War of the Worlds Coursework Essay Example

War of the Worlds Coursework Essay Example War of the Worlds Coursework Essay War of the Worlds Coursework Essay How did the changes in the narrator reflect the writers concerns for humanities future?The narrator at the beginning of the book was a happy, well fed and servant supported man. The attack of the Martians changes the narrators life enormously. The changes of the narrator show the struggles of a man trying to avoid being exterminated by the Martians. The writer purposely leaves the man unnamed as he represents the struggle of mankind during the invasion of the Martians to create the feeling of empathy. Each change in the narrator shows how the writer has concerns for humanities future in the world. I will describe all the main changes in the main changes in the narrator and explain how this reflects the writers concerns for humanity with quotes relating certain changes in the narrator.The first change of the narrator is significant. It is one of the biggest changes in the narrator which shapes the rest of the time in which he avoids being exterminated. The narrator was a man that was content with his present circumstances and change was not necessary but after the invasion, it seemed difficult not to. He went from this to a situation where he was struggling for survival. This is a lot for a man to handle. His world of being content and living was destroyed due to the invasion of the Martians; he had to abandon his home and quickly became separated from his wife to fight for his life...But a panic terror not only of the Martians, but of the dusk and stillness all about me. Such an extraordinary affect in unmanning me it had that I ran weeping silently as a child might do. Once I had turned, I did not dare look back.This quote tells us that it his surroundings made him become distressed and upset, the reign of the Martians had begun, it is described as though they had brought an aura of terror to the atmosphere of the Earth, consequently, making mankind become pests to this brutal suppression. The narrator says that he weeps silently which is something of what a c hild might do. This is a unlike a middle aged man, this shows that the narrator has changed and the invasion has affected him emphatically. The writer shows that he is concerned for humanities future by trying to put across to the reader that humans will struggle to a massive extent to stay alive if an invasion occurs, not just literally by a machine or an alien species but by disease or plague.The narrator believed that humans were almighty and seemed very powerful. After the invasion, the narrator had then realised that they are a delicate and inferior species when compared to the likes of the Martians which are a much more advanced intelligence. This is a change in the narrator in his way of thinking. This shows that the writer has concerns for humanity because he worries for mankind at how easily they can be overpowered by such brutal forces.At times of woe and suffering, humans need to work together as one to fight evil. Before the invasion, humans treated one another with disr espect and ungraciousness. This was realised by the narrator after the invasion when the attack was in progress. Humanity needed to change for the better and work as a group to avoid becoming extinct. This also shows that the writer is concerned for humanities future because humans may treat each other even worse in years to come and that he is using the narrator to portray this anxiety. Humans will compete for survival to see who the fittest folk are; hence, there will be competition and conflict amongst humans resulting in humans treating each other even worse.Law and order are the rules and regulations which make the world just and equal. If these rules and regulations are removed, Earth will become chaos and all hell will break loose. The law and order before the invasion was sufficient for human existence with no extreme elements. This is why after the invasion, law and order had disappeared. This change is important as it can be noticed by the reader and most definitely by the narrator. This relates to the narrator because he was a good and honest man that would never foresee himself committing an act of murder but under the circumstances where his own life was at risk and where law and order had disappeared; murder suddenly became a way of survival. So there are two changes to be considered in the narrator at this point, the first is that he had realised that law and order had vanished and the second change is that the narrator had gone from an agreeable, respectable and righteous man to a criminal and a man of disgrace with blood on his hands. The writer has concerns for humanity because law and order will not stop a mass invasion as it all disappears due to insane human behaviour. The writer is trying to imply that human behaviour will become barbaric at times like this. Also, the narrator kills the curate making the reader think that the invasion has completely changes the narrator, the writer may be trying to imply that all men will at some point be come disconcerting of others and will kill if put under serious pressure in certain circumstances.The thinking of mankind is that the power that they hold was immense and that humans could conquer all. The writer is almost blatantly trying to make the reader realise that humans are not as powerful as they think because when an invasion occurs of some sort, they become helpless, science and technology is dematerialized and the only force left is nature. Human capabilities are overpowered without hesitation by the Martians and many are killed very quickly. There are forces in this world that scientists may still have not have discovered which may cease to be the conservation of the Earth. This is a very important change as it saves the world from becoming annihilated by the Martians; the narrator is changed by this because this certain force of nature has saved him from extermination. The writer has concerns for humanities future because he believes that humans think that they are muc h too powerful and they underestimate the power of the outside world and what effect it may have on the Earth. The writer believes human capabilities will not win against the odds; therefore, natural forces will prosper.As a conclusion, after the changes of the narrator have been explained and how these changes reflect the writers concerns for humanities future, I can say that the narrator went from a normal life of a man living on Earth to a man with an experience where he had struggled for survival, murdered, eaten scraps from the street and realised many things about mankind which would not be thought about when leading a common and average life in London.

