Marketing Strategy of Nintendo Wii Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marketing Strategy of Nintendo Wii - Case Study Example In most present day strategy literature, competitiveness seems to cover state-of the art thinking. "Strategic positioning is concern with the impact on strategy of the external environment, an organisation's strategic capability (resources and competences) and the expectations and the influence of stakeholders. (Johnson, Scholes& Whittington, 2005:17). Using Porters five forces framework, one will see that the intensity of competition in this market is very high, coming primarily from the market leaders like Sony and Microsoft. How ever, there are some other niche players in Asia and Europe. The Entertainment industry has become diverse especially with the current pace of technological advancement. Buyer's loyalty will be high with respect to those producers who dance to the taste of time (The case of Sony), offer customers a good value for their money and see them as strategic partners and not customers Suppliers tend to have a low bargaining power with the respective dealers. In the entertainment market, mostly the main company set the price including wholesalers and retailers commission. Thus, working with suppliers is not an issue at stake as their switching cost is high. "The influence of words over men is astounding." -- Napoleon. ... With the current level of sales and profit being enjoyed by participants in the market, s threat of potential entrants from China or Asia is high. China is presently considered as an emerging market. A solution for Nintendo will be to offer customers a better value for their money using the marketing mixes. 1.3 Nintendo Strategic marketing Objective "The influence of words over men is astounding." -- Napoleon. As the whole world gears for peace, marketers and other business people talk in terms of war. We see battle words everywhere in business: Japan bashing, corporate raiders, hostile takeovers, cola wars. Marketing is war. With the advent of events, ordinary business executive fancy themselves as warriors. Aggressively attacking weak companies, and defending market shares. Positioning products in people's minds and making them attractive to market segments requires careful formulation of the marketing mix. Getting the right blend of the product, promotion price and distribution is essential to put the carefully carried out analysis into operation. The aim is to portray an image for the product or service that will match with how one wants the product to be visualized in people's mind2. Thus with the recent launching of the Nintendo WII in the UK market, these features were carefully integrated to give the product a break through. Table 1: A summary of what constitute each of the Ps of the 4Ps Product Tangible products Psychological attributes Quality Services Benefits and features Packaging Styling Image Branding Customer service After care Guarantees Image Pricing Selling price Price positioning Distributor margins Credit Discounts Payment methods Price promotions

Comparison and Contrast of three essays Essay Example for Free

Comparison and Contrast of three essays Essay We all know that education is one of the most important things in human life. A person needs to be educated in order to have a good future ahead of him. However, there are people who are less fortunate when it comes to education because they cannot afford to come to school. Today, learning is not a matter of gift to share but a wealth for some because they use education to gain money and not the aim of education for people. Because of these scenarios, some people hide their feelings of guilt and pity through text – some of them are Nock, Vetter, and Mitchell.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nock’s perception of education in his article entitle â€Å"The Disadvantages of Being Educated† is opposite from the dictation of the society that education will lead to a better future. For Nock, education will lead to dissatisfaction of man. If a man is educated, he will search for more and would not be contented in what he has. He will continue to ask for more even if he has a good status in the society; he will seek for more fame and richness. Therefore, he would rather not be educated and live a simple and normal life rather than having a well-educated mind but not contented with everything.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Vetter’s perception of writing on the other hand in his article entitle â€Å"Bonehead Writing† is odd. He used to observe people who want to learn how to write a good text, letter, or even a good paragraph because he perceived that writing is innate and not something that can be learn for it is very hard especially for less fortunate and uneducated people. Once a person survived in a writing class, it is like surviving its life in the forest. For him, whether you take minutes, hours, or days of writing, it will still be senseless if you do not have the capability or the â€Å"gift† of writing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the article of Mitchell, he showed the true meaning of hunger – not the hunger of stomach but the hunger of mind. Many of the people in America is illiterate, though it is a first world country, there are still people who are uneducated that are unable to read and write. This kind of situation made him feel uncomfortable because America is known for being the first world country. However, he focused his attention to the problem of educators because they are the one who took place and authority in teaching and educating the people preferably the students.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   These three authors of the said articles have different attack in their writing but their similarity is their purpose in their essay. All of them want to impose the needs and present situation of education not only in the United States but in the whole world as well. Nock relates his essay to the uneducated or less educated people because his attack is for educated people, it is a bias perception of the author towards the uneducated people can somehow help but not as always. Vetter’s attack focused on the needs of writing. He wants his readers to feel the incapacity of some people in writing. Through his ideas, his aim for change is not thoroughly established because he made the article too light to handle and because of this, readers would take it as an entertainment than being an educated article. On the other hand, Mitchell is the most serious writer of them all. Mitchell focused his full attention to the real situation of the world, though he wants to focus on America’s problem, it also relates to the problem of different countries. Mitchell’s attack towards the educators and other factors do not make a problematic argument because he delivers his perception and notion of hunger in a factual form.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As a whole, they delivered well what they want to utter to the readers. They are different attacks but their aim are similar from one another, one of them bought entertainment while educating the readers, one takes the situation in academic environment with a light scenario, and one is serious in what he state. All of them made a revelation of what is happening, but the problem is that they do not state the possible solutions to the problems they have encountered. Reference Name. (date). Title. Publisher

Essay --

Mouse remains the most reliable species of choice to study the mechanism underlying in mammalian species. It is because they breed quickly, and their genetics are well understood. Aim: The principal aim of first research paper is to study the over expression level of miRNA -27b that induces cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction in mice. The primary aim of the second research paper is to show how miRNA -212 and miR-132 expression regulates cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac myocyte autophagy. Methods: A 500bp genomic fragment comprising the miR-27b control region was amplified by PCR and ligated into adenoviral vector to generate Ad-miR-27b using 293A cells for cloning and expression of miRNAs. Transgenic mouse was created by amplifying the fragment flanking miR-27b which is then subcloned into an expression vector comprising human growth hormone poly A signal and ÃŽ ±-MHC promoter. Genotyping of the mouse is done by isolating genomic DNA from mouse tail by biosepsis followed by its amplification by PCR using specific primers. Western blotting is carried out on myocardial isolates and cardiac function was determined by echocardiography. All the statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Primary cardiomycetes were generated from neonatal mice/rat using a standard protocol. By cloning the whole miR-212/132 genomic locus (3.4kb) downstream of cytomegalovirus promoter within the pTARGET vector, an expression construct is generated which was used for the transfection of H9c2 cell lines. Transgenic mice showing the overexpression levels of miR-212/132 was generated by cloning 486bp genome encoding the hairpin stem loop downstream to 3rd exon sequence of ÃŽ ±-MHC gene and upstream of hGH poly A signal sequence. TAC was performe... ...analyzed for the over expression levels of miR 212 and miR 132 in heart tissue by reverse transcription PCR (fig.2b). However, the mouse were born normally but their life expectancy was reduced to 84 and 119 for Fam23 and Fam43 respectively (fig 2c). Their heart to body weight ratio has shown significant increase in heart mass at different ages. The upregulation of miR-212 and miR-132 witnessed the increased expression level of cardiac stress markers ANP and BNP ultimately resulting in the development of heart failure (fig. s3 bc). Evaluation of cardiac function in both transgenic and wild type mice is done by echocardiography, where end systolic and end diastolic of LV dilation was significantly observed in transgenic mice. Further, hemodynamic analysis confirmed impaired function of heart in transgenic mice. MiR-212 and miR-132 directly regulate FoxO3 expression:

Samurai in Film :: essays research papers

From Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 film Seven Samurai, to the recent box office sensation, The Last Samurai, the famed Japanese warrior, the samurai, has been the subject of hundreds of films. Classically depicted as carrying two swords and sporting a top knot (chonmage), the samurai has been portrayed not only as a warrior and expert swordsman, but as a man of discipline and principles consistent with the bushido. Samurai films exhibit two basic dramatic styles. The jidai-geki (period drama) which are stories based on characters and how they negotiate a variety of political, personal and romantic situations and the chanbara (sword fighting films) which are action packed with dramatic sword fighting scenes. Films in the samurai genre which deal with ‘ronin’ (masterless samurai), demonstrate strong elements of both styles as exhibited in Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1954) and Yojimbo (1961), as well as the many films about the legendary Musashi Miyamoto. In addition to Seven Samurai and Yojimbo, Kurosawa’s samurai classics, The Hidden Fortress (1958) and Sanjuro (1963) all star ‘samurai incarnate,’ actor Toshiro Mifune. While Kurosawa’s later films, Kagemusha (1980) and Ran (1985), are not based on the samurai, they are set in feudal times in which the samurai played a significant role. Kurosawa’s films greatly influenced the film industry in both Japan and the West – however during his career he gained greater notoriety and even support for his motion pictures overseas than he did at home. The Seven Samurai was the basis for American film director John Sturges’ The Magnificent Seven (1960); Yojimbo for A Fist full of Dollars (1964) – the first in a series of 3 ‘spaghetti westerns’ created by Italian film director, Sergio Leone; and The Hidden Fortress which influenced George Lucas’ Star Wars (1977). The parallels between the samurai and cowboy archetypes and the influence one had on the other is as evident in Kurosawa’s Yojimbo as it is in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992). During his career, Toshiro Mifune (1920-1997) starred in 134 films and played either a classic samurai or a common man of ‘samurai principles’ in nearly half of them. Besides his Kurosawa films, Mifune also starred in a number of Hiroshi Inagaki’s samurai films including the classic, Musashi Miyamoto (1954). His reputation worldwide landed him a number of starring roles in Western productions including the award winning television mini-series, Shogun (1980) based on the James Clavell novel.

