Building shared services at RR communications

Question 1: Advantages of a single customer service
A single customer service ensures is essential for ensuring that there is the easy management of the IT system and the entire organization. There are cost savings compared to having specific IT needs for each division as required by separate customer services for each division.
Consolidation of customer data in one place through leveraging a single service center makes it possible to carry out data mining to generate new opportunities.
The company wants to have one consistent brand and so a single customer service center has a good alignment with that vision.
The presence of separate divisional IT services allows a single audit to take place at the company’s financials and processes. It eliminates the need for individual audits at each division.
The consolidation of company data auditors will help the company to have fewer auditors requirement that will coordinate their task more effectively.
There will be one customer service handling requests; thus, the outsourcing options of the company will help create more value and improve the efficiency of service delivery.
A single customer service brings the IT and business closer in terms of decision-making. It helps join the governance services for all divisions, meaning that every individual in the company will have a share in the company’s future.
Question 2: Implementation strategy for a customer service center to guarantee support from the divisional presidents

Solicit the support of the top management
The soliciting of the support for the management if the first strategic step towards the building of a single customer service center. It will be necessary to have all the presidents agree on the essence of having a single customer service center across the entire organization. It incorporates eliminating their ill-formed mindset that the merger will not be beneficial by highlighting to them the benefits to accrue from the single customer service center. It will involve having a workshop with them to discuss the idea and then presenting clear benefits to them during that workshop and allowing them to make queries as one responds to those queries. There will be a head-to-head comparison of the costs and resources in the requirement for both cases of a separate customer divisions and a single customer center.

Costs and benefits analysis in both cases
Without clear comparisons of costs and benefits in both cases, they will not understand the need for merging the customer centers so as to have a single customer service center. Some of the benefits of talking to the presidents, for instance, will entail three areas that will include regulatory compliance, financial benefits and alleviation of risks. In the case of regulatory compliance, advantages come in three ways in terms of audits, costs of production, and processes. Separate divisional IT services mean there are individual audits at each of the divisions, resulting in the company processes failing to have regulatory compliance. A single customer center fosters the company’s operations, and it helps the company to apply best practices that will consequently shorten audit durations (Laudon & Laudon, 1995).

There is nothing that interest organizational management like hearing that there will be reduced expenses in the daily operations of the business (Moss & Brodie, 2002). That itself will have the presidents’ full support for a single customer service. In terms of reduced expenses, removal of centers from the divisional levels will save resources meant for individual audits. Monitoring of security will also be easy and less costly as it will eliminate the need for specific IT security services. Data mining will also be possible so as to generate new ideas for informed decision-making. Also, data consolidation will shift the risks mitigation from the divisional levels to the central authority, making it possible to apply single and uniform security architecture and policies. Common security protocol and procedures reduce the risk of data breaches (Laudon & Laudon, 1995). The information will also reside in a common framework.

Integrating the Business and IT
After meeting with the presidents and then explaining to them the benefits of the merger and setting the objectives for the project, it is the time to integrate the business and IT. To have an Integration of the two is a vital task required in the organization because there no common IM system in the RR communications. Business and IT integration entails a set of applications supported and delivered, known as the application portfolio (McKeen & Smith, 2009). It is such an integration that will make the business to reap the fruits of its investment. Technology is driving businesses to have great improvements, and it is high time that RR communications have to realize that and integrate business and technology accordingly. A wide gap exists between the IT and business because of the disjoint between the information assets in the organization. The business cannot master the rapid pace of business complexity, but it is possible for it to manage the consequences of its operations (Dvorak et al., 2013).

Question 3: Is it possible to achieve an enterprise vision with a decentralized IT function?

It is not possible to achieve the enterprise vision with a decentralized IT function as this will not support a singular focus on the vision of the enterprise. Each of the lines of business will have their visions on which they will focus, and there will be a little alignment of the divisional visions with the corporate vision. Each division will have to set its strategies for reaching their visions, and this will greatly vary from the enterprise vision achieving strategies. A decentralized IT function in an organization leads to the eruption of many issues in the various divisions. There can be conflicts of interest regarding the management of the IT functions when they exist in a decentralized format. It is hard to have a common strategy and view from the company’s vision when the IT function exists in such a way. The success metrics of each division will only focus on the individual divisions rather than on the enterprise vision.

A centralized IT function ensures that an enterprise runs seamlessly and is relevant to all departments including the accounting and financial (McKeen & Smith, 2011). A single and centralized IT operating system enhances quick decision-making across in the enterprise because all the divisions have a singular view of the same data. The time for making decisions with a decentralized IT functioning is long because there has to be a consensus of all the divisional heads and lengthy brainstorming sessions to come to an agreement. A decentralized system lengthens decision-making. The customers will also have to receive incomplete services for each division, and this will consume much of their time going through all the division of contacting each division.

