IT Management Essay Example for Free

IT Management Essay Database management is an important aspect of any modern organization given the massive growth of data volumes as a result of regulations on data storage as well as the increase in transactions and communication channels. This paper presents issues arising form the task of managing information through its lifecycle; specifically for companies based on PeopleSoft, SAP, Siebel, CRM, Oracle E-business suite, supplier relationship management (SRM) or ERP applications which are increasingly being affected by expanding data volumes within them. The article brings into perspective, ILM; which seeks to optimize on data by employing processes, policies tools and practices essential in linking the information’s business value with the most cost effective and appropriate IT systems from its conception to the time its disposed. While the current processes of defining, managing and storing data lack emphasis on its management, ILM provides a solution for effectively managing organization data applications. It is imperative to emphasize on the now prevalent decline in business agility as a result of problems with data volumes so as to keep data management cost down by taking an enterprise approach in managing data as records. ILM supports this. The findings that 56 percent lack interest in implementing ILM strategies or that they do not know of any ILM efforts within their organizations is biased considering that the enterprise approach is a relatively new approach to organizational information management. It is the current data systems that have failed as they only allow firms to handle problems as they occur and not that firms are reactive or else undisciplined about their data challenges. The finding that most firms either do not know or allocate minimal ILM strategy budgets ought to have outlined a parallel study of efforts made in alternative data management approaches. ILM introduces a cohesive strategy for the management of information across the organization which is exactly what is needed in modern business environments. Although ILM is promising, the author ought to have compared the findings with firms’ preference for alternative systems or even priorities as well as its fit with the current technology levels. The study also does not highlight the relative costs of implementing ILM with respect to the firms’ profit margins while outlining the implementation levels for ILM. However, ILM is an important strategy for data that need to meet certain legal storage mandates although it does not assess relative cost maintaining such information as opposed to frequency of events requiring this information. While the author addresses the issues of difficulties in determining information’s life cycle, he does not address the limitations of legal determinants which could jeopardize the gains from ILM. Nolan, R. McFarlan, W. (2005). Information Technology and the Board of Directors: Building an IT Governance Committee. Harvard Business Review, 83 (10),  In such a digital age as this, it is imperative that any organization invest in a strong governance committee on IT that can oversee the formulation and integration of IT policies into the company’s competitive advantage strategy. Warren McFarlan and Richard Nolan detail the basics of establishing and maintaining an IT governance committee. An IT governance committee is paramount in developing a custom framework on which an organization’s IT policies are founded thus enabling a firm to avoid applying other companies’ best strategies which may not fit into the modern nature business strategy. The authors elaborate on the three key approaches that are essential in guiding any company in building an effective IT governance committee: appointing the suitable personnel as well as their chairman; assessing how the committee would link to the audit committee; and the preparation of the committee’s charter. The first two are particularly more important. Independence is vital for any modern-day committee effectiveness just as the authors recommend the independence of the IT committee. Noting the importance of the importance of mentorship and expertise, McFarlan and Nolan emphasize on a chairman who’s either an IT professional (for strategic mode firms) or has past experience (for factory, turn around and support mode firms) in a successful IT-strategy based firm. In all cases, being IT-savvy, understanding an organization and its business needs as well as the systems architecture is paramount in addressing the bigger picture; technology’s potential to change the outlook of the business economy and this supports the characterization of the modern-day business leaders. In this regard, the authors emphasize on selecting a chairman or at least an IT professional who can successfully balance the short-term needs of the firm with its long-term IT investments. Since distraction by difficulties stifle IT integration, the importance of the committee and especially IT experts is addressed as they understand the important dynamics governing technological advancement both at the board and senior management level and thus can appropriately criticize all in-house entrenched thinking. The current scarcity of such experts explains the reason for the increase in number of IT consultants. The article addresses the current issues relating to accountability to the regulatory and economic objectives through alignment with the audit department. However, drastic changes characterizing the advancement in IT would necessitate a considerable number of the committee be composed of IT professionals rather the one or a few suggested by McFarlan and Nolan. Gary, S. , Alice, G. Alexis, F. Risk Management Guide for Information Technology Systems. Recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-30. Gaithersburg, MD. Risk management has become an important aspect of the information technology management system. Gary, Alice and Alexis emphasize on the role of IT-risk management amidst the increasingly growing use of automated information systems aimed at protecting organization’s information assets from IT based risks. IT risk management is largely a management function as this IT guides confirms through focus on the companies mission rather than the IT experts only as the