Chlamydia Trachomatis Sexual Health Control Health And Social Care Essay

This chapter provides the background treatment of sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ) concentrating on Chlamydia trachomatis infection since the survey is positioned within this country taking down to the specific research inquiry and aims. In add-on, sexual wellness bar and control schemes have been explored.2.1 IntroductionHealth has been defined by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) as â€Å" the scientific discipline and art of forestalling disease, protracting life and advancing wellness through organised attempts of society † ( WHO, n.d. ) . Sexual activity is known as an indispensable component of human wellness and well-being contributing to quality of grownup partnerships and a demand for natural creative activity. Yet it poses a batch of hazards to wellness through transmittal of STIs. Although pox, gonorrhea and chancroid are by and large considered as the chief STIs, assorted other pathogens are catching including Herpes Simplex Virus type 2, Chlamydia trac homatis, Human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) Herpes Papilloma Virus, and Hepatitis B Virus ( HPA, 2010 ) ( Figure 1 ) . STIs affect people of all ages with the greatest happening amongst those under the age of 25 old ages ( Nicoll, 1999 ; Johnson, 2001 ; NCSP, 2009 ) . In the UK, certain groups of populations are affected more than others therefore making sexual wellness inequalities ( HPA,2010 ; Marmott, 2010 ) . The research has delved into chiefly secondary literature from equal reviewed journal articles, books, wellness bureau or regulating organic structures ‘ studies and articles to show what past research workers have established on CI. Furthermore, sexual wellness bar and control schemes have been explored in order to put CI in a context that engages with appropriate literature.Figure 1: Number of diagnosings of selected STIs and HIV in the UK, females: 2000-20092.2 Chlamydia Infection TrendsChlamydia trachomatis is the most widespread bacterial pathogen transmitted through infected secernments and mucose membranes of urethra, neck, rectum, conjunctivae and pharynx following unprotected sexual contact with an septic spouse. An septic pregnant adult female can infect her babe during vaginal bringing. Genital Chlamydial infection is presently the most common STI in the UK with prevalence ‘s between 2 % and 12 % detected in surveies of adult females go toing general pattern ( Fenton et al. , 2001 ; Creighton et al. , 2003 ; HPA, 2010 ) . Chlamydia infection rates are disproportionately high in under 25s ( Low, 2001 ; HPA, 2010 ) . Rate of infectivity for Chlamydia at national degree for immature people aged 15-24 is one in 10 back uping the degree of sexual activity in that group ( HPA 2010 ; NHS Salford, 2010. In 2001, adult females under 20 old ages of age had reported instances of 36 % of Chlamydia. CI instances rose by 108 % during 1998 to mid-2004 ( Ryan, 2004 ) . As reported by the Department of Health ( DH ) , diagnosing of new Chlamydia and other STI diagnosed instances in the UK such as re-infections made in GUM showed a gradual rise in 1995-2009 ( Figures 2, 3 ) ( HPA, 2010 ) .Figure 2: Number of diagnosings of Chlamydia^ , England: 1995-2009Figure 3: Number of venereal Chlamydia diagnosings by sex and age group, and figure of research labs utilizing nucleic acerb elaboration trials ( NAATs ) : 1999-2008 ( females )STI informations from research lab studies in England, Wales and Scotland and Chlamydia nucleic acid elaboration trial ( NAAT ) information from the UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme ( NEQAS ) . Most people infected with Chlamydia are symptomless ( 70 % females and 50 % males ) until a diagnostic trial is performed ( HPA, 2010 ) . Chlamydia infection is important to adult females ‘s generative wellness jobs since 10-40 % of those untreated septic adult females develop PID ( Garside, 2001 ; Sweet & A ; Gibbs, 2009 ; Pippa et al. , 2010 ) . If efficient and effectual wellness steps are non administered, the disease has the potency of doing important wellness complications to adult females ‘s well-being including relentless pelvic hurting, sterility, ectopic gestation, PID, Chlamydial pneumonia of the newborn, neonatal pinkeye, pre-term labour/delivery and neonatal decease ( Figure 4 ) ( Golden, et Al, 2000 ; Simms et al. , 2000, 2007 ; Garnett, 2008 ; Oakeshott et al. , 2010 ) . There is besides greater hazard in those with repeating and untreated infections to distribute to other generative variety meats ensuing in chronic pelvic strivings ( La Montagne, et Al, 20 07 ; Evans et al. , 2009 ; Hosenfeld et al. , 2009 ) . Sweet & A ; Gibbs ( 2009 ) province that CI can besides ease HIV transmittal adding to the already long-run effects it poses.Figure 4: Chlamydial infection complicationsBeginning: HPA catching diseases surveillance Centre. The figure of diagnosed episodes of Chlamydia infection has been lifting over the past 10 old ages ( Figures 5, 6 ) . Because GUM clinic informations is skewed towards diagnostic patients and Chlamydia is extremely symptomless, prevalence is besides used to depict the epidemiology.Figure 5: Ratess of venereal Chlamydia infection adult females by age group ( 1995 – 2004 )Datas beginnings: KC60 and STISS/ISD ( D ) 5 returns from GUM clinics, United Kingdom ( HPA, London )Figure 6: Chlamydia positiveness rates in screens performed by NCSP, 2007 ( HPA, 2008 )Surveies by Pimenta et Al. ( 2003 ) and Adams et Al. ( 2005 ) support findings of highest prevalence rates of Chlamydia infection in immature adult females aged 16-24. Pimenta et Al ( 2003 ) measured prevalence of Chlamydia infections in 16-24 twelvemonth old females instead than merely reported instances from GUM clinics ( Figure 7 ) . In Portsmouth there was a 9.8 % prevalence of Chlamydia infection in 16-24 twelvemonth old adult females, with the 18-year old adult females holding the highest extremum and Wirral had 11.2 % with the 20-year old adult females holding the highest extremum ( Pimenta et al. , 2003 ) . Most of these persons from both sites would hold been incognizant of their infection and therefore at hazard of developing Chlamydial complications.Figure 7: Prevalence of Chlamydial infections, 16-24 twelvemonth old females, Portsmouth and Wirral, 1999-2000 ( Pimenta, et al. , 2003 ) .Furthermore, the economic impact of Chlamydia infections on the wellness service is tremendous with high cost in the direction of female wellness complications ( Simms, 2006 ; Skinner, 2010 ; Land et al. , 2010 ) . United kingdom costs to NHS are estimated at & gt ; ?100 million per twelvemonth ( HPA, 2010 ) . Because of the impact of CI on the wellness of immature people, it is of import to place and handle septic patients and their spouses and as a consequence cut down the load of the disease on the people and wellness systems ( Appleby et al. , 2007 ; Adams et al. , 2007 ; Low et al. , 2009 ) .2.3 Chlamydia Awareness and KnowledgeChlamydia rates of infection do vary in each part in the UK ( HPA, 2010 ) . This fluctuation may uncover the proviso of diagnostic services every bit much as disease prevalence. Unfortunately, Chlamydia trachomatis infection like most STIs brings about negative public wellness results due to its part or causes to ill-health. In the UK and other parts of the universe, CI pose tremendous challenges for public wellness such as single wellbeing, the load of wellness costs or mental wellness. Chlamydia rate of infectivity at national degree for immature people aged 15-24 is one in 10 back uping the degree of sexual activity in that group. In the UK, certain groups of populations are affected more than others therefore making sexual wellness inequalities with immature people bearing the greatest load by being disproportionately affected by CI ( Figure 8, Table 2-4 ) ( NCSP, 2009 ; Marmott, 2010 ; HPA, 2010 ) .Figure 8: Age-specific distribution of the rate of diagnosed with Chlamydia at STI clinics, England: 2009Beginning: STI informations from GU medical specialty clinics ( HPA, 2010 )Table 2: Number of Chlamydia diagnosings by gender, male sexual orientation, age group and patient state: 2009Beginning: STI informations from GU medical specialty clinics ( HPA, 2010 )Table 3: Number of Chlamydia diagnosings by gender, male sexual orientation, age group and patient SHA: 2009Beginning: STI informations from GU medical specialty clinics ( HPA, 2010 )Table 4: Number of Chlamydia diagnosings by continent of birth: 2009Beginning: STI informations from GU medical specialty clinics ( HPA, 2010 )2.4 Sexual Behaviour: Chlamydia InfectionAlthough sex has become safer to a important extent through the usage of rubbers, Chlamydia rates significantly increased in recent old ages in the UK preponderantly from assorted factors like sexual hazard behaviors and hapless infection control. It has become a major public wellness concern as highlighted in the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV ( DH, 2001 ) . The 15-24 twelvemonth age group comprises merely 12 % of the population but has the largest diagnosing of STI instances of about 50 % of freshly acquired infections. Control of Chlamydia infection is complicated since it is symptomless. The sexual behavior of the population is an of import determiner of the rates of STIs. The National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles II identified sexual behavior as the hazard of geting an STI in the immature age groups ( McDowall et al. , 2006 ) . The factors included low age at clip of first sexual intercourse, frequent changing of spouses, increased likeliness of being involved with coincident partnerships, irregular usage of rubbers and the increased opportunities of being involved with a spouse who comes from a portion of the universe other than UK that is regarded every bit high hazard ( Figure 9 ) ( Hughes, 2000 ; Johnson, 2001, Mueller, 2008 ; Waylen, 2009 ; Skinner, 2010 ) . The immature people appear to be the cardinal portion of the hazard of go throughing on the infection to other groups of the population. Thus bar should be largely targeted at this nucleus group which would ensue in economic benefits.Figure 9: Chlamydia prevalence by hazard factors 2003  œ non GUM scenes( Montagne et al. , 2004 ) .A survey by Shiely et Al. ( 2010 ) proved that expedited spouse therapy ( EPT ) offer decreases in hazards of repeating or continual CI in straight persons, and heightening the per centum of those sex spouses who obtain intervention. Thus EPT was revealed as better than standard spouse referral over an extended scope of socio-demographic and behaviourally typical subgroups. Behavioural intercessions might be limited because picks about behavior are controlled by local context and civilization. Smedley and Syme ( 2000 ) province that, â€Å" It is clear that behaviour alteration is a hard and complex challenge. It is unreasonable to anticipate that people will alter their behaviors easy when so many forces in the societal, cultural and physical environment conspire against such alteration. † For illustration, Cohen et Al. ( 2006 ) survey found that when striplings were exposed to arouse instruction categories and parent-child communicating about sex, they intended to pattern safer sex ; nevertheless, this did non really lead to increased rubber usage. Rather, situational properties, including spouse attitudes about, or the handiness of, rubbers played a greater function in behavior. However, the effects of environmental hazards like poorness and favoritism might be moderated by intercessions focused on the person: â€Å" But such attempts do litt le to turn to the broader societal and economic forces that influence these hazards † ( Smedley & A ; Syme, 2000 ) . Bandura ( 1986 ) developed the self-efficacy theoretical account which offers a grade of confidence for working with persons in order to cut down hazardous behavior. Since the adult females are immature, they might non hold the necessary accomplishments to negociate and pull off rubber usage ; Bandura ‘s theoretical account may be specifically suited for them. Bandura suggested that persons beliefs in their competency to carry on certain behaviors impacts on the manner they engage themselves, their self-control when faced with troubles, and their effort in carry oning these behaviors. Foresight direct behavior with respect to peculiarly expected outcomes, though self-control allows for the control of behaviors based on criterions that are internal. Above all, self-reflection Lashkar-e-Taiba persons reflect on and go knowing by larning from their experiences.2.5 Sexual Health Prevention and Control: Chlamydia InfectionPeoples ‘s wellness and the societal and economic succe ss of the UK are highly connected. The related economic and societal costs of CI and other STIs to public wellness are tremendous and surpass UK ‘s hereafter. Two of Marmott ‘s ( 2010 ) six recommendations support the bar and control of STIs in UK ‘s population: â€Å" enabling all kids, immature people and grownups to maximize their capablenesss and have control over their lives † and â€Å" beef uping the function and impact of ill-health first-class wellbeing over their lives † . It is critical that the UK ‘s population is educated on sexual wellness issues so that they are able to do good informed sex determinations that contribute to their wellbeing and cut downing the load caused by STIs. Marmott ‘s study farther emphasised other research work ( Picket & A ; Wilkinson, 2009 ) that â€Å" it is non merely the hapless who suffer from the effects of inequality, but the bulk of the population † . High precedence should hence be given to the integrating of STI control measures into primary wellness attention. The world-wide involvement in and resources committed to forestalling AIDS supply a alone chance for wellness workers to do considerable advancement in commanding CI and other STIs.2.5.1 Chlamydia infection: attacks to bar and controlAlthough Chlamydia is a reportable infective disease, easy treated with antibiotics, and mostly prevented with rubber usage, challenges still exist globally in its bar and control. Public wellness efforts to forestall and command Chlamydia and other bacterial STIs have been applied through surveillance, clinical services, spouse presentment schemes and behavioral intercession schemes. Clinical services are an built-in portion of CI and other STIs bar programmes implemented in all communities. Chlamydia clinical services are available in a assortment of other scenes such as community wellness Centres, household planning clinics, GP surgeries, infirmary exigency suites, and prison scenes. Increasingly, CIs are being diagnosed in scenes other than public wellness clinics. Surveillance is a cardinal public wellness duty which involves monitoring of Chlamydia or its effects, antimicrobic opposition, sexual behavior, testing and healthcare quality and coverage. It is critical in observing and supervising disagreements in Chlamydia and other STIs. It is deficient to follow merely Chlamydia infection case-associated demographics for acquiring penetration into the kineticss of Chlamydia transmittal and its continuity in the affected communities. However, consideration into how and when to use the current schemes or to bring forth new 1s is critical for an efficient lessening in Chlamydia infection rates in the hazard groups. It is merely out of utilizing several surveillance attacks, everyday information analysis and reading, and rating that the load of these complex Chlamydia infections may be comprehended decently. Primary bar attempts include promoting rubber usage and patient instruction about abstention, hold of sexual intercourse, and monogamous sexual behavior. Secondary bar attempts include early and frequent showing, which have shown to cut down the prevalence of the disease ( CDC, 2000 ; HPA, 2010 ) .2.5.1 National chlamydia testing programme and spousesThe National Chlamydia Screening Programme ( NCSP ) was established back in 2003 in the UK to supply timeserving showing trials aiming sexually active adult females and work forces under 25 old ages of age who attend wellness and non-health attention scenes. Systematic showing in the UK is performed merely at GUM clinics. The debut of the NCSP in 2003 and other wellness screens in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and in Scotland in 2005 resulted in an addition of sexual wellness screens from 759,770 to 1,219,308. The programme was rolled out to the remainder of England in 2007 and it aims at testing immature adult females go toing GUM , household planning and expiration of gestation clinics ; foremost cervical vilification, young person clinics, colleges, schools and universities. Pharmacies are besides offering testing trials to immature adult females seeking exigency hormonal contraceptive method ( Brabin et al. , 2009 ) . The HPA was appointed in November 2005 by the DH to administrate the NCSP which is delivered by 152 PCTs in England. However, this was rolled out by the Greater Manchester wellness authorization part in Salford in December 2006 by puting up RUClear programme which works in coaction with NCSP and all registered showing sites. Its spouses include wellness attention suppliers and research labs in supplying high-quality CI surveillance informations required by the wellness protection bureau which is indispensable for placing and supervising CI wellness disparities. RUClear coordinates testing services through easy handiness of testing and intervention services every bit good as happening ways of carrying the immature population to utilize these services ( Appendix B ) . Diagnosis of Chlamydia instances increased by 7 % , 217,570 in 2009 from 203,773 in 2008 ( Table 6 ) ( HPA, 2010 ) . NCSP has national marks for which by 31st March 2010, 25 % of all 15-24 twelvemonth olds were screened a nd from 1st April 2010 to 31st March 2011 the mark was raised to 35 % ( anon. , 2010 ) .Table 6: Entire figure of Chlamydia diagnosings in GU medical specialty clinics and community-based scenes by gender, UK and England, 2008-2009The symptomless nature of CI consequences in important under sensing by instance coverage. Those who are symptomless might non obtain attention and hence are non likely to bring forth a instance study. Furthermore, CI may be distributed otherwise in similar racial or cultural group.Figure 11: NCSP proving locales by sex: England April – December 2010 ( HPA, 2011 ) .The showing and treating of Chlamydia is puting a batch of force per unit area for the Primary Care Trusts ( PCTs ) that have to present in instance the immature people are unwilling to see clinical services. The challenge is to acquire advanced methods that would carry the immature people to take on showing services. The standards for testing Chlamydia, although more loosely applicable, are chiefly for sexually active adult females and work forces aged under 25 old ages. In order for Chlamydia showing to be effectual, HAs should closely supervise attachment to testing standards. For case, when there is grounds of high rates of pregnant adult females accessing healthcare service but testing Numberss are low, so it means the recommended attention is non being received by these adult females. Provision of regular showing services for symptomless immature people-at-risk and prompt diagnosing and accurate intervention for immature people infected with or exposed to CI are critical constituents of effectual clinical CI infection bar and control. Correct designation and appropriate intervention are cardinal elements of CI clinical attention but spouse presentment services and reding are besides critical in hazard decrease. However, even with commercial handiness of good diagnostic trials, effectual medicines, and testing and intervention counsel for forestalling and bring arounding Chlamydia, several challenges restrict the full potency of these tools in supplying quality attention for the immature adult females. Given the reported high incidence rates of CI, the load is much more for immature people ( Figure 12, Table 5 ) ( Fenton et al. , 2005 ) . It is imperative to determine effectual bar programmes. Although heightening entree to Chlamydia testing has been an of import and pressing focal point of Chlamydia consciousness programmes and has led to regenerate attempts to increase entree to Chlamydia testing ( WHO, 2001 ; Santer, 2000, 2003 ; HPA, 2010 ) . As more people including this identified group aged under 25 learn their Chlamydia position, and in acknowledgment of the long latent period of the disease before symptoms prevail, factors related to Chlamydia consciousness remain important to place in order to plan comprehensive Chlamydia direction services that meet the demands of the population at hazard of infection ( Wight, 2000, 2002 ; Low, 2007 ; Brabin et al. , 2009 ) .Figure 12: Proportion of positive instances by age and sex: April – December 2010Table 5: Entire figure of Chlamydia diagnosings by patient Percentage: 2009Beginning: STI informations from GU medical specialty clinics ( HPA, 2010 )2.7 DrumheadIn drumhead, the above reappraisal signifier a background for understanding Chlamydia trachomatis infection and a yardstick for measuring the sexual wellness bar and control schemes whilst carefully considered and acknowledged the reported high incidence rates of infection. This chapter has vindicated many challenges and concerns that public wellness face today. Following is Chapter 3 depicting the adopted research methodological analysis to garnering pertinent research informations.

