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- Tie with QR code I've asked one of the employees for the tie (the tie is with catherine's) that I thought was pretty cool. It has a QR code on it where it provides guests the employee's information through a scan. This is one approach of saving materials for business cards. Furthermore, frequent changes could be made without having to re-print the business cards. On a personal note, I thought the design of the tie could be improved (see picture below). The current design is too much for a guest to spot its company's name. The ties were limited, which explained why I couldn't get hold of one myself!
 * 1. Gadget Search**

-'Cooler' Bottle! The second gadget was a Swiss drink 'Cooler' (see picture below). Its bottle has QR code in it, and is a product of Switzerland! Good promotional tactic! It might not be considered a gadget but it definitely serves a purpose of not just being a bottle.



The paper usage in IMI could be higher than it should be. Students often get their library and other misc. bills on paper, and the notices around the school campus are driven on paper. Green ICT today sure has a suitable solution to it. A simple business software should be able to direct link with the students' VLE email, where notices such as fines and housekeeping could be distributed via email. For example, when a student gets a library fine, he or she will be noticed via VLE email, and then asked to proceed to the administration for payment. Once the student card is shown, the record on the software will present details of the fine. This approach could also allow book-keeping to be done through technology, and not filing and filing of neverending papers. This concept is adapted from the company, Doing, which will be will be further introduced below. **3. Celebrity** A celebrity in his own field (see picture below). **4. 'IMI' Picture** While Abacus was introducing their Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, they chosen an example out of a customer. The customer was IMI, and a picture was taken through their past business dealings with IMI. In this example, it was recorded in the software that IMI has decided to go with outlook, and not Abacus and that IMI was a 'lost' customer. The software allows direct calls to be made through the software and its possible to even record the conversation (provided the customer agrees to it). While the software seems functional, on a personal note it is too simplified and might not be able to support a customer in today's technology world. Through further enquiry, the first few major setbacks of the software were that it functioned at slow speed and customers couldn't agree on the overall outlook of the software. The actual picture is with one of my group members and will be uploaded asap.
 * 2. Green ICT**



I've requested an email to be sent via a computer at Canon, and Silvia, the lady personnel, readily agreed! I thought it would be way cooler to attached a picture (see picture below)!
 * 5. Send Mr. Ritzel a MESSAGE!**

The people over at Canon are excellent! We even got to take a poster picture by a professional! They even offered free quality posters for everyone but due to time contraints, we had to leave empty-ended!



Doing is a service provider where it allows customers to pay bills via phone bills. In this case, if a person wants to order Pizzeria and do not have cash with him, he can simply tell Pizzeria and they will charge it to his phone bill. It also allows internet billing and payment. This service is only available in Switzerland and the company is trying to expand strategically. It is also thinking of including taxis in their business concept, whereby customer can pay his taxi fare through his monthly phone bill. The company is currently working with service providers such as Swisscom and Orange, and in the long run, would like to work with the government in securing confidential information. This would expand their customer base and also, to know in-depth whereby they can improve on their service.
 * 6. Company - Doing**



We proceeded to the Orbit Conference and got to know that it included conferences for business software, IT security, internet and e-business, and green IT. **8. Trends** Through visiting of various booths, I got to know that companies today are venturing into web solutions. They are able to see the need in providing service via the internet, and that it will be quicker, easier and profitable.
 * 7. QR Code Question: What is the Zoom Day at Orbit?**

Venture Kick is one company that saw the importance and offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to kick-start their business idea. Panel of judges that will be approving include 'investors, entrepreneurs and technology experts'. There is no doubt that business solutions today have to incorporate web technologies in enhancing their products and services.

Xtra, is another software developer for marketing. It works on SQL and central database where customers around the world can access to the software. It offers monthly and daily planner where the customer can strategically plan his marketing decisions. It also provides statements which show the budget and this can allow the customer to keep track of not exceeding. The company went further by providing consultancy services to customers.


 * The Power of Sharing**

The similar concept behind all three videos presents the importance of knowledge sharing across the globe. Technological advancement changes with the social and economic development and the power of data sharing is undeniable in this context. They form and foster relationships among people and connect the world together one. Consequently, link data improves the speed of global development and this facilitates the positive growth and changes that can help shape a better society. The access to such raw data brings the community as a whole in which different data can be linked together in achieving the common goal. Positive world distribution can only occur through effective communication and this can ultimately be achieved by the sharing of knowledge.