Question 4: Business and IT problems caused by lack of common information and IM strategy

Lack of a common information and enterprise information management strategy can raise many issues in an enterprise. The mini case shows us that there is tarnishing of the enterprise’s name due to having separate bills for similar business lines. Lack of a common information and IM strategy makes them lack a focus on the new growth opportunities that may emanate from the market. Lack of common enterprise information and IM strategy curtails additional revenue streams that could be possible due to the absence of responsiveness and flexibility (Baum & Singh, 1994). It will be hard to amalgamate information and make substantial plans to seize the upcoming market opportunities. There is also a possibility that conflicts are occurring due to the different approaches of managers to the administration strategies for information (Khan & Sikes, 2014).

Separate paths for information and IM strategies make it difficult to have regulatory compliance in the enterprise. The enterprise lacks synergies, and this leads to a reduction of growth opportunities through the focus on the divisional realm. “Lack of a common information and IM strategy leads to less efficiency of services and high operational costs. That will be uneconomical for the firm” (Porter, 2008). The services offered to customers may be poor due to the many points of service for the customers. That will culminate in loss of customers due to dissatisfaction. Vital projects that can improve the operations of the enterprise will not receive the required support from the business or the IT administration (Smith & McKeen, 2007). That is because of the lack of information sharing and different communication pathways in the enterprise. Lack of a common information and IM strategy makes it difficult to implement uniform data and information security strategies (Smaltz, 2011).

Question 5: Governance mechanisms for common customer data and shared customer service. The useful metrics

There are several governance mechanisms and metrics for encouraging the implementation and usage of a common enterprise data system. The governance mechanisms for ensure common customer data and service center include a common vision of the systems and the IT alignment with the business. The required metrics for that alignment is the sharing of the strategies and the objectives for both IT and business departments. The management should continue to focus on strong risk mitigation, business opportunities, as well as appropriate regulatory practices. Both It and business need to monitor continually the outcomes that are accruing from the merger so as to address any issues that may come up in the course of time. There will be a need for a steering committee that will have the mandate to oversee the progress of the common data and shared customer services. That committee will be reporting to the management periodically.

The steering committee should have a commitment towards ensuring proper monitoring of the strategic operations. RR communications will have to consolidate its data from multiple silos to a single data warehouse, and this will help them achieve the greatest benefit (Smaltz, 2011). They will have to formulate metrics with the idea of improving customer focus because they are the key to improved overall performance. The success of the implementation of the above strategies will not be possible without having appropriate metrics that link the objectives of both sides. The required metrics include putting the divisional data into the organizational structure and then focusing on the validity as well as the speed data.

Everything you need to know about Inductive Proximity Sensor

With the assistance of an Inductive proximity sensor, a metallic object is detected that is available on the active side. The sensor operates on the principle of inductance. In this, with the help of fluctuating current, EMF is induced on the target object.

Thus, proximity sensors help to detect various ferrous targets which include mild steel. It has four major components which include oscillator, coils, Schmitt Trigger, and output amplifier. It has two main versions i.e. Unshielded and Shielded.

Unshielded Inductive Proximity Sensor
The electromagnetic field that is generated by the coil is perhaps unrestricted and thus you get great sensing and wider distances.

Shielded Inductive Proximity Sensor
The electromagnetic field that is generated is present on the front where the sensor coil sides are covered up.

Thus, it is recommended that you purchase a sensor from a good Inductive Proximity Sensor manufacturer in India.

Inductive Proximity Sensor – What is the working Principle?
The oscillator makes use of an oscillating and symmetrical magnetic field that radiates from the coil array and ferrite core at the sensing fence. So, when the ferrous target enters into the magnetic field, then independent and small electrical currents are induced into the surface of the metal.

Further, inductive proximity sensor tends to have a frequency range of about 10 to 20 Hz in AC as well as 500 Hz to 5 kHz in DC. Also, due to the limitations in the magnetic fields, it tends to have a narrow sensing range which on average is about 60 mm.

Thus, there are significant load on the sensor, and thus amplitude of the electromagnetic field is significantly decreased. Likewise, if the metal object tends to move near the proximity sensor, then the eddy current would increase accordingly. So, the oscillator load would very well increase while reducing the amplitude of the field.

Inductive Proximity Sensors – What are the advantages?
It offers contactless detection
It is resistant to several conditions which include dirt and dust
Inductive Proximity Sensors are versatile and capable of metal sensing
It tends to have a high rate of switching
Moving parts are not available which means you tend to have a long service life

Inductive Proximity Sensors – What are the disadvantages?
The detection range is not available to a large extent and the range which is maximum allowed is 60mm.
Only Metal Objects can be detected
Various external conditions such as cutting fluids, extreme temperatures, and chemicals through which sensor performance can be affected.

