Information Systems for Managers

Q1 ans
Introduction
ERP software is a big investment and it can unite the IT costs as well as revamp
the productivity. This blog speaks of the benefits of using ERP software.
A good ERP software development company can help you take advantage of
the benefits offered by an ERP software and stay on top of your business. They
can help in the transparency of business operations, monitoring of financial
transactions, and streamlining of internal business processes.
ERP applications gather, store, manage, and interpret data from a variety of
business activities. The process of creating enterprise resource planning
software is known as ERP software development. ERP software manages
critical business processes in real time.
The use of a ERP software increases the productivity by delivering exceptional
customer service by giving access to business revenue performance. It helps
boost business productivity by helping users stay organized with their business
processes.
Concepts and application
how the use of ERP systems/ softwares can help the business improve their
situation
Today, ERP systems integrate into all areas and functions within an
organization, with the primary purpose being to help leaders and managers
better understand all moving parts of their operations, identify opportunities,
and make more informed decisions that will ultimately have an impact on the
future success and viability of their businesses.

Despite the use of the word enterprise in the name, ERP systems are used by
businesses of all sizes, large and small. There are two primary types of ERP
systems being implemented at organizations today, On-Premises and Cloud-
Based. The differences between the two will be explained in another section
in this resource.

Identifying the cons of implementing the ERP solution/ software solution

for Suthar Timber Merchants do to avoid a failure in the implementation.
Cons of ERP Implementation

It is evident that ERP suites offer several business benefits, so you might be

wondering why its implementation is not as widespread as anticipated. This is

because installing such a complex program has cons that can sometimes

outweigh its potential benefits to a company. To elaborate further, here are

the disadvantages of installing ERP software in your business.

Costs

Implementing a high-performing system like an ERP suite does not come

cheap. The upfront payment for software is already expensive, but the number

rises when you consider the costs for labor, time, and customization. Hence, a

lot of small-to-medium-sized businesses opt out of ERP or seek subscription-

based cloud solutions, which are often more affordable compared to on-

premise systems.

Customization

ERP systems are customized to cater to the needs of a specific company.

Hence, while they often come with integrated modules to facilitate business

processes, a lot of companies work with systems providers to customize the

software and make it work more efficiently for them. However, it is possible to

overdo this process and make it difficult for key programs to function or

upscale down the line.

Slow Software Implementation and Data Migration

The average time it takes to implement an ERP system is two to three years.

The planning process takes years before that to avoid disrupting company

operations. The same goes for transferring the data from the old system to the

new one; both take a lot of time and manpower to accomplish. As the

implementation process drudges on, companies risk not having enough budget

and stop mid-way, leading to a waste of company resources.

Complexity and Lack of User Acceptance

Not everyone is keen on adapting to changes, especially when it comes to

using highly complex systems like ERP. It is crucial to conduct workshops and

user training beforehand to prepare your staff for the new system. After all, no

matter how well-implemented the ERP system is, it will not be fully functional

without trained users.

Conclusion

Overall, implementing an ERP system is a big change that, for some companies,

is the necessary next step in reaching their goals. Extensive research and

planning are some of the main keys to a successful implementation, so it is

vital to form an internal team that will work with experts and systems

providers to find the right match. Make sure that the team includes people
from different company sectors, especially those who will be directly using the

system for daily operations.

While installing an ERP system is a lot of work, it is work that pays off in the

long run. To help you find the right ERP system match, it is vital to look for a

systems provider who can offer you guidance and insight into what can and

may not work with your company.

Q2 ans

Introduction

The health care environment is changing faster than ever before due to the
demand of delivering higher quality medical services for less money, and
increased competitively between health care services providers. Hospitals,
research clinics, private health care institutions and doctors are looking for
solutions to increase daily activities, efficiency and decrease their spending.
Cloud computing technologies, if implemented and used appropriately, have a
response to all these requirements. Thus, cloud computing provides to the
health care environment the opportunity to improve services for patients, to
easily share information, to improve operational efficiency, and to streamline
costs.
Concepts and application

In a word, it’s an on-demand delivery of computing resources, such as data

storage, servers, databases, networking capabilities, applications, over the

Internet (“the cloud”) by a cloud services provider. This means, that instead of

having to invest in the on-premises equipment, training special staff, and then
dealing with maintenance, organizations leave it to cloud providers to take

care of it.

Easy information access

Reviewing patient records used to be a time-consuming activity. In the past,
doctors had to either lug around reams of documents or spend hours in front
of a desktop computer to retrieve health records. But with cloud applications
for managing electronic medical records (EMR), doctors can conveniently
access medical records from anywhere, at any time.

