From the Paper "Introduction
Pitney Bowes is the nation's largest manufacturer of postage meters, a market it helped to create in the 1920s when it persuaded the United States Postal Service that meters could be an effective method for the post office to receive payment for mail. In the intervening years, companies came to depend on the reliability and convenience of using postage meters, and Pitney Bowes took full advantage of the market it created by becoming the premier provider of postage meters. Today, the postal service and Pitney Bowes are facing competition from sources which did not even exist 20 years ago (the Internet) or which were in their infancy (facsimile machines). Pitney Bowes has survived previous technological innovations, such as Telex machines, but the challenges it faces today could pose more serious threats. This .."
Examines artificial intelligence technology, definitions, methods, objectives, natural language processing, benefits and problems, user issues, neural networks, products and vendors. Uses tables and diagrams.
5,625 words (approx. 22.5 pages), 10 sources, 1999, $ 135.95
From the Paper "Introduction
Expert systems are best known for attempting to imitate human experts through the use of artificial intelligence technology. These systems handle information symbolically rather than as numerical symbols (as in conventional data processing). Expert systems use a knowledge base created by a knowledge engineer containing facts and rules upon which experts in a particular field base their decisions. Expert systems can increase productivity within organizations, and decrease training time for new employees, but such systems require educating those individuals targeted to use the system if the institution is to receive the maximum benefit. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been in development since the 1950s. AI seeks to have higher mental tasks normally done by humans done by computers. The limitation ..."
From the Paper "Introduction
Most Americans have only a rudimentary understanding of monopolies, but they associate monopolies with "bad" companies. While it is true that monopolies can exercise a considerable amount of market power, it is also true that there are few true monopolies in the American economy; the threat of additional competition makes it difficult to sustain a monopoly for a long period of time. In recent years, the computer industry has been the target of several anti-trust actions by the government. The first of these concerned a hardware manufacturer, IBM, in which the manufacturer eventually prevailed, but only after a costly legal battle which spanned decades. Currently, Microsoft, a leading manufacturer of operating systems and applications for the microcomputer, finds itself battling anti-trust actions and facing a long legal battle ..."
Abstract The theme of Jeremy Rifkin's The End of Work is that global culture is entering a new phase: one where fewer and fewer workers are needed to produce the goods and services for the global population (p. xvii). He maintains the world is entering a new age of global markets and automated production (p. 292). His analysis examines the technological innovations and market-directed forces he argues are moving us into a "near workerless world" and he explores this technological revolution in an attempt to address the problems he believes will accompany the transition (p. xvii).
From the Paper "Jeremy Rifkin's "The End of Work"
The theme of Jeremy Rifkin's The End of Work is that global culture is entering a new phase: one where fewer and fewer workers are needed to produce the goods and services for the global population (p. xvii). He maintains the world is entering a new age of global markets and automated production (p. 292). His analysis examines the technological innovations and market-directed forces he argues are moving us into a "near workerless world" and he explores this technological revolution in an attempt to address the problems he believes will accompany the transition (p. xvii).
Rifkin concludes it is still within our power to harness this revolution in a direction beneficial to a majority of American workers. Many analysts have covered the material he covers in this ..."
From the Paper "BILL GATES, A MODERN-DAY HENRI FAYOL?
If there can be called a "founder" of management theory, most academicians would vote for Henri Fayol, a Frenchman who laid down precepts for how organizations should work. Fayol saw the manager as the productivity key, and he suggested 14 principles that managers should follow. Bill Gates, who is the founder of Microsoft Corporation can be said to closely emulate the tenets put out by Fayol.
As Fayol saw it, organizing is the first step in turning a plan into a reality. Organizing has the goal of maximizing the results of the product life cycles, and businesses use several systems for achieving this. Primary models are: decentralization (in which there is a flattening or elimination of organization charts and putting decision-making responsibility ..."
Abstract Examines background, methodology and accuracy of remote (satellite) sensing and identifying of land cover for ecological and commercial purposes. Includes table and illustrations.
