Chapter 2: the eight environment elements

1. GOVERNMEMNT- on the national state of province and local levels provides constrains on the form of laws and regulations.

2.FINANCIAL COMMUNITY-consist of institutionthat  influence the money resources that are available to the firm.

3 GLOBAL COMMUNITY-  is the current manifestation of a series of prior organizations, all of which have made their contribution, both financially and in terms of a legacy of experience and collected wisdom.

4.SUPPLIERS-also called vendors supply the material machines services and information.

5.CUSTOMERS- these products and services are marketed to the firms.

6. LABOR UNION-are the organization of both skilled and unskilled workers.

7. STOCKHOLDERS/OWNERS-are the persons who invest money in the firm and represent the highest level of management.

8, COMPETITORS-include all the organizations that compete with the firm in its marketplace.

A FIRM’S INFORMATION RESOURCES THEREFORE CONSIST OF:

1. computer hardware

2. computer software

3. information specialist

4. users

5. facilities

6. the database

7.information 

Reported by: Gleni A. Flores

Chapter I: Introduction to the computer based system

The first major application  was the processing of accounting data followed by four others:

• Management information system
• Decisional support system
• Office automation
• Export system                                                                  

Managers resources:

• Personal
• Material
• Machines
• Money
• Information

Management knowledge:                                                        

•  Computer literacy - knowledge the computer that is necessary to function in today’s world.
• Information literacy - addition to understanding the computer the modern manager should have the information literacy.

What is a system:

• A system is a group of elements that are integrated with the common purpose of achieving an object.
• A control mechanism monitors the transformation process to ensure the system meets its objective.
• A system that is not connected to its environment by means of resources flow its called an open system.
• A sub system is simply a system within a system.
• When a system is part of a larger system it a super system.

Information especialist:

• System analyst - works with the users in developing new system and in improving existing system.
• Database administrators - work with the users and system analyst in creating the databased that contain the data needed to produce the users information.
• Netwok especialist - work with a system analyst to code the instruction that cause the computer to transform the data into information that is neede by the users.
• Operators - operate the large scale computing equipment such as mainframe computers and miniframe computers.

End - users computing evolve because of four main influences:

• an increase in computer literacy
• the information services backlog
• low cost hardware
• pre written software

This evokution process the system life cycle and consist of the following phases:

• Planning
• Analysis
• Design
• Implementation
• Use

You probably can’t recall who said it, but whoever first uttered that fashion comes full circle every 30 years or so was not too far off. This season on the runway is reminiscent of the flowing 70s in both fabric and style. We are seeing much more and much less of the micro mini. Materials like silk and chiffon, which tend to flow and gather, are much more popular for Spring 2008 than fabrics like cotton or denim which tend to hold shape and stay stiffer in appearance. The word for the season is feminine, feminine, feminine! The exception to this seems to be in outerwear, where rubber is oddly back in style. Indoors, though, thin little belts, and scarves are also popular and a throwback to the 70s as well as being womanly. Don’t despair, though - some things from last season are still popular and can be recycled for this season. Accessories like metallic bags and clutches, as well as sequins and some of the longer can still be worn with confidence. Dresses with color blocks are still around as well, left over from last season and still cute.

Sheers are in this year as a fabric style, which works well with the flow-y nature of the season. Pairing a sheer shirt over a camisole with denim is a great casual look. In fact, a sheer scarf works with almost anything this season. Especially cute is the above-mentioned shirt and jeans with a little scarf and dressy sneakers. “Dressy sneakers” are another big hit this year, which will keep your feet happy as you get to be comfortable and stylish at the same time. Low-lying, patterned variety sneakers with ties that sport the best of brand names are the most popular for the young trend setter.

Speaking of patterns, big bold prints such as tropical themes and jungle prints are back. For whatever reason, and it seems to happen every several years, tribal and jungle themes like leopard prints and zebra stripes make their way back to the runway. This year is no exception. Color is back, and black is out, at least for now. Last year, brown was the new black, and this year it is muted silver and Grey that’s all the rage when you want to opt for a non-color.

Pointy-toe pumps are back! Not that they ever really went out of style, but they certainly came second to the ballet slipper, and other such cutesy flat footwear, along with the rounded toe pump. Also noteworthy is what’s in store for later on in the season. Fall 2008 promises to be chock full of the “bigger is better” theory. Bigger, chunkier heels, bigger, longer boots, and bigger and heavier accessories on the shoes themselves such as thick buckles and chains should be on your radar for footwear.

Of course, if we are going to talk shoes we must talk shades. Still popular, especially with the Divas, are the ever-present round and dark sunglasses that cover most of your face. The celebrities, of course, brought this trend to the forefront of fashion and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. Also popular though, is the blue lens which seemed to disappear for a while. This lens is more appropriate with a smaller frame than with the over sized shades discussed.

Last but by no means least, there could not be a fashion article written about what’s hot for 2008 without mentioning jeans. Designer denim continues to be the hottest thing around. We all know that True Religion, Citizens of Humanity, Buffalo, Seven for all Mankind and Lucky have become standard, almost run-of-the mill designer jeans. Even though they cost upward of $200.00, they are still the ‘norm’. Slightly more pricey is Diesel, and this brand continues to be popular as well. Relative newcomers, though, are some of the names that were actually around long before these newbies even existed. Yves St. Laurent, Donna Karan, and some of the more elite designer’s names are being plastered on the derrieres of the most discriminating fashionistas this season. As for jean style and cut, the zipper-ankle and straight-leg varieties that were popular in the 80s are making a comeback. Expect to see them on the legs of the trend setters this fall.

This season proves to be an interesting and eclectic mix of 70s and 80s styles. This may seem contradictory, but the feminine nature of the season’s styles pulls from flowing 70s fabrics and cuts and seems to just use a hint of 80s metal and accessory - and it’s a hit.

Plus Size Fashion Freedom!

Just ten years ago plus size women were limited to clothes shopping in the two back corner racks of the local department store. We didn’t have a lot of selection in style and fit and really–we didn’t enjoy shopping for ourselves all that much. It’s hard feeling good about a wardrobe full of cartoon character t-shirts and too short stretchy pants, and it was disappointing to shop for more of the same.

Our choices in fashion were basic polyester stretch pants (remember those thick elastic waistbands ladies?), plain oversize t-shirts, and flowing, flowery polyester house dresses. Anything that was somewhat nice was stocked in limited quantities and at an exorbitant price.

Ladies we felt & looked frumpy and dowdy because that’s all we had to wear!

Today however, full figured women can now enjoy trendy and comfortable fashions–at prices most can afford. And with easy online access, we are no longer limited to what the local department stores choose for us. We can choose from denims, cottons, silks & satins. Flower prints, stripes, solids and polka dots. Well fitted career wear, two piece bathing suits, short pants, long pants–the sky is the limit and we have more choices than ever before.

Want to wear a fun, flirty skirt? Or a trendy tanktini on that fabulous beach holiday? No problem! It’s just a click away online. Your biggest dilemma will be choosing just one item out of the three or four that have caught your eye. What a shift from ten years ago!

Today taller plus size women can finally find those pants that fit both width AND length. And then there’s petite plus size fashions for women who are shorter than average. We’ve got fashion selections now that fit all heights of fuller figured women–short, medium and tall.With online shopping, plus size fashion freedom has finally arrived for full figured women. Choose all the figure flattering and trendy styles you want and say goodbye forever to frumpy and dowdy. It’s time for us to shine like the beautiful women we truly are. If you’re looking for plenty of options when shopping.