https://olivermcgee.wordpress.com/2014/10/08/online-assaults-by-hackers-scammers-is-soaring/

“Cyber crime is a growth industry. The returns are great, and the risks are low,” says the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “We estimate that the likely annual cost to the global economy from cyber crime is more than $400 billion. A conservative estimate would be $375 billion in losses, while the maximum could be as much as $575 billion. Even the smallest of these figures is more than the national income of most countries and governments and companies underestimate how much risk they face from cyber crime and how quickly this risk can grow.”

1.  While cyber crime is on the rise and happening more frequently, will it change the way that we do business?

2.  In what way might you currently be in the path to be a victim of a cyber crime? What precautions will you take to prevent anything from happening?

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2843764/security0/wirelurker-ios-virus-usb-malware-itbwcw.html

Plugging your iPhone or iPad into your computer by a USB connection could put you and your precious data at serious risk. A new virus called WireLurker infects Mac OS X applications and collects call logs, phone book contacts and other sensitive information. This virus waits until an iOS device is connected by a USB cable and then has the ability to install third-party applications on both jail broken and regular devices. Typically, users can only install third-party applications if their device is jail broken but WireLurker has the ability to reach regular devices which puts a threat on all iOS devices. Wirelurker exhibits complex code structure, multiple component versions, file hiding, code obfuscation and customized encryption to thwart anti-reversing. It is a serious issue where hundreds of thousands of users have already been infected.

1. In what ways will you become more reserved about using your iOS devices knowing how easily your device can become infected?

2. In what ways has this become an issue for Apple? Do you believe WireLurker will reach Android or other software devices?

3. Does this virus pose a risk to new applications such as Apple Pay? Knowing now that this virus is extremely serious would you be willing to use applications which make your personal information easily accessible?

 http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/40850

This article elaborates on how switching from a traditional manufacturing system to a just in time manufacturing model can change the future of your business. We learn about how Gamblin Artist’s oil colors went about this change this and what benefits were reaped. This particular business was a small one, owned by a husband and wife. As their business continued to grow they came into the common problem of having too much of their money tied up in their inventory. This was preventing them from expanding. Most manufacturing companies charge over 200 an hour, and that was a cost that a small business simply could not afford. Fortunately companies such as Oregon Manufacturing Extension Program (OMEP) cater to small business such as these utilizing state, local and federal funding to subsidize the cost. The Gamblins used to make colors in batches of 1,200 tubes of paint at a time, which would remain on the shelves as inventory for three to six months. Now the Gamblins make colors in smaller batches-about 500 tubes-and they focus on producing a single type of color at a time, like different kinds of red all made on the same day. Many small businesses don’t realize that they need a manufacturing philosophy. It increases creativity and flexibility by reducing variation. After implementing new manufacturing strategies, the Gamblins cut their inventory in half and freed up about $200,000 in cash, which they’ll use to invest in capital growth and launch their first advertising campaign. Their transition definitely turned out to be a success.

Questions

Do you think just in time manufacturing is better for small businesses or large businesses?

What are some negative outcomes that can result from moving to just in time manufacturing?

What are some examples of businesses you know of that use this technique?

http://www.crm-daily.com/story.xhtml?story_id=1330073CWHNW

CRM is a major component in a business’s strategy to be successful. But what happens when there is little competition? Comcast, one of the largest (as well as one of the few) cable and internet providers is looking to improve upon its customer service. A Comcast executive, Charlie Herrin, has become the vice president of “customer experience” and plans to help make Comcast deliver the best customer experience possible. After being ranked last in customer service surveys, as well as having viral videos of terrible customer service on the internet, Herrin hopes to improve upon customer service pain points. In the article, Herrin does not state how they will improve, just that he wants the company to improve. This article also comes from a controversial time for Comcast, where the company is hoping for a merger with Time-Warner cable, and is also fighting the issue of Net Neutrality.

Questions:

1. In a market with little competition and difficulty to switch service providers, How important did you think CRM is?

2. Based off of the past history of Comcast, What changes do you think will happen to their Customer Support process? Could there be no change?

3. In past issues, it appears that Comcast has the most problems with its call center. What would you change to improve the call centers? Would you just get rid of them all together?

Apple’s Supply Chain – There are Human Costs, Too

From The Verge – Latest audit on two Chinese Apple suppliers finds labor, health violations: 

Worker in Apple’s Supply Chain

“If companies want to do business with us, they must uphold the highest commitment to human rights.” – Apple

When managing a supply chain as massive as Apple’s, company executives must be aware of the impact that its sourcing can have on certain locations and those who live in said communities. If firms fail to engage in humane business practices – as is noted in the text – their image of a company can be tarnished, or even destroyed. Over the past few years, Apple has come under intense scrutiny regarding the working conditions of factories in its supply chain. While Apple has gone to great lengths to regulate how its suppliers treat their employees, infractions remain.

According to a recent report (as described in my article), Audits continue to find infractions in the way Apple’s suppliers treat their employees. The Fair Labor Association, which Apple is a member of, found issues relating to “excessive overtime, underpayment of sick wages, and inadequate health and safety measures.” While Apple claims it closely tracks weekly labor hours, it is clear that many suppliers continue to overwork some of their employees. 

Firms must consider the human impact of their supply chain when they discuss and determine SCM planning and execution. They should also use analytics to track the well being of  those in their supply chain.

Discussion Questions: 

1. What impact can poor working conditions have on supply chain execution and performance? How would supply chain analytics help track this correlation?

2. Can supply chain planning (SCP) have an impact on the working conditions of employees? Why or why not?

3. Are large companies, such as Apple, responsible for the working conditions in factories, of their supply chain, which they do not own?

Article:  SAP And IBM Get Intimate–Real Value Or Hook Up Of The Oldies?

Link:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/benkepes/2014/10/14/sap-and-ibm-get-intimate-real-value-or-hook-up-of-the-oldies/

Ginni Rometty, chairman, president, and CEO of IBM, and Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP

Recently, the two major IT companies SAP and IBM have announced their partnership. The German company SAP will use IBM-operated cloud facilities along with its own in order to expand their cloud reach. This would facilitate and decrease expenses of managing software and associated hardware for customers. On the other hand, IBM will now run SAP HANA  on its cloud system. The SAP HANA, according to it’s website is “ an in-memory data platform that is deployable as an on-premise appliance, or in the cloud.” This partnership will give both company big advantage over their competitors, such as Oracle.  CEO of both companies believe that this is a major step forward in bringing innovation quickly to customers in an “easily consumable manner”, as well as improve security and privacy concerns.

Questions:

1. What risk do you see in this partnership between IBM and SAP?
2. Why do you think did SAP chose to partner up with IBM rather than with Amazon or Google for example?
3. How will this partnership benefit current and new customers that uses SAP AG products as their ERP system?

http://www.fastcolabs.com/3027408/how-nba-player-analytics-opened-up-a-whole-new-business-for-sap

The article I chose shows how SAP realized the need Small Businesses have for big data.  I chose this article because I found it interesting that this company had expanded their resources to smaller markets because of their similarities with their sports analytics division.  With Small to Mid-Sized Businesses being such a big percentage (80%) of SAP’s customers, this realization of similarities between teams and businesses was a huge break through for SAP as well as their SMB clients.

1.) Do you believe that smaller businesses are “too small” to benefit from “big data” /business analytics?

2.) What are some similarities between a sports franchise and a small company?

3.) Why do you think SAP’s sales of analytics to SMB has skyrocketed since the launch of their Sports Analytics Division?