HIPAA compliance
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) stipulates rules
and regulations on how to protect patient health information. Whether you
use a browser-based tool or a mobile app, cloud computing makes it easy to
adapt to HIPAA regulatory updates and changes. For instance, a vendor can
update its data encryption standards in the cloud and the changes will
automatically take effect on all accounts and devices — no new installs or
configuration necessary.

Cost reduction
The cloud also eliminates the need for on-site hardware, maintenance fees,
and expensive one-time software licenses. In terms of less quantifiable cost
reductions, the ability to access work from anywhere at any time boosts
productivity and makes your IT department more efficient.

Scalability
Unlike in-house computer hardware, you can scale cloud storage solutions in a
matter of minutes. Beyond the benefit of organizational simplicity, web-based
EMR software gives you more storage than you can ever need and retrieves
records in a few seconds.

Better data backup and recovery

Data loss is a real issue for healthcare practices. Will your business continuity
be safe if your office IT suddenly becomes inaccessible? Even a couple of days
of downtime can have serious repercussions for your organization.

Practices that store their files in the cloud don’t have to worry about this.
Nearly every cloud solution stores files in more than one location so backups
can be restored quickly if anything goes wrong.
Want to learn more about the ideal cloud computing solutions for your
practice? Get in touch with one of our tech experts today for personalized
recommendations.

Mobile Devices in Healthcare:

1. Massiveand Continuous Data Flow

The healthcare industry is massive, with phenomenal volumes of data

being transferred every second between healthcare institutions and

patients. For the healthcare providers to better communicate with

patients, they need to access the data flow without hampering their

access to information or limiting their movement.

2. Real-TimeCommunication

This is one of the biggest advantages that mobile devices have been able

to offer to the healthcare sector. With doctors and nurses using

smartphones to provide accurate prescriptions and instructions to

facilitate faster recovery of patients, smartphones allow them to

communicate with the patient in real-time.

3. PhysicianEfficiencyEnhancement

Physicians are an integral part of the healthcare ecosystem. The job of a

physician is rewarding, sure, but it is also a high-stress job. Statistics show

 that almost 60% of physicians feel stressed and tired from their highly

demanding jobs.

The main reason given by these people is that the data entries and other

administrative tasks take up a lot of their time and energy, leaving little or

no energy for patient care. This problem is being made easier by mobile

devices.

4. DirectPatientManagement

Traditional healthcare methods only provide doctors with a narrow vision

and understanding of how their patients were recovering or taking

medicines which only gave the doctors a limited scope of observation over

their patients. Mobile devices in healthcare are being used in order to

overcome this situation.

5. Convenience

Mobile devices and smartphones have taken over training and learning.

People are increasingly using smartphones to replace bulky books with e-

books for better convenience and accessibility.

6. IncreasedAccuracy

In the past, patient records, medical histories, and documents were hard

paper printed which made maintaining and organizing it a burden for the

healthcare industry. This problem was eased by the introduction of

computers, but mobile devices have taken it a step further and

completely eradicated the need for paper documents whatsoever.

7. Customization

Physicians are the backbone of healthcare institutions and their job

demands a lot of time and energy. Physicians handle a lot of patients at

the same time and also carry out other administrative work which makes

their job a hectic one.

8. BetterCommunication

When a patient is admitted to a hospital, he undergoes treatment. More

often than not, the patient, when discharged from the hospital is given

prescriptions and certain instructions by the doctor or the nurse in case

of acute conditions.
 Conclusion

Although cloud computing offers significant advantages to the health care

industry, it is still perceived by some as unsafe.. The most common

concerns are those that make any other business, from any industry, be

reluctant to adopting cloud technologies: security and confidentiality of

patient information, interoperability and compliance with government

regulations. These can all be overcome by doing your due diligence and

selecting the right partners.

Q3a ans

Introduction

Smart Cities focus on their most pressing needs and on the greatest
opportunities to improve lives. They tap a range of approaches - digital and
information technologies, urban planning best practices, public-private
partnerships, and policy change - to make a difference. They always put people
first.
In the approach to the Smart Cities Mission, the objective is to promote cities
that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a
clean and sustainable environment and application of 'Smart' Solutions. The
focus is on sustainable and inclusive development and the idea is to look at
compact areas, create a replicable model which will act like a light house to
other aspiring cities. The Smart Cities Mission is meant to set examples that can
be replicated both within and outside the Smart City, catalysing the creation of
similar Smart Cities in various regions and parts of the country.
Concepts and applications
The term smart city has perhaps become a catch-all phrase for smart city
infrastructure. There is no smart city platform, or a single city that could claim
to be “smart”. What we see is that key infrastructure within a city—
sustainable lighting, traffic, safety, water management, waste management,
social housing, and care can all be made smarter, more efficient, and
responsive through the use of cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial
Intelligence (AI).

