How Apple's Supply Chain Fared During the 3G Rollout

The article that found discusses how Apple’s supply chain stood up after the launch of the 3G iPhone. According to the article Apple’s physical supply chain processes including manufacturing, inventory and logistics worked very well what the part that fell behind was its digital supply chain. In which lots of customers from 21 countries had to wait a long time to get onto iTunes and be able to go through their final stage of syncing their iPhones. In an AMR research conducted in 2008 about the “Supply Chain Top 25” Apple took the number one spot with its magnificent software interfaces and top design goods. Apple was able to beat the competition with its mechanical and financial benefits and high inventory turns with minimal material and capacity limitations to grow that has allowed them to have a zero-marginal cost on its digital supply-chain. The success of Apple being able to meet the demands of its customer for the Apple 3G iPhone came with the Apple making the essential components well in advance and upgrading the basic information systems so that it could meet the high demand of customers on the iTunes store. Relating the article to our chapter we see how it is essential for a business to have a good supply chain because it gives them the ability to meet the demands of its customers at a faster pace and in a more seamless manner. Like Apple, Dell’s success came from the ability to maintain close contact with its customer and removing the middle men and by at same time having a close relationship with its shippers and manufactures.

Wailgum, Thomas (2009). How Apple’s Supply Chain Fared During the 3G Rollout. Retrieved October 13, 2009. From PC World: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/148429/how_apples_supply_chain_fared_during_the_3g_rollout.html

Chapter 7: Networks, Telecommunications, and Mobile Technology

Upcoming Technology Promises Improved Mobile TV

This article is about the upcoming technology system mobile technology IMB (Integrated Mobile Broadcast) developed by IPWireless. IMB technology will open the door for more mobile TV channels and better picture quality. This new technology makes it possible to use more bandwidth per channel, along with allowing operators the ability to offer more channels to its customers. Mobile TV isn’t the only application that IMB can be used for, it also allow any application that needs to be sent to a lot of the same data to a large number of users the capability to do so. Along with this capability you’re also able to use digital radio, application and content downloads, as well as access internet services.

One of the downsides is that in order for IMB to work you phone needs to be equipped with an IMB chipset. To solve this problem IMB is coming out with an accessory that will be added to your phone. IMB decided to go this route instead of trying to get phone makers to include the chipset on the phones because they are looking for the right phones that can provided the services to support Q3 or Q4. Although it hasn’t been integrated into any phones yet some companies that are supporting the new IMB include: SingTel, Softbank, Telstra, T-mobile and Vodafone. By demonstrating the support of this companies we can see how this is something truly innovative that will be in high demand soon. As we learned in chapter 7 having a business will full online capabilities is very important now a days. By having a system such as IMB business are able to transmit more data at a faster pace and to larger amount of customers. By IMB providing more bandwidth the frequencies will allow for better picture quality of videos that you can send to customers or potential customers.

Ricknas, Mikael (2009). Upcoming Technology Promises Improved Mobile TV. Retrieved October 7, 2009. From PC World: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/171667 /upcoming_technology_promises_i...

Chapter 6: Databases and Data warehouses

This article discusses the battle between Google and Microsoft with the latest news being the launch of Google’s operating system that will compete with Windows. Windows launched its new search engine Bing which hopes to take away from Google’s market. The article states that Google made $22 billion in revenue in 2008 of which 97% of it came from tiny text ads bought by the keyword and placed next to search results the other comes from online apps for businesses. As r Microsoft they sold $14.3 billion worth of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and other business application which has given them a profit of $9.3 billion. It made an additional $16 billion through sales of its operating systems, which includes: XP installations on net books, Vista, Windows Mobile and server software. As far as both of their operating system Microsoft leads the way with its tight customer base that is accustom their operating systems it has proven to help them against innovators and helped them be the leader in operating systems. Google has just stepped into operating systems in 2007 and but has yet to launch any system. Comparing them as far as their advertising Google is clearing the winner with its advertising success and innovative action based text ads. Microsoft has not made money on the Internet but it hopes to change that with the introduction Bing that promises online office with more fully features than that of Google. Relating this to class lecture we see how data websites are filled with helpful tools that allow users to retrieve helpful information. These data websites have to constantly be innovating and introducing new ideas to their website to capture their online audience.

Singel, Ryan (2009). Goggle vs. Microsoft: What you need to know. Retreived September 30, 2009. From CNN Technology: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/07/15/google.microsoft.battle/index.html?iref=newssearch

Chapter 5: Enterprise Architectures

The article that I found is about Intel’s new line of processors called Jasper Forest. The new processors offer distinctive functionality to help intense server environments such as storage and communications environments. The new Jasper Forest processors not only offer more storage but also reduce power consumption by 27 watts. The way they managed to do this was by integrating some I/O functions into the processor which eliminated the need for a separate controller and helps reduce the overall power consumption. The best feature of the Jasper Forest processors is the prevention of data loss that is done by the use of Asynchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory Self-Refresh Memory. What this does is it detects power failure as it is occurring and it allows the memory controller to complete its functions before shutting down so that nothing is lost. Along with having such great functionally Intel’s Jasper Forest comes backed with a seven year support for their customers so that they can purchase with assurance knowing that they will have support that they need in case something occurs. As we have learned in this chapter information architecture is about information security, disaster record and backup and recovery. What Intel has done is develop a processor that can both backup and recovery information that had not been saved before a power outage. This type of recovery and backup saves organizations money and time in having to start all over on the data they were working on before the outage. Having well developed information architecture is vital to an organization because they need to be able to keep the information secure so that others can’t dispose of it. Along with being able to secure it they need to be able to backup and recovery information since you never know what type of a disaster can occur.