firm’s capacity to perform its mission is affected by these risks. The guide outlines the practical guidelines and the available cost-effective security systems essential in protecting the mission information which is an imperative in the modern world. This guide is literary applicable in every angle of every firm as it can be easily expanded or abbreviated to tailor it to fit specific organizational situations. Apart from enabling firms’ IT departments to be accountable for IT budgets, the guide is also helpful in guiding the accreditation of the IT systems. This guide is an important resource for a wide rage of IT users: the non-technical and technical staff as well as the experienced and the non-experienced ones. Therefore this guide does not only provide an overview of IT risk management but also evaluates how such a process would rhyme with the all the phases of the system development lifecycle (SLDC) as well as detailing the obligations of individuals who usually support and apply this process. In this regard, the guide provides a clear methodology for IT risk management as well as its relation to the system accreditation. This is made simpler by the provision of system-based information essential in defining the IT system as well as its operating environment. For such a process, it is important that supporting material such as the samples for the documentation of the results for risk assessment, as well as samples of a security implementation plan be addressed more keenly as they are essential in improving the effectiveness of the guide. It also focuses on modern-day needs such as enabling IT individuals to customize their IT systems to fit into effective control systems. The authors address the importance of assessing the knowledge gap within the organization as relates to process of implementing information technology management systems. Although not related to the topic at hand, the example on electric power and railroads does address the key idea of being aware of the knowledge gap in the appropriate way so as to make the most out of IT systems’ opportunities. While it may be true that IT technologies’ cost performance had changed to the magnitude of about 107 in at the time of this study, it is no guarantee that it is going to evolve at this same as the author suggests given the tremendous growth in technology and educational advancement. The authors focus on cost effectiveness and the ability to do things differently through the transformational opportunities offered by IT integration as with the examples of American Hospital Supply’s and American Airlines SABRE. In this regard, they emphasize on the knowledge about IT’s associated economics. Strategic implementation and management of IT networks in organizations has made organizations capable of extending their scope globally to take strategic advantage of IT integration. This is because the authors address specifically the fast changing pace of business operations with regards to assumptions and rules of business competition and this an important resource for modern-day senior management and CEOs who are charged with the responsibility of diversifying into intangible services that are information based. While its clear that technology is increasingly growing, it implies that the opportunities due to IT integration are bound to increase; it also implies that companies venturing into IT management can differentiate their services and cost and product features not only for sometime to come as the author puts it but for an indefinite time provided there is follow up. However, the author provides a two lenses approach that provides a holistic approach towards IT integration. However, the authors do not note the likely challenges that the highly dynamic and drastically changing IT infrastructure as driven by competition may cost. In this regard, the article emphasize on roles of CIO and CTO.

J.B.Priestley’s play, An Inspector Calls - Eva Smiths Diary :: English Literature

AN INSPECTOR CALLS Wonderful day today. Went down to Birling and Company to be one of the workers and I got the job. I am so excited. I'm starting in two days and I'm seriously looking forward to it. At least I hope it would be more exciting than the last one I tried. Mum was very excited and so am I as you can tell. I'm already thinking about that break I will have next summer. Go to Blackpool, lie on the beach. By that time I'm sure I would have saved up enough money to do all this because they told me the money wasn't that much but it was better than nothing. I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad - probably twenty-six shilling or something like that because the job looked pretty hard. 6/October/1909 Working this few weeks is much better. At least now I'm used to the machines and places. I was wondering the other day if Mr Birling would ever come around because I've never seen him and I think it's quite silly when you think of it. I'm working under a man I've never seen. They say he's very pompous, and hardly comes down to see anybody. All he cares about is what has been done and what is needed. He has children too and his wife is cold hearted I hear - but come to think of it all upper class people are all so pompous-the question is "why?" I guess nobody is going to be able to answer that question. Even if there was going to be an answer, they'd probably say "Because we are trying to put you working class in your place" I heard Mr Grainger one of the men who worked there say that the other day to one of the girls. 11/November/1909 Everyone is selfish with what they have; nobody wants to share their fortune, everybody has to walk their way through poverty. Do people ever think how the future is going to be? Are we all going to suffer till God comes and takes us away? Will our generation suffer like this? Before I have my children, I hope to have some one who loves me and maybe I would have saved more money then so my children don't go through so much. - the walk to the factory is going to be a long way today because the normal short cut has been blocked for some reason so now I have to take the long way around. Round the market which is about 10minutes and then to the factory which will take me 15minutes

All Quiet on the Western Front Essay

