Fourth Post:MIS: First Assignment

Question: Identify a local organization(s) and discuss some of their best practices in IT/IS ... this should be well-supported with any evidences ....(1000 words)

Our first assignment requires us to look for a certain organization/s that has its own Management Information System or an Information technology Department. Me and my classmates have our list of companies. Included in our list are the following: Phoenix Petroleum Philippines,Inc, eTeleCare Global Solution, AMS Group of Companies and the GH Office Depot. And After waiting for several days for approval, our instructor approved the GH Office Depot. We then visit the company to ask for approval, but they told us to have a phone call first with the HR Staff then we should present a letter for them. The next day, through a phone call we are able to communicate with the HR staff then to the IT personnel and with no doubt they allow us to conduct an interview in our vacant time.

GH Office Depot

Location: 88A Monteverde Ave. , Davao City

GH Office Depot started in 1967 as a small stationary dealer. According to our interviewee, which is the company's IT Personnel in there IT department, that the GH Office Depot is a family owned company before and it grew into a cooperative one. It is operated by the Davao GH Enterprises, Inc.The company deals with paper, school and office supplies.He told us that they have 35,000 different items in the present.

The Company, GH Office Depot, as described by their own website, "The company started as small office stationery dealer in 1967. By the grace of God and through its continuous quest for quality and better products to serve its clientele. It has gained the confidence and patronage of its clients. The clientele expanded to what it is today, a big solid majority share in the market.
The company opened its door to the general public in 1995 by opening up a modest yet modern retail outfit. A supermarket-type of stationery store. The concept was overwhelming accepted by the general public.
The retail outlet and network continue to grow and expand. Today, it is a big business outfit housed in a modern complex with all the convenient facilities and amenities.

The GH OFFICE DEPOT carries in its inventory more than 12,000 items of office items to serve its clients. The company keeps on updating and upgrading its list of items to cope up with the current trend in office management. And to serve its clients with the latest and most up-to-date office supplies and equipments."
You can visit there site: http://www.ghofficedepot.com/about.htm for more information.

The organization also offers different services. Such as, Lamination Services, Photocopying Services, Book Binding Services and Desktop Publishing which include lay-outing and printing of Calling Cards and invitations or any other desktop services.

The person we interviewed is the company's IT Personnel in there IT department. He elaborated unto us about the company's different best practices in Information Technology/Information System.

The following are there best practices in IT/IS:

1. Bundy Clock
- As the Wikipedia define, "A time clock, sometimes known as a clock card machine or punch clock or time recorder, is a mechanical (or electronic) timepiece used to assist in tracking the hours an employee of a company worked. In regards to mechanical time clocks this was accomplished by inserting a heavy paper card, called a time card, into a slot on the time clock." The company use this for the casual employee's time-in and time-out.

2. Fingerprint Biometric System
- Refers to the use of a person's fingerprint characteristics for identifying that person. Through the use of your thumb or fingers and with the help of a fingerprint scanner, the regular employee's of the GH Office Depot can have their login and logout. This biometric system is connected to there payroll which is handled by the accounting department.

3. IP cam and TeleEye camera
- Well, when our interviewee mentioned that they are using 2 kinds of security or Surveillance camera. First is the IP cam. As I search the internet for more information about this, it described IP cameras or network IP cameras stream live video via digital packets across an internet protocol network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The benefit of network cameras, is that they reside on IP networks; the video streams can then be accessed and stored remotely. This enables users to view and/or manage the IP cam using a standard web browser or video management software from different locations, giving businesses increased flexibility. http://www.ipcamerasupply.com/ On the other hand, the TeleEye camera, as defined by www.teleeye.com, "is a full function P/T/Z CCTV camera control unit designed for remote control through telephone network.It receives commands through telephone network and controls on/off power for zooming, focusing, iris for zoom lens, pan/tilt mechanism, washer and wiper for outdoor housing." According to the IT personnel, they have 3 IP cams and 16 TeleEye cameras in there main building. And he told us that the only person who can monitor the cameras is the boss or the owner of the company.

4. Point-to-point Antenna
- I am a bit puzzled when our interviewee said that they are using a point-to-point antenna. Its my first time to hear about this kind of connection. According to him, they used this to communicate and have a connection with there other branch(I am not sure but I guess it is along with Torres St.). Using this they can easily communicate with the other branch in a lesser expense.

Other Hardware Components that is present in their company:
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) - is also known as battery back up which is also used in the company in their biometric system and bundy clock.
Barcode reader - as a supermarket-type stationary store, it is essential for them in knowing the price of there items.

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The IT personnel explain to us that they are also using a POS or Point of Sale which is very useful in checkouts and for their inventory. In terms of management, he told us that there company is not that strict. Unlike the usual hierarchy, every orders and requests are direct to the boss(we are referring to the owner of the GH Office Depot). Ideally, they always have there back up files. Using a wireless connection, UTP, router, switch, hub, they are able to communicate or connect with the other staff or other department. They also have wifi's for there employees only.

For evidences you can visit my blog www.dgmancera.blogspot.com and drop some comments. Thanks in advance.