Robert Edward Lee Essays - Fitzhugh Family Of Virginia, Free Essays

Robert Edward Lee Essays - Fitzhugh Family Of Virginia, Free Essays Robert Edward Lee They say you had to see him to believe that a man so fine could exist. He was handsome. He was clever. He was brave. He was gentle. He was generous and charming, noble and modest, admired and beloved. He had never failed at anything in his upright soldier's life. He was born a winner, this Robert E. Lee. Except for once. In the greatest contest of his life, in a war between the South and the North, Robert E. Lee lost (Redmond). Through his life, Robert E. Lee would prove to be always noble, always a gentleman, and always capable of overcoming the challenge lying before him. Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19, 1807 (Compton's). He was born into one of Virginia's most respected families. The Lee family had moved to America during the mid 1600's. Some genealogist can trace the Lee's roots back to William the Conqueror. Two members of the Lee family had signed the Declaration of Independence, Richard Lee and Francis Lightfoot. Charles Lee had served as attorney General under the Washington administration while Richard Bland Lee, had become one of Virginia's leading Federalists. Needless to say, the Lees were an American Political dynasty (Nash 242). Lee's father was General Henry Light-Horse Harry Lee. He had been a heroic cavalry leader in the American Revolution. He married his cousin Matilda. They had four children, but Matilda died in 1790. On her death bed she added insult to injury upon Henry Lee by leaving her estate to her children. She feared Henry would squander the family fortune. He was well known for poor investments and schemes that had depleted his own family's fortune (Connelly 5). Henry Lee solved his financial problems by marrying Robert's mother Anne Carter, daughter of one of Virginia's wealthiest men (Nash 242). Henry Lee eventually spent his family into debt. Their stately mansion, Stratford Hall, was turned over to Robert's half brother. Anne Lee moved with her children to a simple brick house in Alexandria. Light Horse Harry was seldom around. Finally, in 1813 he moved to the West Indies. His self-exile became permanent, and he was never seen again by his family (Thomas). Young Robert had other family problems. His mother became very ill. At the age of twelve he had to shoulder the load of not only being the family's provider, but also his mother's nurse. When time came for Robert to attend college, it was obvious his mother could not support him financially. She was already supporting his older brother at Harvard and three other children in school. In 1824 he accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy. During his time at West Point Lee distinguished himself as a soldier and a student. Lee graduated with honors in 1829 (Nash 245). His graduation was dampened by a call to the bedside of his ailing mother. When he arrived home he found his fifty-four year old mother close to death. A death caused by struggles and illnesses of her difficult life. Robert was always close to his mother. He again attended to her needs until her death. On July 10, 1829, Anne Lee died with Robert, her closest son, at her side. Forty years later Robert would stand in the same room and say, It seems but yesterday that his beloved mother died (Connelly 6). While awaiting his first assignment, Lee frequently visited Arlington, the estate of George Washington Parke Custis. Custis was the grandson of Martha Washington and the adopted son of George Washington. After Martha's death Custis left Mount Vernon and used his inheritance to build Arlington in 1778. Arlington was set on a hill over looking the Potomac river and Washington D.C. (NPS Arlington House). Custis had only one daughter, Mary Anna Randolph. Mary had been pampered and petted throughout her life. Lee's Courtship with Mary soon turned serious, before long they were thinking of marriage. However, before Robert could propose he was assigned to Cockspur Island, Georgia. Robert returned to Arlington in 1830. He and Mary decided to get married. The two were married on June 30, 1831(Nash 248). Shortly there after the Lees went to Fort Monroe. Mary was never happy here. She soon went back to Arlington. Mary hated army life. She would, for the most part, stay at Arlington throughout the rest of Robert's time in the United States Army. The fact that he was separated from his family, and that he was slow to move up in rank, left Lee feeling quite depressed a great deal of

A review in light of the policy concerns Term Paper

A review in light of the policy concerns - Term Paper Example The share of federal budget awarded to each State corresponded with the rise in cases their respective welfare systems had to deal with, leaving no incentive for the States to consider curtailing the number of cases. Thus, amidst growing dissent, Clinton signed the aforementioned Act into effect in August 1996. Nickel and Dimed portrays the deficiencies of this system. While there is an obvious incentive for unskilled but able-bodied idlers to seek work and support their families themselves albeit at minimum wage, such incentive has little to offer as Ehrenreich, as a result of her practical experiments in Florida, Maine and Minnesota proves that wages tend to be minimum while work is all the more labor intensive, resulting in her being unable to save enough at the end of the month and struggle to put forth next month’s rent (Ehrenreich, 2001). In the case of a health emergency, she would find herself in a quagmire of financial difficulties. This can be relaxed by policy measu res at the hands of the government in favor of awarding free health care to those who are honest contributors to society but fall within a relaxed income bracket, while still encouraging them to work. Ehrenreich’s belief regarding her skin color may be warranted by the notion that racism is particularly strong when the individuals dealing with each other both belong to a different class. If an upper class citizen deals with a lower class poverty line worker earning minimum wage, certain precepts come into play that have become part of the moral dilemma within American societies.

