Performance and Management Essay Example for Free

Performance and Management EssayPerformance and Management A. Policy For Recognizing Employee Contributions The purpose of this report is to use the grant schema we previously developed in Phases I and II to pay people, develop aims that reward performance, add benefits into the mix, and evaluate these results. First we will cypher at performance- lay downd-pay as a policy for recognizing employee contributions. Performance-based-pay is a pay plan that varies with some measure out of individual or organizational performance, such as merit pay, lump-sum bonus plans, skill-based pay, incentive plans, variable pay plans, risk sharing, and success sharing. It is basically a pay plan that moves away from the traditional base pay and across-the-board increases, and focalisationes more on factors of performance that can increase overall productivity for a community. Performance-based-pay plans can be very effective in creating a positive impact in performance of both employees and a come with as a whole, but only is the plan is determinationed well. In order to be successful, it is crucial that the performance-pay plan be designed to support FastCats business strategy and compensation objectives.To design this pay-for-performance plan, we will recommend a specific policy plan that is tailored to FastCats goals towards success. We will compare different performance-based plans, which include individual vs. class incentives and merit vs. incentive pay, to see which combinations will help FastCat compete more effectively. a. idiom on Individual vs. Group Incentives Two strategies to consider with performance-based-pay plans are providing individual incentives, separate incentives, or both.Individual incentive plans involve incentive compensation that is tie directly to objective measures of individual production. On the other hand, group incentive plans are incentive plans that are based on some measure of group performance rather than individual perf ormance. Taking data on a past year as a base, group incentive plans may focus on cost savings or on profit increases as the standard for distributing a portion of the accrued funds among relevant employees. We recommend a mixture of both individual incentive and group incentive pay plans.How the individual incentive plan will work is at that place will be a year-end bonus pool as function of company performance. The employees share in the pool will be based on three factors (1) employees set up, (2) employees personal performance analysis, (3) employees tenure at the company. This plan will go hand-in-hand with the group incentive plan we recommend, which will be a profit-sharing plan. A profit-sharing plan is a plan that focuses on profitability as the standard for group incentive.This group incentive plan will bring forward employees to work hard as a team to create better company performance overall. We used the balanced visiting card approach to measure the companys perform ance. A balanced scorecard approach is a way to look at what contributes value in an organization. It is a corporate-wide overall performance measure typically incorporating financial results, process improvements, customer service, and innovation. We determined that there are eight main elements that must be measured to determine good company performance.These metrics, which are weighted differently based on importance to FastCats business strategy, are as follows (1) revenue growth, (2) labor costs, (3) innovation, (4) customers see FastCat representatives as antiphonary and knowledgeable, (5) customers value FastCat solutions, (6) employees take pride in working for FastCat, (7) employees have the tools and support to do their jobs, (8) employees understand how to make teams successful. In essence, the individual incentive plan and the group incentive plan work together to increase both individual performance and company performance.The better the company performs based on the ba lanced scorecard approach, the more money there is for the bonus pool in the individual incentive plan. b. Emphasis on Merit vs. Variable Pay All the pieces of this compensation system fit together Add cleanification on why this matches FastCats business and compensation objectives from problems B. Implementation a. Matching FastCat Jobs With Benchmark Survey Jobs When interconnected FastCat jobs with benchmark survey jobs we first had to separate the jobs at FastCat into four different job families engineering, technical, food marketing, and administration.We started off with cardinal FastCat positions of the various job families and matched them with the benchmark jobs based on the responsibilities of the job as well as the experience and competencies required to hold the position. For example, take the engineering family. For the prepare 1 of the benchmark survey job, it is described by the following statements Participates in development, testing and documentation of softwa re programs. Performs design and analysis tasks as a project team member.Typical minimum requirements are a Bachelors degree in a scientific field or the equivalent and up to 2 years of experience. We compared that to the Usability Engineer in our accept organization. Some responsibilities of the Usability Engineer are as follows Contributes to the development and implementation of FastCat web applications, work with FastCat quality assurance to ensure integrity of FastCat software test, debug, and fix data, and design appropriate software testing strategies. The position requires a B. S. egree in Computer Science or related field plus at least two years of experience. A competency required of the position is to communicate with team members, support team decisions, and work effectively as part of a team. As the shapes within the families of the benchmark jobs increase (Engineer 2, Engineer 3) the responsibilities, experience, and competencies required of the position also incr ease. For example, Senior Fellow, the position we assigned the most JE points in the organization to, was matched with Engineer 5, the highest position in the benchmark engineer family. . Determining Relevant Market(s) When selecting market competitors to establish our suggested pay policy line for FastCat our team tried a some different markets before deciding on the one we felt most reflected the values of the company. The first market group we chose to try was all the surveyed industries provided to us by FastCat. This line fit well with our benchmark jobs creation fairly close to the line on both the high and low end.The second fit we looked into was just using the data regarding software system companies, this line seemed to fit slightly better than the previous with jobs on both the high and low end of the JE scale being fairly evenly distributed above and below the line. The final fit we tried was software companies with the exception of company 15 because we found that th eir compensation data created a huge outlier from the average of the other companies. We decided to go with the final fit of only software companies excluding company 15 because we felt this line best reflected our views on which jobs were most important. c.Adjusting our Data for More Desirable Regression Results Our team was rather flexible when making decisions about possible adjustments to our data during and after making our fixation results. At first when our team was benchmarking the FastCat jobs against other companies, we felt that a couple FastCat jobs were very similar. We matched two of them with the same survey job titles. The first match was Software Developer and Implementation Consultant, which were both matched with Engineer 2. The second match was with Administrative Assistant II and the Administrative Aide, which were both matched with Office Support 2.When we were get into the data into the software to create a regression analysis, we realized that we would only be able to create this analysis on fourteen jobs, instead of the sixteen that was expected. We initially decided that moving some of our matches around and entering full data for all sixteen jobs would be the proper route to take. Our R? number was not where we wanted it to be after doing this coming in at less than . 