What it does and how: Our products will charge your smartphones when you move. Consumers can store power to the ‘portable charger’ like an extra battery for your smartphones, and your smartphone will be refilled by connecting to the ‘portable charger’ whenever you want. How it addresses the problem/pain: While phones and tablets now get decent battery life, frequent travelers can infinitely use their cellphones and students can be unlimited to use their iPhones daily. Long days away from power outlets and heavy usage can drain even good batteries dry. What it is: Portable power chargers are small battery packs that can be used during the day to top off batteries when they get low. What it does and how: Our products will charge your smartphones when you move. Consumers can store power to the ‘portable charger’ like an extra battery for your smartphones, and your smartphone will be refilled by connecting to the ‘portable charger’ whenever you want. How it addresses the problem/pain: While phones and tablets now get decent battery life, frequent travelers can infinitely use their cellphones and students can be unlimited to use their iPhones daily. Long days away from power outlets and heavy usage can drain even good batteries dry. Concept Summary Concept Summary + Local market experts + Reliable Chinese OEM supplier + Easily...
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...AMITY INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL | Fall of Another Smartphone Giant-Blackberry | Another Example of Technology Obsolescence and Strategic Failure | Submitted By: Ghan Shyam Rathi Once a pioneer and leading light in the smartphone market, BlackBerry is in a potentially terminal downward spiral. The Canadian company, formerly known as RIM (Research in Motion) established an iron grip on the enterprise and successfully bridged the gap from pager, to handheld computer, to smartphone. It was once the dominant smartphone due to its mobile email popular with businesspeople and tech-savvy consumers. Nicknamed “the CrackBerry” because it was so addictive, the device was declared by Oprah Winfrey to be one of her “favourite things”. US President Barack Obama could not bear to part with his BlackBerry and Madonna said she slept with hers under her pillow. In the last couple of years Apple's iPhone and Google's Android platform have taken over with a combined market share that tops 90 percent. Struggling to arrest a declining user base, amid poor sales of its latest devices, we are now hearing that BlackBerry might sell up. Brief: BlackBerry Limited, formerly known as Research In Motion Limited (RIM), is a Canadian telecommunication and wireless equipment company best known as the developer of the BlackBerry brand of smartphones and tablets. The company is headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It was founded by Mike Lazaridis, who served as its co-CEO along...
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...M Business by for SMT 272954, Computer Information Systems Professor Roger Preece December 19th, 2013 M Business Introduction There are about 4 billion phones being used in the world today, and 1 billion of those being used are smartphones. Since 2012 more than 50 percent of local searches are performed on smartphones. Mobile internet usage is taking over desktop usage everyday. Any small business that is going to ignore this is putting the growth of their company at risk. One obvious business advantage of making the business more mobile is that it allows the business to keep going no matter where you may be at.” A study by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council found that business owners estimate they save 291 hours of their own time each year using mobile technology. That’s an extra five or six hours a week that can be spent focusing on generating revenue rather than toiling on admin”. Moving the company in a mobile direction and creating an application is the smartest thing to do. Applications are now probably the best way for the company to add value to the business and communicate directly with the customers. A huge positive with using applications is they are very cost effective and efficient. “The modern client will always go for the products or services that meet them at their comfort zone. You can only achieve this by creating applications that run on the most used gadgets around the globe, making it easier for prospective clients to reach...
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...including phones and tablets in the business place Mobile devices including phones and tablets in the business place Proposal Topic This proposal discusses the use of mobile devices including phones and tablets in the business place, the impact that has affected all corporations and shows a promise to a bright future for many companies. Technology today keeps everyone in touch 24/7. Many business professionals are required to carry a smart phone or depending on the company are provided with a smart phone for company purposes only. The accessibility of a person 24/7 makes it easy for companies to get in contact with its employees quickly for emergency situations. According to the article offices go mobile, “66% expect to be able to use any devise-personal or company owned—to access corporate networks, 66% would take a job with less pay if they got more flexibility in their access to and use of mobile devises and 60% believe it’s not necessary to be in the office to be productive. Problem Many companies are still new to using primarily mobile devices to conduct all business ventures for a company. Companies also want to make sure that the mobile devices being used are completely secure so that no information is going to be accidently released. Companies may want to go to using mobile devices for the easy access of the employees and the customer but may not be able to afford the type of technology that is needed to have a business run from mobile devices. Some companies...