In the novel ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ by Erich Maria Remarque, the main character Paul Bà ¤umer’s development shows the horrors of the First World War and the effect it had on the young men who fought in it. Paul Bà ¤umer is the main character whom is nineteen years old, Bà ¤umer volunteered for the army along side four of his classmates. Some parts in the novel is written in past tense when Paul Bà ¤umer is collecting his thoughts. Most of the novel is written in Present tense. During the novel we see Paul Bà ¤umer changing as a person, he has just left school and is a young boy with no experiences. By the end of this novel end even half way through he had become a well experienced man. Paul Bà ¤umer is the main character and also the narrator. At just nineteen years of age, Bà ¤umer volunteers for the German Army. Before war is a young creative and passionate person who had lots of love for his family. As the war went on Bà ¤umer changed as a person. Bà ¤umer and four of his classmates joined because they felt it was their patriotic duty. After a while of being in the trenches Bà ¤umer starts to get visions of being in Kantoreks class as he gave his great ‘iron youth speech.’ He soon realises Kantorich persuaded the class to join. â€Å"During the drill time Kantorek gave us long lectures until the whole of our class went under his shepherding to the District Commandant and volunteered.† Bà ¤umer felt he was doing right by his country but he soon feels he can’t tell anyone about his experience in the army and where his families are concerned he feels like an outsider. People like Kantorek are hypocrites, urging young pupils to join up whilst not volunteering himself. Kemmerich dies. This is the first death we experience as readers in the novel which is very upsetting. â€Å"I became faint, all at once I can not do anymore†¦ He is dead. The face is still wet from the tears. The eyes are half open and yellow like old horn buttons.† Bà ¤umer feels upset and dark inside, he has just lost his best friend, and they grew up together, school buddies. He is almost like a brother to Bà ¤umer. I feel sorry for Bà ¤umer at this point in the novel because I would hate to lose any of my friends or classmates if I was in the army because I think you would need a lot of friends and good people around to keep your spirits high. This is one of Bà ¤umers most important memories because they got revenge on Himmelstoss. Himmelstoss was a postman before he enlisted in the war. He is a corporal who trains the recruits. Himmelstoss likes punishing the young recruits and is very harsh and strict. â€Å"Tjaden wets his bed†¦ Himmelstoss maintained that it was sheer laziness and invented a method worthy of himself for curing Tjaden†¦ with mattress of wire netting.† The young men ended up unwell or with the cold because of this they ended up sleeping on the floor. Bà ¤umer and his friends got revenge by getting him from behind with a big white bed sheet and they covered his mouth with a pillow so he could not scream. Tjaden pulled down Himmelstoss’ trousers with a whip in his mouth. The training camp is harsh and full of sadness, I would not like to be there. Baume describes the front line as a mysterious whirlpool. â€Å"I am in still water far away from its center. I feel the whirl of the vortex sucking e slowly, irresistibly, inescapably into itself. The front line is a line along which apposing armies face each other and is horrific because you are face to face and it is very hard to stay alive. Bà ¤umer feels different from everyone else in his hometown because he feels he is different, they are different. He has been away for so long he does not feel at home anymore. He’s not just a boy anymore, he’s now a man. I feel so much respect for Bà ¤umer by this stage because he has done so well and all army men deserve respect. When Bà ¤umer returns home from leave he feels obliged to volunteer for a dangerous night patrol. Whilst in ‘No-Man’s Land’ Bà ¤umer gets lost. Paul hides in a shell – hole but a bomb goes off behind him when he is alone. â€Å"This is the first time I have killed with my hands†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Bà ¤umer feels so guilty for killing the French man. He starts to think about the French mans life and his family. â€Å"If only he had run two yards further to the left, he might now be sitting in the trench over there and writing a letter to his wife.† This changes Bà ¤umers character for the better because he now realises how precious life is. Bà ¤umer feels hatred against the war and realises it’s a bad thing. I personally think war should be illegal because what is the point in killing human beings for victory. I don’t think that’s a victory, it’s a crime to kill. If we are not at war you would be sent to prison and just because its war that makes it ok? The situation has got a lot worse for the German Army by this late stage in the Novel. In this part Bà ¤umer and Katazinsky are the last two soldiers alive from all the characters whom were introduced at the beginning of the Novel. Kat gets hit by a shrapnel at this point leaving him with a smashed shin. Bà ¤umer carried him back to camp on his back, only to discover on their arrival that a splinter had hit Kat on the back of the head and killed him on the way. Kats death makes Bà ¤umer careless to weather he dies in war or not and also he can now face the rest of his life without any fear. I feel sorry for Bà ¤umer at this point because he must feel so alone. Bà ¤umer is now alone without a friend in the trenches because the war has taken all of them away and now Bà ¤umer is all alone. â€Å"Let the months and years come, they can take nothing from me, they can take nothing more. I am so alone, and so without hope that I can confront them without fear.† At the end of the novel Bà ¤umer is careless of his life. He has changed dramatically since the beginning. At the beginning Paul was a young boy with lots of dreams, now he is a man who is careless. I feel very lucky that none of my family died during the war and it’s a very emotional thing to go into. This book is important and should be read by future generations to show how life was and that they should realise how life was and that they should notice how lucky they are. This book makes you have so much for our soldiers.

