MachineTraining Corporation is a United States company located in Detroit, Michigan. The company has specialized in Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machine Training. This is a method for automating control of machine tools through the use of software embedded in microcomputer attached to the tool (Nelanturi et al., 2016). The business of MachineTraining is to train and enable people to operate contemporary factory machinery. The company recently decided to expand its services by offering distance education. MachineTraining thus aims at improving its services. The company can improve the kind of services offered by making use of critical information and technology tools. There are several technologies which MachineTraining can implement to support its business model and gain a competitive edge in the market. The main technologies to be implemented include Communication and collaboration systems, Software as a Service (SaaS), Social media communication, audio, and visual streaming, network security, and knowledge and management systems.
Section 1: Why The 6 Topics are Most Important for MachineTraining IT.
There are six topics chosen that are important for MachineTraining IT. The various needs that will be addressed by the technologies include on-site training, distance education, advertising, tuition finance counseling, and security. The first topic chosen is communication and collaborative system. Communication and collaborative system will help in facilitating all the technological needs of the company. It will aid in unifying all the various technologies used by the company. Software as a service program would be important in ensuring that there is a uniform platform for the installation and accessibility of various software. This can be used a cost-saving scheme for the company when using various software.
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The other key technology to be implemented is social media communication. This can be used as an advertising strategy and a way for the company to communicate with various stakeholders in the general public. Audio and visual streaming will be a necessary tool for the company as it plans to conduct distance education. Network security will ensure that the company takes software preventive strategies that prevent the access, misuse, or destruction of software used by the company. Knowledge and management systems will ensure that there is accurate dissemination of knowledge among various members of the organization. This will enable learners and teachers to communicate effectively as they share knowledge.
Section 2 Topic 1 – Communication and Collaborative Systems
Communication and collaborative systems enable organizations to facilitate different activities such as participating in tasks, sharing organizational knowledge, and interacting with customers. Examples of common communication and collaboration systems include user communication systems, voice over IP (VoIP), Instant messaging, collaborative work systems, and conferencing, synchronous collaboration systems and information sharing systems (Jones et al., 2010). All these different communication technologies converge and are blended together through the use of communication and collaborative system.
The use of the communication and collaborative system can be used to increase collaboration among students and between them and the staff and guest speakers. Conferencing services can be used effectively to implement these. The use of instant messaging can be used by students when they want to post information in the class or when exchanging information through emails with the staff (Griffin, 2016). MachineTraining staff can connect with the classroom through the use of conferencing systems for distance learning.
Section 3 Topic 2 – Software as a Service (Saas)
Software as a service (SaaS) is a way which a company can access “pay-as-you-go” or “on-demand” software to remove the need to distribute software throughout the organization. It provides a mechanism where software can be licensed and leveraged when it is needed. It enables organizations to avoid purchasing servers or software to support infrastructures. It enables organizations to incur costs on a monthly basis instead of an upfront huge cost ( Seethamraju, 2015 ). With scalability expected, the organization will pay for the software based on the need and use enabling cost-saving.
MachineTraining IT makes use of various software to carry out and facilitate its training. The company will be able to have a flexible payment system where it will pay for the service on a monthly basis. The software available will be provided based on the needs and number of students. With the availability of scalability, an increase in the number of students seeking training will mean that MachineTraining will access more services (Yan, 2016). With the decrease in the number of students, MachineTraining IT will use fewer services to enable a cost-saving system.
Section 4 Topic 3- Social Media Communication
Social media communication involves the use of social media platforms to enhance the communication process of companies. Social media activity has increased in the 21st century with the popularity of websites such as Twitter and Facebook that hold billions of users across the globe. Facebook has approximately 800 million active users that range from businesses to individuals (Smith and Gallicano, 2015). Any business that wants to connect to its customers should have an active social media presence. These platforms can also be used as a free and cheap advertising tool for companies.
