Blog Update #2

As petGRO evolves it's business model from a traditional manufacturer/ wholesaler, by eliminating the retail intermediary, customers will now be able to purchase products and services through an online store. Therefore, petGRO must dramatically change IS infrastructure to suit this change. PetGRO will use the Internet to coordinate a network of suppliers and business partners who will carry out many of the processes involved in building, distributing and supporting pet products.

• Viruses: FedEx may be switching to apple products due to the recent wave in virus of PCs, so it may be more efficient to use apple products. Viruses are less common in Macintosh products using OS X systems because there are more computers that use Windows XP and Windows 7. But as apple products continue to increase in popularity there may be more virus’ arising. As long as safe computer protection practices such as updating software, and maintaining utility software (ex: firewall) are being done, using PCs will not be a problem.
• Digital Divide: There needs to be a strong system of communication with our Mexican plants. There is a possible digital divide in Mexico, where apple products may not be available. Communication may be made more efficient by staying with a product that is more popular throughout these areas of the world. Therefore, PCs would be a better choice.
• Cost: In the first two quarters, petGRO will experience a significant reduction in revenue from the amount of customers that will be lost due to switching to our competitors products when we stop providing our products in retail stores. Not only is Apple hardware more expensive, but also most existing desktops in petGRO are windows 7.  Staying with PCs will save us money especially since we will be experiencing a decrease in revenue.
• Employee training: A large amount of time, money, and effort will be used to trying to train employees how to use this new processing system, for a majority of employees may not know how to use it. PCs will cost less in training, as more people know how to use Windows XP and 7 because they are more popular. 

Therefore, using PCs as oppose to switching to Macs would be better for petGRO.

Blog Update #1

Due to the power outage that Carleton University experienced a few weeks ago, a backup emergency plan should be established in order to help students resume learning and to help submit lab assignments in case the power would happen to fail again. There are many different group collaboration tools existing today and for this suggested backup plan it, would be necessary to take advantage of them.

• Dropbox is a file hosting service that students can download for free and have up to 18 GB of cloud storage. Through this service, the TA can share a folder with all the students who attend their lab and save all the lab powerpoint presentations to this folder. The students and TA can also use this folder to submit and grade work. If the TA set a deadline time or date to submit the assignment, students would not only be graded on the assignment but also a grade would be given on submitting the assignment on time which would substitute for the attendance mark given in the lab.  
• Skype could also be useful depending on the difficulty of the assignment. Skype is a free VoI  service that is available to communicate to others over the internet through video. Most students have updated computers with webcams built in. If the TA decided a time, those students could connect with the TA on Skype for a taught lesson. Skype has a screen shot option where the students would be able to see the TAs screen as he or she goes through the steps of how to complete the assignment. 
• Facebook is another great available resource. Most students currently have a Facebook account. The TA could create a group and invite every student in the lab to join. If the students have any questions about the assignment they could contact other students, or the TA.  This could also be used to submit work. 
• If there are any questions or concerns about the lesson, the TA's personal email should be provided to the students so they can contact them at anytime.