presidio trust essays

presidio trust essays Nestled in the foothills of San Francisco, lies one of the United States most beautiful and historic national parks. Dating back to 1776 when Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza established the Presidio as a military garrison under commission of the government of Spain. In 1848 it was transferred by a treaty from Mexico, to the United States. The Presidio has played a major role in the settlement and defense of the West for more than 200 years. It served as a mobilization and embarkation point during several overseas conflicts, a medical debarkation center and a coastal defense for the San Francisco Bay Area. Located on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula the Presidio occupies over 1,433 acres. During the 1960's there was increased pressure to develop remaining open spaces in the San Francisco Bay Area. Local environmentalists urged representatives to preserve the beauty and history of the Presidio by including it within the boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In 1972, when the Golden Gate National Recreation Area was created, it was mandated that the Presidio be transferred to the park when it was no longer needed by the Army. In 1988 the Presidio was slated for closure by a BRAC (Base Realignment and Closures) commission and thus began the transfer of property to the National Park Service. In June of 1995 the Sixth U.S. Army marched out the Presidio, ending almost 219 years of military presence in the city. By September 30, 1995 all Army Facilities were transferred to the National Park Service. The Presidio trust is the first of its kind in the United States. With the closing of many military bases this seems to be an effective allocation of the land. But as with any National Park the Presidio has its fair share of problems. The main on being the extensive cleanup that was needed to restore the land to its original pristine state. In July of 1998 the Trust took charge of ...