MachineTraining can make use of social media communication to handle communication with customers and handle advertising. Students that have concerns and questions regarding the training offered by the company can ask through the company’s social media platforms. By establishing an effective social media communication, MachineTraining should be able to answer customer requests in a matter of minutes. MachineTraining can also advertise itself through the use of social media. It can provide details of intake dates, the benefits of training with the institution and its services such as the distance learning and online site.
Section 5 Topic 4- Audio and Visual Streaming.
Audio and visual streaming involves the provision of synchronous sequential presentations over the internet through buffers to address latency problem. The implementation of these services will be made possible through the use of an IP stack. The instructions make use of an IP to transmit audio and video data and TCP over IP to transmit controlling and signaling information. The advantage of using these types of communication channels is that it ensures synchronous transmission without delays (Samain et al., 2017).
MachineTraining can make use of the streaming audio and video services to facilitate various processes such as employee communication, e-learning and for sales and marketing. The institution is setting up a distance learning program and this will be possible through the use of the e-learning program. Various employees will also communicate effectively through the services. Such effective communication among employees will ensure that the organization can meet its objectives.
Section 6 Topic 5- Network Security
Network security would involve the process of taking physical and software preventive measures that protect the underlying networking infrastructure. It is used to protect from unauthorized access, malfunction, misuse, improper disclosure, and misuse of the company’s platforms (Baum, 2016). Every company needs a network security platform to offer protection to its infrastructure. Network security involves both software and hardware protection schemes.
MachineTraining would need critical network security systems to protect its entire network infrastructure from intruders. It can make use of antivirus and antimalware software to protect its computers from spyware, Trojans, worms, and any viruses (Patnaik, 2015). Without a reliable network security procedure, the organization faces various threats from malware and viruses that may want to sabotage the company’s network infrastructure. Such sabotage can lead to potential losses in terms of time and confidence of the customers.
Section 7 Topic 6- Knowledge and Management Systems
Knowledge and management systems ensure the facilitation of knowledge among various members of the organization. The complexity of the business environment means that it is increasingly difficult for business processes, problems, and solutions to communicate and share knowledge. The knowledge management system will include IT systems that store and retrieve knowledge, improve collaboration, locate knowledge sources, and captures and uses knowledge (Hislop, 2018). A knowledge-management system will require that the organizational culture values sharing of knowledge. This can be achieved through employee evaluation and incentives.
As a learning resource center, knowledge and management systems will facilitate the dissemination of knowledge from the teachers to the students. It can also enhance the sharing of information among various trainers. Students should be able to identify resources easily through the use of the systems. In case of any questions regarding their training, they can ask questions easily to the teachers. Proper knowledge dissemination will ensure satisfaction of various students that enroll with MachineTraining. Student satisfaction translates to customer satisfaction which enhances the company image of the institution.
Section 8: Why the Remaining Topics Are Less Important
There are other topics that are less important for the IT strategy of MachineTraining. BigData may not be applicable because it does not mean any of the requirements for MachineTraining. The company does not handle huge volumes of data. Mobile communication may not add strategic value to the organization as it can use social media communication more effectively. The network security infrastructure will be sufficient and this removes the need for firewalls, cryptographic network security, and virtual private networks. Other technologies such as Internet2, DevOps, M-Business, Green computing, and User communication system may not contribute significantly to the goals of the organization. This is because these technologies do not address the business type and the type of customers that MachineTraining is seeking to address. For instance, Green computing addresses customers interested in ecofriendly technology that are not a significant part of MachineTraining.
In conclusion, MachineTraining can make use of various IT technologies that will facilitate various activities undertaken by the organization. The six technologies identified include communication and collaboration systems, Software as a Service (SaaS), Social media communication, audio, and visual streaming, network security, and knowledge and management systems. All these technologies will address various needs such as on-site training, distance education, advertising, tuition finance counseling, and security. Technologies not chosen may not contribute significantly to the goals of the organization.
References
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