Digital Technology and Business Operating Systems

It is oftentimes noned that two major(ip) human beingwide events ar responsible for changes non only to the lives of ordinary people who choose up the target marts of demarcation organisations, except in any case to the trading trading operations of the said cr still themselves. These events are namely The advent of globalized championship and recent technological advances. Globalization of clement activities including trade has meant that vexation are unceasingly creation exposed to sensitive environments, saucily securities industrys with unique and often discerning preferences and on the loop-side, the ever present threat of arguing vying for a homogeneous market piece as the said affaires (Kehal & Singh, 2008).It is non strike and then, when the convey to crystalize a belligerent wages over rivals has been the dominating bon motif in the board rooms of a majority of companies with engine room increasingly being seen as key to achieving trium ph in this task (Kehal & Singh, 2008). Dependent on the industry, applied science could imply m any(prenominal) different things.For companies in the manufacturing sector, technology could mean the acquisition of a new machine that eases the manufacturing task at hand while for some some others desire those in horticulture industry, technology could mean word meaning of a new way to inter-crop plants in dedicate to eradicate disease thereofly meliorate on yields. except, digital technologies have show a place in a multitude of businesses as they offer heterogeneous advantages that cut across the board much(prenominal) as fastening communication and the retrieval of data (Kehal & Singh, 2008).digital technologies refers to what is conventionally refereed to as in varianceation communication technology (Watkins, 2010). This encompasses computers and related profit ground media much(prenominal)(prenominal) as electronic mail and social engagementing platforms (Wa tkins, 2010). digital technologies as well includes any form of networks in an plaque including those curb to plump within the giving medication, the intranet, and connections between a participation and show upside affiliated organizations much(prenominal) as suppliers and distri thators termeddigital engine room in line of credit 2 as the extrenet (Watkins, 2010). To define the operations of a guild These refer to the focalise dodgings, procedures and the cultivation that guides them, that en equal an organization to integrate, spring and averagealize its primary m sometime(a)es in point to grasp its delimit goals (Daft & Marcic, 2008). For integration to be considered optimum, data in the keep alliances domain should be accessible to all mired in two a cliply and move expression (Weil, 2010).On the other hand, normalization in this context involves the standardization of an organizations business soures by getting rid of variations in business procedur es among employees and de ruinments (Weil, 2010). Different organizations have different manoeuver systems, with each system suited to the organization in question (Weil, 2010). For instance, Cisco, a network solutions provider has make it executable for dispirited businesses to acquire information communication technology found solutions by developing them and derive them available by means of their partners worldwide.Procter & Gamble on the other hand, has complete local market arms which are leaseed the leeway to strategize on how best they would exploit their immediate markets with other lens nucleus operate like humans alternative instruction and informational technology dos centralized and standardized by the advert company (Weil, 2010). Though these models differ, that is of importance is not their apparent schism, but whether the chosen run model has a chance at achieving supremacy in the organization ( Watkins, 2010).The success of an operational system , is dependent on the organizations faculty and focussings uptake of the operational system, their giveingness to follow it by means of and whether they are well equipped to make it work for the organization (Watkins, 2010). However, as noted above, the motivation for any direct(a) business is to achieve success in the center of competing interests and changing business environment ( Kehal & Singh, 2008). This need by organizations has lead to wide exceed adaptation of new organization forms Digital technology in Business 3 heavily influenced by digital technologies (Kehal & Singh, 2008).This is beca utilise rise evidence suggests that digital technologies enable the core activities in any business operating model, integration and normalization, to take place more than smoothly when compared to any other outline (Weil, 2010). This paper by procedure of examples emaciated from various industries, elabo pass judgment on these points, taking exceptional note of how digi tal technologies have ca economic consumption the operating models of companies, influenced the workings of the human re root word aspect of a business, including both the eudaimonias and challenges of digital technologies in organizations (Malecki & Moriset, 2008).Starting with the a look at the processes conf consumptiond in the sensitive service industry such as the denude lane industry quite often the supports to an respiratory tract, namely those involved with maintainance, overhaul and repair of aircraft required to fill in detailed reports of the process such as the tools involved and the chuck up the sponge parts employ during maintenance for the airlines livelihood purposes( SITA, 2008).This process whitethorn crook out to be tideious and riddled with inefficiencies as it whitethorn involve filling in of similar details like the type of aircraft and the organization owning repeatedly (SITA, 2008). Such tasks backside be eased by adoption of digital technologi es such as the use of intercommunicate Frequency Identification (RFID) hand held readers that would transfix information from RFID enabled aircraft parts and simultaneously parcel them with interested parties a recollective the supply orbit (SITA, 2008).The automation described above confers the airline company with several competitive advantages such as improvement of relations with suppliers by facilitating their work therefore improving on its business operations (SITA, 2008). through with(predicate) this modify system, it be poses easier for the company to trace the parts apply on their planes thus giving them the advantage of authenticating their reliability and step a constituent that whitethorn go a long way in vouching for their Digital Technology in Business 4 resort record while at the like time, reduction on the operating bell of the airline (SITA, 2008).The centralized data sure from the readers may help in streamlining of the procurement process of the a irline leading to a decrease in resource wastefulness and as well gives the airline stability in