70, and this was probably because it was a bit forced and unnatural for us to careen the jobs around just to get the full amount of jobs.Going back to our original benchmarking brought our R? up considerably. When we looked at the new data we saw that there was one major outlier and it was the Senior smell Assurance Technician. Our team had marked this position at a Technician 4 originally, but we all took a look at the FastCat information again and reached an agreement that we had made a mistake in benchmarking the position. What threw us off at first was the statement that the Senior Quality Assurance Technician was, at the direction of the Implementation Consulta nt, which had a rather low amount of Job Evaluation points.We decided to move the position from a Technician 4 to a Technician 5. This is the last change we made, and it gave us our final R? of . 882. d. Different Grades and Ranges Regarding grades of pay and the range of pay within those grades we chose to go with 4 grades of nose candy JE points each. We found this to be a satisfactory suggestion as the jobs falling within these ranges have a relatively similar importance to the company and should be compensated in a way that demonstrates this.We used 15% as our selected range for all grades, meaning that the amount paid in each grade would range from 15% below to 15% above the midpoint of our pay policy line within that grade. With the results from the selected grades and ranges we had one difficulty the difference in pay from grade 1 to grade 2 was nearly $10,000. To fix this discrepancy and encourage our lower level employees to stay with the company we chose to use an above m arket policy of 15% for this grade to close the gap. After completing these steps we had a pay policy that we felt was right to suggest to the FastCat Company for their base wage policy.

IT Strategy and Network Design Proposal Essay Example for Free

IT Strategy and Ne cardinalrk Design Proposal EssayThe GFK School of Motoring was established in 1960. Since then, the school has bountiful steadily and now has a several offices in the London area. However, the Organization is expanding and a modern branch is to be built that impart link with the alive web and alike utilise the latest technologies such as simulators, the internet and the World Wide Web.Furthermore, improvement is needed in the communications and manduction of nurture between offices spread around the London.The Director wants to take advantage of the Internet to change the way the company operates. The new branch will allow future thickenings to browse the website and make an initial registration. Interview and the checking of documents can then be arranged on-line. Once a node has been registered any payments due can also be made on-line via any of the various credit and debit cards.Flexibility in the provision of services to clients also requires t hat once registered, a client can take a driving lesson at any of the centres. Hence an integrated and up-to-date database system is to be implemented.The Director of the organization feels that too umteen mistakes are being made with the current system and that the success of the organization will be short-lived if he does not do just aboutthing to overcome the situation.He knows that a good IT strategy and network cast could help in part to solve the problem and has approached our team to help create a new branch and implement an efficient and reliable information system to support the running of the organization as a whole.1.3 DESCRIPTION OF GFK OPERATIONS.Each office has a manager (who feeds to be a senior instructor),Several senior instructors, instructors and administrate staffs.The staff hierarchy is as follows Manager Senior instructors Instructors Office personnel.The manager is obligated for the day-to-day running of the office.Clients must first register on-line or at an office and this requires that they complete an application form, which records their personal details.Before the first lesson, a client is requested to attend an interview with an instructor to assess the needs of the client and to ensure that the client holds a valid provisional driving license.A client is free to ask for a particular instructor or to request that an instructor be changed at any stage throughout the dish up of learning to drive.After a successful interview, the first lesson is booked.A client may request individual lessons or book a block of lessons for reduce fee.An individual lesson is for star or two hours which begins and ends either at the clients home or at the office.A lesson is with a particular instructor in a particular car at a given time.Lessons can start as early as 6a.m. and as late as 8p.m.After distributively lesson, the instructor records the progress made by the client and notes the mileage used during the lesson.The Organization has a pool of cars, which are adopted for the purpose of teaching.Each instructor is allocated to a particular car.As well as teaching, the instructors are free to use the cars for personaluse.The cars are inspected at regular intervals for faults.Once ready, a client will be given a test date by the instructor.It is the responsibility of the instructor to ensure that the client is best prepared for all move of the test.The instructor is not the responsible for testing the client and is not in the car during the test but should be available to drop off and plectron up the client before and after the test at the testing centre.If a client fails to pass, the instructor must record the reasons for the failure.1.4. AIMS OF THE PROJECT.1. To design and implement a network solution for the new Barking branch .2. To redesign or upgrade the companys existing network system.3. To connect GFK to the Internet and extend full internet service.4. To design a desktop and its delivery to all GFKs cli ent reckoners.5. To address security and back-up issues.6. To design a network monitoring policy to maintain and/or improve performance in the future. This particular aspect of the group work is investigated in detail by Student number 0212251 in Part B.1.5 BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROPOSED net SYSTEM.The design of the Local Area Network for the new branch and its communicationwith the rest of the GFK network will be approached in view of satisfying two fundamental business functions Information sharing refers to having users access the same data files, exchange information via email, or use the internet. Resource sharing refers to one computer sharing a hardware device (e.g., printer) or software package with other computers on the network to save costs.The main benefit of information sharing is improved decision making, which is one of the goals of the GFK School of Motoring.Any application, e.g. a web browser, on the GFK LAN will have the following functions1. data storage 2. data access logic3. application or business logic4. presentation logicBased on these functions we will be implementing client/server network architecture at the new branch. We will be using 3-tier client/server architecture to spread the load between the clients (microcomputers) and the servers (more powerful microcomputers).This is illustrated in the plot below(FitzGerald Dennis, page 46, top).In this case, the software on the client computer is responsible for presentation logic, an application server is responsible for the applicationlogic and a separate database server is responsible for the data access logic and data storage 1, page 45.Since the main advantage of a client/server architecture is also its weak point i.e. enabling software and hardware from different vendors to be used together, we will recommend a middleware software such as CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture). It will perform two vital functions1. It enables a standard way of communication b y translating between software from different vendors2. It