Monitoring social media

Most companies utilize social media monitoring companies in order to promote their company and come into new opportunities not previously offered. Social media is mainly looked at by CEOs and Presidents as a marketing cash cow. As the article states, Twitter is chasing 1 billion users and has increased 1,382% while Facebook has increased by 228% since 2009. Having their companies brand on those websites will create an association with new customers and establish a better one with already existing customers. The use for social media monitoring is becoming much more useful than just advertising.
    Recently I have seen articles of companies using monitoring tools to understand how their company is being portrayed and how frequently it is being talked about on the social networks. This type of software picks up on key words and associates them as negative or positive. It doesn't account for context of the word though. "This item from Company X is sick" can be perceived as a negative statement because it doesn't take english slang and context into account, producing a false negative report of the company's product. Haveing a program that screens Tweets and Facebook posts is a very useful tool provided they are sifted by people or some sort of intelligence that can process slang language tendencies and context.
    The major use for social media monitoring is data relevant to the company and their product. It is important to monitor their specific name and product, but it is more important to monitor the product genre as a whole. For instance, major restaurant chains can monitor all types of food interaction to see what people are eating, when they are eating, and what they are eating it with. They can also see if the person liked the meal or said they would never get it again. Companies can see what types of food are more prevalent in certain locations and adjust their menus in those areas according. Afterwards, looking at the same social media data they can determine if their new items created a buzz and whether it was positive or negative feedback.

Systems

A system has a very vague definition describing and amalgamation of "interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole".[1] Or in other words, a functioning group of parts acting as one. Underneath the finished system, single or groups of units act together in unity in order to accomplish tasks that would otherwise be unattainable.
    The human body is a great example of a Subsystem. A subsystem is a set of elements, which is a system its self, and a component of a larger system. [1]The body is a group of complex arrangements coming together to form a single human being. For example, the respiratory system, the reproductive system, the immune system, all function in the body independently but without the proper functioning of all three systems the body will not function as it is supposed to or it will cease function altogether. When taught today in elementary schools the main purpose is to "understand that there are different systems within the human body and that these systems work independently and together to form a functioning human body." [2]
    E-commerce, Transaction Processing Systems, and Enterprise Resource Planning are different variations of systems that we are currently learning about in the text book. These types of systems are all relevant to bettering finances and business ventures. These systems are shared between corporations and make business more efficient and in some cases cheaper while still generating increases in revenue. Like some of the systems in the human body, there are systems in business that are not necessary to stay operational, but without those systems the company cannot operate at maximum capacity. Efficient systems provide more margin for error should something go wrong.
    Government systems also vary in size and classification. Democracy, communism, monarchy, oligarchy, etc. have all been successful systems for governing a body of people. The United States is considered a federal republic. Our nation has a system of checks and balances to keep a balance of power within the executive ranks.[3] Congress is a system within a system, as is the senate, and the Presidents cabinet. These units of people working together for the same interest of freedom and wellbeing provide the system of government for the United States.

1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System#Types_of_systems
2) http://sciencenetlinks.com/lessons/systems-of-the-human-body/
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government

Hardware/software

Hardware refers to items that perform the functions of input, processing, data storage, and output. Touch sensitive screens provide both input and output of information for the user and the machine. Using a touch screen is way to operate software programs installed on the device of choice. They are being used more frequently now on most mobile smart phones and portable tables. If visiting an Apple store your appointment and information is kept track of by an employee using a touch screen Ipad. They can bring up all of your account information prior to your visit to accommodate you better once you arrive. Another hardware example exists in the Ipad’s digital camera. Bank of America has an application that allows for the remote deposit of checks. All you have to do is snap a picture of both sides of the check, click submit, and the money is in your account. This is a great feature to support E-commerce. Siri is a type of Speech-Recognition on Apple products that allows for the computer to interpret human language and translate it into data for your phone or computer. These types of systems are also used by a lot of companies in customer service departments to direct a customer to the right department before they even speak to a person. Xbox live a great example of a single computer with multiple users operating system. Xbox live allows for hundreds of thousands of users to be that are connected through their own Xbox all playing on the same network or mainframe. It takes information from all the users and combines it into one game. The original Playstation is an example of a single computer with a single user operating system. It has no connected mainframe capabilities but is great for one or two users at a time drawing its information from the video game disk instead of the Playstation online network.

KMS

“KMS is an abbreviation of Knowledge Management Systems. The purpose of KMS was to let many users collaborate in creating and sharing information within large, shared hypertext, and from the very beginning, the system was designed as a true multi-user system.” [1] The definition above refers to the purpose of a specific hypertext developed by Knowledge Systems in 1981, but also applies to a wider variety of KMS. These systems are used to handle the methods by which companies attain, hold, and share information. An ideal KMS is capable of sharing information with multiple parties while effectively increasing existing knowledge. In addition, a successful KMS provides useful information to aid in company problem solving. In the electronic form some of these systems allow for the user or users to access multiple screens of information connected via links. Using these systems also allows for the user to navigate and view information that he or she wants instead of observing a fixed stream of information. These systems also manage paper documents and skills associated with a company. 

