Microsoft SharePoint

http://www.cio.com/article/619764/Microsoft_SharePoint_Three_Deployment_Challenges

Microsoft SharePoint is a system designed to enable workers in the company. 56% of its users use SharePoint to support decision making. The program also acts as a repository for the company. This program is very similar to ShareNet which Siemens once offered to consumers. A program like this enables workers to share knowledge, while everything put on the website remains on the page. The hardest part of a KMS is enticing workers to share their knowledge.

ShareNet collapsed because Siemens could not get workers to share their knowledge. Workers did not see any reason to upload what they know, without any immediate return. Another aspect of SharePoint is the user interface, which has complicated using the program. SharePoint should create an interface that creates more personal interaction, such as skype or an interface like Facebook or Twitter. Users of the program specifically said that the interfaces of Facebook and Twitter are easier to use and now expect more from social media sites

Blockbuster Video

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/business/24blockbuster.html?src=busln

In the world of video rental Blockbuster had finally fallen by filling for chapter 11 bankruptcy. I remember 7 years ago driving around my hometown in Massachusetts, seeing 5 Blockbusters in a 10 mile radius, now there is only 1 and it's struggling. There are barely any movies in the store now and you can tell the employees know their company is struggling. The fall of Blockbuster is a classic example of a company not doing a good job with the company strategy. They neglected to take the treat of netflix and redbox seriously. They were the clear industry heavyweight years ago, but they let their ego get to them.

Blockbuster could have easily implemented an online version of their company much sooner. They had resources to do the project but simply didn't. This case is the clear opposite of ZARA. ZARA is an industry leader in its retail segment and chose not implement new technology. Their gamble paid off and they remained the leader. However, now ZARA is starting to incorporate internet sales in its biggest markets, going against their original business philosophy.

Blockbuster should have seen what was coming in their industry. 10 years ago they had all the capital to institute and implement an online store like netflix, but they were resistant technology, and how technology could alter their industry

Nokia's Fall From Grace

In the 90's and early 2000's Nokia was the cellphone company, not Apple or BlackBerry, or Samsung, but Finnish Nokia. So how and why did they have such a steep fall from grace? When Nokia got to the top of the cellphone world the became complacent and did not challenge themselves at all. Nokia had a belief that cellphones main component were the phone. It's clear that they did not see the rising trend of the smartphone. As a leading company in the industry they should have had the R&D to see this on the horizon. This brings to mind Zara and neglecting to update their IT systems. Zara is the leader in their retail category with minimal competitive pressure. However, they have still refused to update their technology and they still do not sell online in larger markets. Are Zara neglecting two huge factors in business. Even though updating their IT would definitely cause major changes in the make up of the company could it further their competitive advantage?

 Nokia is also stuck in the middle of the cellphone market. Being stuck in the middle is the worst place you could be as a business. You have no direction and cannot go anywhere. If Nokia wants to regain their reputation they need to focus on a particular market while developing another major market. Say if they focus on the regular phone market they should do a lot of R&D to ensure when they do come out with a competitive smartphone it can make a dent in the market.

Obama Tax Credit and More Apple

While we all know that the economy is floundering, Obama has proposed a tax credit that could possible enable firms to write off business expenses. This could give companies the incentive to write off  IT purchases. This could cause a potential reduction in IT spending since companies could wait until the write off takes effect. Companies would seriously consider delaying the purchase of IT, unitll the credit takes effect.  Since spending in companies is directly related to the state of the economy, this tax credit could stimulate spending by companies on their IT. The hopes would be for companies to re-evaluate their IT infrastructure and possibly spark the technology industry. Companies could reconsider an IT overhaul that could make their companies more efficient. They could become more horizontal and eliminate levels and thus become more profitable because of the tax incentive to change their IT philosophy. The tax credit would force companies to re-evaluate their IT simply because it would be cheapier. This would also help software and hardware companies sell relatively expensive IT equipment they wouldn't sell in this down economy.

The other day while I was in class I found out that Apple has unvieled another update to the iPod. Now the iPod includes a video confrence feature, something that is new in the iPhone. I think that Apple now needs to have more product differentiation. I feel that many of the products offer similiar features. The only difference between an iPhone and an iPod is a phone and 3g. But the phone and 3g service in many areas are horrible. The only reason I have an iPhone is because I think having everything on one device. If blackberry had a way to play iTunes then I would definitely have a blackberry on verizon. I think that many of Apple's products do similiar things and thus may not sell as much. If certain products were radically differnet many people would buy them. If I have a iPhone why do I need an iPod or iPad?

Apple TV

After reading the Bloomberg article about Apple Tv, I feel that they are starting to over expand themselves. Apple should learn from their past mistakes and not attempt Apple TV. I think iTunes has worked so well is because so many people still illegally download music. People look for programs to convert youtube clips into music files. It seems that cable companies are very reluctant to license their programs to Apple, possible because they fear illegal downloads for their programs.

I feel that cannibalization will start to happen if they unveil their Tv product. Many people already watch some tv programs and movies on their iPads already. If Apple brings Apple Tv out I think that the company will see sales decrease and remain stagnant for both products. The iPad has a better chance of being successful because their is a consumer demand for tablets. I already have a mac, an ipod, and an iPhone and have toyed with the idea of buying an iPad. However, there are two things that have stopped me. One of those is that I feel an iPad is a large iPod, but with more capabilities. The other is when would I use the iPad. The only thing time I would use it would be if I had a train commute. So When would I use Apple Tv? Would I be just as satisfied with my dvr now? I really think I would. I think that Apple is really stretching their product lines. One of the things that made Apple so creative and sought after is because all of their products were so revolutionary and better than their competitors. However, I think now they are reaching with their products and have begun to cannibalize their own products.