manages the message transfer from clients to servers (and vice versa) so that clients need not know the specific server that contains the applications data. The application software on the client sends all messages to the middleware, which forrader them to the correct server. The application software on the client is therefore protected from any changes in the physical network. If the network layout changes (e.g., a new server is added), further the middleware must be updated 1, page 44.By choosing this architecture for the new branch, we have achieved two things1. Better load balancing between the servers on the network2. Scalability. In the future, if due to business demands the system needs to be extended, this can be easily done by adding one or more servers.1.6 REQUIREMENTS ACQUISITION.In hunting lodge to obtain valuable information about the GFK School of Motoring, the group decided to send out questionnaires to mem bers of the organization who uses the old system regularly and have a good knowledge of it. We decided on questionnaires because we believe that the users, being under no pressure as they answer questions about the existing system, will provide a reliable feedback.1.6.1 QUESTIONNAIRE 1.User Mr A. Patel.Position Instructor.Time at Company 3 years.Branch Stratford Branch.1. skepticism How often do you use the system? dissolve Daily. As many as 20 times a day, when at work.2. Question Are you comfortable using the company network? dish up manakin of.3. Question What do you normally use the system for?Answer Browsing the internet, enquiring about client information, entering client details, send and receiving emails and so forth4. Question Which of these tasks do you found most daunting and why?Answer No doubt, it is obtaining information about clients. The process is very slow and frustrating especially during peak hours. For some reasons the system is sluggish and it slows down the business.5. Question From question 4, do you sometimes have to abort the task?Answer No, because a client details got to be entered. Its frustrating, but you wait until its done before moving on. As a result we tend to record client details at the whenever the system tend to be responsive. This might be a couple of days later.6. Question Which of these tasks do you find easiest to do and why?Answer No doubt, surfing the internet, sending emails, registering clients on-line.7. Question Have you had experiences of viruses causing disruption on the system and how?Answer Certainly on many occasions. I can remember on one occasion a few of my clients and me couldnt use our computers because it was totally corrupted and my section had to be closed down while the techie people sorted it out. We woolly most of the files on our computers.8. Question From question 7, on how many occasions did this happen?Answer Ive experienced it about 6 or 7 times.9. Question What advice were you given abou t using the systems in terms of avoiding virus infection?Answer The normal stuff. Dont open email you dont the source, log-off the system before you close for the day, etc. But despite taking these measures, we still have the problem.10. Question Do you normally back-up your files yourself and how often?Answer Yeah, files are supposed to be backed up on cd-roms at the end of every working day but not everybody does it.11. Question Do you case of lost customer files and how often?Answer Yeah, we do. I know a few of my mate who do. We just try to re-acquire it from the customer without the knowledge of management. Someone has been reprimanded for it in the past. Sometimes, its the fault of thesystem. As I give tongue to earlier, it can be frustratingly slow.12. Question If you can change the system, what will you change and why?Answer Definitely, it will be the enquiry procedure. Anything that makes the process faster will do.

Discussion Bill of Rights Essay Example for Free

Discussion quantity of Rights EssayThe Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. The Bill of Rights lists freedoms not specifically identified in the main body of the Constitution. These freedoms are freedom of religion, freedom of speech, a free press, and free assembly the right to find and bear arms freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, security in personal effects, and freedom from warrants issued without probable cause indictment by a gram jury for any capital or infamous crime guarantee of a speedy, public trial with an impartial jury and prohibition of double jeopardy. In addition, the Bill of Rights reserves for the people any rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution and reserves all powers not specifically granted to the federal brass to the people or the States.Originally the amendments applied only to the federal government, however, most were subsequently applied to the government of each state by way of the ordinal Amendment, through a process known as incorporation. On June 8, 1789 Representative James Madison introduced a series of thirty-nine amendments to the constitution in the signboard of Representatives. Among his recommendations Madison proposed opening up the Constitution and inserting specific rights limiting the power of Congress in Article One, Section 9. Seven of these limitations would became part of the ten canonic Bill of Rights amendments. Ultimately, on September 25, 1789, Congress approved twelve articles of amendment to the Constitution and submitted them to the states for ratification.Contrary to Madisons original proposal that the articles be incorporated into the main body of the Constitution, they were proposed as supplemental additions to it. On December 15, 1791, Articles ThreeTwelve, having been ratified by the required number of states, became Amendments OneTen of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights has had much judicial impact for cl years of itsexistence, but was the basis for many Supreme Court decisions of the 20th and 21st centuries. One of the first fourteen copies of the Bill of Rights is on public pomp at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Application of Database Developmental Cycle

Application of Database Developmental CycleTask 1 Apply the database developmental cycle to a given data set or a case of your own Myreadingroom1.1 details that the database development lifecycle, DDLC, contains six conformations the initial guinea pig, the design, implementation and loading, interrogatory and evaluation, operation, and living and evolution.The number 1 phase of the DDLC is the initial study. This involves investigating the companys current solution, determining what is causing it to fail and providing a future solution to resolve the issues, whilst ensuring that it is in the companys capabilities. This can be achieved in four stages analysing the company, defining the problems and constraints, defining the objectives, and defining the scope and boundaries.To analyse1.6 is to examine something regularityically and in detail. An understanding of what is currently in place helps to decipher the problems and constraints of the current port of working, whilst help ing to determine what the companys objectives ar.Whilst developing a database on that portend is always an objective1.7, something planned to be achieved, or thither can be several, depending on the requirements. During the initial study consideration should be made as to what the the desired outcome is, as well as the scope and boundaries of the solution.The issue I have been asked to resolve is that in that respect is no way for my client to determine if they have, or want to purchase, a dvd, blu-ray or tv series. The objectives they have defined for the outcome is a fully in operation(p) corpse which takes a users to bewitch and update a media. My client similarly requires the ability to generate a wish list, as well as view a list of all current media.The solution I have proposed is a Microsoft Access database as there are minor point of accumulations to the administration. The only limitation I believe may pass along is that the data held may grow to