Managing the software enterprise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Managing the software enterprise - Essay Example Certain kinds of special configuration management software are also available to do the task in a more effective manner. When a system require software or hardware upgrade, a computer technician can accesses the program of the configuration management and database to see what is presently installed. The technician can then create a more informed decision regarding the upgrade needed. The major benefit of application of a configuration management is that the whole collection of systems can be evaluated to ensure any modification made to one system do not negatively affect any of the other systems. Configuration management is used to help estimate project cost and duration. It provides cost estimating support for the period of the planning and design stages of projects for optimization of the design and studies of value engineering, risk assessment life-cycle and cost analyses. Question 2 is based on a case study of an ERP system that, unlike the ‘Cisco’ case study looked at in the previous TMAs, failed. a. This part of the question relates to the management of resources. (10 marks) Vicro communications is a global provider of products and services that enable industries to communicate through digital and print technologies. As a prominent dealer of document formatted information, data based marketing and print outsourcing, they manufactures and delivers business communication products, Vicro designs, services and solutions to consumers. This case study consists mainly of three resource areas that include technical, human and financial or timescale components. The company undertake over 100 distribution and manufacturing services. About 14,000 employees, spreading over serving 47 countries work for them. It gives a leading edge in IT systems and provides modern solutions that allow firms to adapt to the dynamics of change. â€Å"Vicro is a large company with approximately 2.45 billion in 1999 and 2.26 billion dollars in 2000 revenue† (Tingey, et al. 2003). The relation between BPR and ERP Vicro provides project management, consulting, distribution of high volume and reengineering, customized connections to its customers. It also delivers personalized, simple to read documents planned to help a positive idea on an organization’s clients. The company has become a market leader in organizing critical business communications. It facilitates products and services that contain statement, government noticing, cards, plan member communication, policy holder and database marketing. The main technologies used by the company include mainframe systems to store centralized production data and provide the core functions of the business and client server technologies for growth as well as handling routine daily tasks. These processes mainly include email, web access, file transfer etc. b. This question relates to risk management. (10 marks) i. Risks can be ranked, according to which these must be tackled first when resources are scarce. Generally, risks with high severity and high likelihood of frequent occurrence must be tackled first, and risks with low severity and low frequency need to be accorded lower priority. In this case study, the main risk is organizational risks, which

Opinion of experinces at Commonwealth Scientific of Industrial Research Paper

Opinion of experinces at Commonwealth Scientific of Industrial Organization (CSIRO) - Research Paper Example The objective of the organization guides it toward performing certain activities. The objectives of the business in most cases are directly related to the organization’s core business activity. After going through the company’s history, I have realized that the main role of CSIRO is carrying out scientific research for Australia’s benefit and facilitating the application of the research results. Other functions include international scientific liaison, research workers training, maintenance of measurements standards, distribution of scientific and technical information and publishing scientific papers. However, the activities and products of the organization may to some extent affect the society. I believe that CIRO as a reputable organization manages its products well and engages in social responsibility. Given that nanotechnology may have a lot of implications in the future, I hope to find out from my experience in the organization what these implications will be. There are various types of businesses including sole proprietorship, partnership, and limited companies. Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages. With almost no doubt CIRO is a company. Yet again, there are various forms of partnerships that may be established at the institutional level. Organizations normally work together to achieve various goals, sometimes sharing resources and in other cases sharing knowledge. Joint ventures are, for example, established so that the companies involve benefit from each other or gain advantage where there are restrictions in case they go alone. I have learnt that CIRO engages with various organizations at different levels in the course of its duties, something that I believe is beneficial to it. I hope to establish with time which organizations CIRO engages with chiefly, and the relationships that exist between them (joint venture, partnership, research partner†¦). I believe I will appreciate these relationships

