Monday, September 29, 2008

Final #5

Alpine TLI Group, Inc.

Alpine TLI Group, Inc. (OTC: APGR), a full service tax lien and tax deed purchase, research, and property management company today announced expectations for a record year in 2008 as foreclosure rates and the mortgage fallout increases the amount of properties available nationally at tax lien and tax deed sales. The Company's unique research and analysis methods pinpoint participation in the most favorable of over 2,000 auctions held every year. Alpine is currently entering a very aggressive time of year as many states are promoting the largest tax lien sales in history. The company expects to place a substantial amount of capital at these sales resulting in a record year for 2008 financial results.
Alpine's corporate strategy and business activity focus around populating and maintaining a $6M fund, which is fully vested in property tax lien certificates. Marketing strategies include the identification of high return properties that have the potential of high yields through interest and penalty rates, which can exceed 24% per annum. In addition, Alpine has developed research technologies, which help identify properties that have a higher propensity of going to deed. Such properties are subsequently acquired for typically less than 10% of current market value and can be liquidated on the open market for a significant profit.
Alpine TLI Group, Inc. generates revenue from two primary sources: interest and penalty revenue from redeemed tax lien certificates and profits from liquidated properties that have gone to deed.
* Interest and penalty revenue is generated through redeemed tax lien certificates. When a tax lien is purchased, the local jurisdiction sets the interest rate as well as the assessed penalty for delinquent tax payment. These interest rates can range from 8% to over 24% per annum. In addition, penalty rates can range from 5% to 10% of the taxes owed. In many cases, jurisdictions will assess the full penalty the first day of the delinquency. As a result, a 5% penalty paid the first day will result in an annualized rate of return of more than 60% when added to the assessed interest rate on early redeemed liens.
* Liquidated Properties occur once the redemption period set by thejurisdiction has expired (ranging from 6 to 48 months), the liened property goes to deed. This means the lien holder now has the legal right to receive title to the property. After a legal process of quieting the title, the deed is conveyed free and clear of all previous encumbrances. In most cases, these properties have been acquired by simply paying the past due taxes. Typically, these taxes represent only 5% to 10% of the current property value. Alpine's financial model provides a strategy to liquidate such property at a discount and put the proceeds back to work through purchasing additional tax liens. The returns on such properties can exceed 5,000%.

Final #4

Describe or Define KBS


Answer: Knowledge-based System (KBS) is a knowledge-based system as a computer system that is programmed to imitate human problem-solving by means of artificial intelligence and reference to a database of knowledge on a particular subject. Knowledge-based systems are systems based on the methods and techniques of Artificial Intelligence. Their core components are the knowledge base and the inference mechanisms.

Distinguish KBS from MIS

Provide information about its business operations. It's also used to refer to the people who manage these systems. Typically, in a large corporation, "MIS" or the "MIS department" refers to a central or centrally-coordinated system of computer expertise and management, often including mainframe systems but also including by extension the corporation's entire network of computer resources. While MIS imitate human problem-solving by means of artificial intelligence and reference to a database of knowledge on a particular subject.


Illustrate (give examples) how KBS can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

Answer: Provide consistent answers for repetitive decisions, processes and tasks.Hold and maintain significant levels of information.Reduces creating entry barriers to competitors. Review transactions that human experts may overlook.

Expert systems are most valuable to organizations that have a high-level of know-how experience and expertise that cannot be easily transferred to other members. They are designed to carry the intelligence and information found in the intellect of experts and provide this knowledge to other members of the organization for problem-solving purposes.

Typically, the problems to be solved are of the sort that would normally be tackled by a medical or other professional. Real experts in the problem domain (which will typically be very narrow, for instance "diagnosing skin conditions in human teenagers") are asked to provide "rules of thumb" on how they evaluate the problems, either explicitly with the aid of experienced systems developers, or sometimes implicitly, by getting such experts to evaluate test cases and using computer programs to examine the test data and (in a strictly limited manner) derive rules from that. Generally, expert systems are used for problems for which there is no single "correct" solution which can be encoded in a conventional algorithm — one would not write an expert system to find shortest paths through graphs, or sort data, as there are simply easier ways to do these tasks.

Simple systems use simple true/false logic to evaluate data, but more sophisticated systems are capable of performing at least some evaluation taking into account real-world uncertainties, using such methods as fuzzy logic. Such sophistication is difficult to develop and still highly imperfect.

Final #3

Describe or Define OV?



Answer: Virtual office is a term for shared office services, which normally includes business address, mail & courier services, phone services, fax services, answering services, web-hosting services, and meeting & conference facilities.