be astronomica l so a desktop database practical application may non be sufficient in the long term. A limited review should be undertaken throughout the lifecycle of the application to determine if it demand to be transferred to a relational database, hosted on a server. As Access allows you to customise the database to your requirements, my understanding is that there will be no limitations of the data stored.The second phase is the design1.1. This is defined as the intimately crucial phase in the database development lifecycle as this phase revolves around ensuring that the users requirements and objectives are met. If they are disregarded by the system developer, it would ultimately be deemed a failure and the DDLC should commence again.The implementation and loading phase of the database development lifecycle consists of installing the database management system, creating the database and loading, or converting, the data. Installation of the database plat impress should only occur if it is required. If the platform is already existent, or the install of the database has taken place, macrocosm of the database can occur.The proposed design of the application is a main fudge which is essentially based on a series of lookups from other tables indoors the application. This is to ensure data integrity and remove any duplication that may otherwise need to occur. As parcel of the proposal for the table layout and relationships, consideration should be made as to the performance of the system. Due to Microsoft Access being preinstalled as part of Office, an installation does not need to occur, however creation of the database, designed in the previous phase, is required.The proposed solution for the application is as follows, with each relationship defined utilising a star-to-one relationship1.8, where a row in one table is linked to one and only one row in another.From there the data needfully to be loaded, and possibly manipulated, into the database. As there is no current solution in place a request has been given to my client in order for the main core data to be imported. at a time this has been completed, data should be added through the application itself.The third phase, testing and evaluation, consists of testing the solution, tuning the database and finally evaluating the database and its application program. Testing is often referred to as User bridal Testing, UAT, in Yorkshire Coast Homes and involves both yourself and the superusers reviewing the system to determine if it is fit for purpose and if navigation throughout is fluid. From there, the system needs amending to introduce any of the anomalies found as part of UAT.My client will undertake the testing of the application which involves ensuring that data is able to be added to system, without any errors or having to go back to any previously accessed fields. In increase to this, they should also review if the application performs adequately and transactions are easily comple ted without delay.The penultimate phase is operation, which is essentially making the system live and operational. This involves the superusers training any users, indoors their department, how to use the system to undertake their job role. This results in the application moving from a project state to change state part of the day to day workings of a department.As my client is going to be the only user of the database at give, no training needs to occur and the transition to live should have minimal impact to them as they have worked on base myself to deliver the application.Throughout the lifecycle of the application being used, livelihood needs to occur and the application needs to evolve as the industry does. This phase is known as maintenance and evolution.Google1.2 informs that the purpose of system maintenance is to sustain the cogency of a system to return a service. This phase consists of four maintenance types, which will occur as regularly as required. They are per iodic, corrective, permissions and adaptive.Periodic maintenance refers to something of a regular occurrence. For example, in Yorkshire Coast Homes, the main housing system has a regular nightly queue which imports any monies received from customers and processes each night, alongside abandoning any no longer required repairs. Another example of periodic maintenance, which should occur in any disposal, is a backup1.3, the copying and archiving of computer data so it may be used to restore the original after a data loss matter. These can occur as regularly as an organisation requires.Periodic maintenance is partnered with corrective maintenance. This is most commonly known as recovery1.4, the process of salvaging inaccessible data which has been lost, go bad, damaged or formatted. As a database executive director you must always be prepared to restore any loss of data for any user, however this form of maintenance should only occur as and when required.The permissions element of maintenance consists of three aspects adding, amending, removing and reviewing. for each one aspect of the permissions are closely linked as a user may change job roles, requiring the adding or removing of permissions, or a third party decision may require a change. An example of where this has occurred in Yorkshire Coast Homes is access to tenants rent accounts. As part of a historic decision, everyone within the organisation had access to the rent account. Following a change in the law, users permissions were removed so that those who can access it are only those who require it within their job role, whether it be for informing a tenant of their rent, chasing any arrears or for IT to support any technical issues.The final maintenance type is adaptive. This is the process of adding features to the current system, or enhancing it. This can also be referred to as evolution. This is the process of the system evolving throughout time as either an organisation, or the technology utilis ed, advances. An example of where this has occurred in Yorkshire Coast Homes is our Total Mobile solution1.5, a digital workforce management solution. We recently upgraded to the latest reading material of software, as the interpretation we were previously running was old technology, which didnt support Android.Through the final phase of DDLC for the Media Database, the periodic maintenance that should occur is the copying of the database. This is to extend a recovery point in the event of data corruption or loss of data. Both the permissions element and adaptive maintenance have limited impact on the application. before long only one user accesses and updates data, however periodic reviews should be undertaken to determine if my client requires further users to have access. From there, adaptive maintenance may need to occur to lock down certain parts of the system my client may not want users to access. In addition to this, Microsoft may upgrade the Access application which may potentially corrupt or remove a functionality currently used within the application. Reviews should be undertaken to determine if an upgrade to a new version of Access may corrupt the application. If a decision is made to undertake an upgrade, the DDLC lifecycle should commence again.Task 2b Evaluate the effectiveness of the database solution and suggests methods of improvementMy client asked me to bring on a fully functional system which allows users to view and update a media. The solution I proposed was a Microsoft Access database which utilised relationships and joins, rather than duplicating data.The first objective, a fully functional system which allows a users to view and update a media, has been achieved utilising the Media Information form. As you can see from the diffuse print below the form details the title of the media, the media type and category. It also includes the purchase information and the genre(s).The second and third objective are closely related as my cli ent request the ability to generate a wish list, as well as view a list of all current media. This information can be accessed from the main form, as you can see from the print