Skills Evaluation (Personal and Professional Development for Business) Essay

Skills Evaluation (Personal and Professional Development for Business) - Essay Example This means the company should identify, select, and develop the right product to satisfy customer needs. With the help of marketers, a company should set the right product to make sure that it does not exploit customers and earn its profits. It is the work of marketers to give advice on distribution channels to suite the customers. Marketers are of great importance when it comes to promotional strategies as they advise on the best promotional media to communicate with customers and prospect new ones. When one is marketing a service, the delivery process to meet customer satisfaction matters since it should be the shortest and most efficient one (Bennett, 2011: 8-27). The people skills on offering the service are of high importance because the marketer ought to be professional and effective. The physical ambiance of the premise or environment is critical, since customers will evaluate the product based on the physical appearance of the environment; for example, a hotel needs to have a very clean and neat environment, as customers will associate it with healthy eating. Because of good environment, customers tend to be repetitive and bring more business. If the environment is unpleasant, customers may never come back, and worst of all, may spread bad reputation to other customers. My passion and ambitions for marketing are driving me to the desire of becoming a competitive marketing manager. My academic studies are continuously improving and equipping me with the necessary skills and techniques required for a successful marketer. I have a wide network of professional marketers who continuously applause marketing exercises. This is a source of motivation. A marketer needs several marketing skills for success. These skills help a marketer go along with people well, execute tasks with ease, and operate within strict deadlines. Employers expect from marketers, just like any

Explain the basic principles of MR image production Essay - 2

Explain the basic principles of MR image production - Essay Example MRI is the safest imaging clinical imaging technique that is used for a variety of medical purposes like differentiating between normal and pathological tissues for diagnosis and tracking dynamic changes in tissue properties over time. Magnetism is physical phenomenon in which materials and moving charged particles can attract or repel other materials or moving charged particles (Ballinger, Intro to MRI, 1998). Magnetism results from moving electric charges or intrinsic spin moments of electrons or nucleis. Spin is a quantum mechanical property. This means that the available spin energy levels are constrained to specific, discrete values. A spin 1/2 particle has only two possible spin states: spin up (+ 1/2) or spin down (- 1/2). The magnetic moment is aligned with the spin. The spin-up and spin-down states are described as being equal in energy, or degenerate. However, if another magnetic field is introduced, the spin-up and spin-down states will be no longer equal in energy. The energy difference introduced by applying the external magnetic field is known as the Zeeman splitting (van Geuns, 1999). This effect is very important in such applications as magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetism can be classified as par amagnetism, diamagnetism, ferromagnetism, and antiferromagnetism (Ballinger, Intro to MRI, 1998). Having microscopic magnetization, protons within a magnetic field produce wobbling as they spin. The rate of this wobbling or precession constitutes resonance or Larmor frequency (Intro to MRI). The application of a radio frequency pulse at the Larmor frequency causes a change in the distribution of spins with respect to their energy state and precessional phase coherence (Rodr ´Ã„ ±guez, 2003). Practically, it means that If individual nuclei is exposed to RF radiation at the Larmor frequency, nuclei in the lower energy state jumps to the higher energy state (Intro to MRI). Upon

Types of Lifestyles Adopted by Families in the United States Essay Example for Free

