Introduction
The modern world offers a great variety of opportunities in the sphere of the information technologies. Computers, tablets, and smartphones have already become the essential part of the society. However, despite the popularity, it should be stressed that the vast majority of people does not know the fundamental things regarding the technics. What is the computer?
What is the difference between desktop and web applications? What is operating system? The major purpose of the paper is to find the answers on the stated above questions, evaluate the difference between data, information, and knowledge. In addition, the paper aims to provide the in-depth analysis of the organizational trends and the role of the information systems in the strategy of the Kokubu Food Company.
Body of text
Operating system is an essential part of every computer. The fundamental task of it is to deal with the memory, mechanisms. Due to the system, people can talk to the computer. As the matter of fact, the computer does not speak human languages as it uses only ones and zeroes (“Computer Basics: What Is a Computer?” par. 2).
However, the certain order of ones and zeroes then transforms the numbers to the pictures, movies, or text. It should be stressed that the operating system is the heart of the computer, without it, it would be impossible to use the technical devices (“Computer Basics: Understanding Operating Systems” par. 3). The operating system on my computer was preloaded and is one of the most widespread; it is called Microsoft Windows.
Applications (apps) give the computer the opportunity to perform certain functions. Those apps that are used in the laptops or computers are called desktop apps. However, there is another type of the app, namely mobile one. As long as the app is open, it is used in the operating system. There are different types of apps that are divided into different groups, among them are the following, word processors (Microsoft Word), personal finance (Quicken), web browsers (Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox), various games (Halo, Solitaire), media players (Windows Media Player, iTunes), and gadgets (maps, calculator).
Earlier, when something happened to the computer, the information could not be restored. The modern web apps help to deal this issue. Cloud storage provides the user with an excellent opportunity to have an immediate access to the files. This option is especially valued when for some reason computer is not available. Cloud will give the user access to the email, calendar, music, photos, and files.
Every person who has an email has a cloud as the messages are stored not on the computer but the Internet server (“Computer Basics: Understanding the Cloud” par. 4). I am an active user of the Dropbox. It is great to be able to store and share documents and not to be worried that in the case of some difficulties with the computer they will be gone.
One of the best advantages of the Dropbox is that there is the mobile app, so all the files can be accessed in a minute. Another great supporter is Evernote. Making lists and clip web pages is not the problem now because Evernote will organize the information and will synchronize it with the computer, tablet, and smartphone. The useful online app is Google Docs. This service helps to create presentations, documents, and spreadsheets online.
Desktop apps were the first one to emerge; however, the invention on the Internet gave a push for the creation of the web apps (“Computer Basics: Understanding Applications” par. 2). The evolution of the apps is gaining momentum nowadays. Media players are the examples of the desktop application, whereas the Google Docs is the web one.
Desktop apps function on the computers and laptops only. A number of advantages of the web apps prove the fact that someday desktop apps will be replaced. The functionality and client-orientated server are one of the benefits of the web apps. However, it worth stating that desktop apps are likely not to become outdated. They usually have some requirements regarding the hardware to function in the correct way.
Taking into consideration the peculiarities of the usage of the web apps, it should be stressed that they are usually accessed through the web browser. It is a perfect opportunity for people with the computers of not the best functionality to use the complex system of web apps. In addition, desktop apps are simpler. As the matter of fact, both types of the apps have advantages and disadvantages; however, one should keep in mind that they are only the tool that is perfect for the achievement of specific goals (Li et al. 330).
Both types of apps can be useful for different tasks, for example, the users can work with the spreadsheets in the Microsoft Excel or Google Docs. Microsoft Excel (desktop app) is good for editing and creating the spreadsheets, whereas Google Docs (web app) allows creating, editing, and exchanging the documents online. The major problem of the web apps is that most of them do not work without the Internet access. Nevertheless, the modern IT sphere offers two types of apps and it should be pointed out that the situating will not change until the Internet becomes the omnipotent.
Strategy of the Kokubu Food Company
Kokubu Food Company is a famous food retailer that is present on the market for more than 300 years. The primary goal of the company is to provide the highly professional service for the customers to enjoy. The interesting feature of the organization is that they provide the clients with all the needed information, data, and after visiting the website, the customers gain their knowledge.
The company is focused on merchandising, retailer support, logistics, information system, and quality control. The website offers different data regarding the role of the infrastructure in the growth of the Kokubu group, status of consumption, and quality control. The data are supported by the relevant information that will transform into the knowledge when the user reads the given topics.
As the matter of fact, the organizational trend in the Kokubu Food Company is globalization. The increasing index of the population in different countries across the world influences the food market, as it should increase as well. In the regard of this fact, the Japanese market and the Kokubu Food Company aims to become a part of the developing market in the East and Southeast Asia. The management directed the strategy to the overseas business improvement.
The Kokubu Food Company is centered on the needs of the customers. The organization aims to change the model of running the business. The accent is laid on the healthy lifestyle and the development of the Internet business. The pivotal objective of the company is to satisfy the diverse needs of the customers.
Information is the main tool that should be used while running the business to eliminate the loss. The company characterizes the implemented information systems as “open and centralized” (“Information System Capabilities KOKUBU Group Corporation” par. 1). The managers of the organization understand that the immediate response to all the market changes is needed to achieve the best results, and that is, such concepts are typical for the strategy of the company “improvement of profitability and development of the new business” (“Information System Capabilities KOKUBU Group Corporation” par. 3).
The information system works every minute for the good of the company. Three approaches are used in the Kokubu Food Company, namely KMS (financial accounting), KLS (logistics), and KIS (analysis of the sales) (“Information System Capabilities KOKUBU Group Corporation” par. 2). The systems are considered to be independent, however, it worth stating that they are flexible and always ready for collaboration.
Kokubu has created a new business model and culture. According to the CEO they “created a culture where people are addicted to data, information, and knowledge”. The company provides the customers with the relevant information and data that contribute to the better understanding of the main objective of the company and new opportunities of the food market. However, it should be stressed that the disadvantage of such culture is the risk of the information overload (Vick, Nagano and Popadiuk 293). Nevertheless, professional work of the manager will eliminate this problem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be pointed out that the information technologies are the essential part of the modern society. Data, knowledge, and information influence the life of people in a significant way. The Kokubu Food Company is the example of the successful project that aims to create a new model of business. Globalization, healthy way of life, and customer-orientated service are the pivotal objectives of the organization. The prosperous implementation of the information systems contributes to the development and improvement of the company. Data, information, and knowledge are the guiding powers that lead the company to success and prosperity.
References
Computer Basics: Understanding Applications. n.d. Web.
Computer Basics: Understanding Operating Systems. n.d. Web.
Computer Basics: Understanding the Cloud. n.d. Web.
Computer Basics: What Is a Computer? n.d. Web.
Information System Capabilities KOKUBU Group Corporation. n.d. Web.
Li, Jianxin, Yu Jia, Lu Liu, and Tianyu Wo. “CyberLiveApp: A Secure Sharing and Migration Approach for Live Virtual Desktop Applications in a Cloud Environment.” Future Generation Computer Systems 29.1 (2013): 330-340. Web.
Vick, Elaine, Marcelo Nagano, and Silvio Popadiuk. “Information Culture and Its Influences in Knowledge Creation: Evidence from University Teams Engaged in Collaborative Innovation Projects.” International Journal of Information Management 35.3 (2015): 292-298. Web.