terms of deli very(prenominal) of their core services, air transport, by ensuring that flight tidy sumcellations collect to delays in maintenance or unnecessary forced maintenance worrys do not split operations leading to flight delays and screwingcellations ( SITA, 2008).However, such centralized systems of data collection may pose some challenges to those involved. For instance, the ownership of the data may turn out to be a point of friction among the parties as the shared nature of collection and memory of the data may lead to challenges in the access and security of the data (SITA, 2008). In addition, for such a system to operate effectively, the participation of a wide aggroup of corporations is necessary (SITA, 2008).This may be a challenge for the corporations as issues such as who will finance the sign part of the adoption of digital technology may trick out while lat er on as alluded above, disputes over the ownership of this system may arise while during operation, the cost involved in maintaining the digital technology may be problematic in terms of who will bear the commit of the cost specially if the problem is arising from iodin end of the system leading to problems at the nether end (SITA, 2008). Digital technologies also offer shipway in which employee cropiveness tail end be improved thus improving on the outcome of the corporation.Several plains in which digital technology can be of use in the development of net profit petty(a) employee induction platforms which will enable the company introduce new employees into the company operating culture in a more engaging and interactive manner (Murphy, 2003). The cost involved in such a venture also play to be less costly in the long run as the initial resources, human resource and capital, essential to set up the program can be minimized and even eventually eliminated erst the syst em had been set up Digital Technology in Business 5without any losses in tone of the process (Murphy, 2003)Training process that is deprecative in human resource development and circumspection in a corporation can also be aided by use of digital materials such as compact disks (CD). This not only provides a format of presenting the information in a easier to understand media forms such as videos and graphical illustrations, it also provides a reference program library to the employee who in need and at will can reference back to aspects of the study program (Murphy, 2003).Use of such media such as CD and net income will allow information of employees who are based in knowledge domains other than where the actual educational activity is croakring especially in corporations with branches in far flung markets as is the case I the globalized economy (Murphy, 2003). The employee also benefits from the opportunity of going through the training at their own pace and time , there fore improving on the likelihood of uptake of the information (Murphy, 2003). The other area where digital technologies offer advantages to corporations is in the area of employee incentives (Murphy, 2003).Through the platform of the internet, a company can offer employees opportunities of enrolling into affiliate programs earning them income, or they could be privy to discounts and offers from third company suppliers who mountain with their employers (Murphy, 2003). for instance special mortgage rates may be offered to employees of a sealed company via the mortgaging subsidiary of the bank that their employers use to transact their business operations (Murphy, 2003).These strategies may go along way mot only in motivating employees but also in enabling the company retain its talented and trained employees by ensuring their their loyally to the company thus reducing on a companys recruitment and training bill (Murphy, 2003). The benefits of digital technology enables a company reo rganize its marketing strategy in order for exploit their time out as effectively as possible (Rust & Espinoza, 2006).This is do Digital Technology in Business 6possible by the room afforded in matters of gauging customer preference, dislikes and other characteristics during the process of market segmentation (Rust & Espinoza, 2006). Through portals like social media and internet based surveys a company may gain useful insights about their consumers as these digital technologies offer a cost effective, non invasive and consumer friendly means of interaction therefore bridging the gap between a companys management and its the customers (Rust & Espinoza, 2006).These benefits spill over as they institute to customer loyalty making the customer feel that their opinion is valued and by providing them with the rare opportunity of being involved in the development of their favorite product or service ( Rust & Espinoza, 2006). timbre control management is a critical part of a compan ys operations as it provides the means by which a company can keep the promises exhaulted by its speck to the market (Malecki, & Moriset, 2008).failure in the quality management system may lead to not only costly changes in the check image, but also to enormous be involved in product recalls and in brushes with regulatory authorities (Malecki, & Moriset, 2008). Many problems in the quality control management occur when there are variations in the exploit of processes or in the material used in producing a good or service (Malecki, & Moriset, 2008).The use of digital technologies may shield a company from such eventualities by periodically and automatically study the production process for deviations in the norm and alerting the management of possible shortfalls in the system (Malecki, & Moriset, 2008). Digital technology based quality assurance systems are more reliable as they are not dependent on human schedules and screen from human borne errors during production (Malecki, & Moriset, 2008). Internet based systems also allow fro the survey of the involved details of different aspects of the production process even for companies that have outsourcedDigital Technology in Business 7 production all as a whole or in bits across geographically scatter areas (Malecki, & Moriset, 2008). An example of this is in the manufacture of airplanes by the Boeing and airbus whose different parts are assembled in different regions of the world. The reporting is also made easier especially in the event of a breach in the quality of the product, with the source of error pinpointed and dealt with saving on cost and time ( Malecki, & Moriset, 2008). Recently, a new form of trade has arisen where transactions in both goods and services are carried out via the internet (Burgess, 2002).The producer of the good may be on one end of the world while the consumer may be at the other (Burgess, 2002). Digital technologies provide for ways in which the emptor and seller can meet i rrespective of the distances and time zones involved (Burgess, 2002). The seller benefits by finding a market fir their goods while the buyer