Determining Databases and Data Communications Essay

The business we have chosen to review is AT&T. They are currently using the Window 7 and Mac OS x operating systems and Office 2010 as their business software. They also have some equipment-specific software that uses the Linux and some function specific software as GCAS, a mobile dispatch interface or Granite, a visual database program. Using the Windows 7 OS gives AT&T its dependability; many of the other Microsoft operating systems are not as popular or user friendly. Windows 7 is the finest OS Microsoft has created since XP—some might say since Windows 2000. Many users just do not like other versions, like Windows 8 or Windows Vista, but Windows 7 and Microsoft work well for AT&T because of the previous history and familiarity with AT&T’s employees. AT&T has been using a Windows OS ever since Windows first went on the market or very soon thereafter. AT&T also benefits from a much discounted price because of their volume of sales with their employment numbers reaching approximately 260,000. So far, Windows far surpasses other operating systems for business needs, mainly because of its dominance in the marketplace. But more recently AT&T U-Verse technicians rely on mobile devices, including Apple Inc.’s iPads and iPhones, working on the Mac OS X, which launch AT&T-specific applications to dispatch technicians for U-verse customer appointments and to conduct network testing and other daily activities in the field. Today technicians work with far more advanced equipment, mostly digital, to install and maintain a more advanced set of products and services (Stemle, 2012). Windows is also a good fit for the Microsoft Office product which AT&T uses for its word processing, spreadsheet use, the Access database, and the largely popular PowerPoint presentation software. In addition, AT&T uses Outlook for e-mail. This suite of progra ms adds to the discount received from Microsoft for a large volume purchase. The Linux operating system has the advantage of being a  standard in equipment operating systems, especially for the system. The disadvantage is most equipment manufacturers write their own software programs and tend to make it proprietary so it can be expensive and not easily replaceable. AT&T Wireless has been using Granite Systems since 2000 to remove resource redundancy, improve network dependability and accelerate service deployment. Although, specific functional programs have the benefit of solving a specific need, but giving one programming company control over the price and upgrade path. The Craft Access System was a program, developed in 1984 by AT&T subsidiary Bellsouth Telecommunications Advanced Systems Division, which allowed telephone installers and repair technicians to gain access to their work order system by using different handheld PC equipment that connects to a landline telephone system. Now called GCAS, Global Craft Access System, this software is currently used worldwide so dispatchers can send problem notifications and install information to technicians. The technicians can send messages to the dispatchers and receive them also. In addition they can clock in and out, report outcomes for trouble calls, send their location information, and print receipts for customers to sign after the job has been completed (Dispatch and Service Support System, 2014). Determining Operating Systems and Software Applications Table Operating Systems Horizontal-Market Applications Vertical-Market Applications One-of-a-Kind Market Applications AT&T Microsoft MS Windows 7 MS Word Linux Proprietary OS Description of how it is used Users use OS to interface with the computer and its software applications MS Word is a widely accepted word-processing program that can be used for creating documents, letters, flyers, learning activities, and homework assignments for students. Operating system for different phone company  equipment; e.g. VM, routers, switches Complex equipment vendors using their version only, not an open system Typical user Secretary, Executive, Engineers and Technicians Entire organization, Legal, HR, Accounting, Marketing, Research, Engineering, Labs, Technicians, etc. Network Engineer and Technicians Vendor Engineer and Technicians Advantages Familiar so easy to use and everyone in the company uses same version Widely used so most new applicants for work will have experience at work, home, or school Fast dependable, widely distributed and used Speed, Dependability, Advantage over the competition Disadvantages It is not the latest version, so not the latest benefits Large file size, a lot of meta information gets saved along the way when changing and saving a Word file that can expand its size. Word can be very prone to viruses and malware. Additionally, users have complained that there are too many options. It is not easy to navigate; mistakes cause major problems and recovery not possible. Locked into that vendor, pay more, maybe get less, hard to move up in technology development. References 1. Dispatch and service support system. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2010/0049576.html 2. Stemle, C. (2012, August 24). AT&T technicians use iPads, iPhones out in the field. Louisville Business First. Retrieved from http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/print-edition/2012/08/24/technology-att-technicians-use.html?page=all