            KMS can be categorized as, but not limited to, “groupware, document management systems, expert systems, semantic networks, relational and object oriented databases, simulation tools, and artificial intelligence” [2] Pacific Gas and Electric Corp. (PG%E) of San Francisco California devised a KMS to offset a wave of retirements by almost half its workers. When these workers retire their knowledge can potentially retire with them. “For the next three to five years up to 45% of its employees will be eligible to begin drawing from retirement packages.”[3] The company even went as far to label the situation a “topic of concern”. [3] PG&E realized that it takes 3-5 years for a new employee to be trained with enough experience to be an effective gas and electric lineman. Even though they are qualified at the end of training, the veterans on the staff are still more capable workers. The type of KMS PG&E needs is a unique system because it doesn’t deal with documented knowledge. Hands-on knowledge is much move valuable to their business than paper or electronic documentation. PG&E uses a system that monitors a person’s hands-on experience. “Knowledge notebooks” are used so supervisors can see the employee’s physical work laid out on paper to determine if they are ready for the next step in training. Older employees are also encouraged to keep notebooks so rookies have a track record to learn from.[3] In businesses where hands on experience is more valuable than numbers and statistics formulating a system to analyze intangible data can be challenging. The future of PG&E relies on their system to pass down experience and technique to new workers.

            In closing, KMS come in many shapes and sizes. They can be in the form of electronic documents, paper documents, or intangible experience that must be taught and demonstrated in order to be absorbed. Harvesting knowledge and information successfully along with an avenue to pass the knowledge along can prove to be very beneficial for companies dealing with this type of employee turn around.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KMS_(hypertext)

[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_management

[3]http://searchcontentmanagement.techtarget.com/feature/Knowledge-management-strategy-helps-gas-company-retain-worker-know-how

AI

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology and a branch of computer science that studies and develops intelligent machines and software. Major AI researchers and textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents” where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its chances of success” [1] In other words, it is a computer system that has the ability to learn and apply what it has absorbed to make decisions in the future. AI is a common feature added to a lot of current computers and technology systems. It is present in Iphones through Siri and other voice recognition applications and is becoming more involved in people’s day-to-day lives. While it offers many features for the everyday citizen, I think AI is seen in its most advanced form in the military.

         The military uses AI in ways that normal corporations and businesses can’t. U.S. military researches combine AI with military weapon systems and information systems. [2] Weapon systems are field that only the military and the companies they contract can explore. Businesses and companies in the U.S. can develop AI for their own business needs to increase their company value but incorporating it into a weapon can potentially be priceless. The Probabilistic Programming for Advancing Machine Learning (PPAML) is trying to advance machine learning by increasing the number of people who can build machine-learning applications. [2] Increasing the amount of applications being built can increase the chances for new technology being built that can advance machine learning past what is currently capable. This technology can be potentially priceless because using weapons that can control and deliver itself equates to less soldiers on the battle field consequently preserving American life. AI in unmanned drones delivers precision strikes while the people guiding the attack are at a safe distance away in a secure area. It is much more complicated than it sounds but it is worth the investment.

         A recent study done at Pepperdine looks at the new generation of AI and how it is able to help forecast business processes such as product demand, employee turnover, cash flow, and inventory among others. [3] These forecasts help decision-making and company planning. Forecasts are compiled through quantitative and qualitative analysis and take two different approaches that satisfy different areas of the company. Once the flaws in these two different analysis are relevant, AI methods have an opportunity to contribute to forecasting and provide insight on Neutral Nets, Expert Systems, and Belief Networks and predict sales to refine marketing strategies.[3]

         In conclusion, the business of and capability of AI is still developing. AI is already very useful to companies in a wide variety of ways. It already has the capability of saving American lives overseas and its further development in both the military and business worlds will only have positive effects for the people using it.







[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence

[2] http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2013/03/DARPA-machine-learning.html

[3] http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/2010/08/artificial-intelligence-techniques-enhance-business-forecasts/

DSS

            A decision support system (DSS) is a computer-based information system that supports business or organizational decision-making activities. [1] The purpose of these systems are to allow business executives to look at a collection of data and statistics, combine it with their knowledge as business people and collectively identify problems and make decisions to solve them. A combination of human and computer knowledge seems to be the most beneficial, but a DSS can also be composed of strictly computer software, or a team of people. These programs are engineered for the business they are being used for and can be composed of multiple software programs if necessary. Typical informational outputs of a DSS are inventories of information assets, comparative sales figures between one period and the next, and projected revenue figures based on product sales assumptions. [1] Results in those categories can shed light on areas of strengths and weaknesses. Once these projections and comparisons are presented, decision-making becomes a lot easier.

            One example of a DSS is a Data-Driven DSS. Briggs & Stratton is one of the world’s biggest producers of gas engines for outdoor power equipment. They manufacture over 11 million engines a year and use Data Driven DSS. A recent study by DSSResources.com showed Briggs & Stratton used SAS BI to consolidated information and deliver it globally to manufacturing offices. [2] This case in particular made score cards for office executives around the globe using over 50 information-producing workers. Since this company is considered a “global enterprise” and operates in multiple countries on multiple continents a DSS can be very useful for joint decision-making. These branches need to be cooperatively controlled. Decisions made inside of a company of this magnitude need to be in sync. Using a DSS helps guide them in the right direction.

            DSS also provides analysis and structure to an internal problem. The whole purpose of the DSS is to make the most informed decision possible. Data-driven DSS is just one of many forms a DSS can take. Some other DSS focus on specific business models or communications. “The better the manager understands the different categories, scope and use of DSS the better he will be able to specify requirements for a DSS that he wants to implement of buy”. [3]

            In closing the DSS is similar to an IS in the sense that the user needs to be able to understand the information and what factors go into obtaining that information for it to be useful. When the complex outputs of a DSS can be understood and broken down, more educated business decisions can be made and problems can be addressed correctly and swiftly.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision_support_system

[2] http://dssresources.com/faq/index.php?action=artikel&id=114

[3] http://www.umsl.edu/~sauterv/analysis/488_f02_papers/dss.html