ICTs and Enterprise Sustainability
- What is your understanding of the role of ICTs in Enterprise Sustainability?
- What available software solutions are sustainable for Business Enterprises? Please give examples in the following classes:-
- Collaboration Suites
- Web Browses
- Office Suites
- Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design
Dear Brian,
I failed to open the module, so I am a bit lights out in this. Kindly send me the module in a lower version if there is something like that.--Smauye 06:03, 17 March 2011 (UTC)
Dear Brian & Colleagues
Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) as they are commonly known have not only bridged the gap between the worlds but also improved the way in which businesses are run. In this age of technology, ICTs play a very important role in the sense that it one can be said to be doomed if they do not make use of these ICTs. Some examples of ICTs that can be use in enterprise sustainability include computers, printers, telephones, cellphones, the World Wide Web or internet, radios among the few. These technologies have improved the way in which we do business as they have helped in:
1. The efficiency. 2. Advertising and promotions of technologies. 3. Increased access to where we can locate and find goods. 4. Improved the record keeping and management of information within the organization 5. Increased sales and profits 6. Improved employee input & output
No. 2
Web Browsers Under web browsers
• Firefox • Yahoo • Internet Explorer • Google • Ajax
Office Suites
Some of the examples under office suites include:
• OpenOffice.org • KOffice • LibreOffice • WPS Office • Ability Office • SoftMaker, • Easy Office • Microsoft Office
I am yet to research on Collaboration suites and Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design
Hi Mwaba, an interesting point you have brought concerning the bridging the digital gap or divide. There have been arguments as what exactly this 'gap' is with some saying the gap does not exist. i wont go into that but what i always think about when is comes up is the fact we should be talking about 'closing' and not 'bridging'. But for ICTs to be fully exploited other enablers are necessarily like availability of electricity.
The internet explorer web browser is a commercial product just like MS office. Licenses fees for these can be very expensive.
Hi Sibongile, i sent you mail earlier today with a PDF Version of Module 4.2. Hope you got it.
The role of ict in Enterprise sustainability cannot be overemphaised. One need ICT to advertise and market hers or his business products. Need ICT to collaborate and above more need ICT for value chain addition.
Iam however short of knowing the type of enterprise software solutions available besides SPSS and ArcGIS for those entrepreneurs who are trading as consultants in Monitoring and Evaluation, analyzing spatial data and map objects among others.
I would be interested to learn those specific products that addresses other business desplines Regards
COLLABORATION!! there is no limit to what you can do when you exploit the available technology
In the current business world, ICT is playing a very important role .The access to information is the most and has been considered that it one of the most powerful BDS service to the business (small medium and large business ) . We can take some example of mobile banking services that allow people to make secure transactions and secure small business loans. ICT is the best and fastest alternative to access market information required by the small scale entrepreneurs / farmers etc. Basically the following approaches would be effective Web Browses B2 B inactive sites Local information kiosk/ centers
Thanks Janet for appreciation on my contribution. BDS service meant for Business development services. There are numbers of BDS services are required to grow business like access to finance, access to information , provision of technology , inputs supply , access to markets
I like the way that everyone is highlighting the word ACCESS.
Thank you Ekanath.
In the discussion paper, sustainability was defined as "Investments which continue to produce a return". The role of ICT in Enterprise sustainability is diverse since most enterprises need to move with the current and modern way of doing things. Some of the roles are that:
1. Enterprises through ICT can be promoted to be more
i. efficient,
ii. profitable,and
iii. thereby creating or safeguarding jobs.
Enterprise development does not only concern marketing and sales, but all other areas which constitute its value chain and requires effective communication and co-operation within the enterprise. Some of the other areas that ICT can play a great role in Enterprise Sustainability are creating networks with other colleagues in the same enterprise,out-of office working (automation), finance (software for all the financial and accounting processes) and maximising of work inputs and outputs with lots of professionalism.
Some available software solutions for Business Enterprises.
Most of the softwares are generic but I feel they can also be used for Business Enterprises.
A. Collaboration Suites
i. Assembla: Online workspaces for distributed team. Project management and collaboration tools, bug and issue tracking, wikis. Includes a real-time Team Room.
ii. CodeBeamer: Includes project management, wiki, document management, issue tracking and version control management.
iii. Central Desktop: Includes project management, wiki, file upload, review and approve, calendar, document management
iv. dotProject
v. eGroupWare
etc. Source
B. Web Browses
i. Opera
ii. Firefox
C. Office Suites
i. Open Office
D. Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design
I do not have any vivid idea about softwares under this heading that can be available for sustainable Business Enterprises.
--Kafuiaheto 13:01, 17 March 2011 (UTC)
technology enables us to do business faster and greatly improves the accuracy with which we work and perform tasks.
Hey guys, mwaba and kafuiheto, thanks very much for that infor....i was really in the dark
ICT is playing a vital role in the world today and practice of socioeconomic development, like in terms of communication between buyers and supplier and friends, Internet make it is very easy in transfer of information, data processing, online job search and E banking. It has also enhances opportunities and businesses.
In software solutions for business enterprises am very much interested in knowing more about it
Chichi, you hit the nail right on the head.Internet really make it is very easy to transfer information, process data , make online job search and do E-banking.
COMMUNICATION is another word that stands out. Businesses that are doing very well often employ some of the best and latest technologies available.
I like your comment that "ICT is playing a vital role in the world today and practice of socioeconomic development". Socio-economic development the process of social and economic development in a society (Wikipedia, 2010:1). The use of ICTs in enterprises should lead to that for the benefit of society.
