Information Systems - Google Inc - Case Study Example

Information Systems: Google Inc Name Course Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Hardware 3 Software 4 Databases 4 Internal data communications 5 External data communications 5 Managerial considerations 6 Security considerations 6 Ethical considerations 7 Conclusion 8 Introduction Organisations require specialised equipments and tools to ensure that they may succeed in their daily duties. In the market, different equipments and tools exist ranging from human resource to technological. An example of organisation that champions the use of technology especially information technology is Google Inc., a company that specialises in Internet search engine (Armoni, 2000). Other products and profit generation activities that the company champions include online mapping, email, social networking, office productivity, mobile phone operating system, open source web browser and video sharing services. Moreover, Google Inc. has acquired and collaborated with other companies to expand product offering. To succeed in its operation, Google has championed the use of information technology as elaborated in this report. Hardware Hardware can be defined as the tangible equipments that are used to fulfil the requirements of information systems. Examples of hardware include monitors, printers, photocopiers, scanners, and cameras. Hardware is the foundation and important technological equipment that the company maximises (Curtis & Cobham, 2008). Google mostly utilises servers since its main duties are search engine and storage of huge amounts of files through their provision of email and other documents. Moreover, the servers stores information of their employees and forms a basis of utility transaction such as cloud computing. Numerous types of technology exits and usually Google Inc. utilises the most appropriate at different scenarios and conditions (Google, 2010). The hardware that is used should complement and support different hardware that is in the organisation. For example, printers completed with computers, but the right size, capability and quality of the printer is required. This is clearly understood by Google Inc. through analysing the market requirements before purchasing any hardware or improving on available hardware. Any activity cannot operate without the use of appropriate hardware and that is set in a way that fulfils specific or collective actions. Generally, Google Inc. has a collection of hardware that fulfils the requirements of the organisation (Google, 2010). Software Google Inc. understands the importance of software and thus they utilises it in their activities. Software is intangible when compared with hardware and it aide humans to communicate and synchronise with the hardware. Google Inc. utilises different types of software that include application and specifically designed software (Google, 2010). Application software is used in day-to-day activities such as writing memos, reports and processing data. Some common type of application software includes word processors, spreadsheets, and databases. Moreover, specialised software includes the one that operates search engine. Search engine is a source of income for Google Inc. since it is mostly utilised in its daily activities. Additionally, software correlates different tasks, incorporates them, and ensures that there is easiness in which other software can be operated (Google, 2010). Example of such software is operating systems that form the foundation of any hardware before installation of other applications. This means that appropriate software are utilised by Google Inc. and at the same time introduces and improves those that they can access Databases Databases can be described as a means in which computer systems, hardware, or other application software can store information. In many organisations, databases are used to store information, helps in manipulating them, assessing, and retrieving them (Curtis & Cobham, 2008). Google Inc. understands importance of databases since most of its activities utilise databases (Google, 2010). Common uses of databases at Google Inc. include storing financial transactions, human resource data, customer details, supplier details, and other stakeholders’ details. Moreover, the databases are used to code the search engine operation while other databases are used in storing email information (Armoni, 2000). The email name, Gmail, is utilised by many people, and thus the users names, password, and settings information is stored in this databases. Databases play a major role at Google Inc. and thus they continually improve on the available databases, and with the Google Lab facility accepts contribution from the users on the way the database on other software can be improved (Traunmuller, 2002). Internal data communications Staffs are encouraged to communicate so that they can fulfil their obligations and duties easily and effectively (Google, 2010). Effective communication that is free from any barriers ensures that conflicts are minimised while championing the requirements of the organisation. The major technology that is used for internal communication is Intranet. Intranet allows for video conferencing, social networking, and chatting (Google, 2010). Moreover, other technologies that are used include telephone, intercom, electronic memos and video chatting. Generally, free and effective communication is utilised in ensuring the business and operations are successful. This has contributed to the continuous success associated with the organisation (Curtis & Cobham, 2008). External data communications External communication ensures that the organisation can effectively and easily communicate with external world. Organisations are supposed to communicate (through promotion and advertisements) their products to the consumers and ensure that consumers review the product (Eder, Haav & Kaljia, 2005). To achieve this, the organisation utilises