The Treatment of the Holocaust essays

The Treatment of the Holocaust essays The Treatment of the Holocaust in Films Films concerning the holocaust used comedy and aesthetics in order to exhibit social problems and send an antifascist message. In response to Germanys inhumane actions during the World Wars, the German Nazi party was satirized in several films. Often, these films focus on the effects of current organizational and socio-political structures on the working man and exaggerate the control of the Dictator. In times of war, people may benefit from the humor in these films, as they can distract them from their hardships. Additionally, this type of film allows the filmmaker to express the side of the story that the government ignores. The Great Dictator, To Be or Not To Be, and Seven Beauties, contain aesthetic elements that can affect the emotions of the viewer. The Great Dictator was written and directed by Charlie Chaplin in 1940. From the start of the film, the socio-political satire begins with the following text: "This is a story of a period between two world wars an interim in which Insanity cut loose, Liberty took a nose dive, and Humanity was kicked around somewhat". When he wrote the screenplay for this film, Chaplin had no idea what kind of atrocities would be committed by the Nazis; therefore, the issue of the Holocaust was not treated quite as sensitively as it would be in years to come. The most memorable scene depicts Adenoid Hynkel (Chaplin), kicking a balloon-like globe around his office gently and beautifully; after a few minutes of lovely musical accompaniment, Hynkel (a characterization of Hitler) pops the globe and is left with nothing but ripped plastic. Chaplin also plays the role of a little Jewish barber who gets sent to a concentration camp. The camp is not representative of what we now know had been going on; the concentration camp was actually portrayed to be nothing more than crammed, poverty-stricken, living. The similar physiq...

Quotes for Engagement Toasts

Quotes for Engagement Toasts Engagements are special because they signify that two people who share a caring relationship have now acknowledged their love for each other. It is after their engagement that the two people finally become a couple in the true sense of the term. You could include a few of the following quotes when making engagement toasts to the happy couple. Famous Quotes for Engagement Toasts Antoine De Saint-ExuperyAnd now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.ThoreauThere is no remedy for love but to love more.Bertrand A. RussellLove is a little haven of refuge from the world.Amy BushnellLove reminds you that nothing else matters.Oscar WildeLong engagements give people the opportunity of finding out each others character before marriage, which is never advisable.Oscar Levant, to Harpo Marx upon meeting Harpos fiancà ©eHarpo, shes a lovely person. She deserves a good husband. Marry her before she finds one.AnonymousLove is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.Keith SweatYou cant stop loving or wanting to love because when its right, its the best thing in the world. When youre in a relationship and its good, even if nothing else in your life is right, you feel like your whole world is complete.Janice MarkowitzIf you have to think about whether you love s omeone or not, then the answer is no. When you love someone you just know.Edgar Allan PoeWe loved with a love that was more than love.

Computer Science project reprot Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Computer Science project reprot - Essay Example Live Search) had not introduced this concept initially and a smaller company as compared to Google, Yahoo and Microsoft had introduced this concept of personalized search. In case of personalized search various types of information’s from users are collected and based on that information’s the search content is filtered and displayed to users. Now these days internet (Web) contains lots of information and by searching and specific keywords there is possibility that irrelevant information is returned. Now search engines are working in this regards and comes with the solution of personalized search so as give its users search results based on the user demographic information and interests and taste. In addition these days search history can be also maintained by search engines which users can see on later days. Aim of Study: The study of â€Å"Profile-Based Web-Searching† will provide an opportunity to learn how different personalized search engines works and make use of user specific information for assisting web searching process. According to Johnson (2005), personalized search drives financial benefits both in short term and long term. In the short term, advertisers increase revenue by targeting ads and promotions at the users who are most likely to click and buy. In addition, consumers want personalization and are more willing to stay with sites and services that ‘know’ them and respond to their specific lifestyles and preferences. Moreover, sites that employ personalized search automatically filter the Web for consumers based on their individual preferences and saves consumers time and frustration, and bonds users to the site. The techniques used in personalizing Web content are used to personalize Web Search. According to Johnson (2005), there are many ways, but they all require ability that is discussed here. The first thing that a search engine requires is the preferences and demographic information of the users. This can be achieved by search

Poor and Minorities in the Criminal Justice System Essay

Poor and Minorities in the Criminal Justice System - Essay Example 190). Observations and importance: For a considerably long time, in the US two different types of criminal justice systems are active. One is for the white and rich people and the other one is for the poor minority people. These were the findings of judges, attorneys, and law professors. They have found that there are inequalities, disparities, and injustices in the treatment of crimes according to races and social, political, and financial power. Different government criminal agencies, courts, and police are highly biased in respect to justice. Sometimes courts take only few minutes to finish the hearing of the case for the minority people, without even considering all the possible aspects and witnesses’ statements. Sometimes the hearing of a poor black person is attended by a white jury, who is naturally supposed to be highly biased against the black community (Cole, 1999, p. 190). All these affect negatively the large number of poor and minority people living in the country . But the most striking feature of the problem is that the law of the US does not allow court and police to be biased against any race and community. This has been rather a social tradition that has been going on and on for a long time. The problem is immensely serious in the sense that these decisions of invoking bias in the criminal justice systems are creating anger and passion for revenge and feelings of social discrimination among the poor and minor people living there. This is also violating the social peace in the country. Evidence shows that a black judge has announced punishment for a white without even completing the hearing, just because the judge has in mind the history of justice system regarding the bias for whites (Banks, 2004, p. 60). It is also shown that for the same crime a black gets more punishment compared to a white. Sometimes the racial discriminations become larger than the financial discriminations. There are also some evidences that reveal that discriminat ions are available in questions like who will be arrested and who will enter into the system, but not in the judgment of terms of sentencing. There are lots of informal sources of discriminations like police and local courts. In the presence of these informal sources it is evident that the African Americans are the most discriminated ethnic society living in the US. The dangerousness or the seriousness of the crime gets more importance for the blacks than for the whites (Bank, 2004, pp. 60-61). Discriminations are also shown in case of the jury selection (Bank, 2004, p. 62) and giving death penalty (Bank, 2004, p. 67). The massacre of 9/11 has created new disparities for the Muslims around the world, especially for the Asian Muslims. Even American people think that there are discriminations against poor and minorities (Greenhouse, 1999). Reasons: There are various reasons for discriminations in criminal justice systems in the US. Most of the reasons are completely social and convent ional and have least or no resemblance with the law or the rules and regulations of the system. For instance, the police may arrest a person completely based on the kind of respect the person shows to the police. A lower respect for the police increases the probability of getting

American Trade and Imperialism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

American Trade and Imperialism - Research Paper Example ing this period, America started to influence the cultural, military, social, political, and economic nature of other nations that enabled America to expand its power and influence to foreign territories. Various factors led to the emergence and adoption of the American imperialism policy. These factors include the Spanish-American war where America sought the independence of Cuba by compelling Spain to withdraw from Cuba. The American need to annex Hawaii due to its immense natural resources and arable lands also fostered American imperialism. The American push for an "Open Door" trading policy in China that allowed America to have equal trading rights in China and the American quest to participate in international trade also led to American trade and imperialism. American imperialism led to various effects on America, its colonies, and other European nations. Such effects have been consistent and significant throughout the centuries. This paper addresses the political, economic, mi litary, cultural, and social influence of American trade and imperialism on America and other foreign nations. Since the early 1990s, the American economic interest had been superseding the American belief in democracy. Before the early 1990s, America had been opposing imperialism for many years. In simple terms, American imperialism relates to the political, economic, social, or cultural influence of the U.S on other foreign nations (Hobson 1). The influence emanating from this policy enabled America to participate in international trade and expand its power into powerless nations like Cuba. It is worth noting that the American need to become a dominant force in international trade and global affairs prompted America to disregard its democratic capitalism system of governance and focus on its economic interests (Hawkins 1). It is clear that the American imperialism began between 1870 and 1916 subject to distinct factors that equally led to the successful adoption of this policy. For

Evaluation assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Evaluation - Assignment Example 21 REFERENCES 23 APPENDIX 25 QUESTIONNAIRE 25 2.What is the level of ease of navigation in the website http://www.cksp.com.hk/? 25 8.Is it easy to get information from the website http://www.cksp.com.hk/? 27 11.Is the website http://www.cksp.com.hk/ attractive? 27 EVALUATION ASSIGNMENT INTRODUCTION The analysis of usability of a website is of the greatest importance for the organization running. Nowadays, most of the business is conducted by websites across the world. So, the website plays a vital part in understanding the value offering of the organization. The website would be considered as a good, generally based on two factors. They are the degree of usability and the level of visual appeal. There are a host of factors that affect the usability of the website ranging from the information about the architecture, the navigation facilities, the jargon, the kind of terminology being used in the design, the designing aspect of the forms of a user and the layout of the page. However, t he usability may differ from time to time based on the needs of the business. The first part of the writing presentenced the need for a user centred approach in detail. The CBA (Cost Benefit Analysis) was done for the website, and the incorporation of an approach based on the user would present larger revenues for the company. So, this research is dedicated towards the steps for integration of a user based approach in the development of the website of http://www.cksp.com.hk/, after winning the contract. The paper would be divided into a number of sections. The first part of the sections would be used for the specification of the usability goals. This would serve as the benchmark for evaluation of the website. These are the parameters, which would guide the eventual design of the website, by serving as the template. The next part of the paper would focus on the usability criteria by the application of questionnaires. The obtained data would help in the analysis by using the human fac tors which are of significance. The last part of the paper would build a prototype for this application, which would take all the factors into consideration. The last part would present the recommendations for the website and the overall changes that have to be incorporated into the design for an increased interaction with the user. ANALYSIS OF http://www.cksp.com.hk/ USER ANALYSIS AND THE PROFILING For the presentation of a complete kind of the usability in the logical manner, there is a need for the conduct of certain kinds of tests. These tests are necessary, because they play a part in the attainment of the usability