The Color Purple Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Color Purple Film - Essay Example Theme of the film Color Purple The film capitalized on its ability to depict scenes visually. One problem, however, was that the plot of the novel was too long to fit into a reasonable time scale for a movie. This led to some important parts of the book being removed. One important part was missing in the end. In the book, Celie standing up to Albert was the turning point of the story, as it forced Albert to reevaluate his personality. The movie left this crucial transformation out. This would explain why black men were angered by the movie. (Denby, 56) Albert was shown in the immigration office, but he was never shown to have any remorse for the way he treated Celie, and that left his character incomplete. The film shows that Shug Avery made a tremendous impact on Celie's life. She taught Celie how to love, laugh, and live. Some parts of this novel are hard to read and understand because they are letters written by Celie but Walker does a very good job letting the reader know what t he characters are feeling. The film goes after the componential features that made the book thriving. Among these features, the most prominent is well-built and well knitted character growth. Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey left no stone unturned in playing leading roles as Celie and Sofia. Danny Glover was also splendid, and along with these main characters, the supporting cast, too, did an evenly inspiring task. The plot is fabricated deep into the chain of events and the characters all through, while never holding back even a single drop of sentiment. Such stuff keeps the audience judging every prospective occurrence and counter checking every facet. Its levels of story lines make possible the series of events fascinating. It verifies that there's certain more to Celie's life... The film The Color Purple originally written by Alice Walker was directed by Steven Spielberg and its screenplay was written by Menno Meyjes. The film was made in 1985. Alice Walker's novel "The Color Purple" and afterwards its film adaptation by Steven Spielberg's have raised gigantic and hot debate between media and African-American community. A great part of this controversy covers even the extensive belief that both the novel and the film portray black male characters with a partial and unconstructive approach. They are typified as stereotypical tyrant, abusers, rights usurpers and rapists who are just there to dictate and oppress women in their life. This is, if analyzed thoroughly, not the first time Walker has been charged associated with gender and racial controversy pertaining to the black male characters depicted in her novels. Walker, in her own defense, has stated several times that women all too often are abused by the men they love. She adds that all of the characters i n her novels, male and female, represent people that she has known throughout her life.

Case study following Essay Example for Free

Case study following Essay Each student needs to complete a case study write-up and submit by the due date following the submission requirements outlined in the course profile (and provided below). Students need to address the following questions in their case study write-up for the Kanthal A case: 1. Describe the competitive environment in which Kanthal operates. 2. Describe in detail how the old cost system operates. Your answer should include a detailed description of how selling, general and administrative (S,G A) costs are treated. 3. What is the opportunity faced by Kanthal in relation to reducing batch costs? 4. Describe in detail how the new cost system works. Your answer should include a detailed analysis of the calculations in Exhibit 5 and a description of the each of the steps and their importance in in the new cost system. Within each of the steps, the derivation of the separate line should be shown. 5. Calculate the profit on the following orders using information from Exhibit 5. The characteristics of the orders are: †¢ Order 1: Sales SEK2000, 1 order, In stock †¢ Order 2: Sales SEK2000, 1 order, Non Stock †¢ Order 3: Sales SEK160000, 3 orders, Non Stock. †¢ Order 4: Sales SEK160000, 28 orders, 22 Non Stock All of your calculations are to be derived from Exhibit 5. This includes Volume Costs, Order costs for Non-Stocked Products and Selling and Administrative Order Costs. What does a comparison of the orders show? From Exhibit 6 and Exhibit 7 provide an example which matches closely to the four orders above. 6. What are some action plans that Kanthal might pursue in response to information provided from the new cost system? Case Write-up Requirements: Your case write-up should consist of your individual response to each of the questions provided. These questions are aimed at directing your attention to the major problem and issues faced by the company and allow you to apply the concepts and principles covered in ACCT7107 to date to a real business. There is no requirement to answer more than what has been asked in these questions nor to prepare the write-up as a report, however, headings and sub-headings should be used within the answers to each questions to facilitate a good flow. You are limited to 800 words (12 point font and minimum 1. 5 line spacing). The case study will be graded according to your individual write-up. Students are encouraged to follow the ‘How to Prepare a Case Study’ approach prepared by Sid Huff and Ron Weber provided as a handout in Week 1(also provided in the Lecture 1 Learning Materials on the course blackboard website). Submission Requirements: The submission requirements outlined in the course profile are provided below: Submission: Students must submit their case write-up with completed BEL Faculty Assignment cover sheet by 4pm on Friday 2 September, 2011 to the BEL Faculty Collaborative Learning Centre (Level 1 Bldg 39). Students should also note the new requirements for assignment submission also taken from your course profile (section 5. 4 Other Assessment Information): All assignments are now to be electronically submitted via Blackboard. The instructions for submission are in the Online Submission Folder in your course Blackboard site. The online submission is in addition to any other submission requirements that appear in this ECP. Students should also refresh themselves with the University’s policy on academic integrity and plagiarism. The relevant information taken from your course profile is presented below: Academic Integrity It is the Universitys task to encourage ethical scholarship and to inform students and staff about the institutional standards of academic behaviour expected of them in learning, teaching and research. Students have a responsibility to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity in their work. Students must not cheat in examinations or other forms of assessment and must ensure they do not plagiarise. Plagiarism The University has adopted the following definition of plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of misrepresenting as ones own original work the ideas, interpretations, words or creative works of another. These include published and unpublished documents, designs, music, sounds, images, photographs, computer codes and ideas gained through working in a group. These ideas, interpretations, words or works may be found in print and/or electronic media. Students are encouraged to read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policy (http://www. uq. edu. au/hupp/index. html?page=25128) which makes a comprehensive statement about the Universitys approach to plagiarism, including the approved use of plagiarism detection software, the consequences of plagiarism and the principles associated with preventing plagiarism. If students cannot meet the due date for the case study write-up, the following university policies and guidelines apply: Applications for Extensions †¢ Medical grounds: Applications for extension on medical grounds shall be made by lodging the Application for Extension of Progressive Assessment form and supporting documentation at the location outlined in Section 5. 3 of the Electronic Course Profile for the course concerned. †¢ Exceptional circumstances: Applications for extension on the grounds of exceptional circumstances shall be made to the relevant Course Coordinator/Program Director by lodging the Application for Extension of Progressive Assessment form and a personal statement outlining the grounds for the application at the location and by the due date outlined in Section 5. 3 of the Electronic Course Profile for the course in which this application is made. If the exceptional circumstances are such that the student cannot reasonably be expected to have complied with these conditions, a case should be made as to why these conditions could not be met. †¢ Outcome of application: Students will be advised of the outcome of their application via their student email. Note: A Case Study submitted after the due date and time (for which no extension has been granted prior to the due date), will incur a late submission penalty. The penalty is at the rate of 5% of the total available marks for the assessment item, for each calendar day or part thereof that it remains overdue.