“Smart infrastructure” is a great opportunity for cities to improve the quality of

life for their residents. In addressing this opportunity, Microsoft sees six key
elements that help drive successful outcomes for city digital transformation.

1. Start with outcomes

As with many technology initiatives, it is tempting to rapidly implement new

technology before there is a goal for how to use it. Microsoft has seen
customers deploy IoT sensors before knowing how they will manage the
resulting data, or what they really want to learn from the data.

2. Design for security, privacy

Cybersecurity and data privacy cannot be protective measures added to a

digital transformation initiative. They must be core principles designed into
every solution from the get-go. When a government begins collecting data
from thousands of previously disconnected pieces of infrastructure, the
security of how that data is collected, transmitted, stored, and used—and how
that data may reflect public activities that require privacy—must be
understood and safeguarded.

3. Right thing, right time

For most growing urban centers, city infrastructure is ever-changing. It is very

difficult to simultaneously upgrade a complex system like a regional
wastewater treatment network or public power grid when the needs and uses
of that system are evolving. Microsoft has seen a need for government
customers to include in their digital transformation plans tools like digital twins
and geospatial mapping to ensure effective management of their digital
transformation plan.

4. Remove data silos

Many cities function with autonomy between various departments and
agencies. However, meaningful insights that can improve government
operations often exist in the area between these resulting data silos. When it
comes to managing infrastructure, this may require integrating data from
completely independent operations, such as financial procurement that
manages the acquisition of equipment, a customer service group that receives
complaints from citizens about failing services, and a public works or
maintenance department that uses equipment to fix failing services.

5. Think tactical and iterate

In many cases, managing infrastructure will involve the use of IoT sensors to
monitor systems, seeking to sense performance anomalies before they
become major problems. Before deploying IoT everywhere, however, it is best
to define tactical priorities—maybe one service or one function—to learn how
IoT will impact operations, data management, and service costs.

Conclusion

The Smart Cities Mission is an innovative and new initiative by the Government

of India to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by

enabling local development and harnessing technology as a means to create

smart outcomes for citizens.

Q3b ans

Introduction

In the approach of the Smart Cities Mission, the objective is to promote cities

that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a

clean and sustainable environment and application of ‘Smart’ Solutions. The

focus is on sustainable and inclusive development and the idea is to look at

compact areas, create a replicable model which will act like a light house to

other aspiring cities. The Smart Cities Mission of the Government is a bold, new

initiative. It is meant to set examples that can be replicated both within and

outside the Smart City, catalyzing the creation of similar Smart Cities in various

regions and parts of the country.

Concepts and applications

importance of smart cities and challenges in managing smart cities.

Accordingly, the purpose of the Smart Cities Mission is to drive economic growth

and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local area development and

harnessing technology, especially technology that leads to Smart outcomes.

Area- based development will transform existing areas (retrofit and redevelop),

including slums, into better planned ones, thereby improving liveability of the

whole City. New areas (Greenfield) will be developed around cities in order to

accommodate the expanding population in urban areas. Application of Smart

Solutions will enable cities to use technology, information and data to improve

infrastructure and services. Comprehensive development in this way will

improve quality of life, create employment and enhance incomes for all,

especially the poor and the disadvantaged, leading to inclusive Cities.

CHALLENGES
• This is the first time, a MoUD programme is using the 'Challenge' or
competition method to select cities for funding and using a
strategy of area-based development. This captures the spirit of
'competitive and cooperative federalism'.
• States and ULBs will play a key supportive role in the development
of Smart Cities. Smart leadership and vision at this level and ability
to act decisively will be important factors determining the success
of the Mission.
• Understanding the concepts of retrofitting, redevelopment and
greenfield development by the policy makers, implementers and
other stakeholders at different levels will require capacity
assistance. Major investments in time and resources will have to be
made during the planning phase prior to participation in the
Challenge. This is different from the conventional DPR-driven
approach.
• The Smart Cities Mission requires smart people who actively
participate in governance and reforms. Citizen involvement is much
more than a ceremonial participation in governance. The
participation of smart people will be enabled by the Special
Purpose Vehicle (SPV) through increasing use of ICT, especially
mobile-based tools.
Conclusion

The conceptualization of Smart City, therefore, varies from city to city and

country to country, depending on the level of development, willingness to

change and reform, resources and aspirations of the city residents. A smart city

would have a different connotation in India than, say, Europe. Even in India,

there is no one way of defining a smart city.

#END#