Research handbook of comparative employment relations Essay

Research handbook of comparative employment relations - Essay Example Good! So these are your 3 main sections of your paper. According to Barry and Wilkinson (2011), voluntary overtime is a regular and positive practice in the various industries. Voluntary overtime increases the productivity of workers, maintains employees’ wellbeing, reduces staff turnover, and it is more cost efficient than part-time employment. Good! Okay, so you discuss these next, right? In the next couple of paragraphs, you discuss these right? I could be able to see that these are the topics for the next paragraphs. maintains employees’ wellbeing, reduces staff turnover, and it is more cost efficient than part-time employment For example, overtime is a common practice among medical facilities in the United States, where nurses are the majority of medical facilities’ employees who works overtime. You should consider using more in-text citations – where did this example come from? One of our sources? Or would one of your sources agree with it? Then use an in-text citation here. It’s not uncommon for research papers to have in-text citations in almost every other sentence. This is looking good so far. Nurses who voluntarily work overtime provide better care for the patients compared to mandatory overtime or part-time nurses. A clear indication of the positive impact of voluntary overtime over part-time or regular time work is that overtime workers tend to be engaged, especially when work is voluntarily provided to them. Most employees admit that wages have an impact on their work performance. Studies have demonstrated that higher wages earned result in a sense of achievement, ownership, and satisfaction in the work completed. Okay, so the next paragraphs will be about achievement, ownership, and satisfaction, right? It’s like sorting out your laundry; the evaluators will want to see clear, separate piles of thoughts like you indicate in your, excellent topic sentences. Your piles are your paragraphs, right? So, I want to see a paragraph on achievement. And another one one on ownership, and then the last one on satisfaction in work. Does this make sense/ Employees who are available by choice to work for overtime hours augment their productivity, lead to an excellent job recital, and reduce staff turnover through retention of employees (Barry & Wilkinson, 2011).Voluntary work helps in maintaining the employee’s health more than forced overtime work. Use of voluntary overtime enhances the wellbeing of workers; on the other hand, involuntary overtime causes burnout among employees. Voluntary overtime increases employees’ satisfaction and reduces stress among employees; as a result, it helps in maintaining the health of the workers. As Cameron (2012) observes, employees who work on voluntary overtime tend to have natural self-motivation within them, which enhances their productivity and job satisfaction. Employees and employers attain more benefits from voluntary overtime than from invo luntary overtime. Numerous studies have established that long working hours and shift work raise the odds for employees to be fatigued, injured, stressed, and suffer from medical ailments. However, voluntary overtime tends to lower these effects, but involuntary overtime increases same. The Advantages of Voluntary Overtime Paid Work The Advantages of

Evaluation assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Evaluation - Assignment Example 21 REFERENCES 23 APPENDIX 25 QUESTIONNAIRE 25 2.What is the level of ease of navigation in the website http://www.cksp.com.hk/? 25 8.Is it easy to get information from the website http://www.cksp.com.hk/? 27 11.Is the website http://www.cksp.com.hk/ attractive? 27 EVALUATION ASSIGNMENT INTRODUCTION The analysis of usability of a website is of the greatest importance for the organization running. Nowadays, most of the business is conducted by websites across the world. So, the website plays a vital part in understanding the value offering of the organization. The website would be considered as a good, generally based on two factors. They are the degree of usability and the level of visual appeal. There are a host of factors that affect the usability of the website ranging from the information about the architecture, the navigation facilities, the jargon, the kind of terminology being used in the design, the designing aspect of the forms of a user and the layout of the page. However, t he usability may differ from time to time based on the needs of the business. The first part of the writing presentenced the need for a user centred approach in detail. The CBA (Cost Benefit Analysis) was done for the website, and the incorporation of an approach based on the user would present larger revenues for the company. So, this research is dedicated towards the steps for integration of a user based approach in the development of the website of http://www.cksp.com.hk/, after winning the contract. The paper would be divided into a number of sections. The first part of the sections would be used for the specification of the usability goals. This would serve as the benchmark for evaluation of the website. These are the parameters, which would guide the eventual design of the website, by serving as the template. The next part of the paper would focus on the usability criteria by the application of questionnaires. The obtained data would help in the analysis by using the human fac tors which are of significance. The last part of the paper would build a prototype for this application, which would take all the factors into consideration. The last part would present the recommendations for the website and the overall changes that have to be incorporated into the design for an increased interaction with the user. ANALYSIS OF http://www.cksp.com.hk/ USER ANALYSIS AND THE PROFILING For the presentation of a complete kind of the usability in the logical manner, there is a need for the conduct of certain kinds of tests. These tests are necessary, because they play a part in the attainment of the usability

English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 16

English - Essay Example The list appears and I can choose the friend I specifically want through filtering. Is that the right term? Well, it just makes it easy to find people who I believe are very compatible with me and my personality. Making friends online eliminates geographical boundaries. You can make friend i a girl from another state to another continent. This way, I learn a lot. I currently have friends from Canada, Europe, and Asia and they all give me fresh insight about their culture. This suits my interest in enhancing my knowledge of different traditions and culture. The diversity of people online searching for a friend makes it exciting. I learn a lot from other people. I hope they learn from me too†¦Ã¯ Å  However, Myspace is not the type of place I would like to find really serious and close friendship. I guess it’s human nature—I feel the need to really â€Å"experience† the person. I mean, I need face to face interaction in order to form a solid friendship. You can’t be best friends with someone you only meet online right? And a dozen chat sessions can never compensate by really having coffee together or walking in the mall. I always find this weird but often times, even though I make friends with people with the same interest as I am, we just don’t seem to click. Do you know what I mean? There’s no chemistry. Well, that’s for lovers but same for friendship I guess. Sometimes, the numbers or letters or titles won’t really assure you that you are compatible with another person. Do I need to tell you that some people even still hide their identity while online? I believe that trust should still be the foundation of friendship. So just how can you be friends with someone who is hiding behind an alias and another person’s photo? It’s really disgusting. Social networking online does not in any way allow you to identity people who do this. Well, in some cases, most people who find