Hamlet - A Revenge Story - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 845 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2019/04/05 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Hamlet Essay William Shakespeare Essay Did you like this example? Hamlet, arguably one of William Shakespeares greatest tragedies, is a classic revenge story that centers around a crestfallen Danish prince who struggles against himself to avenge the murder of his recently deceased father. Scheming the revenge requested by his fathers ghost, Hamlet finds resistance from non but his very pensive and thoughtful self. The plays tone and language parallel the inner mind of its protagonist: dark and introspective. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Hamlet A Revenge Story" essay for you Create order Hamlet s character however is three dimensional and is more complex than mere cautiousness and pension; The English poet weaves radical contradictions into Hamlets fabric that by making him indecisive, serve to explore lifes most daunting question that has no definitive answer-death. After witnessing his mothers hasty remarriage, Hamlets image of women has been tainted and his misogynistic attitude became even more prominent. He began to treat his mother with disgust and treat his once cherished lover with callousness and brutality essentially driving her to insanity. Hamlet however didnt hate Ophelia or his mother. A very passionate man in nature, Hamlet was pained over the idea that the queen easily replaced the man who was so loving to [her],That he might not beteem the winds of heaven Visit her face too roughly (1.2.141-45) with a beast. When he discovered Ophelias death, Hamlet reacted with outpouring emotions and sensitivity admitting that he loved her so much that forty thousand brothers Could not, with all their quantity of love, Make up [his]sum (5.1.263-4). It is not his ferocity and anger that blinded him and made him treat Ophelia with unimaginable cruelty. Though he did use her as an outlet for the disgust he felt toward his mother and women in general, Hamlets actions toward Ophelia were fueled by his sense of duty toward fulfilling the promise he made to his father and his desire to protect Ophelia from this world. Telling her to Get thee to a nunnery(3.1.119-120), Hamlet is trying to free Ophelia from her sinful womanly nature and get her to a more chaste place instead. Underneath the heartless and callous actions of the dejected prince a more virtuous and tender motives. It is important to note that just like Hamlet is morally idealistic, he had his stains of corruption that developed throughout the course of the play. One of the princes main reasons for opposing the queens marriage is that it was incestuous; additionally, later in the play when he was comparing his father to Claudius, he referred to Claudius as a satyr to critic ize his lustful and drunken behavior. Put together, it becomes clear that Hamlet despises sensual and lustful ideas and interactions. Ironically though, he thinks its a fair thought to lie between maids legs (3.2.111-20). Not only that but Ophelia as she was unconsciously reciting songs when she lost her sanity, reveals that she had some intimate relationship with Hamlet before. Furthermore, when Hamlet received the news of his fathers murder from the ghost, he with great outrage and righteous indignation calls Claudius a damned villain(1.5.106). Nevertheless, Hamlet realizes that to take revenge from his uncle, he must commit the very same act that he is revenging for. He killed Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern with no compunction whatsoever while the villain he loathes at least thought of repentance. He is pious yet lustful, tender yet heartless, and righteous yet corrupt. He is not only torn within but also cant escape because he is consumed by self-analysis. Though Hamlet doesnt acknowledge that, these contradictory thoughts and behaviors have cumulated to stifle him and delayed his avenge until an exter nal factor overpowered all of that. Toward the climax of the play, Hamlet met Fortinbras and his army marching to their death. To his shame, Fortinbrass reasons seemed as thin as an eggshell (4.4.53) yet were enough to provoke and incite him. This moved him within as he was bemoaning his inactivity and made his decide that from now on His thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth(4.4.65-66). The encounter with Fortinbras didnt change the nature of Hamlet, instead, it freed him from the curse of introspection that has for long kept him imprisoned by his inner conflict and insecurities. He chose to turn a blind eye to the conflict within and essentially act without thinking. Due to that, the once hesitant and fearful death has reached the apex of his development by preparing himself for death and accepting that he will be dealing with a moral paradox. The young prince opted to not give himself or his audience a decisive resolution because he is aware that there is no simple answer to life or death, so to propel himself through action, he makes destiny the scapegoat forcing himself to believe that Theres a divinity that shapes our ends (5.2.4-11). Whether Hamlet is actually convinced of that or if he is using it as a tool to overshadow his inner conflicts and commit another murder is uncertain; what is certain however is that if Hamlet hasnt overcame his perpetual introspection, he would have forever been the inactive slave of his thoughts and contradictions.