Shana Pote

It maintenance is needed to keep the competitive edge an organizations has, Technology evolves so fast and it quickly depreciates , at least routine maintenance insures the systems stays updated and relevant.

• Why does an IT system need maintenance? It does not become rusty! Or does it?
Firstly, technology changes rapidly. Without maintaining, the company will fell behind compared with similar industry. It influences the generating of profit. Secondly, data is key factor for the company. If the company doesn’t update the date, some of them is outdated. For example, if ByRequest doesn’t maintenance member’s data for many year, members have higher probability change behaviors. In addition, IT system has capacity limitation. Without maintaining, it will reach the limitation. Finally, maintaining can make system faster.

• On IT Adventures Page 58, it reads “we’ve run closer to 5 to 6 percent of sales on IT spending. Which, by the way, Davies thought wasn’t enough to keep IT assets from degrading over time..” Why does Mr. Davies mean by degrading?
Without putting more money in IT system, it can’t generate more profit to the firm because of insufficient operating. For example, IRS employees’ email just have 50MB limitation to save to the server, others are saved to the local computer. If the computer system shut down, IRS will lose much important information.

• If it needs to spend money in maintaining IT systems, how much does a company need to spend on it? What happens with too little spending in maintenance? What happens with too much?
To spend money can run the IT system sufficient which means can generate more profit to the company compared to the last year or season.
If the company spends little in maintenance, there won’t have impact on the company instead of wasting money. Without efficient IT system support, other aspects can’t operate efficient either.
If much too much in maintenance, IT department has little money invest in other issues.

Why does an IT system need maintenance? It does not become rusty! Or does it?
Information Technology is a highly rapid and variant stream of technology. Every day technology keeps changing and each update of technology brings in new features, value-adds, business benefits and others. So to upgrade the IT systems to the latest technologies updates, maintenance is required.
On IT Adventures Page 58, it reads “we’ve run closer to 5 to 6 percent of sales on IT spending. Which, by the way, Davies thought wasn’t enough to keep IT assets from degrading over time..” Why does Mr. Davies mean by degrading?
Mr. Davies means that 5-6% of sales on the total IT spending is less. Due to this, system would degrade over the time and the company would not have enough sales to adjust for the costs in upgrading the systems to a higher level
If it needs to spend money in maintaining IT systems, how much does a company need to spend on it? What happens with too little spending in maintenance? What happens with too much?
A company needs to spend only that much amount which would satisfy their business requirements. Too little spending is however a scenario where the company may not be able to match the latest technology updates and may fall short of competitive advantages. Too much spending is however not harmful to a business progress, but would impact its finances in the present run, as the company’s finances should be rightly regulated and should not either shoot up or loose down

– Why does an IT system need maintenance? It does not become rusty! Or does it?

IT systems need ongoing and up to date maintenance to keep up with the latest technologies and system upgrades. IT systems require frequent changes to systems to fix or enhance its functionality. Maintenance on IT systems are also important because of the rapid growth of information systems and networks security is becoming a very major concern- especially in very big companies. When companies do not keep up with its IT systems, it also loses its competitive edge and becomes in fact “rusty” and outdated.

– If it needs to spend money in maintaining IT systems, how much does a company need to spend on it? What happens with too little spending in maintenance? What happens with too much?

A company needs to spend enough on IT maintenance to fulfill its daily operations and ultimate end goals. For example, an insurance company likely requires a smaller cost allocation toward IT than an online media company due to the difference in end goals and daily operations. When spending too little on IT maintenance, the company cannot keep up with the latest technologies and upgrades, losing its competitive edge over other companies in its industry . When too much money is spent, a company ends up spending a great deal on redundant or disparate technologies that overlap or don’t work very well together, which can actually risk productivity. It also loses opportunity to spend money on new infrastructure or technologies.

• How would you justify millions of dollars of investments in ByRequest?
I won’t just see the cost it takes. We should see the investment in the long-run. Intangible will benefit future which includes the efficiency, reducing the customer service cost, marketing expense, and customer satisfaction.
• What are the problems and the risks in the current SFO security system?
It can’t froze employee’s access card immediately after the employee was fired which would cause classify information reveal. In addition, the security system database are separated which leads to inefficiency and delays.
• How would you quantify the benefits from reduced security risks?
It reduces ID badge cost from $49 to $35.
In addition, employees don’t need to check the customer information which saves 56 hours per month.

• What are the problems and the risks in the current SFO security system?
The problems and risks in the current SFO security system results from the rising security threats by passengers and personnel who require physical access and authentication into the facility. The security processes that were initially in place were processed manually, managed separately, and data was entered into different databases. Due to the separation and lack of communication between the databases, keeping track of employee registration and access privileges created major challenges. The inconsistency of file types and formats between the databases resulted in delays, inefficiencies, and security risks. Once employees were registered in the system, any changes or updates to access permissions had to be manually printed and compared to the list used at access point. This process was very inefficient and there was substantial opportunity for error.