overwhelm below.When selecting either the Wish List or Purchased icon the following newspaper publisher appears, detailing the information.As each of the objectives have been achieved, with the addition of my client being able to access sold media, I would deem the development of the database a success.One factor within applications that should always be considered is performance2b.2, how well something works. in that respect are three elements that I would deem beneficial to the applications performance. These are the storing of data, the navigation and functionality.When defining the tables and relationships in the design phase of the database development lifecycle, I ensured that the data is stored with a series of joins, rather than duplicated data. This data is then collated in a query and presented i n a form to provide the information required to my client. This ensures data integrity2b.1, the assurance of the accuracy and consistency of data. It also changes the end user to access the information required without having to navigate throughout the square of the system.The application also benefits from having a limited number of ways to access the data. Providing the information required in one form, and a few reports, provides consistent information. As well as all of the information being provided, the inputting of information is simplistic as when entering data and moving through each field, it navigates in a top to bottom method rather than a muddled method.In addition to navigation through the form, navigation through the application is simple also. Each report and form has been provided with an exit icon, as well as the form having a pee, save and delete button. These are controlled by macros. The macros have also been created in a managed way as rather than having mul tiple macros in one location, they are all their own macro. This removes the need for a triggered action to see a long macro before undertaking it, saving time and increasing performance.As well as successes in the system there are also failures2b.3, the state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended object. There are two failures which have simple resolutions. There are inputting data into the data dictionary form and the search functionality.In order for information to be entered into the data dictionary, the superuser must bypass the initial gear up to display the tables. From there information can be entered into both of the data dictionary tables in order to update the related query. There are two issues with this method firstly, having to enter data in both tables separately, and secondly, there is no password protection so anyone can update the tables. The solution for this issue would be to create an input form which its sole purpose would be to update the data dictionary. In addition to this, the form can be password defend so that only users with the password can update information.The second, and final issue, is the search functionality. As the database has minimal information currently, the only search available in the system is the one provided by Microsoft Access. As more information is entered, the harder it will be to locate the required media. The recommendation for this issue would be to provide a search option on the home screen with the ability to query any value within the database which may need to be updated, such as go a list of wish list items. Although there is currently a report in the system available, this does not provide the ability to update the data. A form would be required for this.To conclude, the application is fit for purpose and meets the objectives defined by my client. However, there are some minor failures of the system which can be easily addressed.Task 2c Provide supporting user and technical document ationSupporting your systemThe Media Information database is a desktop application database developed within the application Access, which is both provided and supported by Microsoft. Any issues relating to the core application is supported until Microsoft decide to cease cover, which is currently set to be October 20202c.1.In the event support has expired, you can quite simply convert to the latest version of Access. In order to do this, make a copy of the database so you dont corrupt the information.With the copied database open, select File, Save As.Select the Save as type drop down menu and change it to the latest version.Ensure full testing is undertaken so that you know that functionality has not been lost, including adding new media types or genres. From there, you are able to delete, or archive, the previous database version. **Please note DO NOT delete the previous database until testing has been completed, as it may result in corruption of your data**OverviewThe database p rovided is referred to as the Media Information database. It is a series of tables which logs whether a media type is owned, the format, genre, and many other things.Upon launch of the application, the following screen is displayedThis screen allows the user to navigate through the system. An exit application button is also provided to close the database.Upon selecting the Media Information icon the following screen is displayedThe main screen details the media title and any information held regarding it, including the status of purchase.Along the bottom pain, there is the ability to navigate throughout the records. In addition to this, the user has the ability to create, save and delete records. A Close button is also provided to return to the home screen.A number of blue boxes open the listed report for the user to peruse. Each report which opens correlates to the title detailed on each icon. The report displayed will look similar to thisAs you can see from the screen above, there is also a Close button provided. This is available on each report to navigate back to the home screen.The final icon on the home screen is Data Dictionary. This report details, the table name, a description, what fields are included and the data type. The information is displayed as followsMaintaining the databaseThroughout the lifecycle of a database, review and development must occur to determine if it is still fit for purpose. As a result, additional fields or tables may be added.If this is required there are a few things which need to be considered or rememberedThe database is currently set up to provide lookups rather than having to manually enter information. This is the preferred method for data integrity.There are multiple relationships defined, detailed belowYou must remember to update the Data Dictionary tablesAdding fields or tables is easily achievable through the backend, which can be accessed from the left hand panel of the application.The current tables in use are a s followsThe core tables begin with Media, whereas those which help provide the Data Dictionary, begin with Data Dictionary.If you want to add additional tables into the system, try to add tables with a lookup to the original database. In order to do this, create your table with a primary unique key and the columns required. Then add the lookup column into the required table.For future reference, the database as it currently stands is configured alike thisThe main tables included and the relationships definedB) The data dictionary tables and the relationships definedFunctionality helpAs part of the configuration for the forms and reports, there are a series of macros enabled which allow fluid interactions throughout the application, without having to exit it completely.These are the macros that are currently in useWhen creating macros, ensure that a user friendly name is assigned to enable yourself, and support, to easily determine what it is for as a later date. This can easily be done by selecting the Properties of the tab and creating a description in the furnish field. This will ensure that it is displayed correctly in the macro overview window.In some instances, there may be things you dont know. As Office is one of the market leaders, there are many forums and online help sites available for use. The sites I would