Franchisors Do Not Like to Take on 'Entrepreneurs' as Franchisees Essay

Franchisors Do Not Like to Take on 'Entrepreneurs' as Franchisees - Essay Example Global business environment is becoming highly volatile due to constant change in global economic and political environment. It is true that the franchisors are becoming more selective in the adoption of franchisees due to volatile global economic and political environment. Franchisors generally scrutinize each and every aspect before providing franchise as the growth rate of global economy is slowing down.Both franchisors and franchisees get benefits from each from this franchising business. It is quite difficult for a multinational organization to enter into a new global market and starts to make profit from the initial point of time. First, they make the local people aware about their presence in that market. Therefore, the multinational organizations used to find franchisees that can start a new franchisee business with the help of familiarity of the brand name of the franchisor in global market places. In addition to this, knowledge about local market trend and demand helps the franchisee owners to develop a potential client base. Despite all of these things, it can be stated that the franchisees cannot be termed as individual entrepreneurs. There are several reasons and examples to prove this statement. Women who are into their own business, most of them are seen as franchisee rather than entrepreneurship. According to current business environment urban women are more preferable with franchising whereas rural women can be seen as value added enterprising. Joining franchisee by women has been increasing day by day which does not indicates that they are with less potential to come up with any value added business by their own. It is just because women are less likely to be trying for doing everything from start-up by their own as an entrepreneurship. Therefore, they like to run an established or running business which a franchisor can provide for those women who are not from business family. Therefore, today’s women entrepreneurship stands mainly on franchisee business where there is zero value addition by themselves as any entrepreneur. Hence, the statement is very true in this case (Webber, 2013, p.71-76).  

Police Discretion Position Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Police Discretion Position Paper - Essay Example Several myths, such as an inevitable abuse of power, are unsupported by the research. The main causes of police discretion are offender variables, situational variables, and systemic variables. The exercise of police discretion arises in many situations, such as domestic violence and juvenile delinquency, and can often lead to positive resolutions. Discretion is a valuable part of police work. The issue of police discretion, while a seemingly natural aspect of the duties of a law enforcement officer, is a topic which generates much debate. Historically, the concept of police discretion was thought to be associated with police corruption and with an "extralegal" use of police power (O'Connor, 2005: np). Indeed, the recognition of police discretion as a legitimate aspect of police duties was not formally recognized until 1956 when it was formally identified and discussed by an American Bar Association study. This revelation, that the police did in fact use discretion in the course of their duties, generated a substantial amount of controversy: "When it was finally exposed, people like the American Friends Service Committee (1971) called for its abolishment, and police administrators sought a clampdown on discretion (administrative rulemaking)" (O'Connor, 2005: np). In the beginning, though police discretion was an integral part of daily police work, it was viewed with suspi cion. A more modern view posits that police discretion is a valuable and necessary part of police work. To this end, calls for the elimination of police discretion have been replaced by proposals to more carefully define when and how police officers should use discretion. This modern view operates on the assumption that police work is often complex, that situations are rarely neat and simple, and that discretion results in better police work than a mechanistic application of the law. As noted by a National Institute of Justice Research Report, "Each tactical choice by the police, each citizen's response, counter responses by each, and changes in other variables in the context (for instance, intervention of strangers) create a fluid, ever-changing encounter" (1997: pg.35). This essay will define what is meant by "police discretion", a number of common myths associated with the concept, and the real-life sources of the need for police discretion. The essay will then present ten practical illustrations of police discretion in operation in order to compare situations in which discretion is used appropriately and situations in which discretion very well might be abused. Police Discretion: Definitions, Myths, and Sources Discretion means many things and encompasses a tremendous variety of different situations. From a theoretical point of view, it has been referred to as the making of decisions where the law is not clear, where the police officer has alternative courses of action, and where a cost-benefit analysis cautions against the rigid application of the law. Some scholars have defined police discretion as judgments made within the realm of a "regulated autonomy" (De Lint, 1998: pg. 2) and others have characterized discretion as a police officer's role as a public servant whom is sworn to balance the intent of the law against the interests of