SO Jewett Nature :: essays papers

SO Jewett Nature The Conception of Nature and its Relationship to Gender in S.O. Jewett^Ã’s story "A White Heron." "Nature, in the common sense, refers to the essences unchanged by man^Ã…" From the very first steps of the new settlers on the American continent, its uncivilized nature, full of smell of the forests, of freshness of the air, and of almost prelapsarian variety of flora and fauna, came to be associated with unlimited wilderness. However, under the vigorous attack of developing civilization the untouched virginity of the New World soon began to recede, irretrievably losing its wild independent beauty. For a great number of American writers this confrontation of nature with civilization became a theme for the never-ending discussion. The short story of an American writer regionalist Sarah Orne Jewett, "A White Heron", is one of the works written on this touching American theme. In this story the author presents the conflict by juxtaposing a little country-girl Sylvia, who lives in harmony with nature, to the bird-hunter from a town. She does so through identification of a girl with nature and boys ^ with civilization. While the girl stands for the innoc ent femininity of natural world, who loves and cares about the creatures around, the boys are associated with aggression, danger and warlike elements of civilization. Thus she implies the idea that nature is just like a harmless little girl just exists in peace with every tiny thing around, while civilization, like a young man with a gun, by its utilitarian love for nature senselessly annihilates the artless creation. From the opening lines of the story Sarah Orne Jewett ushers her readers into the magic world of untouched beauty of the "New England wilderness" (WH, p.200): "the woods were already filled with shadows one June evening^" (WH, p.197). The reader is immediately charmed and has no choice but to proceed, to walk further, among the trees, until he meets a little girl, walking by the forest path together with her "plodding" (WH, p.