Distinguish VO from MIS



Answer: Virtual Office provide other in-house or outsourced services such as corporate secretarial services, accounting services, or legal services. Professional firms such as law firms and accounting firms often provide registered address services as part of their service offerings. While MIS (management information systems) is a general term for the computer systems in an enterprise that provide information about its business operations. It's also used to refer to the people who manage these systems. Typically, in a large corporation, "MIS" or the "MIS department" refers to a central or centrally-coordinated system of computer expertise and management, often including mainframe systems but also including by extension the corporation's entire network of computer resources.
Illustrate (give examples) how VO can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

Answer: Save lots of money without a secretary and put that towards growing your business instead. No more meetings at your clients' offices or at coffee shops. Schedule meetings at your Beverly Hills office and utilize our state-of-the-art conference room. helps work and communication become more efficient and adapts itself well to the needs of the consultant working on a given project. The intensive use and the easy access to company databases make it possible to do part of the work even at home sitting in one's favourite armchair. Good space utilization and cost effectiveness generating from the virtual office are other significant advantages of the concept. While in an average Budapest office 10 m2 is occupied per person at the firm, the 820 m2 office serves already near upon 100 people. Since the model is very flexible the company will only "outgrow" its office when the number of employees doubles.

Final #2

Describe or Define DSS?


Answer: A Decision Support System (DSS) is an interactive computer-based system or subsystem intended to help decision makers use communications technologies, data, documents, knowledge and/or models to identify and solve problems, complete decision process tasks, and make decisions. Decision Support System is a general term for any computer application that enhances a person or group’s ability to make decisions. Also, Decision Support Systems refers to an academic field of research that involves designing and studying Decision Support Systems in their context of use. In general, Decision Support Systems are a class of computerized information system that support decision-making activities.



Distinguish MIS from DSS


Answer: MIS (management information systems) provide information about its business operations. It's also used to refer to the people who manage these systems. Refers to a central or centrally-coordinated system of computer expertise and management, often including mainframe systems but also including by extension the corporation's entire network of computer resources. While DSS is intended to help decision makers use communication technologies, data, documents, knowledge and/or models to identify and solve problems, complete decision process tasks, and make decisions.

Illustrate (give examples) how DSS can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

Answer: One example is the Clinical decision support system for medical diagnosis. Other examples include a bank loan officer verifying the credit of a loan applicant or an engineering firm that has bids on several projects and wants to know if they can be competitive with their costs.
DSS is extensively used in business and management. Executive dashboard and other business performance software allow faster decision making, identification of negative trends, and better allocation of business resources.
A specific example concerns the Canadian National Railway system, which tests its equipment on a regular basis using a decision support system. A problem faced by any railroad is worn-out or defective rails, which can result in hundreds of derailments per year. Under a DSS, CN managed to decrease the incidence of derailments at the same time other companies were experiencing an increase.
DSS has many applications that have already been spoken about. However, it can be used in any field where organization is necessary. Additionally, a DSS can be designed to help make decisions on the stock market, or deciding which area or segment to market a product toward.
Benefits of DSS
Ø Improves personal efficiency
Ø Expedites problem solving
Ø Facilitates interpersonal communication
Ø Promotes learning or training
Ø Increases organizational control
Ø Generates new evidence in support of a decision
Ø Creates a competitive advantage over competition
Ø Encourages exploration and discovery on the part of the decision maker
Ø Reveals new approaches to thinking about the problem space



Final #1

Honda Company

Even as early as 1985, according to J.D. Power & Associates, “Honda owners enjoyed the country’s highest customer-satisfaction rating, edging out even luxurious Mercedes-Benz”. Two themes have contributed to Honda’s success in the United States: the company has seized on opportunities in the U.S. market and it has also tailored its practices to fit American culture. Upon entering the United States, Honda formed the American Honda Motor Company in June 1959 to run its American operations. After a slow start in the United States market, “Honda built a reputation as a premier maker of small motorcycles”. The company’s U.S. sales did not see a sharp increase, though, until 1963, when Grey Advertising, a large national advertising agency, launched an ad campaign with the following theme. All of the American automakers were plagued with efficiency and quality-control problems, and Honda saw with the success of its Civic and Accord that Americans consumers were willing to consider Honda products over American alternatives. Here, Honda saw an opportunity. The motorcycle plant was so successful that within a year, Honda decided to begin automobile assembly in Marysville as well. The auto factory opened in 1982, producing the popular Accord model and making Honda the first Japanese automaker to assemble cars in the United States. Other strategies that Honda implemented—mainly in the person of Irimajiri—were discussion groups in which associates would give input for improving various aspects of production. Honda used unique marketing strategies to position itself as a motorcycle manufacturer—and later a car company—that would be appealing to a wide variety of Americans. With its advertising campaign in the 1960s, Honda repositioned motorcycles from the leather-jacket riders to pedestrian consumers. Later, with its automobiles, Honda sold an affordable, environmentally clean and higher-quality alternative to Detroit’s offerings. Finally, Honda introduced a managerial strategy for its United States production facilities that was unique not only to Honda’s Japanese plants but also to American auto plants in general. Honda established an egalitarian corporate culture in which Honda associates were free to contribute input directly to management and shift their responsibilities readily to adapt to the plant’s needs on the fly. After starting as a small Japanese motorcycle manufacturer, Honda is now the envy of carmakers large and small the world over.