Internet – social networking, websites, blogs, and ecommerce (Stahl, 2008). The Internet, a sector the company as maximised through search engine, as also formed the foundation in which it sells its products. Moreover, the external communication strategies such as ecommerce provide means in which consumers can purchase the product online. Generally, external communication has ensured consumers have been informed about the products and means of understanding usefulness of products that are available (Google, 2010). Managerial considerations Managers are paramount in organisations, they help in ensuring the goals, and objectives of an organisation are achieved. Managers are required to access information and data that are useful in planning, strategising, organising, and controlling/directing organisation requirements. The information system that is in place should encourage managerial requirements (Armoni, 2000). However, managers should be allowed privilege in accessing information that is suited to specific duties that are within their responsibilities and roles. The database administrator should formulate appropriate policy and places into consideration to ensure that managerial considerations are championed. This means that information be provided to managers at the appropriate time and ensuring that they can utilise the information system effectively. This increases the chances the manager will be dedicated to duties at hand, and thus the company is improve and increase on revenues (Google, 2010). Security considerations Information systems are prone to different security threats. Thus, it is important to place into consideration different strategies that ensures information, data, equipments and tools are protected. Generally, three strategies have been used by Google Inc., which are human security, software security, and physical security (Google, 2010). Human security refers to people e.g. security guards who monitor what takes place in the organisation and assists fulfilling security measures based on regulations in place. Software security can further take two forms, which are malware and camera security (Google, 2010). Malware are the software that is installed into the computer system to protect machines and data against hackers, eavesdropping, and other means that unauthorised persons can access the company’s information. On the other hand, camera security may take the form of CCTV, which records all information that takes place. Camera technology has ensured that videos and pictures can easily be taken, recorded and analysed (Curtis & Cobham, 2008). The third type of security in physical security is installation and supporting information. Steel bars are been used to secure hardware while identification strategies are used so that only specified people can access the technologies. Common strategies that are utilised include passwords and usernames when logging to the computers, while utilising other identification to support identification purposes (Timlinson, 2003). Ethical considerations Ethical considerations are important in determining the direction the organisation takes and the way stakeholders will view the organisation. Perception is an important component in determining the success of an organisation, and Google Inc appreciates the provision of such conditions. Information technology is vulnerable to unethical factors and thus Google Inc has incorporated strategies that champion ethical conditions. Google Inc. encourages ethical consideration in the way that the company accomplishes its duties (Armoni, 2000). Different type of information and data is stored in the computer and server systems, which means that personal data is stored in such systems. Thus, ethical consideration implement by Google Inc. includes the way sensitive information and the way devices and equipments are utilised. Therefore, information should be stored in that privacy and confidentiality is encouraged. For example, human resource data should be only accessible to specific persons so that unauthorised personnel cannot use such information (Eder, Haav, & Kaljia, 2005). This applies to financial details, operations, and generally, it means data should be accessible to specified personnel only. In case of equipments, especially those that can access specific personal details such as cameras should be stored afar. Cameras should not take videos and pictures without consideration of privacy and confidentiality. Conclusion Information technology is an important inclusion that helps in ensuring the requirements of an organisation can be achieved. This means that information system should be balanced with other components that form organisations. Google Inc. is an example that employs and relies on information technology to succeed in its operations. Some information technology that are utilised by Google Inc. and which ensures continuous, successful operations and thus this can be illustrated by its superiority in software and hardware industry (information technology). Generally, information technology has helped and ensured the organisation is successful. References Armoni, A. 2000. Healthcare information systems: challenges of the new millennium. New York: Idea Group Publishers. Curtis, G. & Cobham, D. 2008. Business Information Systems: Analysis, Design and Practice. New York: Financial Times/Prentice Hall. Eder, J., Haav, H. & Kaljia, A. 2005. Advances in databases and information systems: 9th East European conference, ADBIS 2005, Tallinn, Estonia, September 12-15, 2005: proceedings. Tallinn: Birkhauser Publisher. Google. 2010. About Google. Available www.google.com [Accessed 30 January 2010] Stahl, B. 2008.Information systems: critical perspectives. London: Routledge Publishers. Traunmuller, R. 2002. Information systems: the e-business challenge. New York: Springer Publishers. Timlinson, R. 2003. Thinking about GIS: geographic information system planning for managers. New York: ESRI Publishers. Read More