Aircraft Solutions Essay Example for Free

Aircraft Solutions Essay SecurityAircraft Solutions Security and Policy Assessment Table of Contents Executive Summary1 Company Overview1 Security Vulnerabilities1 Decentralized Anti Virus1 Access Control List Policy3 Recommended Solutions6 Bitdefender6 AlgoSec Security Management Suite7 Impact on Business Processes7 Budget8 Summary8 References9 Executive Summary As Aircraft Solutions takes the next step in its growth, it is imperative that its IT infrastructure keep pace as to not counteract gains made by the company during this expansion. This is especially important given it designs and fabricates components for both commercial and defense related industry. Given the increase in staff as well as outside vendors accessing the network, a more centralized approach to antivirus protection has to be adopted. It is equally important that certain elements within the network that have been done manually, such as Access Control List policy, be automated to avoid consuming the IT department in an ever escalating bar of employee hours. Company Overview Aircraft Solutions operates within California in two separate physical locations in San Diego and Santa Ana. Working within both commercial and defense industries, their products are used globally. Aircraft Solutions is overtly technical in nature utilizing Business Process Management (BPM) for end to end processes that interacts with customers, vendors, and suppliers. BPM also fills a critical role of internal communications for IT to ensure customer needs are being fulfilled precisely as they have been ordered. Security Vulnerabilities Decentralized Anti Virus In reviewing the software utilized by Aircraft Solutions, it is stated that security is handled by anti-virus software that is independently operated for all workstations and servers. This seems to be a continuation of the host centric theme as evidenced by host based IDS. Whereas host based IDS can be seen as a more viable alternative to network based IDS, the same cannot be said for anti-virus software in this scenario. Given that the company operates two individual physical locations that run the gamut from design to production, it can be assumed that their employee pool is not small despite actual numbers not being mentioned. With these numbers, it is quite unlikely that all employees are maintaining their due diligence in ensuring that they are properly updating their anti-virus applications and operating them in such a manner that they are being used efficiently. The primary weakness of this policy is that the end user is responsible for its upkeep. It is reasonable to assume that someone working in a loading dock may not have the same level of computer aptitude as an engineer and would be more likely to cause a break in security by allowing a virus into their computer and threaten the network (Department of Homeland Security, 2012). As security is only as strong as the weakest link, this opens the proverbial floodgates of illicit access to the company network. This is problematic in that official statistics gathered in 2012 estimated that the United States ranks third in the world with 50. 1% of all unique users detecting threats from a virus (Kaspersky Security Bulletin, 2012). The most common virus credited with 75. 01% of all online attacks with 712,999,644 instances are malicious URLs (Kaspersky Security Bulletin, 2012) that can infect a computer without the user even realizing what has occurred. Not even anti-virus software will keep a user completely safe as it is reported that 32% of all users have been infected with a virus despite such protection measures (Zorz, 2010). Once infected, viruses can either cause extreme lag with the network, slowly gather information to be used against the company or sold to anyone willing to purchase it, or even cause damage to physical components used in the business (Weinberger, 2012). There are many other nefarious effects of an infected computer within a network that can cripple productivity and cut into the revenue generating capacity of the company. When you take into consideration that a slower network will cause a decrease in company production and will not reduce the cost of daily operations in terms of equipment, utilities or workforce then you must look at the financial ramifications of such an event. The creation and dissemination of viruses has become big business that will grow exponentially as it has moved from the stereotypical basements of hackers into the realm of organized crime and legitimized aspects of armed services for many nations the world around (Fisher, 2012). It is reported that worldwide, viruses have stolen approximately $1. 6 trillion (CMP Media Inc. , 2013) from the global economy. Access Control List Rule policy Security policy at Aircraft Solutions dictates that all firewall and router access control rules pertaining to packet flow be evaluated on a bi yearly basis. Network infrastructure documentation for the company lists one firewall and two routers that are currently in operation that fall within these parameters. Within the San Diego headquarters, all of these devices act as a bulwark against any unwanted intrusion from the Internet at large. Documentation also details there are contractors and suppliers along with customers to contend with regarding external access to the network through these devices. Looking at the internal physical topology it is seen that there is a single router providing packet control for all traffic between the Defense Division in Santa Anna and the rest of the company consisting of Human Resources, Accounting, Direct Computer Numerical Control, Sales and Marketing, IT, and information from the database. Conversely, this same router would also have to act the single point of control between all internal departments at San Diego as it is the only piece of equipment that possesses layer three functionality before passing the firewall. Given these relationships this demonstrates these three devices, particularly the router connecting Santa Anna and San Diego, require extremely detailed and expansive routing rules to effectively run the business. Departmental access list rules could for the most part remain static and not require a great deal of attention once implemented as IP schemas would be established ahead of time for each department. Issues begin to arise when you take into account that over the course of two years, multiple projects will most likely be spun up, numerous unique circumstances, and growth of the network will create a myriad of antiquated access control rules that will represent gaping holes in security that can allow unauthorized access to sensitive company materials and intellectual property. This would also lead to a lack of documentation of access control rules so that there would be no manner in which to simply reference which rules were in place and for what reason. Each annual security review will then sideline the IT department as it analyzes the access control list rules and begins to path them out to their respective devices. At this point, ownership of the device would have to be established, the purpose of that device, and then verifying if access was still warranted. Disagreements at this juncture would result in managerial oversight as department heads would then have to present their cases for and against access. Obviously, this would draw management, especially that of IT, into contracted deliberation that would distract from day to day business. A lack of an overall firewall policy, a bi yearly evaluation of access control list rules, and the previously mentioned issue of non centralized anti-virus software creates a very dangerous environment for data security. A port that is opened for user access is a window into the companys network that can ultimately be exploited. The more ports that are left open, the greater the opportunity for intrusion. This same lack of a detailed firewall policy also entails that these multiple holes in security can vary in scope since there is not a set control in place to reign in the extent of the security exception being asked (Hogg, 2011). These open ports make the company susceptible to port scanning as outside entities search for network soft spots that can be exploited to gain entry. These scans occur with such constant frequency that they are referred to as Internet background radiation (Notenboom, 2008). Given these factors it is a foregone conclusion that there will inevitably be a breach of the network as a result. Such an event would result in loss of intellectual property, decrease of production, and repeated incidents would create a devastating loss of trust in the eyes of customers. An ancillary security risk is derived from the time and energy spent by IT during each manual review of all access control listings in the firewall and routers. It is feasible that each rule will take an average of an hour to complete if all goes smoothly with tracing the routed path from beginning to end, complying with internal ticket work, verifying the device, and accepting a reason for the route to be in existence. More time would be expended by both engineering staff and then management if there was a dispute as to if a rule should be left in place or not. In terms of just the basic work to go through all the established rules that will accumulate over the course of 2 years, a conservative estimate of 25 requests for new rules per week (based on personal experience within a mid-sized company) would yield a total of 2600 new lines to be analyzed. Assuming approximately a third of these rules could be associated together as projects are increased or decreased, that leaves roughly 866 lines that translates into as many employee hours that will be occupied for this task over the course of 108 days. A team of five in the IT department would require just over 21 full working days to effectively handle this task at a cost of $2,898. 75 to have entry level Network Engineers (Salary. com, 2013) dedicated to the task . If a quarter of these rules are disputed, then the company will pay out another $9,964. 70 (Salary. com, 2013) of lost productivity as the IT manager has to contend with other managers to mediate the need for the rules. It is likely that this endeavor would constitute a major departmental project at the end of the 2 years instead of being worked on throughout the duration. During this time, other work will be assigned to secondary status and put projects and perhaps updates that could be critical in risk of being done on time as all energy and focus resides on the access evaluation. Recommended Solutions Bitdefender To effectively control antivirus from a central source that will push updates to all network devices, demand all equipment connecting has antivirus and allow for mobile devices to be used without issue, Bitdefender small business pack would be the ideal choice. Given that this application suite will provide service to all Windows OSs from XP to Windows 8 along with Macintosh and Linux support [ (Squidoo. com, 2012) ], it is perfect for allowing outside vendors who may not conform strictly to the Windows platform adopted by Aircraft Solutions. Support for the product is offered by email, and phone coupled with configuration assistance free of charge. As it was not definitely declared how many employees are with Aircraft Solutions, there is a pricing scale of $449. 95 per year for 20 computers and 20 mobile devices [ (Bitdefender, 2012) ]. AlgoSec Security Management Suite In terms of Access Control List management on the firewalls, industry reviews would recommend a single piece of software, Algosec Security Management Suite. With this application, all a user is required to do is simply enter in the IP of the device wanting entry to the network as well as the IP of the device is wishes to access. Algosec will then compute the path from source to destination, provide a listing of all firewalls in the path, and then list out what changes would need to be made to firewall configuration. With a click of a button, it would even implement these changes thereby freeing an inordinate amount of time on the part of IT staff and management [ (AlgoSec, 2012) ]. Cost of the application is approximately $10,000 [ (AlgoSec, 2013) ] which also include support of the product and updates. Impact on Business Processes Implementation pains felt as both Bitdefender and AlgoSec are introduced will be minimal at best. In each instance, less work will be required of employees as they are no longer responsible for their own antivirus and the process by which firewall flows are drafted and put into configuration will be dramatically increased. The point of contention that might make itself known will be at the onset of these applications being installed as they will require some new policy changes. At first, there will most likely be an uptick in questions asked of IT as employees want to know what is required of them with Bitdefender antivirus. It will also require new policy on the part of IT in terms of management of the application as well as procedures for pushing updates into the network. AlgoSec will be almost entirely without incident as it will create a process by which a request is put in for access and instead of being delayed as the path is verified, it can move directly into managerial oversight for approval. Budget Product| Features| Cost| Bitdefender| Centralized AV updatesScalable user supportInternal firewallIntuitive GUIApplication supportInstallation assistance| $449. 95 per year per set of 20 computers/20 mobile devices| AlgoSec| Firewall path operation automationFirewall configuration change automationNegates access control rule auditsProduct support and updates| $10,000 (approximate quote)| Summary Without changes made to IT policy, requests upon the IT department for access to the network and the bi yearly audit of existing rules will eventually grind all departmental progress to a complete stop for months at a time. Automation in this arena as well as a universal standard for antivirus are dire in maintaining a secure network with the necessary resources to make changes as needed. In the face of company growth, if automation is not embraced, then it will become necessary to increase the IT staff by at least 50% within the next 2 years to simply maintain the status quo. Assuming an employee pool of 100, an investment in Bitdefender and Algosec at this time will cost $12,249. 75, with reoccurring annual fees of $2,249. 75. Such an amount if a far cry from an extensive uptick in staff. The end result will be a far more efficient IT department that will be able to accomplish more sustentative work with existing staff at hand. References AlgoSec. (2012, january). AlgoSec Security Management Suite. Retrieved February 18, 2013, from Algosec. com: http://www. algosec. com/en/products/products_overview AlgoSec. (2013, January). How to Buy. Retrieved February 18, 2013, from algosec.

The Emergence Of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Information Technology Essay

