Smart phones - Research Paper Example

Smart phones Smart Phones Introduction The use of smartphones in the business world has become the norm and organizations are beginning to recognize the importance that this technology can provide in the office environment. For instance, the traditional process of managing information systems has been overtaken by more portable technology that provides flexibility in terms of accessing, sharing and utilizing business information between employees of an organization with the aim of improving efficiency at the workplace. Previously, sharing of information within the workplace environment was cumbersome since employees had to move from one depart to another in search or to access important business information. Also, the process was slow and, in particular, the previous management of information systems where most organizations had fewer computers used to retrieve and store information. In addition, the process of sharing information prior to the advent of smartphones was challenging because workers had to take notes from their seniors who sometimes are fast or not audible. However, smartphones bring flexibility and efficiency at the workplace that can help the organization to improve the speed of sharing information and ensuring projects are completed on time (Baltzan, Detlor, & Welsh, 2012). This paper examines how smartphones help to enhance the management of information systems. The importance of smartphones in the management of information systems in organizations The widespread use of smartphones in the office environment as a medium for accessing, sharing and using information is influenced by the need to hasten the communication of vital information between employees in an organization. In a globalized business environment, employees require access to more resources, and this includes vital information that can help them to improve their efficiency and overall performance of the organization. Smartphones are not only portable but also has vital features that can improve the sharing of information between employees in the workplace environment. Such key feature include, for example, voice calling, text, emailing and video conference that has become an important platform where the top management in different geographical location can relay important information to junior staff in other regions across the world. For example, the top management can utilize smartphones for video conferencing since they can communicate important information to workers who are million miles away in real time (Carayannis & Clark, 2011). Further, smartphones also have several software applications that are relevant for sharing vital informational resources. These applications can be used for creating and storing informational resources thus hastening the delivery of services both in the workplace and the external environment. Before the onset of smartphone technology, most informational resources were retrieved from stationary computers that were cumbersome in the sense, they did not support the mobility required in a fast paced work environment. However, the advent of smartphones has allowed workers to have the information they need to conduct business at their fingertips. Currently, most consultants or brokers can conduct their business anywhere. The traditional method of carrying out business in the office no longer suffices. In addition, the global marketplace is volatile and thus requires organizations to develop new strategies that can help to improve their businesses (Thomas & Vom Broke, 2010). This involves looking for the targeted customer demographics and conducting business on the spot. This has been made possible by the Apps that are created using smartphones. For instance, a real estate agent can convince a prospective customer without having to go the physical site by using an App that provides a comprehensive detail of the properties that they sell to customers. This not only makes business more flexible, but also improves the profitability of an organization in the sense that clients approached can seal a deal at any location other than the office (Thomas & Vom Broke, 2010). Most customers or consumers and, in particular, the millennials who are smartphone enthusiasts prefer to access information from businesses using their smartphones rather than visiting the business’s physical location to inquire for information. In essence, smartphone plays an important role in fast-tracking the sharing of information between the prospective clients or customers and businesses. Among the most used information management apps include Evernote for instance that can allow users to take notes, record an audio in a conference, store pictures that can be used to market the products of an organization, for example, and organizing informational resources in a sequential manner to allow ease access to information available in the electronic database. Other information management apps that have revolutionized accessibility, sharing and use of information include cloud-based storage and file-sharing services. These apps can help workers to improve the security of their information systems in the sense that cloud-based storage and file-sharing services allow users to store, edit and share vital information without necessarily exchanging such information using a flash drive for instance that can end up into unintended persons. However, this requires employees to be discreet with the information they hold and only exchange such information with the bonafide workers of the same organization. An example a cloud-based storage service that is used most organizations is Dropbox, and it essential in uploading files, sharing and managing the information using Google Docs, for example (Johnston, 2011). On another note, a competitive business environment requires employees working in various organizations to have the contacts of their customers ready at all times. Smartphones play an important role in terms of allowing individuals to save multiple contacts in their phones which they can retrieve within seconds. It is possible for a business entity to lose a lucrative contract because they did not have the contacts with the key players at their fingertips. As a result, they are overtaken by competitors who rely on smartphones to improve every facet of their business venture. The world has embraced technology and permitting workers to use their own smartphones to conduct business deals not only benefit the worker in terms of convenience, but also help businesses to be flexible in a competitive marketplace (Fettke, Houy, & Loos, 2010). Among the smartphones that are popular on the market today and used by professional to improve their performance and productivity include, for example, Apple’s iPhones, Samsung Galaxy and HTC. The firms that manufacture these mobile devices are still inventing new features that will only improve the use of smartphones in the management of information systems. Technological advancement has allowed individuals the opportunity to have informational resources at their fingertips. For instance, most workers get new updates almost on a daily basis that provides them with guidelines of what they are supposed to do at the workplace (Wexler, 2005). Initially, it was challenging for workers to move around with heavy files that they rely on to carry their duties efficiently. However, with the advent of smartphones, workers have the pleasure of using digitized files that they can store in their smartphone. As a result, the tedious nature of moving around with files is reduced and individuals are more flexible in terms of retrieving and using information stored in digitized files compared to perusing through volumes of files to retrieve the information to be used. Smartphones have also changed how individuals can carry out their duty in the sense that, some people now can work in the comfort of their homes. For instance, individuals can complete pending work over the weekend or at night rather than having to do the same work in the office and at odd hours. This is because, they can easily store the information they need to complete the work in their smart phones (Baltzan, Detlor, & Welsh, 2012). Conclusion In a globalized and competitive business environment, organizations need to be more adaptable in terms of managing their information systems. Further, remaining relevant in a competitive environment require organizations to hasten accessibility and sharing of vital information. As such, embracing the latest technology such as the use of smartphones for storing, accessing and sharing information ensures that workers remain alert in terms of exploiting new informational resources that they receive. References Baltzan, P., Detlor, B., & Welsh, C. (2012). Driven Information Systems, 3rd Canadian Edition.Ontario, Canada: McGraw-Hill Ryerson. Carayannis, E., & Clark, S. (2011). Do Smartphones Make for Smarter Business? The Smartphone CEO Study. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 2(2), 201-233. Fettke, P., Houy, C., & Loos, P. (2010). On the Relevance of Design Knowledge for Design- Oriented Business and Information Systems Engineering: Conceptual Foundations, Application Example, and Implications.Business & Information Systems Engineering,2 (6), 347-358. Johnston, R. (2011). Tablets & Smartphones: Business Tools or Toys?CPA Practice Advisor, 21(1), 16-17. Thomas, O., & Vom Broke, J. (2010). A value-driven approach to the design of service-oriented information systems--making use of conceptual models. Information Systems and eBusiness Management,8(1), 67-69. Wexler, J. (2005). The Many Faces of Smartphones.Communications Review, 35(1), 50-53. Read More