CS Inter :: Management information systems and Corporate comunications : December 2004

Cabana Design, a graphic design company, has approximately 100 employees in three its offices in Mumbai (Churchgate, Mulund and Bandra). The company has become highly dependent on the internet to communicate between offices, as well as to advertise its services. Due to its rapid growth, top management has not had the time to think strategically about its technology infrastructure. They have approximately 80 desktops plus a dozen or so laptops that employees use to connect while on the move or from home. Each of the three offices has a local area network for using graphic software packages and administrative applications.

Some of its employees are freelance graphic designers who work with a diverse set of multimedia application packages. The company wants an e-commerce strategy to be in place so that it could increase the ease of dealing with freelance designers (b-to-b) and reduce the cost of distributing draft versions of graphic design products to its customers world-wide (b-to-c). It is also interested in getting real-time inputs from the customers during the design process. Using a secured extranet is certainly an option. While the company does not have the resources to hire a full-time CIO, it does have the resources to hire you as a consultant to devise a ‘technology game plan’ – to quote the CEO. In your first interview with her, she states that she wants to understand what they need to do to ‘technology future-proof’ the company as they continue to grow. She says ‘do whatever you need to’ but come up with an MIS strategy for the company.

Outline the critical components and processes you would go through in devising this strategic master plan.

You are the Company Secretary of a textile mill and also holding additional charge as General Manager (Marketing). Enumerate some important management information reports, with their periodicity, which you may like to have from various departments.

“Extranet provides information which outside customers need such as detailed product description, FAQs about different products, etc.” Explain some of the important strategies necessary for success of extranet in the organisation.

“SAP has several layers. The basic system is the heart of the data operations and should not be evident to higher level of managerial users. The heart of the system from a manager’s view point is the application modules.” In the light of the statement, describe the various SAP application modules.

Internal Distribution Services (IDS), an international distribution company with one of its warehouses in your region, wants to hire you as a network consultant to assist the company in selecting appropriate Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology for its warehouse floor. IDS management has decided that a WLAN is the best for the company but does not know what features of WLAN are appropriate for their needs. Write a report containing the different types of WLAN options and suggest the one that will suit the company.

State how the marketing personnel of a firm can make best utilisation of Geographical Information System (GIS) to boost their sales.

Dey, the Executive Director of Big Gun Ltd., a capital goods major in Kolkata, is apprehensive that their company does not have a say in the industry despite their size. A few medium sized companies enjoy a significant voice in the industry’s affairs and the media appears to reflect only their views. Dey feels that an authoritative voice in the industry is required for future business success. He wants you to prepare a note on objective methodology for confirming or dismissing his apprehensions.

“Life is a communication-centered activity. If we cannot communicate effectively, we cannot live effectively.” Explain the statement and describe the various aspects of body language

The Institute of Public Relations proposes to conduct 7th international programme of public relations management in New Delhi from 30th June to 18th July, 2005 for managers from countries across the globe at Hayyat Regency, Delhi at a non-residential fee of US$1750. The programme includes lectures, video presentations, tutorials, workshops, business games, syndicate projects, case histories and presentation by participants.
Draft a press release for publication in English journals in different parts of the world about the international programme to be held by the Institute of Public Relations.

“Good questioning techniques are extremely important in interviews.” Highlight the various types of questions used in interviews.

Assume that you are trying to get some orders from a prospective buyer. You are talking to him and have established a comfortable communication channel. How will you determine the level of rapport you have established with the prospective buyer ?

What do you mean by ‘knowledge management’ ? Why is it important ? How will you implement an effective knowledge management programme in your organisation?