Bradley, Tony (2009). Intel’s New ‘Jasper Forest’ Chip Improves Performance with Less Power. Retrieved September 21, 2009. From PC World:http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/171932/intels_new_jasper_forest_chip_improves_performance_with_less_power.html

Chapter 4: Ethics and Information Security

The article that I found is about an unauthorized advertisement that was displayed on the NYTimes.com site and that used fake malware warning to trick viewers into installing scareware. People that where on the NYTimes.com and that accidentally downloaded the software ended up with a non-threatening program called Personal Antivirus. What this article demonstrates is how important having a protection against virus is because as we have read in this chapter downtime for a corporation can accumulate to thousands of dollars. Its’ especially important for an organization that has so much online traffic to be able to control and prohibit viruses and hijacks from attaching to their websites. Having a good IT line of defense it vital for any organization that does business over the internet because it they manage to filter into the organizations systems they can obtain a lot of personal information from both the company and its customers. By having the right line of defense an organization can protect itself and its customers. It was a good learning experience for the NY Times because now they will have the chance to go into their systems and correct the problem so that other potential unauthorized advertisements don’t make it on their website. It’s also vital for the protection of its users to also take precaution, because a site that may seem clean of virus might have hijacks. This event is a good example of why one should take precautions and have at least a basic antivirus protection, because even sites that might seem harmless could host or contain viruses.

Larkin, Erik (2009). Learning from the NY Times Attack Ad. Retrieved September 14, 2009 from PC World website:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/171941/learning_from_the_ny_times_attack_ad.html

CHAPTER 3: EBUSINESS

This article discusses the new developments that Apple has done to improve some of their current features and products. Apple revealed that some of the new features added to the new iTunes stores include easier navigation and a new feature that will allow you to download song lyrics, art, band and song information (CNN, 2009). A huge feature that many iPhone and iPod Touch users will appreciate is the new application that will allow users to download ringtones for $1.29 each. This is an immense development that will save customers time from having to create their own ringtones, with just a touch of a button and a small fee they will now be able to use their favorite song as a ringtone. The most exciting news revealed from Apple was that the new iPod now included video camera. By Apple adding this new feature their product they are setting themselves apart from other mp3 players. No other device that I know of includes video cameras. Along with the new feature Apple is now cutting down the prices on their iPod’s in an effort to make their products more affordable and to draw more customers. As we discussed in chapter three what Apple is doing is sustaining its technology and making improvements to their products that in the end is making their product more appealing to its customers and the public. They aren’t coming out with a ton of new products but instead fine tuning their current products and offering more features on them than before. This is what sets an Apple product apart from its competitors their ability to innovate and improve.

CNN (2009). Steve Jobs returns, introduces new iPods. Retrieved September 9, 2009 from CNN Technology web: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/09/apple.music.event.jobs/index.html

Chapter 1: Information Systems

With the new development of Windows Mobile 6.5 users will be able to have their whole life at their fingertips. With just a touch of a button they will be able to download movies, text message, send photos, email, and other things. One of the coolest features is the ability to find your lost phone. If you where to lose your phone you could simply log onto the website and send a message directly to your phone, make it ring if on vibrate, or look it up on a map. The main advantage that Windows Mobile 6.5 has over other comparable phones is that it will be able to run with various cell phone providers. Unlike the iPhone that only AT&T customers can obtain, with the Windows Mobile 6.5 you as a customer have the ability to choose which carrier you want to use. What windows Mobile 6.5 is demonstrating to its competitors is that although they weren't the first-movers in the market of smart phones they do have a very competitive advantage by the additional features offered to the users that in the end will place a greater value to their product versus the competitors. Having those additional features at no cost to the users will cause many of its competitor’s current customers to change to a more user friendly and user conscious phone. With the launch of the Windows Mobile 6.5 what we might see is that competitors might have to now offer there users the same services for free or else they might be faced with the loss of many of its customers.

Fried, Ina (2009). Windows Mobile 6.5 Phones coming Oct. 6. Retrieved September 1, 2009. From CNN Technology http://news/cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10322007-56.html?tag=newsLeadStoriesArea.1

Chapter 2: Decision Making

Imagine being in a war zone where in every turn there is danger lurking and not knowing what exactly is around each turn. Well with the development of the Packbot 510 soldiers now have the ability to view and pinpoint exactly where the enemies are located at from a safe distance. This is what iRobot managed to do with the development of the Packbot 510. “The Packbot 510 with FasTac Kit lets soldiers view and evaluate dangerous locations from a safe distance.” Having these Robot’s has given the soldiers a safer alternative, instead of having real soldiers going up to strange objects that could potentially kill them you can simply control the robot from a laptop and have them examine and clear the dangerous object. What iRobot has managed to do is create an artificial intelligence that acts on behalf of the human with them being in control. Artificial intelligence has become a one of the leading technologies of today that are not are not only making our lives simpler but safer as well. By having the U.S. Army place such a huge order on the Robot’s we can only speculate as to how much these robot’s have helped and saved soldiers from dangerous situations. Having artificial intelligence has not only made it safer for soldiers but for our local communities as well. When bomb threats are called on suspicious objects these are the same type of robot’s used to clear them away. We’ve seen how these robot’s have developed from vacuums, to toys, to now robot’s that can act on behalf of a soldier, we can only imagine how these robot’s will continue to develop through the years.

Whitney, Lance (2009). iRobot gets single biggest order from Army. Retrieved September 1, 2009 from CNN Technology web: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10322913-76.html?tag+newseditors picksarea.0