Types of Lifestyles Adopted by Families in the United States Essay In the United States the most common type of family structure adopted is the Nuclear family which consists of a father, mother and kids. It is structured around the concept of a single family unit based on the concept that it is able to independently support itself. The number of children is not fixed but when the family is unable to cater to the needs of its members and more members are involved in managing a home’s finances it becomes an extended family. Yet, the extended family structure was never that prevalent in the United States at any period in time. In recent years a gradual shift has been observed in the family structures and the lifestyles practiced in them. The structure has changed due to numerous factors such as the acceptance of single parenting by the society, more open approach to adoptions and government permission of homosexuals to marry and begin families. Also the number of kids play a crucial role in determining the family structure as there are many households which just have a couple who have no desire for having kids (AEM, 2005). A rising trend is the Single parent household, with one parent, either the mother or the father, taking full responsibility of the kids and not requiring the help of the other parent. This kind of household is rising due to the increasing divorce rates and increasing opportunities for both sexes to indulge in activities which did not fall under the responsibilities of the gender role. Such as, fathers becoming more sensitive to their children’s needs and problems and mothers working to bring money home to support the family. Grandparents are also becoming more involved in the raising of the grandchildren rather than the parents. Many people regard this phenomenon in a negative light as parents shirk their responsibilities leaving the care of their own children to their parents and not providing a nurturing environment themselves. With recent amendments in legal rights, homosexuals have been given the right to marry in many states and also the right to adopt children. The right of homosexuals to adopt children is widely debated as being immoral and corrupting the children making them turn into homosexuals themselves but there is no such evidence of such parents influencing their kids to choose their sexual orientation. As is evident the central focus towards the structure of a family in the United States is towards the degree of care towards the children of the household. But in recent years we have observed a sharp decline in the birth rates of kids and population growth is stagnating as the desire for kids is stemming in couples (Americas Families- Changing Family Structures). Personal View In my opinion the nuclear family is still the most viable option for having the best household atmosphere as all the natural constituents are there to support each other in a meaningful relationship. Yet however, the second best alternative to a nuclear household would probably be an extended household structure. It is widely popular in many countries such as China, India and other Asian countries. the reason I believe that the extended family system is suitable for households is because it saves resources with parents getting time to pursue their own activities as relatives could take care of kids on short notice as well as kids having the company that they require at all times. References AEM. (2005, December 12). A Look at the Different Types of Families in America. Retrieved December 30, 2008, from Associated Content: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/13363/a_look_at_the_different_types_of_families.html Americas Families- Changing Family Structures. (n.d.). Retrieved December 31, 2008, from Americas Families: http://www.libraryindex.com/pages/1315/America-s-Families-CHANGING-FAMILY-STRUCTURE.html