Inductive Proximity Sensors – What are the applications?
Assembly lines, Machine tools, and automotive industry
Moving parts that are of high-speed
Metal parts detection in a harsh environment

What is the role of Inductive Proximity Sensors in Industrial automation?
The role of Inductive Proximity Sensors in Industrial automation is perhaps to check out the metal components. For instance, an inductive proximity sensor is used to check that the bottle has been capped properly.

Another important use of the inductive proximity sensor is detecting the right position of the end stop or actuator.

So, we can say that an inductive proximity sensor is used to detect the position and presence of the item. Moreover, the sensor is used such that the products can be counted. Thus, it can have a great impact on efficiency and productivity. Lastly, it also boosts the production process safety.

Essay questions

1. Explain the concept of random assignment in experimental design and why it is important

Random assignment is the procedure of randomly assigning the participants to an experimental group. It used in the experimental design to create multiple study groups that consist of participants with similar characteristics. Random assignment ensures that the groups under the study are equivalent right from the beginning. The assumption when using random assignment is that the probability of some peculiarity occurring in one group is similar to the probability of it occurring in another group. Random assignment is important helps protect the researcher from the problems of confounding variables and competing explanations. Confounding variables are the correlated predictors that are included in a statistical model that have a significant influence on analysis results.

Since it is impossible to know the relevant variables to include in the experiment, it is important to use random assignment. The use of random assignment creates an even playing field that ensures that groups only differ in their respective assignments. At the end of the research study, a researcher can attribute any changes observed to individual groups by observing and collecting information about individuals at the beginning. This way, random assignment ensures that the researcher has more confidence that any changes that occur do not arise from characteristics of the group but due to the experiment under study.

2. Ways a survey might be designed so as to maximize respondents’ comfort with personal questions.

As a survey researcher, it is critical to provide all answers to the study. However, not all respondents are willing to respond to questions particularly when the questions require the respondent to provide personal or sensitive information. There are various techniques that a researcher might use when designing a survey so as to maximize respondents comfort with personal questions. For example, the researcher might consider conducting an anonymous Survey. With this type of survey, information may not necessarily be linked to a specific person. The respondents can be comfortable enough to provide personal information in this type of survey since their identity remains anonymous.

Secondly, the researcher may consider asking non-Personal Questions First. The researcher can use the technique to build trust with the respondent before progressing through the survey. When the respondents get to know more and about the research, they may feel less imposed by personal questions. Thirdly, the researcher may express Confidentiality by clearly stating the level of confidentiality and security that the respondent information will be. The researcher can do this through an introductory statement that explains how respondents’ feedback will be kept in strict confidence.

Thirdly, the researcher can introduce himself by composing a well-written statement at the beginning of the survey that details the importance of the respondents’ personal information to the survey. The statement can explain the reason for the personal information and how it contributes to the study. The understanding of the necessity of the information increases the chances of getting a positive response. Also, a researcher should limit questions requiring personal information to only those that are more significant to the study. When personal information is not necessary, the researcher should avoid collecting the information.

3. A newspaper reports from a survey that college students study on average seven hours a week for their classes. Identify the statistics and any other information that you would want to know from this survey before making generalizations about the student population at large, and explain why.

There are various statistics and information that may influence the generalization of results from a study. By using the central limit theorem, the sample should be representative of the population from which it is drawn. The greater the desired generalization, the more representative the sample should be. The second information that would be necessary is the types of statistical tests that have been conducted on the results. A statistical test is important in determining the significance level to see the consistency of data with the null hypothesis. It is also necessary to look at the correlation and regression to see the degree of relationship that exists between the variables.

4. What statistics covered in this chapter (Ch. 6 and Ch. 7) would you consider essential for reporting the results of your research project, and why?

Inferential statistics and descriptive statistics are essential when reporting the results of a research project. It is necessary to provide information about our group of data but also necessary to make generalizations about a particular population from which the samples are drawn. From chapter 6, we can see that Descriptive statistics can provide valuable information about the immediate group of data. They give us a lot more in depth data about the sample under the study. However, sampling allows us to only select a representative number from the population. The procedure of a study does not allow us to access the whole population that we are interested in investigating. Unfortunately, it is impossible to go beyond our set of data by using descriptive statistics alone. Inferential statistics is important to help generalize our results to the whole population. This way, we can be able to confirm our hypothesis more easily when using a limited number from the population.

5. Advantages and disadvantages of semantic differential scales in human communication

The semantic differential Measurement scales provide a bipolar adjective for the respondents to choose along a form of scaling. The scale has the capability of examining the strengths and weaknesses of a concept by using the respondent’s ranking. The means of these responses can then be calculated and then plotted or calculated to profile. One advantage of the Semantic Differential question scale is that it allows the semantic differential to measure directionality and intensity. The great number of response can lead to a deeper cognitive processing that in turn should increase response times. It becomes easier to assign numbers to and make a summary statement about their response. It provides a more valid and multi-dimensional method of scaling.