Updating Technology

information systems are the software and hardware systems that support data-intensive applications. IT systems and other information systems are an extremely important within a business today. it allows companies to neatly organize data and keep important information about customers, products and helps you financially. i am currently taking an info systems class and it shows us how critical these databases are for keeping your company running smoothly. As information systems have created more diverse human activities, they have exerted a profound influence over society. these systems have quickened the pace of daily, normal activities and affect the structure of an organization and influenced a different nature of work. but the dependence of these systems bring up new threats, but its important to keep this systems updated and running.

In which other ways can information systems benefit an organization?

Response to Colin Raaberg: Cell Phone Battle

Do you believe that the verdict on the patent infringements by apple's competitors should stand Why/Why not? Also do you think Apple's competitors will be able to compete against apple without the touchscreen feature that has become standard to all smartphones and all users.

Personally, i feel the patent infringements wont stand. even though Apple has created such a large global brand that is basically impossible to compete against its almost impossible for Samsung not to step on their toes. the touchscreen is the face of a new technology that all major phone companies want their phones to have. Even though apple has claimed to copyright their touchscreen technology, Samsung and other competitors will find ways to incorporate the technology into their phones. if the copyright infringement does stand then Apple will overtake basically the whole cell phone market. if other phones aren't allowed to use touch screen technology then consumers are going to switch services. 

Name Brand or Store Brand?

At all major grocery stores today consumers have to pick and choose whether to buy name brand products or generic store brand products. i know the main factor that comes into play is budget but how else to do we choose between the two. since most of us are in college we tend to buy generic brands of food and cleaning products but that's about as far as we go. everything else we tend to prefer name brands especially with clothing because we think how we look is more important than most things (thats just our society in general). but with food we have to decipher between taste and price. People with more disposable income will tend to buy name brand products or they will tend to save money buying generic. Growing up with 2 older brothers i always had generic products in my household just because my mom had to save as much as she could, but everyone has different circumstances and many factors come into play when shopping at grocery stores.

what factors drive you to buy name brands or generic brands of food?

response: Roland Rumrill: Sheep or Wolf?

When you buy stuff, do you follow the crowd like a sheep, and buy what everyone else does? Yoga pants and Uggs comes to mind. Or do you defy convention and follow your own path?

As much as i like to think that i defy convention and follow my own path, i don't think i do so. Like most people i as well buy products based what i want and see other people have rather then buying something on my own that no one has. Roland made a great point on how many Americans spend all this money on gym clothes and apparel yet they never even go to the gym or rarely do. I have purchased about 20 different baseball hats in the past 4 years and do you think i wear them all? of course not! i have no need for all the hats but yet i still like having them based on the fact i like them but don't necessarily need them.

Celebrity Endorsements

Have you ever bought something based on the fact it is branded by a famous celebrity? Of course you have, im sure we all have once or twice. the biggest example i can possibly think of is the Jordan brand. Micheal Jordan has created a global phenomenon just on a pair of shoes. just because of his stature and who he is, he was able to build the largest most popular brand of shoe. this goes for perfume and cologne, clothing, cars and many other lifestyle products. People view celebrities as people they want to look like so its only true that they buy specific products endorsed by specific celebs. This doesn't necessarily make it a better product either, its just a way where a company can charge more and generate more sales by using a famous person.

Do any of you agree with this? or do you feel you are benefiting from a product endorsed by a celeb?

Response to Ariana Barone

Would you agree that public affairs is the most important form of public relations?

I definitely think that public affairs is the most important part of public relations. Companies and businesses want to make a positive impact and have a positive image in their community around them. Public affairs is an important part of a companies overall plan and should be integrated within their goals. it is likely to gain a much higher degree of interaction within their target audience and past customers. Having someone specifically working on publicity marketing is great idea to carry out and you want people to remember you and your products for a good reason. it also helps with company insight, knowing what the general public thinks of your company you can make improvements based on what your consumers thinks. a strong public affairs program is going to pay out in the long run.

Gender specific products

a lot of new ad campaigns are promoting their products as either for males or females when really it doesn't matter which gender you are to purchase and use the product. Dr. Pepper and Miller Lite have been the main culprits and i think it is wrong to advertise a beverage for only one specific gender. i know their are certain tactics behind it like trying to sell diet soda to men but do they have to bring it so far where their ads basically shut down the product to the wrong gender. i have posted a couple videos for you guys to watch and see what you think

Do you think that it is right for companies to advertise certain products towards one gender only?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCx1MDBBWkk