The Emergence Of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Information Technology Essay Many organizations have initiated Enterprise Resource Planning systems, using such packages as SAP, Peoplesoft and Oracle. The ERP market is one of the fastest growing in the software industry. In a research conducted by APICS, 34.5% of the companies with revenues over $1 billion planned to purchase or upgrade in ERP system. This research is relevant to indicate that the ERP market may reach $ 1 trillion by the year 2010 (Umble et al., 2005). Enterprise resource planning systems are a major investment. Companies have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in ERP software. Its implementation promotes a variety of business justifications which include replacement of numerous legacy systems, reduction in cycle time from order to delivery, and reduction in operating costs. Also, the on-line, real-time operational data that ERP systems enable managers to make better decisions and improve responsiveness to customer needs (Gyampah, 2004). There is evidence that organizations are satisfied with ERP. Based upon a sample of 117 firms in 17 countries, the Conference Board reports that 34% of the organizations were satisfied with ERP, 58% were somewhat satisfied, 7% were somewhat unsatisfied, and only 1% were unsatisfied (Al-Mashari, M., Zairi, M., 2009). Organizations have a business justification for implementing ERP systems. The business benefits of ERP include improved accessibility of information, real time access to data across the organization, improved cycle time for orders, decreased financial closing time, reduced operating costs, and lowered inventory levels. In addition ERP systems provide an opportunity to re-align business processes with best practices and to integrate enterprise-wide information supporting financial, human resources, manufacturing, sales and marketing functions. Evolution of ERP It was in the Sixties that the concept of resource planning was first introduced by software packages that dealt with inventory control capability. Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems were later introduced in 1970s and these contained a master production schedule and a bill of materials file with list of materials needed to produce each item. MRP systems were enhanced by adding tools for sales planning, customer order processing and capacity planning that provided input production scheduling, known as closed loop MRP. In the 1980s, MRPII systems incorporated financial accounting system along with manufacturing and materials management systems. MRPII led to an integrated business system that was used to create a database of material and capacity requirements for production and this system then translated these requirements into financial information. By 1990s ERP systems provided seamless integration of all information flows in the company- Financial Accounting, Human Resources, Supply Chain Management and Customer Information (Rondeau Litteral, 2001). Challenges of ERP System ERP system projects involve considerable time and cost not only in terms of investment but also for realization of benefits from their implementation. Research by Standish Group illustrates that 90% of ERP projects are late over budget. Meta Group survey data, based on 63 companies, showed that average implementation cost of ERP was $ 10.6 million and took 23 months to complete (K. Siau, 2004). A successful implementation of ERP requires a multi-stage approach (Jones M. and Price L., 2004), and the benefits of ERP may not occur until later stages. Jones et al., propose three stages: the project phase, the shakedown phase, and onward and upward phase. ERP software is introduced during project phase and is implemented into firms operations during shakedown phase. It is not until onward and upward phase, during which ERP modules are successfully integrated with operations, that the organization can achieve actual business results, such as inventory reduction (Motwani et al., 2002). However, Spathis et al. identify four phases for implementation of the same. The phases are: a planning phase, a re-engineering phase, a design phase, and a configuration and testing phase (Spathis et al., 2003). They indicate that re-engineering business practices around the ERP software is critical to successful implementation. In their stage analysis, Rondeau et al. (2001) suggest benefits of ERP occur when ERP modules are implemented successfully and when organizations can use the ERP foundation to add advance modules such as customer relationship management. A company has to make sure that its ERP investment fetches increased profitability. The key challenge is not in managing technology, but in managing people. An ERP system changes the way people work, and for the system to be effective, the change must be dramatic. It promotes efficient business processes with the requirement of fewer people than before ERP implementation or up-gradation. This implies that some employees will be asked either to change their day-to-day activities or their services would no longer be needed. Managing human behavior aspects of organizational change also known as organizational change management (OCM) cannot be underestimated in importance of this part of the implementation process. One of the keys to managing OCM is to realize that people tend to defy changes associated with their work related activities. If the ERP implementation is a project that is being forced on the employees, then they will instinctively resist it. However, if it is viewed as a chance to make the company more efficient and effective by improving business process, and consequently these process improvements will make the company more profitable and ensure job security to employees, then there is a greater likelihood that the employees will wholeheartedly support the implementation efforts. The best way to improve a business process is to delegate the task to develop process improvement ideas to people who are most familiar with the process using their experience and creativity. Sometimes, a company is not ready for ERP. In many cases, ERP implementation difficulties result when management does not fully understand its current business processes and cannot make implementation decisions in time . In order to obtain benefits from an ERP system resulting in reduction of costs needs an organization to streamline its business processes. However, if a company is not prepared to change its business process es, it will find a large bill for software and consulting fees with no improvement in organizational performance. ERP packages imply, by their design, a way of doing business, and they require users to follow that way of doing business. Some of business operations, and some segments of its operations, may not match the constraints inherent in ERP. Therefore, it is imperative for a business to analyze its business strategy, organization, culture and operations before choosing an ERP approach. Review of Literature Companies implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in order to achieve better responsiveness to the needs of customers through real-time information provided by the system, to link customers and suppliers into a complete supply chain, to provide high degree of cross functional integration, to reduce the costs and to provide the foundation for effective e-commerce (Vollmann et al., 2005). The pressure to survive in the new world order and align with the new paradigm for organizational success, namely, speed, flexibility, integration and innovation, further drives organizations towards adopting integrative software approaches like ERP. It is also a well known fact that information technology affects the organization structure (Bhattacherjee, 2000). Hence, ERP implementation would impact the structure, but this impact has not been elaborately investigated. It is often supposed that IT creates a flatter structure (Stevens, 1998). The flat structure speeds up decision-making p rocess, shortens lines of communication and aids in savings (Klein, 2001). ERP implementation benefits are not realized quickly as expected and the process is lengthy and expensive (Siau, 2004). Many organizations world over and particularly in the fast developing countries are traditional hierarchies and managing changes in structure offering challenges. As ERP implementation is an enterprise wide venture of change.It is important to understand how to manage impact on the organization structure. Two research objectives were central to this research project. ERP implementation influences the structure of the organization. Management of the change to the new structure. This paper is an attempt to examine the ERP implementation experience in a company. It drew on Organization Theory and Change Management theory to understand the transition between structures and to provide the explanations (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004). ERP represents a comprehensive software approach and information technology effects on the organization structure (Kurup, 2004) and ERP implementation success involves change management of techniques, the change management theory (Paton and McCalman, 2004) prove useful in explaining the outcomes of the case study . IT and Organization Structure The organization structure defines how the tasks are to be allocated, who reports to whom and the formal coordinating mechanisms and interaction patters that will be followed (Robbin, 1990). Organization structure has three components: Complexity, Formalization and Centralization. These components are described below and impact of IT on these components is expressed and applied to case analysis to aid in investigation of the influence of ERP on organization structure. Complexity Complexity refers to the degree of differentiation that exists within an organization. This includes the degree of specialization or division of labour, the number of levels in the organizations hierarchy, and the extent to which the organizations units are dispersed geographically (Klein, 2001). With introduction of this component of organization structure, it is possible to have wider span of control with more knowledgeable and empowered employees. Companies with IT can reduce the middle management layers and widen span of control and thereby flatten the organization structure. However, removing layers might create new challenges. New mechanisms for coordination might be needed or new process of governance might be necessary. According to the model proposed by Klein (2001), IT results in wider spans of control, fewer levels, fewer people, easier collaboration and communication. In other words, IT lowers the complexity. Formalization Formalization refers to the degree to which an organization relies on rules and procedures to direct behavior of employees. Evidence exists to indicate that developing detailed guidelines of appropriate operating procedures enhances coordination and is suitable in a stable environment (Martin, 2009). Formalization, however, is negatively associated with adoption and implementation of innovation in organizations (Ahadi, 2004) and hence it is negatively related to the ERP implementation because it tends to boast deleterious effects on the work attitudes. Centralization The decisional control in organization could be centralized or decentralized. In traditional hierarchies the decisional control is usually centralized. Research indicates that IT tends to make the decisional control more decentralized with no commensurate loss of control by the top management (Robbin, 1990). It is possible that the centralization component is related to the size of middle management although there are conflicting findings. IT results in a decrease in the size of the middle management workforce in organizations with centralized decision authority and with an increase in the number of middle managers in organizations where the authority is decentralized. Change Management The change management when linked to ERP implementation has been more focused on process change (Davison, 2002). The other type of change namely organizational restructuring provides specifics related to moving from one structure to another. The objective of restructuring is based on the companys long-range plan and the intention is to set up a structure that enables a company to be ready for new activities. However, changing an organizations structure can be difficult and successful restructuring depends on three conditions: sound planning, effective leadership and organizational commitment (Witzel, 2002). To examine organizational change in a traditional hierarchical organization, consideration is given to: Human element and informal organization. Necessity of strong management actions and inspirational vision. Sustainability of an initiative. None of available models considers all the three aspects. Informal Organization INPUT Strategy Formal OUTPUT Resources, Organization Individual Environment team, Performance Managing Change Transformation Process Figure -1 In traditional organizations, manager had to solve problems by directly communicating with the employees and was related to power and values. However, in ERP implementation much of the learning process comes from hands on use under normal operating conditions after the implementation period is over. Thus power is then transfered to individuals who are able to operate the ERP system better and utilize Work People the system resources efficiently (Aladwani, 2009). ERP affect on nature of work and training is an important part of change management practices. ERP requires users to understand that they are no longer working in isolation, and whatever they do now impacts someone else. This can create resistance that comes from a fear of the unknown and from the need of stability. There are two fundamental sources of resistance to innovations like ERP: perceived Risk and Habit. The habit of keeping the routine practices prevalent in hierarchies has to be tackled using appropriate strategies. Spathis and Constantinides (2003) have proposed a planned change model and this model assumes that change can be defined and moved in a planned way. Unlike other planning models, the four phases suggested in this model are linear and irreversible. This model satisfies the requirement of well-controlled change and strong management actions. Four phases that have been suggested are: Exploration, Planning, Action and Integration. Implementation of ERP Information technology leads to a tremendous impact on productivity of both manufacturing and service organizations. Companies have implemented systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), MRP, EDI, over time for improving their productivity. ERP systems have received attention lately due to more effective decision-making capability. Many companies are implementing ERP as a means to reducing operating costs, increasing productivity and improving customer services (Martin, 2009; Pliskin and Zarotski, 2000). ERP system can cripple a company, if not implemented properly. There are horror stories concerning implementations gone astray (Laughlin, 1999; Bancroft et al., 1998). Implementing ERP system successfully calls for strong leadership, a clear implementation plan, and a constant watch on the budget (Wagle, 2008). From a project managers point