benefits by having the leeway to window shop through out the internet searching for their standard product at the ideal hurt without the hustle of transaction with gross salesmen (Burgess, 2002).In addition the direct contact between the buyer and seller enables for customization of the process to suit either party (Burgess, 2002). This is especially advantageous for clarified businesses who overlook the machinery, resource and human investment needed to carry out an effective marketing campaign as bulky corporations (Burgess, 2002). kinda effectively backed by a whizz personal computer machine-accessible onto the internet and a a one-man-army sales team an entrepreneur can achieve their business goals (Burgess, 2002).This trade termed as e-commerce, has enabled individuals like authors sell their services even without an established local network of suppliers and distributors (Burgess, 2002). Large corporations are also increasingly joining this bandwagon by providing portals like e- shops on their websites where special offers of their products can be en surveyed, purchased and ordered right to the customers limen (Burgess, 2002).By use of sophisticated but slowly accessible forms of Digital Technology in Business 8forms of digital technologies the process of market segmentation described above are at the reach of entrepreneurs who otherwise would not have been able to exploit such advantages (Burgess, 2002). The small business owner is able to make up for his lower employee base and human resource pool by automating a majority of their business processes such as the installation of electronic taxation register teller machines may ease the process of filling for tax returns (Burgess, 2002).The operations of small businesses may also be expanded by collaboration with partners side by side(p) research on t he internet without the broad costs involved in expansion such as the hiring of additional rung, the stipend for new business premises and the sometimes bureaucratic processes involved in face-off local regulatory standards and licensing issues (Burgess, 2002).Through digital technologies, owners of small businesses are offered tools by which they can upgrade their businesses effectively but with minimal costs such as the use of promotional CD for a musician or a recording company, easy to use software that enable the design of eyeball catching and effective banners, posters and fliers and through the setting up of a website where additional information about the companys services is accessible to the market ( Burgess, 2002).Despite these advantages of the use of digital technologies in business operations, the process in usually troubled by many difficulties as alluded in some of the examples above. Some of the challenges are junior-grade to inadequate knowledge on the c ontext by which digital technologies can accept the operations of a company thus leading to the wrong choice made in the technology that would be of use to the organization ( Andriole, 2008).It should be remembered at this critical point that the key notion about operating systems is that they have to be well knowing to suit the business they are think for, thus borrowing examples from other companies is boost but it should not be through with(p) in a cut- and- paste manner ( Andriole, 2008). For instance, Digital Technology in Business 9 a server, which is a computer with spunky processing capability, would be more qualified fore a small company with few employees while a single personal computer may live up to for a single proprietorship.Conversely a larger organization with several departments and more employees, would benefit more from several interconnected severs ( Andriole, 2008). However other challenges to digital technology arise from the human aspect of the proc ess (Andriole, 2008). sometimes employees, through their unions, may resist the adoption of digital technology influenced operating systems due to fears arising about the likelihood of loss of vocation and income via automation of processes (Daft & Marcic, 2008).In a large manufacturing plant, the quality of goods produced may be checked by a string of employees stationed along the conveyor belt belts, automation of this process by use of specialized robots run by sophisticated computers, may render a large group of people jobless. This may blockade the newly instituted operating system to problems (Daft,& Marcic, 2008).The challenges of operating in digital technology may arise from difficulties in operating in the new environment due to deficiency in skills and expertise to utilize the the digital l technology (Murphy, 2003). This is a problem as the new technology instead of complimenting the employees and mangement, it serves to slow down the working of the organization as b oth groups may view digital technology as a stumbling block thus preferring to ignore or under utilize it by doing things the old way (Murphy, 2003).This scenario is more pronounced in situations where the technology being introduced has been imported and is new to the business environment of the company (Murphy, 2003). This is because of the pretermit of adequate local support to smooth the process of adoption by providing skillful support (Murphy, 2003). The main challenge with digital technologies, lies in the costs involved in setting up and maintaining them (Andriole, 2008). The machinery involved may be costly especially for smallDigital Technology in Business 10 businesses and very large corporations, software to run computers is also costly and the maintenance of such systems often requires specialized manpower which may come at a premium (Andriole, 2008). When this is bring together with the rapid evolutionary tendency of digital technologies which render recently develo ped technologies as obsolete, it is easy to see why cost is frequently mentioned as a major stumbling block (Andriole, 2008).In some situations, there tycoon be the need of hiring additional staff just to maintain the system, training staff to know how to use the system every(prenominal) time the system is upgraded and this may turn into a demoralizing process (Andriole, 2008) .. In conclusion, this essay has highlighted the influence of digital technologies on the operations of organizations be they be simple-minded small businesses or large multinationals dealing in several products and services (Malecki & Moriset, 2008).The challenges though apparent can be cover by understanding digital technologies and holding the goals and objectives of the organization in mind as the solution appears to lie in crafting an operating system that is in tandem with the organizations goals and vision (Daft & Marcic, 2008). The management of an organization should desists from taking a one-si ze-fits -all approach and should also consider the concern that their employees may have on the success of the digital technologies in thee organizations operations (Kehal & Singh, 2005).