How would you justify millions of dollars of investments in ByRequest?
I would see this as an opportunity rather than an investment. ByRequest new initiatives aim at improving customer experience by providing personalized staying experience and better analytic’s for understanding customer trends. These investments would surely improve the marketing efforts that the company puts in to given better offers and services to its customers and would take a lead from its competitors.
What are the problems and the risks in the current SFO security system?
The present security system in SFO lacks centralization of the data across all departments. It is very difficult to track, monitor and update critical information and have it accessible across all the departments. Moreover, with the present standards, it is quite easy to have a security breach where personnel from various departments can barge in other places.
How would you quantify the benefits from reduced security risks?
The reduced security risks would enormously cater to improved customer experience, better productivity and reduced cost for the company. With the implementation of the new systems, their entire airline channels will become more safe and would provide improved service to its customers

I want to sign up for present “San Francisco Airport”

Thank you.

-How has the Internet changed the lodging industry’s profitability?
It is easy for customer to search the hotel based on their taste. It increases the chance for not famous brand hotels to be chosen. In addition, customer can search the hotel online which can know the specific price. This increases the bargaining power of buyer, because the hotel can’t change the price randomly.
-Why does Wyndham target on business travelers?
It is more profitable. Most of the business travelers have reimbursements which provided by their firms. Thus, business people are willing to pay more. Also, the location is also a key factor. Most Wyndham are located in big cities which have more business travelers. (Big cities carry more opportunities, therefore there are more business travelers.) However, tourist travelers always focus on budget. Thus, these people have more probability to stay a relatively cheap hotel instead of this upscale which focus on customized hotel.

What would be the core competencies of Toyota?
Toyota’s core competencies are valuable & inimitable b/c it creates value by its clients, who are eager to invest a lot of money on its vehicles to be higher price of quality & inimitable is the competitive advantage by Toyota to profit its vehicles worldwide.

What are most competitive advantages temporal and not sustainable?
This is due to the mass global competition by corporations to compete amongst each other in order to create & maintain its quality products & customer loyalties. Whether or not by how the customers, who decides to maintain & purchase their loyalties with specific brand products by the corporations.

How has the Internet changed the lodging industry’s profitability?
The internet provides an innovative service by the populace to reserve their hotel lodges. The clients are able to pick their specific food service, price budget, room area, Wi-Fi internet, etc. The selective reservation offers multiple options by the clients to have easy access & positive satisfaction.

Why would it be difficult for some other hotels to copy ByRequest?
It would be extremely difficult for some other Hotel chains to imitate the ByRequest program, they will need an huge IT investment on infrastructure, ByRequest’s key component is a central data base accessible by all hotels in the chain. Most hotel chains run their own software version that is not always compatible with the rest, and its not hookedup to a central Data Base. Wyndham’s ownership structure makes it easier to get all hotel on board with the program unlike the rest of the Hotel chains that either a franchise or have several layers, property owner, management company, brand owner.

What would be the core competencies of Toyota?

Toyota Core competencies would be there now trusted ability to recover from any manufacturing mis-hap, and their willingness to recall any bad products. also some of their cars have terrific gas mileage
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What are most competitive advantages temporal and not sustainable?

because a companies competitive advantage becomes the goal of their competitors, so the advantage becomes the norm.

How has the Internet changed the lodging industry’s profitability?

consumers can now compare prices and benefits side by side, rather than just calling individual hotels.

What would be the core competencies of Toyota?
Toyota is a pioneer in the automobile industry. It culture and loyalty go beyond just manufacturing top class vehicles. Moreover, its superior quality, delivery and fast development cycles make it one of the most sought after automobile makers in the business.
How has the Internet changed the lodging industry’s profitability?
Internet has transformed Lodging industry to a multi-fold extent. Today with the help of internet, customers can book their rooms online, select the type of luxury they prefer for stay, select food preferences and take advantage of all the service that is available. Internet has made the business of lodging much faster, efficient and competitive too.
How does a strong “brand” affect the five forces in the lodging industry?
A strong brand first of all is a measure of success for a company. It improves market capitalization and captures customers from every nook and corner of the business domain. It gives a tough competition not only to competitors, but it makes the trade cycle more tight as customers have little bargaining or negotiation powers.
Why does Wyndham target on business travelers?
Wyndham aims to ensure unique staying experience for its customers. It focuses primarily business travelers by giving them personalized staying and a great customer service that they wished.
Why would it be difficult for other hotel chains to copy ByRequest?
ByRequest program is one of the pillars for Wyndham’s success. The program offers multiple privileges for customers right from giving them perks for their stays, reward points and all the soft benefits that customer wish to have. This program beats other competition in the market and ensures that customers who are old and repetitive, gain all the benefits of the program.