of view, most important consideration is a clear implementation plan and a strategy, that should evolve through systematic consideration of companys requirements and its ability to manage changes called for under new circumstances. Some of the factors to be considered seriously at planning stage are: Information needs at the operational and managerial level for various functional areas. Feasibility of ERP system integration with the existing information systems Schedule for adaptation of the new system. An organization requires development of an implementation strategy. Such a strategy, will determine how the related changes can be successfully absorbed at various parts of the organization. It has been found that the organizations that had no SAP implementation strategic plan performed poorly compared to those who had a plan. ERP implementation from countries around the world demonstrates that success is essentially conditional on adequately managing complex context of the implementation, which necessitates change management across various key areas related to business processes, IT structure, and management systems (Al-Mashari and Zairi, 2009). This highlights practical issues associated with the implementation of ERP systems. For successful implementation three basic requirements are to be met: a clear business objective, comprehension of the nature of changes and understanding of the project risk. Strong leadership and constant watch on budget are the two other, yet equally significant requirements, as stressed by Wagle (2008). For an effective implementation of ERP system, particularly SAP R/3, an organization must take a holistic view of the process (Al-Mashari and Zairi, 2009). Various issues at strategic, managerial, and operational levels should be addressed in order to achieve optimum outcomes from an ERP system. For a successful outcome an organization must establish competencies in four core areas: Change Strategy development and deployment, Enterprise-wide Project Management, BPR integration with IT, and technical aspects of ERP installation. These competencies will enable managers to effectively manage changes and direct the organization to desired goals (see Fig.2). Fig. 2. Core competencies in effective implementation of ERP (adopted from Al-Mashari and Zairi 2009). Change management Strategy Changes in an organization are brought about through implementation of strategies. Kuruppuarachchi et al. (2002) examined the success (and failure) factors and implementation methodologies that contribute to change management strategy formulation in organizations. Fig. 3 presents a framework of the change management process, incorporating change agents and strategic considerations at various stages of ERP implementation, when viewed from an IT project implementation point of view. Meyers et al. (2009) analyzed about 130 research papers to find out factors influencing the implementation of new technologies for improved operational efficiencies. They classified implementation success factors as buyers characteristics, seller characteristics, buyer-seller interface, and environment. These factors are listed below: Human resources: greater education and training among personnel; positive motivation, attitudes, and commitment toward the innovation. Structure: an adaptive and flexible structure; strong communications mechanism and net work across structural boundaries. Decision processes: broad strategic, as opposed to narrowly and earlier involvement of technical goals; greater and earlier involvement of the operational workforce; top management support and commitment and the presence of a champion; cooperation among units; slow, gradual radical incorporation of the innovation. Technology fit: familiarity with the new technology and availability of relevant skills within the organization. Higher level of technical capabilities of the seller. Strong communications skills of the seller. Expertise in project management of the seller. Constructive cooperation between buyer and seller in implementation. Knowledge transfer: the buyer is involved in leaning, diagnosing, and shaping usage patterns of the buyer. Intensive networking within and across industries leading to greater exposure to innovations. Fig.3. Change management considerations (Source: Kuruppuarachchi et al., 2002). Case Study -I Pantaloon: ERP in Retail More than eight years after it forayed into the retail business, Pantaloon Retail decided to implement SAP to keep itself competitive in the rapidly growing Indian retail market. Store operations have never been as important to retailers as they were then. Successful retailers are those who know that the battle for customers is only won at the frontline, which in the case of a retail chain is at its stores. Pantaloon was regularly opening stores in metros and there was an urgent need for a reliable enterprise wide application to help run its business effectively. The basic need was to have a robust transaction management system and an enterprise wide platform to run the operations, says Rakesh Biyani, Director, Pantaloon. The Solution The company was looking for a solution that would bring all its businesses and processes together. After a comprehensive evaluation of different options and software companies, the management at Pantaloon decided to go in for SAP. Some of the qualities of SAP retail solutions are that it supports product development, which includes ideation, trend analysis, and collaboration with partners in the supply chain; sourcing and procurement, which involves working with manufacturers to fulfill order according to strategic merchandising plans and optimize cost, quality, and speed-variables that must be weighted differently as business needs, buying plans, and market demand patterns change; managing the supply chain, which involves handling the logistics of moving finished good from the source into stores and overseeing global trade and procurement requirements; selling goods across a variety of channels to customers, which requires marketing and brand management; managing mark-downs and capt uring customer reactions, analyzing data, and using it to optimize the next phase of the design process. In a Nutshell Aim To deploy a robust transaction management system and an enterprise wide platform to run its operations. Solution SAP retail solution Implemented by SAP team with the help of Novasoft, Singapore Number of users Around 1,200 Time taken About six months Cost of implementation A $ 10 million Implementation The implementation was outsourced to a third party. The implementation was done by the SAP team with help of Novasoft which is based at Singapore, says Core Team Member. This project was headed by Pantaloons Chief Information Technology Officer, Chinar Deshpande. Some people from Pantaloon assisted in the project and twenty four qualified people worked on the SAP implementation. Three Phases SAP implementation in Pantaloon was not a single phase process. The project was divided into three phases. The first phase of implementation involved blueprinting of existing processes and mapping them to the desired state. In this phase, the entire project team worked on current processes within Pantaloon Retail. The various existing processes were thoroughly analyzed and drafted. This blueprint was later used in the formation of new states of the solution. Since the SAP would combine all the processes, each and every one of these had to be evaluated. In the second phase, the SAP platform was developed with the help of Novasofts template which was predefined by SAP after evaluation of Pantaloons needs and expertise in retail solutions. The last phase in this project was for stores to switch over to the new system and for current data to be ported. Before the SAP implementation, all the data was unorganized. This data had to be migrated to the new SAP application. The project was flagged off on 15th June 2005 and took about six months to finish. It went live at the head office on 1st January 2006. The Pantaloon Retail stores used SAP from 1st January 2006 to 30th June 2006. Benefits and Challenges The key challenges in this project were not in the implementation. Rather, the difficulties were faced during the data migration and in managing the interim period when the project was underway for about six months. Migrating unorganized data to an organized format was a challenging task. SAP General Ledger gives Pantaloon a higher level of transparency into individual operations and helps it continually drive productivity improvements across the enterprise. For example, Pantaloon can now automatically split accounting line items per document for each company profit center. These transactions are handled by the software,and the company no longer needs to make period adjustments to balance sheet and profit and loss statements. With the document splitting tool, Pantaloon now has a real-time, complete picture of its accounts receivables and payables across all operational levels, which has enabled it to reduce receivables by up to 10%. In addition, it is now able to close the monthly books 20% faster, due to tight integration between financials and controlling components and real-time reconciliation capabilities. The application is currently being used by around 1,200 employees across the organization. For maintaining this implementation and its related applications, Pantaloon has an in-house team and it has outsourced ABAP resources. ERP system relied greatly on this in-house team for training its employees (at every level) and extracting benefits from ERP. The system runs on a HP Superdome server on HP UNIX 11 and the database is from Oracle. The cost of this project was about $ 10 million. Future projects After the successful implementation of SAP for its retail chain, Pantaloon plans to go ahead with IT projects such as implementation of WMS with RFID, Customer Intelligence and CRM. Inventory and Promotions Optimization are being pursued. Case Study II Ace Designers Ltd. ERP reduces manufacturing costs by 20% for Industrial Equipment manufacturer Overview Since 1987, Ace Designers Limited, Indias manufacturer of CNC lathes and auto lathes, has been exporting machines around the world, including Brazil, Germany, United Kingdom and the United States. With growth, their largely manual systems started breaking down. They had no centralized purchasing department and means of sharing information, so company groups were paying different amounts for the same parts from the same vendor. Delivery dates were missed because of a lack of inventory control, and top management had little visibility to manufacturing process. The Challenge Ace needed a complete information system built around an ERP solution that would help manage every aspect of their manufacturing process-from purchasing and inventory to manufacturing, planning and preparing for ISO certification. The Solution Ace commissioned a comprehensive survey of the ERP market and Intuitive was selected for four major reasons: A 100 percent Microsoft platform, an easy-to-use graphical interface, excellent support, and scalable open architecture features that permitted the addition of users at any time. The consultants who evaluated Intuitive ERP and its competitors for ACE Designers concluded: Intuitive ERP is easy to install, interface, customize and maintain. It can be integrated seamlessly into any manufacturing environment and has a good scheduling flexibility and versatile options. It also has a definite ISO 9000 facilitation orientation. Ace Designers Results Ace started module wise implementation of Intuitive ERP in four phases, which were completed in four months. Intuitive ERPs graphical interface and integration with Microsoft Office and Access made it easy for Aces staff, which prior to this had virtually no computer experience, to learn and use the new system. And using Microsoft SQL Server as the database engine delivered speed and robustness necessary for their mission critical applications. Hence, employees support was a crucial factor that added to achievement of success in ERP implementation in the organization. We transformed the company from a practically nil computer culture to a total computerized system, said V. Chandra, General Manager of Ace. The learning curve for Intuitive ERP is reduced to well below that of other manufacturing systems because of graphical and interactive flow charts and complete context sensitive online help. Implementing Intuitive ERP led to dramatic improvements in every operational area: Managers now have the most current inventory and costing models available to them at all times, and they can set competitive pricing that ensures profitability. They are able to monitor online status of work orders for components, sub-assemblies and final assemblies. Improved Planning: With the previous manual planning system, it was difficult to coordinate customer requirements and design changes with production and assembly functions to meet the manufacturing schedule. Now there is seamless coordination between all departments while significantly reducing planning headcount. Prior to Intuitive ERP, there had been virtually no inventory management at Ace; information on non-moving or slow-moving items and stock values was not available. With new tools in place, manufacturing inventory has been reduced by 20 percent. With reports such as Purchase Price Variance, there is visibility of the cost of every purchased item. This has resulted in better price negotiation with suppliers resulting in a 20 percent price reduction. Intuitive ERP provides accurate data for making manufacturing decisions through reports that include online machine utilization, online work order status monitoring, online WIP components costing, online WIP sub-assembly costing and online labor utilization. Case Study III ERP Implementation Failure at HP Stanford engineers Bill Hewlett and David Packard started HP in California in 1938 as an electronic instruments company. Its first product was a resistance-capacity audio oscillator, an electronic instrument used to test sound equipment. During the 1940s, HPs products rapidly gained acceptance among engineers and scientists. HPs growth was aided by heavy purchases made by US government during the Second World War. In the 1980s, HP emerged as a major player in the computer industry, offering a full range of computers from desktop machines to powerful minicomputers. This decade saw the development of successful products like the Inkjet and LaserJet printers. HP introduced its first personal computer (PC) in 1981, followed by an electronic mail system in1982. This was first major wide-area commercial network that was based on a minicomputer. HP introduced its HP 9000 computer with 32-bit super chip. HP became leader in workstations with the purchase of market leader, Apollo Computers, in 1989. In August 2004, HP announced that its revenues for the third quarter and it was identified that its Enterprise Servers and Storage (ESS) segment had gone down by 5% (amounting $ 3.4 billion) as compared to the same quarter the previous year. The company attributed this revenue shortfall mainly to the problems faced because of migration to a centralized ERP system at one of its North American divisions. The total financial impact of the failure including backlogs and lost revenue was pegged at $ 16