Problem of Maoist Insurgency

Maybe when this article is read,an innocent tribal or a compelled jawan is ‘unreportedly’ being killed on the fringes of national mainstream by a so-called ‘maoist’. â€Å"Naxalism:single biggest internal security threat† screamed The Economic Times on 14th April,2006. And the threat has just got bigger. Our Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram drew lots of flak for ‘Operation Green Hunt’. Recently,our President Pratibha Patilhas urged the naxalites to shun violence and resort to talks. But one Question that comes to mind is â€Å"what prompted the Maoist uprising? (even Derek O’Brien was confronted wid the question when he visited the IIM-C recently). The basis of the answer may lie with the ‘Green Revolution’. It brought fruits to farmers,but only in some pockets of India. The rest of India has witnessed some violent uprisings against the state. But the naxalite problem has deeper roots. Poverty,land alienation,lack o f access to basic forest resources,largescale unemployment and exclusion from national mainstream are the common grievances among the rural population in east and central India.Despite being the most mineral-rich states in India,Chhatisgarh,Jharkhand,Orissa and West Bengal count among the poorest. Area| India| Chhatisgarh| Jharkhand| Orissa| West Bengal| Per-Capita Income| `24,295| `16,740| `15,303| `16,149| `23,229| Table showing per-capita income of Chhatisgarh,Jharkhand,Orissa and West Bengal in comparision with India. It is these resources and the irrational attitude of Indian Federal System towards them that forms the core of dissent among people here.For instance,tribals in mineral-rich Bastar in Chhatisgarh do not get a fair share of the resources from miningin the forests that they inhabit. The ‘freight equalization policy’ of the government hampered these states from translating their natural resources’ advantage into industrial growth. ,and led to the C entral Govt. Pocketing the lion’s share of royalties from mining. The complete failure of instruments like the ‘Panchayat(Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act,1996 and the Forest(Conservation) Act,1980 in these areas have only aggravated the problem.So,for the adivasis,Sarkar is exploiter in the form of forest officials who deny them entry into the forest,the police who demanded bribes and state-sponsored contractors who paid less than the minimum wage. The exploitation by the landlords and mahajans ,and lack of basic amenities of human existence only flare up the problem. Ajit Buxla,maoist leader,correctly points out, â€Å"When you see death taking tolls on your near and dear ones and you know their life could have been saved had they been given proper and timely medication,you are forced to believe that the existence of state has nothing to do with tha life of poor & maginalized. ENTER THE MAOISTS. treading on the Marxism-Leninism theoretical lineage of ‘anni hilation of class enemies’,the naxalites strategically take Maoism lineage against the state. â€Å"The Communist Party of India-Maoist(CPI-Maoist)†,formed on September 21,2004,was quick to notice that the causes of dissent was different in different states,and cashing in on the emotions of the local people,they staged violent uprisings. Over 600 lives have been lost in the militia’s process of forming ‘the Red Corridor’ or ‘Compact Revolutionary Zone(CZR)’.Though the naxalites have been more or less ousted from Andhra Pradesh,the three-fold-layer strategy of the maoist insurgency has led to the rebels gaining control of more ares. The sources of funding of the naxalites are extortion of ransoms,cultivating opium in Malkangiri district,charging the traders and buisnessmen who pass through the ‘Red Corridor’,and producing and smuggling enormous quantity of marijuana. But slowly,this movement ‘for the people’ has turned ‘against the people’.The tribals are being victims of human rights’ violations,such as,murder of all kinds,tortures,outrages upon personal dignity,extortions,etc. moreover,the rebels have interfered,challenged and destroyed the age-old social taboos of the tribals which is leading to growing resentment among the locals against them. As it is clear,no one-size-fits-all solution can be applied for this intuiging problem. The very root of the problem has to be axed through,& that too in a sensible manner.Mere military engagement of the maoist insurgents wont solve the problem. It will only joepardise the locals even more. Creation of civilian militas like ‘Salwa Judum’ should be shunned as they expose civilians to unnecessary danger,and only translate into abdication of security responsibility by the state. The State should provide security guarantees against retribution by cadres of the naxalites and should use the knowhow of such cadres in informative strategies against the rebels.The civil society representatives such as eminent personalities,political leaders,NGO’s should step-in as mediators between the state and the maoists. But most importantly,the grievances that increase the appeal of the maoists should be mitigated. There should be direct effort for development in these areas. The locals should be given employment and conditional cash transfers that counter the widespread deprivation in the region,thus,reducing the ‘recruitment-pool’ of the maoists.Investments shoul be made in social-overheads which would allow the locals easy access to the urban marketswhere they can sell their dairy products and forest-related products like cashew,chironji,lac,etc which have high market-value. The tribals should be empowered through education and a self-sustaining economic scheme,funded largely by mining revenues of the state,can be implemented to provide skills,literacy,healthcare,and above all,dignity and social justice to the people. As D. Bandopadhyay. retired-IAS officer experienced in dealing with naxalites in West Bengal in the 70’s,puts it, â€Å"Naxalism has emerged as a result of deficit in planning;constant alienation has made people take up arms,and its time one understands the problem as not just a law & order problem,but one that’s foundations are socio-economic. † India cannot afford a â€Å"lost generation† in the insurgency-affected areas even as it takes rapid steps towards becoming a global economic power. Ending the maoist insurgency needs to be a national priority.Else till then the voice of Koteshwar Rao(nom de guerre Kishanji) would continue to ring alarm bells inside startled ministers & common folk. The authorities would not be making the rules†¦ he would.References:- (1) â€Å"35-yr old tribal killed by Maoists†, The Deccan Chronicle, 19th January 2008. (2) â€Å"Maoists slay three tribals in Chhatisgarhâ₠¬ , Thaindian News, 21st March,2008. Sources:- (1) â€Å"India Research Group. † (2) â€Å"Down To Earth. † (3) â€Å"Institute of South Asian Studies,Roundtable Session(ISAS)†,14th March,2007. (4) â€Å"International Relations and Security Network(ISN)†,ETH Zurich.

