Sunday 9 December 2012

HOLIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eat, drink and sleep on Nature’s doorstep

By traveltimes@nstp.com.my

THE newly opened Four Points at Sheraton Sandakan is an oasis of comfort, with nearly all of its 300 rooms overlooking the Sulu Sea from its Harbour Centre location.

Only 20 minutes’ drive from the airport, the hotel is an ideal location for solo and family tourism — a doorstep to Sandakan’s natural beauty and heritage trail — as well as delegates attending meetings and conventions on its premises.

With its modern and well-equipped style, its rooms are an ideal retreat after a day exploring Sandakan’s rainforests and wildlife, or collecting business cards at an industry meeting. Its rooms come with all the key essentials to ensure your comfort. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and cable Internet in your room, to stay in touch with the office and loved ones. Also an ironing board and iron, essential for when you only have 20 minutes to shower, iron and change before your next impromptu meeting.

The very comfortable large bed and pillows are guaranteed to quickly lull you into a deep sleep. And if you’re jet-lagged or just looking for a tasty midnight feast, the 24-hour room service is a blessing.

On the food front you have The Eatery for all-day international dining, with freshly squeezed juice at breakfast time.

Meanwhile, at ground level is Wrapped, the in-house deli with snacks, tea and coffee for a pick-me-up.

Begin your evening with a cocktail watching the sunset in the Lobby Lounge. And continue in the Best Brew bar with a barbecue of assorted meat and seafood, European beers, rounding off your long day with live music and dancing.

Or close the deal with a luxury smoke in the cigar room and a tumbler or two of single malt, as you sink into its plush armchairs.

But the next morning is a new day. So start with a dozen laps in the infinity swimming pool that spills over into the Sulu Sea. If you’re still trying for that six-pack, the gym has the latest weights and cardio-vascular machines to help get you buff.

Asia’s hospitality business is full of good food, accommodation and service. But excellent hospitality is only attainable with the right people and a consistent high-quality service. I hope that Sandakan’s latest hotel continues to set the standard, right on nature’s doorstep, overlooking the sea.

For details of guest rooms, convention and meeting facilities and hotel features, call 089-244 888 or visit
www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints.

View of Sandakan from the hotel

Saturday 8 December 2012

INFORMATION SYSTEM STRATEGY.......

Information system strategy — Presentation Transcript

1. Information Systems Strategy
2. Learning Objectives To understand The need for an IS strategy Types of strategies that exist within an organisation, and how they interact with each other. In particular: Business strategy. Information systems strategy. Information technology strategy the process of strategic planning for information systems
3. Need for an information system strategy Due to the multitude of technological developments over the past two decades many areas within an organisation can now take advantage of cheap user-friendly processing power. Information needs of users have increased and can be met in many different ways. To prevent the proliferation of unique independent information systems developing within an organisation, an overall information system strategy needs to be considered.
4. IS needs an effective strategic plan Because IS consumes a portion of the organisation’s finite resources IS must accommodated rapid technological changes IS must enable the business to function effectively Therefore, IS strategy will ensure that IS will cost effectively deliver strategic systems.
5. Aims of the IS strategic plan Clearly identify where IS is going within the organisation therefore avoiding the dangers of taking actions that do not contribute to the overall mission Provide a formalised set of benchmarks so that progress of the plan can be monitored.
6. The information system strategy The information system strategy is derived from the business strategy which itself is evolved from the strategies of all the sub-systems. Once an information strategy has been decided upon EG. providing a better service or information to the customers about an organisations products, then a tactical plan for setting up the system can be devised. This will include, where it will be located, what hardware and software will be used, what training is required. Although it is necessary to consider the information sub-system as an integral part of the overall business system, it is also important to consider it in its own right. That is, the information sub-system must be concerned with new techniques and technologies which could benefit the organisation. All business strategies must be responsive to the external environment
7. Strategies within an organisation Business Strategy IS Strategy Information Management Strategy Information Technology Strategy Information Strategy Change Management Strategy IS Related Human Resource Strategy Business Strategy
8. Elements of a strategic plan A clear statement of IS objectives – where they want the business to be An inventory and assessment of both the current organisational capabilities and problems resulting from current practises – where the business is now An implementation plan identifying long-term and short-term actions and allocation of resources – how to get to where they want to be
9. Elements of IS strategy (Ward &Griffiths, 96) Business information strategy . This defines how information and knowledge will be used to support the business objectives IS functionality strategy . Defines the requirements of the business from the systems. Defines how the resources will be used and the allocation of responsibility IS/IT strategy. This defines the hardware and the software standards and preferred suppliers.
10. IS/IT strategy Determines the technological infrastructure of the organisation This ensures Appropriate technologies used Standards are set In terms of costs, efficiency and supporting business users, customers and others Determines how IT is applied within the organisation Ensures that IT supports the business strategy Ensures that the resources are made available
11. Organisation environment All organisations operate within an environment Micro-environment – immediate includes customers, suppliers and intermediaries Macro-environment – wider environment of social, legal, economic, political and technology The environment influences the way in which the organisation works
12. Seven R’s of strategy (Lickert, 97) These are ways in which organisations can compete, using information system strategy to respond to its external environment Reach Reaction Responsiveness Refinement Reconfiguration Redeployment Reputation
13. Strategy process model 1 Strategic analysis 2 Strategic objectives 3 Strategic definition 4 Strategic implementation Monitor, evaluate and respond
14. Strategy process model features Continual internal and external environment scanning to assess internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats Clear statement of objectives Formulation of different strategic options and then selection Implementation and control of the strategy
15. Elements of information strategic management
16. Without Planning Financial losses Lower staff morale Missed opportunities Management will be fire-fighting continuously Reduced customer satisfaction.
17. To Summarise Before the tactical planning of information systems is carried out, the overall information system strategy must be agreed upon and communication to all other sub-systems. This strategy will identify areas within the business strategy that would benefit from new or improved information systems. It will map out a plan for the development of these systems based on strategic importance and availability of resources. It will incorporate new developments in technology and future needs. It will also decide between a policy of centrally-controlled development of systems or a strategy of local development to meet local needs.