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...in mobile gadget platforms. The Google Android platform is increasingly becoming dominant in the smartphones and tablets market. Nokia, a once leading company in the mobile phone market is slowly entering the smartphone market with a new range of Lumia smartphones powered by Windows 8 mobile as it phases out its range of Symbian powered smartphones. Equally, Motorola Mobility is trying to gain a share of the market by increasing its product portfolio of smartphones in the Droid family. The Android Operating System powers the Droid range of smartphones. Samsung is by far the largest mobile manufacturing company in the world with a full range of Android powered smartphones in the Galaxy family. The recent entry of the Samsung Galaxy SIII heightened the competitive advantage of the Android Software Platform based on the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) software. With HTC,Blackberry OS, and Microsoft Mobile as a distant competitors, the war is clearly not between mobile phone manufacturers but the war is between software manufacturers, and in this case,Apple iOS and Google Android (Katie, 2012). Currently, the competition between Apple iOS and Google Android is so close such that it becomes difficult to tell the superior operating system (Ian, 2011). Undeniably, each mobile platform has its strengths and weaknesses. Advantages of Android OS over Apple iOS For Consumers Devices running the Android Operating System are versatile such that the UI (User Interface) enables users to multitask...
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...Sandeep Kolipaka Research in Motion - RIM NETW583 05/20/14 1. What were some of the challenges that RIM faced to protect its intellectual property, and how did RIM handles those challenges? In 2000, RIM encountered a huge challenge in the form of New Technology Products (NTP), a holding patent company. NTP notified RIM of their patents that RIM wireless email service infringed upon and offered a license. However, RIM argued that there is no infringement as its replay stations were in Canada. NTP filed a law suit and the case had lasted for six years. The case had a big impact to US government so that the US Supreme Court had to involve. A threat of shutdown BlackBerry provoked big concerns from not only US businesses but also Department of Defense. To save the big market, RIM finally reluctantly agreed to pay a settlement of $612.5 million to NTP. The settlement brought a jump in RIM share nearly 15 percent which was a surprise. Protecting intellectual property is one of important security concerns of a company or firm. There are several ways to implement that policy by blocking video camera of employee’s phones and request them to register their phones. To protect its intellectual property, RIM records all of its employee’s conversations by using its domain. Anyhow, all communications within RIM network are logged and kept tracked. In case of any breach of information, the company will wipe out immediately all the...
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...to their information technology system. In this paper you will see suggestions on how the simplest updates to there technology system can improve the longevity of their business and help the club to run efficiently. I’ll first begin by offering some suggestions as to some great updates to their hardware, software and communications center. Information Technology Hardware/Software/Communications The first thing I would suggest doing is upgrading the Internet connection from dial-up to DSL or HSI (high speed Internet). It is much faster than dial-up and will allow for a quicker processing time at the bar and with software and downloads. Once the transition from dial-up to DSL takes place I would suggest upgrading the memory by adding and maybe running Windows XP to increase the speed and run the business efficiently. Lastly, smartphones or iPods would be a great way to not only communicate with each other about business while at Club IT, but is also a great way to keep track of business. With so many applications that are free for businesses to use and download on their smartphone or iPad, it helps to keep the business running efficiently and smoothly. You could have sales for the hour of the club right at the tip of your fingertips. FAIS - Accounting and Finance Since Club IT is a small business, to help reduce operating costs a great way to save money would be to purchase QuickBooks software. This software makes it easier to organize files, track sales expenses...
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