From the Paper "Methodologies Used in Identifying Land Cover Types
Abstract
This paper reviews background, methodology, and accuracy, regarding remote sensing and identifying land cover types. Rational is discussed regarding the use of remote sensing apparatus, multi spectral imaging, supervised and unsupervised techniques. The origins of GIS are discussed. Key methods, (supervised and unsupervised), are defined. Comparisons between digital and visual classifications are made. Spectral mixture analysis and supervised classification geometric correction are discussed. The superiority of visual classification is stated."
From the Paper "Introduction
The image of the dedicated drafting professional working over a large drawing board with a mechanical pencil, straight edge and various sizes of plastic triangles is quickly fading from the American workplace. Today's drafters are likely to be sitting in a well-lit office in front of a computer terminal using not a pencil, but a computer mouse to construct a drawing. With a click of the mouse, drawings can be shown in three dimensions, rotated, animated, and viewed from many different angles. Through such modeling, designers and engineers are able to spot problems which could not be readily seen in two dimensions. Although computer aided drafting (CAD) has many advantageous over manual drafting, there are still some environments in which manual drafting continues to be used. This research examines manual..."
From the Paper "The strategy that would have been recommended to Sculley in 1983 would have included a policy of maintaining and operating system that was not compatible with the PC-DOS operating system. There was no particular advantage to Apple Computer in embracing compatibility with the IBM PC operating system. A second element of the strategy that would have been recommended to Sculley in 1983, however, would have been a policy that dropped Apple Computer's proprietary stance towards its technology. This change in strategy would have opened the Apple Computer product line to close developers, an action that would have led to more competitive pricing for Apple system computers and to greater software selection. Each of these outcomes would ultimately have proved to be highly beneficial to Apple Computer. While it is true that clone manufacturer's would have made a dent in the hardware market share of Apple Computer, the growth in the overall Apple system share of the market would have strengthened the position of Apple Computer as an operating system developer and marketer and as a technological innovator."
From the Paper "Online auctions are becoming a new and popular means of electronic commerce in the computer age. While there are advantages to both selling and buying in the online auction format, there are also certain pitfalls to be noted, from uncertainty about what you may be buying to problems with sites that crash or otherwise encounter problems from time to time.
The typical sales method for such sites is to have the site display items with a description, minimum bid, and final date for all bids. If a user accesses the site and wishes to bid, he or she sends e mail to the seller, or submits an electronic bid form declaring the price he or she is willing to pay. The bidder will soon receive a reply from the seller confirming the bid. A few sites hold live auctions where bidders compete in real time with other people on the Internet and at the actual auction house as..."
From the Paper "Application of the Concept of Informatics to Patient-Specific Data by Health Care Delivery Organizations: Exploring the Issue From the Perspective of Privacy
Introduction
This research explores the application of the concept of Informatics to patient-specific data by health care delivery organizations. The focus of this exploration is the issue of patient privacy.
The Issue
No information about a person is more sensitive, and no information has a greater stigmatizing potential than does the information stored in personal health records. The application of the concept of Informatics to the construction, maintenance, and distribution of personal health records, therefore, raised..."
Abstract The paper shows that Apple Computer has had a roller coaster existence since its founding in 1977. Its PC market lead shot down in the early 1980's by IBM, Apple has had an on-again-off-again profile ever since. The paper discusses the many predictions to Apple's end for over a decade. However, although, Apple has never been able to regain its lead foothold on the market, some feel it is far from folding. The paper looks at Apple's financial situation, its intentions for its many profitless stores and its future marketing strategies.