Hello Brian,
This is an interesting topic and the fastest growing business in the world which the youth can exploit. ICT Substainability is an investment which continue to produce returns, financially through education and social means. The role of ICT in Enterprise Substainability are as follows:
- To provide access to markets and jobs
- To promote competition and efficiency
- It can enable wealth creation and reduction through applications example as price discovery and marketing assistance
- To find jobs through online job searching tools.
- It enable transfer of information faster through shared electronic files and networked computers
- It helps in data processing, documentation and other back-up functions
- It helps to store information
- It helps to reduce transaction costs and increasing the speed and reliability of transactions
The only software i have idea on is the autocad in graphic design and I don't know it very well. I want to know the different softwares, please.
just today, a read an article that listed the top five growing careers and the first two are technology jobs. its amazing that today, you cant imagine just how we used to live before the dawn of the Internet. the faces of corporation are now websites and you can transact with any business available online in the comfort of your space
Dear all,
Thank you for wonderful contributions on this thread. 'Undoubtedly' ICTs have changed the way that we live, communicate, work including and now, the way that we learn. Your comments highlighted:-
- ACCESS
- COMMUNICATION
- COLLABORATION
- EFFICIENCY AND ACCURACY, and more
Every civilization can be measured by the type of technology developed and employed. This can be seen from the converged and integrated communication networks that they use. Developed countries are associated with the latest technology and so is any great business enterprise.
In terms of enterprise sustainability, no one product can fully address this but rather, it can come from a combination of solutions that yield the required results in the best and manageable way. I have, however, a biase toward the use of open-source solutions as they are freely available and do not require license fees to use them. for example:-
- Collaboration Suites -[Zimbra, OpenXchange, Evolution]
- Web Browses -[Firefox, Opera]
- Office Suites -[Libre Office, Open Office]
- Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design -[GIMP, Scribbus]
The list of available free and open solutions is endless
Hi Brian and Hi All,
Am sorry i was out of reach yesterday. Thanks for all your very intresting comments. In addition, i would like to comment that The use of ICT enhances business operations, in terms of time management and cost effectiveness,It makes business easier and faster.
ICT provides the entrepreneur a platform to provide information and services at the same time and within the same location, in a cost effective manner to both employees and customers .e.g. with ICT an enterprise can share information within and with others outside the firm, market products and conduct business transaction with customers online, publish vital information and get valuable feedback all within the same location with less time than it would have required without the use of ICT.
The role of ICT in enterprise sustainability therefore, lies in the fact that it enhances business operations which results in improved profits and greater efficiency.
Hi all, I will be ok if you can call me Rodgers
Though late, still I have been going through the contributions from my fellow participants and the facilitator. am facinated with the topic as it sounds to me as if its new. the reasons for this is that it is really opening my eyes am also into ICTs but at some low levels. The role of ICTs in entreprise Sustainability is that ICTs have come to stay, as this have come to contribute on the efficience, and effectivenes of doing business in terms of easy and fast communication, for example; writing a letter and posting could take a lot of effort and time.
- even communicating to international partners in order that they do business in your country was something you have to wait for months. but now for instance am able to do business with someone trying to support a school with school desks, and finds us through a website and contacts us and make payments without him from that country travelling to Zambia.
- also we able to discuss the designs and make sample of the particular product and they also contribute to how the product should look like at the end of it all the desks are supplied to the school without any of the persons dealing in this business.
- thanks to Email
- Skype
- for learning and teaching tools such as eXe
- Wikis
- Web Blogs
- spreadsheets excel etc etc.
1. What is your understanding of the role of ICTs in Enterprise Sustainability?
The role of ICTs in Enterprise Sustainability can be seen from two angles:
- Economic sustainability: achieved when a given level of expenditure can be maintained over time.
- Social sustainability: achieved when social exclusion is minimised and social equity maximised
2. What available software solutions are sustainable for Business Enterprises? Please give examples in the following classes:-
- Collaboration Suites: Google groups, Blogs
- Web Browsers: Firefox, Opera
- Office Suites: OpenOffice.org Productivity Suite
- Desktop Publishing & Graphic Design: Scribus, Avery DesignPro
Collaboration Suites:Blogs,User groups such as google groups Web Browsers:Opera,firefox. Office suites: Products suites Desktop publishing:Avery Product Design program.
Samuel.
Hi Friends, Enterprise sustainability cannot be complete without the use of ICTs,this is simply because we live in a global village,and therefore,ICTs have provided a platform for easy and fast communication to would be suppliers and customers,efficiecy and effectiveness where doing business is concerned,Your Friend Samuel. Sa
My understanding of the role of ICT in Enterprise Sustainability
ICT plays a very important role in Enterprise sustainability. i agree with Chichi that ICT has a role communications between customers and business people.
I will give an personal example
I have been running my business part time and now I am planning to venture into it full time. But before when I was still working due to work commitments , I have always done my orders via internet and these orders are delivered right by my door.
I advertise my products and services to my clients , friends through skype, yahoo chart, google chart.
I have some of my orders which come as far as from China , UK, USA but I still do my business like any other person who travels to all these countries to order their stuff.
I can't say much about the example classes, I am really still learning about them and most of them I only learnt about them few days back when I was reading through the discussions.
wjmbongwe
The role of ICT in enterprice suatnability include among otheres, through shared electronic shared fies and networked worked computerr increeass of busuness processes, it allows information sharing, promotes marketing in areas of competetion and contacts of byuyers and suppliers
Collabortion- google, yahoo
Web broweses - fire fox
Office siutes -openoffice.org
Desktop -
Graphic design
ICTs play a critical role in enterprise sustainability. Although the initial cost of acquiring the equipment may be high, it reduces the cost of doing business in the long term. With the use of ICTs, businesses can reach many more customers, across boundaries.
I am not conversant with the software solutions for sustainable business enterprises. Would like more infrmation on these