** __ Objectives __ 1. To position Switzerland as an ecotourism destination 2. To promote Switzerland and its rich cultural heritage 3. To utilise ICTs and its advantages in web enhancement while incorporating edutainment elements for visitors
 * Country Portal: MySwitzerland.com



The staggering advancement in technology today has created diversities in market. It requires the public sector to keep in pace, while conforming to the uprising trends and complications in assurance for strong operating performance. There appears to be a general consensus in the advantages of incorporating advancing technological methods into the business context. Such recent trends include cloud computing and open source.
 * Compare in depths cloud computing to open source **

Although the context of information and communication technology proves beneficial worldwide, one must have the ability to identify complications that are surfacing or may surfaced. In this transient industry, the importance of highlighting pros and cons in computer methods allow users the flexibility and ability to function at the highest performance level.

__ Advantages of cloud computing __

1. Reduced Cost: Cloud computing offers users a lower cost of payment as users are only paying in accordance to their usage. In addition, users can eliminate the unwanted workload that takes up capacity.

2. Increased Storage: More data storage is offered to users and this is exceptionally beneficial to large organizations. Furthermore, the amount of data storage can be in preferential to both the service providers and users.

3. Highly Automated: Latest version of the software will be updated via the service provider and this can facilitate a smoother user experience.

4. Flexibility: Systems are made highly accessible to users whenever and whichever they need. This proves flexibility and the convenience to stable data storage in the main server provided.

__ Cloud Computing versus Open Source __

“Cloud computing” came into focus in late 2007. Centralised service providers, such as Amazon and Google, offer Systems, Applications and Products (SAP) to a wide clientele base. The different Apps are managed and stored by the service providers (i.e. shared database centres) which allow require users less effort. Furthermore, this approach is less expensive to sustain: (1) the reduction in financial aid for research and development of existing or future SAPs, (2) the lessen frequency in acquiring both the latest hardware and software, (3) the minimizing of office space, and (4) the reduction in manpower for operational management.

“Open source” is often viewed similar to cloud computing in many ways. It improves operation efficiency as a whole, and features on the move Apps in their latest versions that users contributed. Moreover, it acts as a common platform for individuals to express their ideas and this proves as a competitive advantage over cloud computing, who does not offer users the opportunity to do changes accordingly.

Although both cloud computing and open source aim to achieve flexibility, users will find more mobility in cloud computing as they can access to their data 24/7 via the Internet. Users will often prefer cloud computing over open source because the surfacing problems of different software versions are minimised. However, such advantages required a monthly subscription fee and open source users tend to opt for its free usage. Large organizations will find cloud computing essential for its multi-tenancy. Although applications are run on a shared database, users have the flexibility to customize to their individual needs.

The various comparisons made between cloud computing and open source are still evident today. The pros and cons of both should be carefully explored but decision-making is still highly dependable on the scale of the user(s) or organization(s), and the objective(s) of the usage.

Shermaine Lim Siew Ki 307645 16 March 2009 Week 11 eBusiness / eCom















Shermaine Lim Siew Ki 307645

9 February 2009 Reflection on Group Work - Each member creates his own page and adds on his own reflections of the exercise done (add on with at least ONE own individual idea)

Today's ICT was on digital webmarketing and our group was assigned to Accor. It was a practical session and we had to apply what we have learnt so far on this group work. I felt that my group was productive, and constantly giving condusive comments and suggestions. It was a great opportunity working in a group because we got to learn more than one share and at the same time, figuring out problems and their solutions.

We were kind of worried when we first arrived at the Accor's landing page.It was not as flashy as IMI's but after a few navigations, we finally found some relevant applications. We got to differentiate flash images from the normal ones, and located the name tagged to a particular chef photo on Accor's website which would help when doing a public search. For example, if I googled the chef's photo, his photo on Accor's website would show up, thus showing the link to Accor's website.

Our group managed to view the html source and located the metatags and keywords used for the website. With the help of PageRank, we also understood that Accor was standing at a high 7. Among many that we have researched, we came to an understanding the many digital distribution channels we can apply in today's technology world.