recommend are https//support.office.com/en-gb/access and https//answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/msoffice_access?auth=1. If these sites do not provide the solution, Youtube is always an alternative or a Google search.References1.1 http//www.myreadingroom.co.in/notes-and-studymaterial/65-dbms/506-database-development-life-cycle.html1.2 https//www.google.co.uk/search?ei=QbCXWN_AL4vQgAaC57GQDAq=system+maintenanceoq=syatem+maintenancegs_l=mobile-gws-serp.1.2.0i13k1l5.11736.12598.0.14403.8.8.0.0.0.0.149.897.1j6.7.0.01c.1j4.64.mobile-gws-serp..4.4.54735i39k1j0i7i30k1.g8bS8KwNeBs1.3 https//en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backup1.4 https//en.m.wiki pedia.org/wiki/Data_recovery1.5 https//www.totalmobile.co.uk1.6 https//www.google.co.uk/search?client=tablet-android-googleei=ZOaYWMLKJcLCwATvz5bwDAq=analyseoq=analysegs_l=mobile-gws-serp.3..0l5.14074.14927.0.15108.8.8.0.3.3.0.149.769.6j2.8.0.01c.1.64.mobile-gws-serp..1.7.466.3..41j0i131k1j0i67k1.uUVjfA3KtLw1.7 https//www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/objective1.8 http//www.databaseprimer.com/pages/relationship_1to1/2b.1 https//en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_integrity2b.2 http//dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/performance2b.3 https//en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failure2c.1 https//support.microsoft.com/en-gb/lifecycle?p1=13615

Zara History And Background Commerce Essay

Zara memorial And Background Commerce EssayThe middle-aged mothers buy dresses at Zara chain because theyre discounted, while the generation aged in the mid-20s buys Zara clothes because its manner suitable. Obviously, Zara has operose retail shops, low price, being in fashion. Zara was and still an interesting case study for lots of other retailers and fashion traders in the world.Zara History and BackgroundThe founder of Zara, Amanico Ortega, opened his first Zara in 1975 in Central Street in downtown of Spain. The first store take ind is low-priced and give ear like popular products, higher clothing fashion. The shop proved to be success, and Amanico began opening more Zara shops in Spain. During 1980 Ortega started to change the designs, producing and the distribution process to reduce times and respond to sunrise(prenominal) trends rapidly, in what he known as (Instant Fashions). Zara built its improvements after developing its information technologies in fashion field an d theyre using groups of fashion designers instead of individual ones.In 1980 Zara started international expansion through Porto. In 1989, Zara entered France and United States in 1990. International expansion increased in Mexico 1993, Greece 1995, Sweden and Belgium 1995, till get over 70 countries by 2001. Zara runs 500 shops around the world and all the shops are company owned.Zara is one of the international retailer that manufactures, designs and sells clothing, accessories and footwear for men, women aged 15 to 45 and children. Zara is one of the leading internationalized retailers, (Zara ,Massimo Dutti ,Pull Bear ,Bershka)Zara company controls the supply chain and designing. Zara built its own manufactory and they established barter model, called JIT system.Zara could design new products and accomplished goods in 4 to 5 weeks, also can modify the existing products in as little as 2 weeks. If any design does not sell good in a week, it will be withdrawn from all shops, ad ded orders will be canceled and new design will be move as shortening products life cycle means better success in customer preferences. Besides, Zara has a series of standard designs that is coming over all(prenominal) year.Zara is also becoming the worlds leading fashion company and its brand has exceeded expectations. As they have strong design team.Zara Business modelZara business models can be divided into three components Value drivers, capabilities and concept. Zara concept is maintaining design, producing that will allow Zara to react rapidly to changes in customer demands.SOWT ANALISYIS ZARAAnalysis is strategic supply method used to evaluate the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Treats .Zara market strategy is very effective.Strengths1) Normally, retails industries take about 3 to 5 months to obtain new seasonal fashion collection. Zara is able to distribute products within 2 weeks to the customers, because goods are moving rapidly through Zara shops, buyers worry to buy a product that it might no longer be available other time.2) 70 countries with 500 shops positioned in the best shopping center, More than 350 cities in Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.Weakness1) Zara is different than its competitors such as Benetton and Gap, doesnt use Asia outsources. 70% of Zaras controlled facilities in Galicia of Spain. The competitors of Zara have outsources to low-cost Asian countries such as china for low cost labor and production2) Zara spends 0.3% of total incomes on marketing and advertising. This concept is lesser than its competitors which their average spend 3-4% on advertisingOpportunities1) Zara Company concentrates in strategy on the close cooperation with customer by use the new technologies, such as on field shopping2) Zara competitors, such as Gap and Benetton, but the key of success of Zara is more fashionable and the price is lessThreats1) Protection laws are 1 of the threats that Zara face in the potential market, disasters in the G alicia region of Spain and government instability.2) The profits will be affected if the oil price rises as periodic distributions and that will charges high cost transportation.Porters Five Forces ZARA1. RivalryTherere few fast-design fashion shops like Zara around the world as this unequalled feature allows Zara to get high profit without spending a lot of money on advertisements to reach the market share.2. Treat of new EntryProfitability and unique feature attract traders with investment to enter the fashion market. it could be very difficult to collect all the labor force needed in a short time. If traders want to enter this market, they should have sufficient time to be prepared.3. Supplier PowerZara and any fashion shops usually have weak provider power because of the purpose that their objective is to attract all potential buyers to buy their goods.4. Threat of SubstituteGenerally, fashion industries are very changeable in umteen existing competitors as they want to contr ol the next big tendency. However Zara is still different from other fashion shops in terms of creative designs and continual innovation.5. Buyer PowerTherere many people who have loyalty to Zara. Regardless of the brand name, Consumers purchase what they like.Segmentation Target market-ZaraWho is the customer?Zaras target consultation is youth, price awareness, and extremely sensitive to latest fashion designs. They have competitive advantage over old-fashioned retailers because they dont describe their target by segmenting lifestyles and ages giving them broader market.Zara segments their products line by women (60%), men (25%) and the fast growing children (15%).Targeting specific segment of the market, this could be a great strategy. Market segmentation is the process of targeting groups of consumers who have common needs. Therere many different ways to segment Markets such as segmenting products, segmenting service requirements, segmenting geographic locations demographic se gment, or segmenting lifestyles. To create successful segmentation, we need to understand what customers need, how customers decide among products, and how group of consumers demand different things,Zara targeted a wide-ranging gap in retail market as it targets consumers who interested in fast fashion to be updated with latest fashion designs. In order to target the market, Zaras strategy runs its shops in important locations and provides its customers with turnover time of 3 to 4 weeks for its new fashion collections. Besides, the strong brand name, the collection of fashion dresses, accessories and marketing campaigns which pulls target markets to Zara shops.

