Case 3: Henry Schein Inc.: The Business Value of a Data Warehouse

1. What are some of the key requirements for building a good data warehouse? Use Henry Schein Inc. as an example.

Key requirements would include:


• Ensuring data availability
• Involving key users throughout the whole project
• Ensure data quality.
• Relying on a pragmatic governance framework
• Determine on the front-end the information the potential business users need access to and the reports they want to see.
• Analyze the old paper reports and the condition of the data housed in the company’s core transaction system.
• Standardize transactional codes in order to produce reports needed.
• Developing and testing summary tables to make queries work faster.


2. What are the key software tools needed to construct and use a data warehouse?

• Data extraction software.
• User query and reporting software.
• Data transformation and loading software.




3. What is the business value of a data warehouse to Henry Schein? To any company?

• choose best customer.
• Determine which customers to target with special promotion offers.
• Determine which customers should be included in specific direct marketing efforts.
• Ability of a user to add more fields to reports as they are using the system.

Case 4: GE, Dell, Intel, and Others: The Competitive Advantage of Information Technology

1. Do you agree with the argument made by Nick Carr to support his position that IT no longer gives companies a competitive advantage? Why or why not?

I do not agree with Carr, because I think advances in technology have unforeseen benefits in the workplace. IT is expensive and at first difficult to understand, but if it is used in the capacity for which it was created, it can give huge returns on its investments and can gain profit.

2. Do you agree with the argument made by the business leaders in this case in support of the competitive advantage that IT can provide to a business? Why or why not?

I agree with Michael Dell’s statement, that without the proper use of the equipment, it’s expense outweighs the benefits gained. This is why its so important to put people in positions that are competent in these emerging IT fields. With the advances in technology that are happening everyday, it would be an unwise choice not to capitalize on use of this new software, because when your competitor does, you will be at an obvious disadvantage.

3. What are several ways that IT could provide a competitive advantage to a business? Use some of the companies mentioned in this case as examples. Visit their websites to gather more information to help you answer.

The major advancement that continues to help large corporate businesses is increase means of communication. The ability to spread, and share new information at a moments notices helps minimize downtime, and increase efficiency, which means larger profits in the end.

Case 2: Lufthansa: Taking Mobile Computing to the Skies While Keeping the Mobile Workforce Connected

1. Are many of Lufthansa’s challenges identified in the case similar to those being experienced by other businesses in today’s global economy? Explain and provide some examples.

• yes, many of Lufthansa's challenges identified that similar to other businesses to in global economy that they experience. in a businesses it is important that have a communication specially to the employee's. In a large company in order to be competitive the company must be sync with the world and the communication is important.
  

2. What other tangible and intangible benefits, beyond those identified by Lufthansa, might a mobile workforce enjoy as a result of deploying mobile technologies? Explain.

• Tangible benefits is their technologies to use for work at the office or home. Also the cost will decrease. Intangible benefits is their company will be more productive, and more flexible.
  

3. Lufthansa was clearly taking a big risk with their decision to deploy notebook computers to their pilots. What steps did they take to manage that risk and what others might be needed in today’s business environment? Provide some examples.

• Lufthansa was taking a bis risk with their decision to deploy notebook computer to their pilots. In order to manage that risk their customer must satisfied. example their service allowed their travelers to access a high-speed internet connection while on board a plane in flight through a wired Ethernet or a wireless Wi-Fi connection.