Class I Railroad and Teacher Essay Example for Free

Class I Railroad and Teacher Essay Any other day in school was the same, going to class going to lunch and going home that was until I saw my schedule change. I was a bit shy not knowing what to expect from my new classes and what were they going to be like. When I come into my new class I felt scared, it was like a western movie, when a cowboy walk into a bar and its dead silence nothing but eyes staring at me and not in a good way. I was put in Mr. U Jimenez classroom. After a couple of days in the class it was still harsh but it was getting better for me. It was fun on some days and that’s when I knew I was getting along with others. Eventually I caught up and was right on track. In my new class the first few things I did was stay calm, be happy and try to go along with others. The first day of my class was towards the end of the first trimester. It was crazy knowing I had to start a new trimester in a different class; it was crazy because when the teacher would send a student out with him the class will go nuts because they had â€Å"free time† and got away from class work for a couple of minutes. After a couple of days in the class it just went from a fun class to a disaster. I’m not such a fast writer and well when it came to taking notes in Mr.  U Jimenez class it wasn’t so good for me. I wrote as fast as I could but unfortunately I wasn’t fast enough. Before I could finish my notes the power point would change and both the class and I wouldn’t have a chance to finish. On the first day of class I also witnessed that the teacher called five different student parents for bad behavior. Knowing that the first day was like this I thought a lot about what the rest of the school year would be like. People feel many different ways on their first few day of class. I felt that in the first few days of being in the class were ok but then the other few days of class weren’t. I felt afraid of my teacher at first because of how strict he was. I also dislike yelling and people telling my parents bad news about me. In some occasions (not to be crazy) I wanted to strangle Mr. U Jimenez and maybe a couple of the other kids because of how annoying they are but I’m only thirteen and well I don’t want to go to jail so I decided to put up with my feelings towards that class and just do as well as I could. However my teacher does have some kind moments and rewards us with candy. The class can be fun like the poem project I did. I enjoyed doing that, we had some good times expressing urselves, getting created, and getting to know my classmates a little more in class. I felt many different reactions in class. Some days I was pretty happy in class and other times I was pretty annoyed and wanted to leave or scared. It would be fun because the teacher was cool on some days. Once in a while the class would get to play who wants to be a millionaire or some educational activity. I’d have a good time in the class joking around with my friends. On other days it’s pretty annoying because my teacher would be mean. He calls my mom in front of the whole class and it’s pretty embarrassing. When my teacher keeps us in class it’s because a student has lost one of his many pen, he wants back. When we do activities in the class and when it comes to questions I react in a shy way and stay quiet and hope he doesn’t pick me. If the class is crazy for a long time it won’t stay that way for long. I’d be kind of surprised and scared because Mr. U Jimenez yells and says shut it and sit down in our seats. Soon were back to taking fast notes and listening to lessons all over again. My reactions toward school were never really exciting anyways. My behavior has changed thorough Mr. U Jimenez class. When I came to his class my behavior hasn’t change but I had to try now and then. At first I felt scared and a bit shy so I don’t think my behavior was too bad but after a while I felt comfortable. When I started feeling comfortable in class I was a bit crazy at some points. I now I’m lazy because I don’t want to do my work or pay attention but I don’t think I’m as lazy anymore. I know I need to pass my class so I try a little harder now. When Mr. U Jimenez gets mad we all get mad, even though he is always in a grumpy mood. Sometimes when he’s mad I don’t really understand him he says things that don’t make sense; well to me that is and again he starts to call parents sometimes he does it randomly too. I know I don’t like it when he calls my mom. Neither my mom and I like my teacher’s calls but its best for her to know that I’m not doing so well in class so I can improve better and try harder, when Mr. U Jimenez calls or sends papers talk about my behavior in class nor missing assignments my mom doesn’t give me my allowance and she takes my we and my TV, my mom would just start to tell me all these things about school to do better and improve my grades. Sometimes I forget Mr. U Jimenez name and call him (fat teacher) not to be mean Mr. U Jimenez but I’m trying to behave myself. There were many things I felt when I started my new class. I had so many things going through my mind. I was thinking about how I would feel, my reactions, my behavior and what it would be like. When it was a no teacher zone the students would get pretty crazy. On some days the teacher would scary me and annoy me so I would know my reaction for the day until I got out of class. Some days were better than others like the games we play and the activities that we would do. It would be cool when we play games because for the people that won they’d get rewarded with candy. My behavior has changed in my classroom and I’ve gotten use to my class. Now all I ‘m trying to do is to pass Mr. U Jimenez class so I can go to High School and pass science or my mom will kill me and send me to summer school. If I don’t pass I can’t go to San Francisco on our Vacation Mr. U Jimenez I know that I’m not one of your best students but I’m trying my mom always keep on saying u are smart I can do anything if I just try hard and pay attention and listen like I’m with math I just don’t know it till don’t come out of me still.