Benefits Of A Fixed Term Deposit Account Marketing Essay

Benefits Of A Fixed Term Deposit Account Marketing EssayThe purpose of this document is to propose a solution in rig to increase the customer full boundary pose balances by 20. This brief contains an about the company section, marketing object glass, the campaign objective, who are the target audience of such a crop, explanation of the product, how the product can be distributed, our competition, USP, key messages, acquitables, timing and budget.About the companyCustomers choice patois was square off up in 1990. Our vision is to incur one of the exceed banks compared to other local banks in Malta. We are dedicated to giving an efficient and excellent service to our customers by helping them discover the best solutions to their financial requirements. Our bank offers products such as home loans, personal loans, internet banking, deposit delineates, financial planning, corpo deem financial services, life assurances, retirement plan and more. wherefore we target people who are personal and also those who have a business. We already succeeded in a campaign before which was about internet banking and our postulate was to attract 10% of our existing customers to start using internet banking. We are looking forward to succeed in other future campaigns.Marketing objectiveTo increase customer line deposit balances by 20% in 3 months.The campaign objectiveThe campaign must1. Create impact, and raise sensory faculty of the bank as a term deposit provider.2. Promote the benefits of the term-deposit product.3. Educate the customers as to the benefits of the maturity of the term deposit.4. Provide 5,000 leads for sales consultants to contact regarding this product.5. Result in 2,000 term deposit sales which is an increase of 20% in customer term deposits.Target audienceThe customers we should be targeting are both female and male, senior over 18 historic period. They should have at least 1000 to open the term deposit account. Personal customers who have a l ong term unembellished liquidity may want to benefit from the amour rates of this term deposit product.The Product1000 49995000 2499925000+2 old age3% p.a4.15% p.a4.30% p.a3 age3.10% p.a4.40% p.a4.60% p.a4 old age3.30% p.a4.60% p.a4.80% p.a5 years4.20% p.a5.10% p.a5.20% p.a6 years4.50% p.a5.30% p.a5.50% p.a7 years4.80% p.a5.50% p.a6.00% p.a8 years5% p.a6.00% p.a6.50% p.a9 years5.50% p.a6.50% p.a7.00% p,a10 years6% p.a7.00% p.a7.50% p.aWe are offering a mulish term deposit product figd Customers Choice Term Deposit that its interest rate is better than in all of our competitors fixed term deposit interest rates. With a term deposit, a customer can invest his or her surplus liquidity in this account in order to gain interest upon maturity which depends harmonise to how much money the client invested in it and for how galore(postnominal) years the client chooses to put them for. The interest rate gets higher, the longer the client chooses to invest it for and the more th ere is money invested in it. This product should be only offered to people of 18 years or older with a surplus of 1000 or more. Below, one can see our proposed fixed term deposit productA customer may choose from a fixed term between 2 years and 10 years and forget receive an interest on his/her money invested according to the amount of money invested.Benefits of a fixed term-deposit accountA customer pass on be able to earn a higher interest rate from a term-deposit account than from the usual savings account.Less risky than investing in property and/or shares.No leans are involved if the customer breaks the term. heighten interest can be gained.Features of a fixed term-deposit accountThe customer applying for a term-deposit account must be at least 18 years of age.The minimal requirement is 1000.There is no maximum limit.Interest will be gained when the term deposit account matures or paid annually into a savings account.Terms and conditions (see Appendix 1).DistributionThis p roduct can be purchased from a branch network, through a third party broker, via telephone at once from the provider or via internet by applying from the banks website.The competitionWe have 10 competitors which are APS bank, Banif Bank, Bank of capital of Malta, FIM Bank, HSBC, Lombard, Mediterranean bank, Nemea bank, FCM bank and IIG bank. By comparing our proposed product to akin(predicate) products offered by other organisations (see Appendix 2), one can see that our product was made to be better than our competitors similar products.APS bank is offering a part withwheel of fixed time periods of 1month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years.Banif bank is offering a 3-Year Flexi Term deposit account thatgives the customer the interest rate of 3.15% per annum for a 3-year term while the customers can s bowl withdraw the funds before the maturity day.Bank of Valletta is offering a range of 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 year s and 5 years fixed term deposit account for customers who make a minimum deposit of 200 into the fixed term deposit account.FIM bank is offering a fixed term deposit account periods of 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years for customers who make a minimum deposit of 25000.HSBC bank is offering a fixed term deposit account period of 7 days, 1month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years for customers who make a minimum deposit of 1000.Lombard bank is offering a fixed term deposit account of 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years for customers with a minimum deposit of 10000. Lombard bank also offers the 5 Xtra and 7 Xtra fixed term deposit accounts which are a 5 year term and 7 year term fixed term deposit accounts respectively.Mediterranean bank is offering a 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years fixed term deposit accounts for customers who make a minimum depos it of 5000.Nemea bank is offering a 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 18 months, 2 years, 3 years or 5 years fixed deposit account for customers who make a minimum deposit of 10000.FCM