Marketing Excellence: BMW Essay

1. What are the pros and cons to BMW’s selective target marketing? What has the firm done well over the years and where could it improve? When I see someone riding in a BMW, I know that they must be making good money. The stereotype for people who drive BMW’s is that they are rich, and these are the people that the people over at BMW target. The pros to targeting the higher income population is that they will be targeting people who are more likely to purchase their product. Since BMW is known as a luxury car, people who have lower incomes are less likely to purchase from them. The cons to the selective marketing are that by not advertising to lower income people, they have nothing to be motivated for. Someone could see a BMW ad, and be motivated to one day own one. Since the market is specifically the wealthier incomes, the lower income population may not be as aware of BMW. I see commercials for Mercedes all of the time now, and I know that I can’t afford one yet. As soon as I’m able too, I plan on making it a priority to purchase a Mercedes. The firm has done a great job of improving its vehicle s over the years. They have added so many electronic features to its cars to stay up to date with technology. BMW also has come out with high-performance SUV’s for people with larger families and who are more active. To improve, I would suggest that they maybe create a model for the lower income population. Considering the majority of the population is middle-class or lower, there is a whole untapped market for BMW to reach. Read more:Â  BMW Essay 2. BMW’s sales slipped during the worldwide recession in 2008 and 2009. Is its segmentation strategy too selective? Why or why not? I would say that their strategy is not too selective. During the recession, everybody struggled. So to blame BMW for their strategy that had made them so successful in the first place would not be fair. I believe that their strategy could’ve actually helped them during that time. Since BMW is so selective, they are only targeting people that have money anyways. So money that they spend on advertising wasn’t necessarily being wasted.