Internal Auditing Concepts for Small and Medium Enterprises

Internal Auditing Concepts for Small and Medium Enterprises INTRODUCTION 1.0 Background Internal auditing is an independent appraisal function established within an organization to examine and evaluate its activities as a service to the organization. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes (IIA, 2007). It delivers greater value to an organization by championing good governance, supporting enterprise risk management rollout, consolidating compliance processes, and potentially coordinating various other corporate monitoring functions (Rick Todd, 2008). Corporate governance is a set of processes, controls, and structures generally performed within the organization by, or on behalf of, stakeholders (including the board or other body directly appointed by stakeholders, to ensure that their interests are protected and their goals are achieved (Norman, 2007). Over the past years, there has been a loud call for â€Å"good governance† of organizations (Zeleke, 2007). In the wake of corporate scandals, widespread unethical behavior, and illegal activity in some of the most respected organizations, corporate governance has become important in both public and private organizations (Tumuheki, 2007). These accounting scandals and legislation highlight the critical role the internal audit function plays in corporate governance (Deborah et al, 2008). It is therefore not surprising that the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) puts a lot of effort in guiding its members to become corporate governance specialists, capable to assist both management and the board (Jan, 2005). Uganda, like other transition economies, now increasingly recognizes that corporate governance is an essential tool for prosperity and economic growth. (Tumuheki, 2007). For Small and Medium Enterprises, especially those with a serious desire to grow and perhaps someday get stock exchange listings of their own, they should consider adopting key elements of corporate governance as this will help them gain access to information and resources for growth. The presence of proper accounting and bookkeeping practices increases confidence in SMEs and makes them less risky to invest or finance. According to Wee Teck (2003), there has been a recent growing call for the application of corporate governance to SMEs. They argue that, corporate governance has similar benefits to SMEs as to listed companies and therefore similar guidelines that apply to listed companies should also be applicable to SMEs. 2.0 Statement of the Problem Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are critical for Uganda because of their role in economic growth and poverty reduction. A dynamic and vibrant SME sector will provide sustainable growth, generate jobs and therefore reduce poverty levels .As companies globally face issues relating to transparency, accountability and timely disclosure of material information, the concept of corporate governance and business ethics in SMEs has gained significant importance (Shahnawaz, 2003). In Uganda, SMEs which form 90% of the private sector, lack organised in-house procedures to manage and supervise internal controls, risk management, business performance and cash flows. This has caused a high collapse rate, with 40 % failing within one year and 80 % within five years (Kasule, 2008) despite the high formation rate. This has prompted me to look at the relationship between internal audit proficiency and corporate governance in the small and medium scale enterprises in Uganda. 3.0 Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study seeks to evaluate the relationships between internal audit proficiency and internal controls; internal controls and corporate governance; internal audit proficiency and risk management; internal controls and risk management; and risk management and corporate governance in Ugandas SMEs. 4.0 Objectives of the Study The specific objectives of the study are stated below: i To establish the relationship between internal audit proficiency and internal controls in SMEs ii To establish the relationship between internal control systems and corporate governance in SMEs iii To establish the relationship between internal audit proficiency and risk management in SMEs iv To establish the relationship between internal controls and risk management in SMEs v To establish the relationship between risk management and corporate governance in SMEs. 5.0 Research Questions i) What are the causes of lack of internal audit proficiency in Ugandas SMEs? ii) What role can internal audit proficiency play to promote good corporate governance in Ugandas SMEs? 6.0 Scope of the Study The study will focus on internal audit proficiency, internal controls, risk management and corporate governance practices in Ugandas SMEs. It will be conducted within Kampala District since Kampala area has the largest number of SMEs in Uganda. The SMEs will be studied under the following categories; trade and commerce, service and manufacturing. 7.0 Significance of the Study The study will benefit the SME sector since it will highlight areas of emphasis that they should take advantage of. Scholars and academicians may be inspired to carry out further studies based on these findings. The study is expected to boost the literature gap on internal audit and corporate governance in the SME sector. Policy makers and other stakeholders will benefit from the findings of this research since they will be able to draw conclusions based on the findings. 8.0 Conceptual Framework The conceptual frame work draws upon the works of Faudziah et al, (2005), Laura Michael, (2002) and Tushabomwe (2006) with adjustments made to fit SMEs in Uganda. It explores the relationship between two variables; internal audit proficiency and corporate governance in Ugandas SMEs. According to Gerrit Ignace (2006), internal controls more specifically and risk management have been considered fundamental elements of organizational governance and that, it is the job of internal auditors to help organisations accomplish their objectives by bringing systematic and disciplined approaches to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes. Internal auditors have an important role in the corporate governance process (Jan, 2007) and therefore need to be out in front, leading organisations with regards to the internal control systems and also focusing on strategic business objectives. They also need to establish themselves as vital cogs in their organizations, rather than as observers who watch from the periphery and wait for events to impact them (Sawyer Vinten, 1996). Therefore their experience and skill in carrying out audit work is of great importance since constructive advice to the Board and management adds value to organizations. The following conceptual frame work will be used to guide the study.