From the Paper "In July 2002, Apple reported a slide in quarterly earnings and revenue. This was a blow to the recovery it began a year ago. Earnings "fell to $32 million or 9 cents per share in its fiscal third quarter from $61 million or 17 cents per diluted share a year earlier and $40 million or 11 cents per share in the March quarter" (Apple pg). Apple's sales were $1.43 billion after $1.48 billion from the previous year, and $1.5 billion in the March quarter, "which Apple originally had expected to improve on by $100 million""
Abstract This paper is a case study of Qwest, an international company and long distance service provider in the field of communications. It provides a brief history of the company from its inception in 1995, describes the technology that it holds and discusses implications of its activities which are being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and U.S. Attorney's Office. It concludes by looking at what the future may hold for Qwest.
From the Paper "Qwest employs 57,000 employees and is responsible for a customer base of 30 million people, using 190,000 miles of wire. Their 2001 profits were in the 18 billion dollar range. This year, they report a 26 billion dollar deficit due to "irregular" and "improper" accounting practices.
In 1999 Qwest took over US West in Denver, helping to revitalize the long distance market. ?In stepped Phil Anschutz, whose fledgling Denver telecom, Qwest, made a hostile takeover bid for U S West. Coloradans were overjoyed. If Anschutz and then-CEO Joe Nacchio succeeded, Colorado money and Colorado jobs would stay in Colorado.? (Reuteman)"
Abstract This paper traces the various types of internal fraud committed by Don Sheelan, CEO of Regina Vacuum Cleaner Co. It looks at his motivations for committing the fraud and at the illegal actions he was involved in. It discusses the risk factors contributing to the failure of auditing in the Regina Company. The issues of improper internal control and a troubled personal financial situation are raised. The impact of intentional fraud on the faith of investors is explored. The paper concludes with suggestions about how the auditors can restore the public's faith in the integrity of business dealings in the company.
From the Paper "The case of Regina Vacuum Cleaner Co. is simply one of what seems like an endless stream of tales of corporate fraud. The case of Regina offers some important lessons for both the business world, and for auditors as well.
Internal fraud can take a wide number of forms. It can consist of high-tech cyber crimes, simply skimming off the cash register, or "cooking" books. There are a great many types of internal fraud, and many opportunities for internal fraud."
Abstract This paper discusses how Cisco has shifted its strategy and has cultivated its internal strengths that it leveraged in order to reclaim its market dominance. The paper outlines four core components that are the pillar of Cisco's strength - organization, finance, marketing and operations. Each component is examined in the paper.
From the Paper "Cisco Systems, the self-proclaimed ?worldwide leader in networking for the Internet,? has dominated similar firms in its industry. As Wall-Streets? beloved stock and an essential stock in any investor's portfolio, with over 35,566 employees worldwide and boasting revenues totaling 22.2 billion in the previous fiscal year the company aims to ensure that networks both public and private operate with maximum performance, security, and flexibility. As a result the competition is left scrambling to keep up. Like many other market leaders, Cisco Systems too, has become a victim of the current economic state that once propelled the company into the limelight. "
Abstract This paper discusses the ethical issues, challenges, and dilemmas that have arisen due to technological advances of law enforcement on personal privacy. It debates both pros and cons of privacy in relation to technology. The paper describes the economic and political implications on the individual rights and society as a whole.
From the Paper "Big Brother is definitely here. Just the other day the news reported that the average American is photographed nine to twelve times per day. Cameras are everywhere. People are photographed while they are driving to and from work, while they are parking their cars, entering their place of employment, and if the company is any size other than a mom and pop shop, they are watched at work. Whether one is making a deposit at the bank, buying groceries at the local grocery chain, gas at the 7-11 store, or browsing books at the library, they are being not only watched, but photographed. From the smallest market to the largest mall, every store and parking lot is equipped with security video cameras. Run a red light or speed down the highway, and one is apt to receive a ticket by mail via the electronic eye that photographed the car, license number and occupants. There is literally no place that is sacred from prying eyes, save the sanctuary of one's own home, and even that is questionable. If one is a computer user, his or her Web surfing habits and emails may be randomly monitored. The truth is that what the local video cameras do not pick up, satellites orbiting the globe from space will."
Tags: police, cameras, big, brother, economic, political