bank is offering a 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years or 5 year fixed term deposit account for customers who make a minimum deposit of 2000.IIG bank is offering a 3 year term deposit account with an interest rate of 4.65% payable or compounded quarterly, fractional yearly or annually for customers who make a minimum deposit of 25000.USPOur fixed term deposit account has the best interest rates in the whole market. Together with this account, we are offering a free credit card, a free debit card and the opportunity to use internet banking for free to customers so that customers can check the bank accounts that they have with us.Key messagesThe product has attractive interest rates.The product is easy to attainIt is a product that many clients require but many have not yet bought.Overall t he product offering should be seen as being a quality product that is customer-focused and therefore giving a good return rate for the deposits that customers put in their fixed term deposit account, which is all offered by a name that a customer can trust.DeliverablesWe require a promotional campaign which is to include branch advertising, publisher advertising, direct mail and PR. You are expected to deliver the followingA strong consumer message2 posters to use as in branch displays1200 A5 flyers to be distributed in peoples homes around the banks areaA newspaper advertisement to use in the national press for 3 monthsA fulfillment pack consisting of a product brochure, terms and conditions and an application form.Television advertisementA mailing pack including a brochure, terms and conditions and an application form for mailing existing clients of the organisation.Extra brochures for new customers in branches who are interested in similar products.Recommendations for PR activi ty.TimingThe marketing campaign will be running from the beginning of March till the end of May.The design of the newspaper, posters, brochures and flyers takes 3 days to finish and it will begin on the 1st of March and end on the 3rd of march. The design of the television advert and the billboard advert will take 4 days to be completed and it will begin on the 1st of March and end on the 4th of March. The printing of the posters, brochures and flyers will only take one day and therefore the printing will begin from the 4th of March till the fifth of March. The posters can be set up in the in-branch displays from 6th March till the 31st of May. The flyers could start to be distributed in homes on the 6th of March while the brochures could start to be put together with the terms and conditions and the application forms to use them as mailing and fulfillment packs. The newspaper advert could be shown from the 4th of March onwards all(prenominal) Sunday for 3 months (that is for 24 da ys). The billboard could be set up on the 5th of March till the 28th of May (that is for 84 days since every billboard can be rented for 28 days). The television advert will be shown every Saturday and Sunday for three months starting on the 5th of March and ending on the 31st of May. All bus advertisements can be set up on the 1st day of March till the 31st of May.BudgetThe budget is 45000. The budget is divided between the campaign budget and the marketing agency fee. The campaign budget is 34265.03 and the marketing agency fee is 6046.77 for a total of 40311.8. see Appendix 3 and 4

Gambling :: essays research papers

English attitudes and opinions prevailed in the New World, and created gambling in America. Settlers brought with them the view that gambling was a harmless diversion. In these colonies, gambling was a popular and accepted activity. Legal gambling tended to be those types that were considered gentlemen-like. For example, it took a long time for cock fighting and prize-fighting to manufacture legal because it was not considered a suitable gentlemens game. Although the financial backers of the colonies viewed gambling as a source of the colonies problems, they began to see it as the solution as well. The Virginia fraternity of London was permitted by Britain to hold lotteries and raise money for the companys colonial venture. The lotteries were relatively sophisticated and included instant winners. Eventually, Britain banned the lotteries because of complaints from the English back home that entangle that they were robbing Britains money. Proceeds helped establish some of the natio ns earliest and most prestigious universities -- Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth, Princeton, and William and Mary. Lottery funds were also used to build churches and libraries. Among the lotteries was a private drafting passed by Congress in 1823 for the beautification of Washington D.C. Unfortunately, the organizers run off with the proceeds and the winner was never paid. Lotteries were not the scarcely form of gambling during this era wagering on horse racing was a popular form of gambling. Unsurprisingly, it was not quite as organized as modern horse racing. The first racetrack in North America was built on Long Island in 1665. Casino gaming started slowly. Taverns and roadhouses would allow dice and card games. The relatively sparse population was a barrier to establishing gaming houses, but as the population increased, by the early 1800s, lavish casinos were established in the young republic. During the 1830s, the actions of the professional gamblers came under growing scr utiny and southern settlers turned against the professional gambler. The anti-lottery forces fought against lotteries and prevailed. In 1833 Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts put an end to state authorized lotteries. By 1840, most states had banned lotteries. By 1860, only Delaware, Missouri, and Kentucky still allowed state-authorized lotteries. Nevertheless, the tickets of these few states were shipped around the country by mail or smugglers. The prohibition also led to the creation of illegal lotteries. The gold rush brought a huge increase in the amount and types of gambling to California San Francisco replaced New Orleans as the center for gambling in the United States.