Friday, August 22, 2008

midterm # 3

For those who are working, interview your IT in-charge and ask him/her to describe the computer database systems used in the company. Write your answer in 1-2 paragraphs. Further, ask also the benefits and/or disadvantages derived from these database systems.


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midterm # 2

Research 1 company and describe how they protect their company from internet risks.
Also, research for possible risks or dangers and/or impacts of internet - related crimes to a company.

Qwest Communications

Safety Online, One Family at a Time

As a leading provider of telecommunications services, Qwest Communications, Inc. is committed to promoting safer and smarter use of the Internet. In collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Qwest has created an online safety program that parents and guardians can use to help protect their children while they explore the wonders of the Web. By educating parents and guardians to empower themselves and their children with the skills they need to be safer on the Internet, Qwest and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children are committed to making the Internet a safer environment for our families. Examples of Qwest’s outreach include:

Qwest Connected Family Online Classroom

The Qwest Connected Family Online Classroom is a safety resource dedicated to informing parents and guardians about the risks children may face while surfing the Net, and arming parents with the tools and tips they need to promote safer, positive experiences online. Located at www.incredibleinternet.com/onlinesafety, the Qwest Connected Family Online Classroom was co-created with NCMEC and includes expert tips, articles, activities, tests; videos and downloadable safety kits to help parents and guardians understand the Internet. Highlights include:

  • Online Safety Certification. The Online Safety Certification activity gives parents and guardians a straightforward introduction to Internet safety. Families can complete short online activities to familiarize themselves with the first steps in online safety education. The activity is available in English and Spanish.
  • Parents Safety-Net Test. The Parents Safety-Net Test provides families with an instant reality check about their knowledge of issues such as the potential dangers of chat rooms and instant messaging, cyber bullying, and online sexual exploitation. The answers to the online quiz describe tangible steps that can be taken to better inform and protect children. The activities are available in English and Spanish.

Online Safety Outreach

Qwest’s online safety program also includes outreach at the federal and local levels designed to educate families about Internet safety. Components of this program include:

  • Awareness through Congressional Support. In 2005, Qwest and the NCMEC joined with influential leaders from Congress, business, community organizations and national advocacy groups to educate families about the risks children encounter while using the Internet. Together with Qwest, these leaders reached more than 126 million consumers with key information highlighting available programs and tools aimed at making children safer while online.
  • Online Safety Coalitions through Community and Government Partnerships. Qwest has partnered with key government and community leaders in Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota and Washington to form Online Safety Coalitions in each state to raise online safety awareness on a grassroots level. The coalitions are challenging 10,000 families in each state to become Online Safety Certified through the Incredible Internet web site. To date, Qwest has presented online safety information to millions families. Qwest currently is expanding the reach its online safety campaign and working to establish relationships and garner support throughout its Western 14-state region and nationwide with additional education and outreach efforts.
  • In-Store Commercial Spots and Computer Kiosks. In early 2006, Qwest aired a 60-second informational video spot, featuring U.S. Olympic Speed Skater Bonnie Blair, about the Qwest online safety program in 711 CompUSA and Best Buy stores across the nation. The video has been watched by more than 45 million people. Qwest also has links on computer self-help terminals within its 100 retail stores for customers to learn about online safety while testing Qwest High Speed Internet service.
  • Free Parental Controls with Qwest High-Speed Internet: Qwest high-speed Internet customers with MSN Premium, receive the best in security features, such as McAfee Virus Scan and Firewall, MSN Parental Controls, Webroot® Spy Sweeper™ for MSN, and pop-up and junk e-mail guards. Plus, MSN delivers industry-leading e-mail services, including 11 e-mail accounts, MSN Messenger, MSN Virtual Earth™ and much more – all included.


Qwest Communication’s Online-Safety Tools

Connected Family Online Classroom

The Qwest Connected Family Online Classroom is a safety resource dedicated to informing parents and guardians about the risks children may face while surfing the Net, and arming parents with the tools and tips they need to promote safer, positive experiences online.

Online Safety Certification

The Online Safety Certification activity gives parents and guardians a straightforward introduction to Internet safety. Families can complete short online activities to familiarize themselves with the first steps in online safety education. The activity is available in English and Spanish.

Parents Safety-Net Test

The Parents Safety-Net Test provides families with an instant reality check about their knowledge of issues such as the potential dangers of chat rooms and instant messaging, cyber bullying, and online sexual exploitation. The answers to the online quiz describe tangible steps that can be taken to better inform and protect children. The activities are available in English and Spanish.

Teen Identity Theft Prevention Tips

2005 Identity Theft Complaint Data from the Federal Trade Commission continues to show that the 18-29 year old age group is the largest number of identity theft victims. Teens and their families can visit our identity theft resource guide to learn how protect themselves from becoming victims. Download tip cards, watch videos and become a safer and smarter surfing.