How companies can benefit from a database?

Databases can be created specifically for stock control. By simply glancing at a database, it is possible to see what is nearly out of stock and what is not. It is even possible to automatically reorder stock once it reaches a certain level. And thus, database can help companies to create an effective stock management.

Access

I have heard of Access for many times yet, I never knew what it actually was or used it. After watching the videos, I know that we can use Access to manage all of the information in one file. Within an Access database file, we can use tables to store your data, queries to find and retrieve just the data that you want, forms to view, add, and update data in tables and reports to analyze or print data in a specific layout.

Another new thing I learned was the tables and relationships. We can create a table for each type of information that being tracked. To bring the data from multiple tables together in a query, form, or report, the relationships between the tables are defined.

Social Networking - Facebook

Facebook is a social networking service launched eight years ago. It has over one billion active users. Facebook users must register before using the site. Afterwards, they may create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange messages. Additionally, users may join common-interest user groups, organized by workplace, school or college.

Many companies around the world use Facebook as an advertising platform. Through Facebook companies make online sales and get in touch with customers more effectively. When it is done successfully, people spread the word about your qualities on Facebook.

I suggest BoarDome to create a page on Facebook. They can simply take pictures and put on details of their products. As there are over one billion active users around the world using Facebook daily, or even on their mobile devices, it is a very effective way for people getting know about BoarDome. They do not need to worry about losing customers because customers can easily leave messages on Facebook and they can reply it in a more simple way, and thus, it is a greater chance for them to make online sales.

I personally have been using Facebook since I was 15 years old so I am pretty familiar with this social network. I love it so much and I use it daily. As an international student, I can always share what happen in the USA with my family and friends in Hong Kong. They do not have to worry about me that much if I keep them updated often. Moreover, when I get upset or stressed out and do not want to talk with anybody, I write my feeling on Facebook. It has become a place for me to relieve and relax.

Critical Thinking Chapter 4

An intranet is a computer network that uses Internet Protocol technology to share information, operational systems, or computing services within an organization.

Extranet is a form of a computer network that allows for safe access from the outside, it is mainly for business or educational purposes. For example, in a business-to-business example, the extranet is an extension of an organization's intranet that is extended to users outside the organization (partners, vendors, and suppliers), while isolated from other internet users. In contrast to this, a business-to-consumer (B2C) model involves known servers of one or more companies communicating with new consumer users. An extranet can be thought of as an area that provides access to needed services for channel partners, without allowing access to the entire organiztion's network.

BoardDome can use the intranet as a communication tool - to post weekly reports, memos, and goals. And thus, all the employees are on the same page.
Intranet eliminates the time of talking or sending emails one by one. It is great when you have to communicate with more than one person at the same time.

For the extranet, BoardDome's customers can log in to it and take account of their orders and communicate with the sales and service stuff. If they have any questions, they no longer need to call to the company and wait for a long time on phone. Suppliers can also use extranets to make online catalogs available to vendors.

Chapter 3 Excel

I personally think...

1. The first bar chart shows data clearly. However, it does not contain all the information.
2. The two dimensional line chart was the easiest one to be made among all three charts. Moreover, we can tell how the prices go from this chart and compare the prices just by looking at it.
3. The three dimensional column chart looks way too complicated. It is hard for people to read the data. I personally do not like looking at this kind of chart.

In conclusion, I like the two dimensional line chart the best out of the three charts due to the reasons above.

Excel (Chapter 2)

I took Accounting 211 in the first semester at Behrend so I am actually quite familiar with the income statement and balance sheet and stuff. I also took SCM 200 last semester, so that I did not have too much problem while doing the Excel assignment.

There was still something new I learned from this assignment - formating the workbook for printing. Turning off the gridlines was easy. However, it took me a while to set the page breaks. I got some help from my friend, Alvin, and eventually got it done.

I personally think the instruction for this assignment was not clear enough. For example, the ninth point on the first page said we had to break it into three pages. On the third page, it said we had to give page four and five as well. Moreover, It said the output requirements should be without formulas yet, the pictures shown below were with formulas. That was quite confusing.

Excel

Excel is a spreadsheet program. It allows us to setup charts and reports which makes it
powerful. We can also easily get the totals and figures. I have learned to use Excel for keeping track of my personal finances and I definitely love it because I can figure out how much I spend in a period of time without any difficulties.

Nowadays, the use of Excel is indispensable in financial modeling and analysis. It is used for data input, consumer data, and other types of analysis information that a business will keep track of. The functions and formulas in Excel help the financial analysts out and make their work easier. Excel helps organizing a company as well.