Midlands Auto-Parts Limited Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Midlands Auto-Parts Limited - Essay Example However, after the emergence of the object-oriented languages new development technologies have turned out to be gradually more and more well-liked as well as extensively utilized in industrial businesses and university organizations (Firesmith, 1991; Holt, 2009; Stair & Reynolds, 2003). The object oriented development methodology is a components based system development methodology. Object oriented development methodology emphasizes on the creation of classes that encapsulates both data and algorithm used to manipulate the data. The main intention of the object oriented software development methodology is to develop a class that would be reusable to different applications and computer based system architecture (Pressman, 2001). In addition, object oriented development methodology incorporates lot of working functionalities of the spiral software development methodology. It is also an evolutionary system development methodology (Sommerville, 2004). Human resource required: This object oriented development methodology is more related to spiral model for the development of the overall system. In this way in this software development methodology there is no need of large development staff as compared to system size, because each problem is broken into small workable functions (Pressman, 2001). Resources needed: Due to less human resource working for system development through object oriented development methodology, there are fewer resources required for development of system (Pressman, 2001). Development domain: Object oriented development methodology is mostly used for huge application development that encompasses major aspect of reusability. It is also most excellent for complicated project for the reason that it develops system though components based approach (Pressman, 2001). The main similarity in this development methodology and object oriented methodology is the main phases of the system development. The system

Thomas Paine Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Thomas Paine - Research Proposal Example In July 1761, he returned to his native town of Thetford to work as a supernumerary officer for a bit more than one year. After that Paine moved to Lincolnshire and became an exciseman. His service continued until August 1765, when he was fired for "claiming to have inspected goods he did not inspect" (Conway, 1892). In 1767 Paine became a schoolteacher in London, but that occupation was also rather short: the next year he again took the position of exciseman Lewes, East Sussex. His service lasted for the next six years during which Paine serviced as exciseman and simultaneously managed a small tobacco shop. In 1771 he married Elizabeth Ollive and for the first time involved in the political issues: he joined the Society of Twelve, a local group of thinkers that periodically met to politics of the local authorities. In the beginning of 1774, Paine was again fired from his service and his tobacco shop collapsed so that he had to sell his household possessions to rid himself of debts. The second marriage was also childless and not happy. In 1774 he legally divorced Elizabeth Ollive and moved to London where he got acquainted with Benjamin Franklin, and in October same year upon receiving the letter of recommendation from Franklin who administered emigration to colonial America at that time, Thomas Paine traveled to Philadelphia (Ayer, 1990). The travel was very difficult and Paine barely survived it: it took him 6 weeks to fully recover. After recovery, he settled in Philadelphia, changed his birth name to 'Paine', and began to work as a journalist for the Pennsylvania Magazine (Conway, 1892). Strong eloquent style of Paine's articles and pamphlets immediately earned him a reputation of radical uncompromising fighter for the natural rights of man and freedom. On January 10, 1776, one Paine's most famous pamphlets known Common Sense was published. Some historians believe that the pamphlet became arguably the most essential piece of writing that had strong social and political influence on those day's developments that eventually led up to independence (Larkin, 2005). In particularly, Paine stated that: "Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one: for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a Government, which we might expect in a country without Government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer. Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the ruins of the bowers of paradise" (Paine, 1776). Such very sharp and radical stance was the distinct feature of Paine's writing. Thus, he dismissed the King as a fool (labeled King George III as "the Royal Brute of Great Britain" (Jensen, 1968, p. 668) claiming that heredity is not always and not necessarily related with natural ability, that Britain used the colonies solely for obtaining profits treating the colonists in unacceptable fashion. Paine also urged the colonies to unite as quickly as possible to effectively protect their rights and believed that the only possible way to do so was to become fully independent: "Until an independence is declared, the continent will feel itself like a man who continues

