W1P1

       According to our textbook, the “Value Chain” of a manufacturing company includes the purchasing of raw materials, inbound logistics, warehouse and storage, production, finished product storage, outbound logistics, marketing and sales, and customer service (Stair 26). The first three elements of the value chain - raw materials, inbound logistics, and warehouse and storage - are considered to be in the “upstream management” category (Stair 26). The last four elements - finished product storage, outbound logistics, marketing and sales, and customer service – are considered to be a part of “downstream management”(Stair 26). All of these elements of the “Value chain” can be aided and made more efficient and productive by the strategic use of information systems.

       For example, a MIS could be useful in several stages of the Value chain. MISs help to increase efficiency in everyday operations, and are composed of people, procedures, software, databases, and information providing devices (Stair 19). MISs most often support marketing, production, and finance divisions of a company, and are linked through a common database that contains data from the TPS, or transaction processing system, defined in our book as “an organized collection of people, procedures, software, databases, and devices used to record completed business transactions (Stair 436, 19). In the “Upstream Management” potion of the Value Chain, MISs could be used to provide reports that could be used to improve the efficiency of inbound logistics and transportation, and assist with inventory of raw materials and storage organization. Furthermore, MISs can assist in gathering and reporting data regarding process control systems in the production of goods, and provide decision-makers with reports that allow them to make efficient and informed decisions. Finally, MISs can assist downstream management by producing reports and summaries regarding the storage, shipping, distribution, sales, and customer service that allow management to increase efficiency and provide information for the making of logical decisions.

About Me:

1. What is your major?

My major is in History, with a minor in Anthropology

2. What operating system do you have on your computer?

I have Vista on my computer.

3. Do you have a right to upgrade the software on your computer?

Yes, I believe so.

4. What Internet and computer related courses have you already taken and what are your usual activities on the Internet (Facebook, email, chats, etc.)?

At the Community College I previously attended, I took a course called "Internet Literacy". I also use facebook, gmail, moodle, and sometimes skype on a regular basis.

5. Have you taken online courses before?

Yes, many. I took a full summer of online courses at Ramapo this summer, and most of my courses this semester have had an online component. In addition, at the community college where I got my associates degree, I complete about half of my coursework online.

6. Do you have MS Office on your computer? If yes, which version?

Unfortunately, no. My computer only came with a trial version of MS office, and so I downloaded openoffice (shareware, I believe?) which has the capability to save in various file formats included MS word.

7. Add anything you want about your computer-related interests, skills, job projects, etc. that might help the instructor and students understand your computer/Internet skills and interests better.

My computer related interests are limited to practical functions, such as email and networking, but I would also be interested in learning about advertising over the world wide web and creating simple web pages/publically viewable calenders.

NOTE: There were approximately 15 replies to this post, which can be accessed on the moodle class page.