Figurative Language versus Literal Language Essay - 11

Figurative Language versus Literal Language - Essay Example As an example, a person using an idiom would describe that another hung their head, which indicates a sadness or shame rather than the literal description of actually bowing a head downward. Misunderstanding might occur when a person unfamiliar with the common cultural meaning of a language is misconstrued, leaving them to believe a person is actually bending their head. The amphiboly is a type of fallacy, used to mislead the receiver. It is often used in political sciences as a means to persuade individuals of an intention while never actually providing clarity. As an example, this function in figurative language might be illustrated by a politician who indicates their goal is to argue with the Senate to provide changes. In reality, there is no argument occurring, rather following legitimate methods already in place to assist the constituency. Misunderstanding occurs when the receiver believes that there will be a verbal argument. The analogy occurs when comparisons are made, either in process or ideas, to something else entirely. As an example, the analogy would be used to suggest that a dirty animal stable has â€Å"enough work to kill a horse†. In this case, the converser or the writer is attempting to illustrate that it is difficult work, not to actually destroy a horse through the process of labor. An individual not acquainted with the familiar of culture and social lifestyle might believe that a horse will be slaughtered. A flame word is intended to prompt emotional response from the receiver to create an emotional response or retaliation against a principle or thought. The speaker or writer might indicate that a woman is â€Å"stubborn as a mule† to describe a poor disposition. Misunderstanding would not likely occur much when using flame words since the goal is to enflame the reader to respond accordingly. The metaphor occurs when comparisons are made to two objects or ideas that are actually similar in nature. To say that love

Will business save the planet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Will business save the planet - Essay Example In the recent decade, energy requirements have risen considerably (Economic Intelligence Unit). More important is the conservation of energy to secure the safety and energy sustainability of its future generation. This entails utilizing renewable energy sources that do not contribute to pollution (reasons for using renewable resources). Complete utilization of renewable energy sources, as opposed to non-renewable sources will ensure pollution emissions are reduced to minimum levels thereby conserving the ozone layer (HAVC System). One of the development objectives of China is to foster the growth of wind and solar companies (ACORE). Non-renewable energy is bound to get depleted in the near future. Investing in the non-renewable energy is an appropriate method to alleviate the risk of running out of non-renewable energy. Hence China has secured its place as the world leader in growing its green energy. Approximately a quarter of the world green energy is found in China. Between 2005 a nd 2010, wind turbines have been constructed at a fast rate in China (Economic Intelligence Unit). China has established itself as an â€Å"economic superpower† and is also striving to be the world leader in utilizing green energy. China is no doubt becoming the world’s leader in the exploitation of green energy sources. While, the USA, which is the current leader in green energy investment, is losing momentum in investing in green energy, China is making big strides in exploiting green energy. Hence China is bound to be ranked number one in tapping and exploiting green energy resources. These vibrant efforts made by China have caught the attention of investors like Bloomerg New Energy Finance and Germany among other investors, which contribute to China’s green energy capital (Silverstein 1). China’s efforts to strive to be a leader in utilizing green energy have been become apparent to international stakeholders who can assist China to achieve its energy goals. This assistance could be in the form of financial support or technological research on how to convert green energy to a usable form. In a bid to further its green energy agenda, China is getting rid of companies that utilize non-renewable energy resources. Between 2005 and 2010, China decommissioned power companies that were inefficient in terms of power consumption and this trend is also set to continue. China is also abolishing those companies that contribute to air pollutant emissions (â€Å"China’s action on climate change,† 1). Abolishing companies that utilize non-renewable energy sources is a sure way to minimize pollution emissions and attain total green energy dependence. Among the green energy conversion technologies that have gained the most recognition in terms of financing include solar power technologies with the top markets being China, Europe and the United States. However, the United States is losing its grip as the world leader in attracting i nvestments for green energy due to lack of governmental commitment in green energy efforts (Silverstein 1). This shows that China is committed to converting to green energy exploitation. This is shown by the enormous financial investments it is the direction towards green energy. Such is the commitment that will set at the top of the list of the world’s leaders in green energy investment. Other countries that have shown considerable efforts in investing in green energy include Italy, Brazil and India (Silverstein 1). The future of Green Energy in China In China’s 12th 5 year plan, the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions was given priority, showing China’s change in attitude towards green ene