Chapter 1 Systems Analysis and Design Thesis (Resort) Research Paper Example

Chapter 1 Systems Analysis and Design Thesis (Resort) Research Paper Example Chapter 1 Systems Analysis and Design Thesis (Resort) Paper Chapter 1 Systems Analysis and Design Thesis (Resort) Paper CHAPTER 1 THE PROBLEM AND THE REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE INTRODUCTION A resort is like a small community composed of buildings and facilities located in a scenic area that provides lodging, entertainment, and a relaxing environment for people on vacation. Basic accommodations offered by resorts nowadays are swimming pools, cottage and room rentals, and restaurants. The resort business is becoming popular nowadays due to the growing demand of people for a convenient one-stop-place of leisure and comfort. The resort is a business in which they offer enjoyable moments to visitors to make them feel that something worth noticing happens. Vacationers enjoy significant moments and the charm they feel also rewards the organization with genuine monetary gain in lieu of the staffs’ persistent efforts to make such places heavenly. Villa Concepcion Wet Wild Waves, Inc. is a growing resort business located in Masuso, Pandi, Bulacan. If people want to avoid the crowded areas especially during the hot summer season, this resort is definitely their choice. It has seven pools to choose from and a variety of affordable cottages and rooms available for the guests. They allow telephone reservations and accept walk-in guests. In today’s world, information technology is becoming a necessity. It helps in doing things easier, faster, and more convenient. It is beneficial to individuals and organizations such as business enterprises, companies, institutions, and the government. One big contribution of the information technology is the computer. A  computer  is a machine which can take instructions, and perform computations based on those instructions. Computers are fast becoming our way of life and one cannot imagine life without computers in today’s world. You go to a hotel for reservation, you buy a ticket for a cinema, you go to a library, or you go to a bank, you will find computers at all places. Almost all business entities use computer systems in dealing with their transactions and storage of their files. Computer has made the work easy with its speed, memory, reliability in computing, and ease to retrieve data. The study is made for the VCWWWI that deals with day-to-day operations transaction systems, room and cottages reservation, property management system, conference and banqueting system, and stock-control system. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE History of Resorts Roman Empire: Baths The origin of resorts can be traced back to the second century B. C. to the public baths of Rome. The first baths were small, modest and separated the genders. Eventually, the baths became larger, more elaborate and were opened to both men and women. These baths were large buildings built at the public’s expense. Some were even built by wealthy emperors who wanted to make a statement. Most baths were free but few had small entrance fees. Baths were much like resorts of today because of all the amenities offered at their location. After bathing there was always plenty to do. Most baths included gyms, libraries, snack bars, restaurants, shops, lounges, taverns, museums and theatres. The facilities were used for health and social purposes. Europe: Mass Follows Class The first noteworthy resort area was developed in Belgium in 1326 in a town now called Spa. An ironmaster, named Colin le Loup, was cured of a long-term illness when he bathed in the iron-rich waters near Liege. He opened a shelter there and the town surged in popularity. Spa means fountain. The popularity of spas and resorts in England is a result of King Charles II visiting trendy hot spots in the 1600s. Today, royalty and superstars still seem to set trends of where the best places to go are. Many English spas are unique because they have gambling and dancing. Spas also became popular because of the medical benefits that were attributed to them such as waters that were rich in certain minerals and could cure ailments. The Swiss resort industry was developed in the 1800s to aid the need of private resort facilities for more prosperous people. At the time, travel was not simple. People who traveled to resorts stayed for long periods of time – up to two months to get the best value for their travel expenses. This led to resort facilities being built to accommodate a guest better than your average inn. Hotel Baur au Lac, built in Zurich, was the first resort to utilize the value of a scenic view. At first, Switzerland resorts were seen as summer places, but soon skiing became popular as well as gambling. North America: Spas Like Europe, North American hotels were developed around spas in the late 1800s. The first resorts were built first in the east in Virginia, New York and West Virginia. Shortly after, seaside resorts became popular. It was not until later that beach resorts were built in the south and mountain-based resorts were developed out west. The first luxury resort was built in 1829 in Boston. It was called the Tremont House and featured bellboys, gaslights instead of candles and marble and private rooms with locks for each family. The first ‘big’ hotel was built by Gideon Putman in Saratoga Springs, New York centered   on the hot sulfur spa there. http://iml. jou. ufl. du/projects/Spring05/Osterer/history. html Water-based Resorts While mountain-based and golf and tennis-based resorts are geared toward people that are relatively athletic, water-based resorts target people with all abilities. One can relax on a beach for hours without lifting a finger. Another could swim or jet ski until they are exhausted. Water-based resorts serve different ability levels of people and all ages. Many resorts design their facility around the natural environment that surrounds them. This allows them to frame their recreational activities to the natural land. This enables them to create amenities unique to their property. Often resorts use water for a variety of recreational activities that cater to a wide range of people. These include: * Natural beaches that may be used for sunbathing, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, sandcastle building, jet skiing, kayaking, etc. * Trails and open spaces can be designed around lakes and wetlands. These areas can be used as fishing or camping sites. * Golf courses built on coast lines are growing in value and popularity. In the United States, many resorts highlight the views to promote their golf course. Marinas bring tourism to resorts as sailboats, motorized crafts and wind surfing stop to refuel or rest. When it comes to beach resorts, many variables come into play. A good beach should have a gentle uniform slope of about 7 percent. This creates a comfortable incline for sunbathers, walkers, joggers and sand-castle builders. The water purity and sand color are vital to an aesthetically  pleasin g area. In developing a beach-based resort, the designer should also consider the back beach which offers a view to both the sea and inland. Rooms with a scenic view are more profitable than rooms without it. Additionally, the surrounding area should be assessed to ensure access to major roads and other basic needs of guests that the resort cannot support. Other resorts use pools as a major source of entertainment. Using heated pools in winter assures that the facility is year-round friendly. Activities such as water bingo, log rolling and relay races may all be performed in the pool. Resorts can also host fitness classes in pools. A creative way to use water in northern resorts is to build indoor water parks. Safety should be a major concern for water-based resorts. Staff should be Red Cross trained if guarding pools and beaches. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury related to children ages 14 and under. http://iml. jou. ufl. edu/projects/Spring05/Osterer/water. html Hotel Definition Origins of the term The word hotel derives from the French hotel, which referred to a French version of a townhouse, not a place offering accommodation (in contemporary usage, hotel has the meaning of hotel, and hotel particulier is used for the old meaning). The French spelling (with the circumflex) was once also used in English, but is now rare. The circumflex replaces the s once preceding the t in the earlier hostel spelling, which over time received a new, but closely related meaning. Services and facilities Basic accommodation of a room with only a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with en-suite bathrooms and, more commonly in the United States than elsewhere, climate control. Other features found may be a telephone, an alarm clock, a TV, and broadband Internet connectivity. Food and drink may be supplied by a mini-bar (which often includes a small refrigerator) containing snacks and drinks (to be paid for on departure), and tea and coffee making facilities (cups, spoons, an electric kettle and sachets containing instant coffee, tea bags, sugar, and creamer or milk). In the United Kingdom a hotel is required by law to serve food and drinks to all comers within certain stated hours; to avoid this requirement it is not uncommon to come across private hotels which are not subject to this requirement. However, in Japan the capsule hotel supplies minimal facilities and room space. Classification The cost and quality of hotels are usually indicative of the range and type of services available. Due to the enormous increase in tourism worldwide during the last decades of the 20th century, standards, especially those of smaller establishments, have improved considerably. For the sake of greater comparability, rating systems have been introduced, with the one to five stars classification being most common. http://reservation. travelaffiliatepro. com/content/hoteldefinition. tml The History of Hotels: From Economic To Extravagant Evidence of hotels and the hospitality industry have been recorded as far back as biblical times when Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem during the census. As the Bible depicts, Mary and Joseph were refused accommodations because there was no room at the inn. Since the beginning of time, people have traveled for commerce, religion, family, health, immigration , education and recreation. As cited by Texas Tech University, the word hospitality comes from the Latin root meaning host or hospice. The university further noted that the first hotels were nothing more than private homes opened to the public. Most, unfortunately, had poor reputations. Under the influence of the Roman Empire, inns and hotels began catering to the pleasure traveler in an effort to encourage visitors. The first inn located in America was recorded in the year 1607 and lead the way with many other firsts in the hospitality industry. The first publicly held hotel (the City Hotel) opened in New York in 1792. The first modern hotel (the Tremont) opened in Boston in 1809 and the first business hotel (the Buffalo Statler) opened in 1908. From there a surge of hotels flooded American and the rest of the world with prominent names such as Radisson, Marriot and Hilton. Price, Service, Amenities Hotels (as well as other forms of accommodations) are generally segmented by the services and amenities offered. These two factors, along with location, also have a bearing on the price range. * Budget hotels  offer clean albeit simple rooms that provide the basics of places to sleep and shower. Usually budget hotels are designed for travelers looking to maximize their funds and minimize expenses. Prices can range from $20US per night to $70US per night. Business hotels  offer a high standard by providing rooms equipped with what business travelers would consider necessities. Usually found in business-class hotel rooms are high speed Internet connections, alarm clocks, comfortable beds, irons and ironing boards, coffee makers, complimentary newspaper delivery and hairdryers. Rates can range from $80US per night to $250US per night. * The facility of a business hotel would also offer an in-house restaurant, bar, exercise room and shuttle service to nearby airports. Limit concierge assistance is often included as well as room service, laundry and dry cleaning and wake-up calls. Luxury hotels  are known for their lavish decor and extraordinary service. With superior amenities, accommodations at luxury hotels are designed to thoroughly pamper and impress guests. According to a Business Week Online article, those in the luxury market are getting harder to please stating that luxury goods and service providers cant afford to blunder with the level of service and customer experience they provide. For this reason, many luxury hotels go far beyond the norm by providing a lifestyle experience equal to or better than what guests have become accustomed to at home. Luxury hotels frequently offer full-service day spas, five-star restaurants staffed by world-class chefs, ballrooms, lavish pools, golf packages and gu est services that are unsurpassed by any other class of hotel. In addition, luxury rooms generally include those amenities found in business class hotels plus in-room safes, goose down comforters and pillows, marble showers and tubs, larger rooms, separate sitting or living area and fog-free bathroom mirrors. Rates can range from $129US per night to $2,000US per night. Rates vary greatly depending on location and proximity to popular events and attractions. There are other classifications of hotels, however, most will fall into one of these three or a combination of these three. With the lines between business and personal becoming more blurred, many entrepreneurs and business executives will attend conferences or embark on business trips with family in tow. Hotels are aware of this common occurrence and have become adept at providing facilities and service both business and recreational travelers enjoy. searchandgo. com/travel/hotels-history. php Definition of Information Technology Information technology has been defined by the Information Technology Association of America, or the ITAA as being the study, design, development, implementation support and/or management of any computer based information systems. This relates particularly to software applications and computer hardware. Information technology deals with using electronic computers and software to convert, store, protect, process, retrieve with security or transmit any information. What began many years ago as a term that many had no awareness of to a term that has skyrocketed to include several aspects of computing and technology. IT is a wide based term and encompasses many areas. Professionals in information technology may perform a wide variety of tasks that range from installing computer applications to designing widely complex computer networks and information databases. Everything from data management, networking, engineering computer hardware, software design, database design and management and administration of systems is included in the term of information technology. When covering the aspects of IT as a whole, the use of computers and information are typically associated. The history of IT goes back several years. In order to perform the functions associated with the field of technology the modern field will use computers, servers, database management systems and cryptography. It was not very long ago that the field of IT only consisted of a single computer operator who stored data on a magnetic tape and then placed it in storage. Times have changed drastically in the field of technology from its inception several years ago. The field today typically includes a Chief Information Officer and several individuals who work together to achieve their goals. Years ago there was simply a single operator who performed all the tasks related to this form of technology. Today the job outlook for people interested in this field is very good. With data security and server specialists among the highest paid in the field, those with the needed skills and a keen interest in IT stand to earn a substantial annual income. With the increasing concern for data storage and management, along with the security issues that most companies and corporations are facing, a career in IT is an excellent choice or those who possess mathematical and strategic planning skills. Since 1961 the Information Technology Association of America has been working to enhance the interests of US technology and electronics industries. This association provides leadership training in areas relating to business development, public policy, market forecasting and standards of development to a large number of corporations. The ITAA provides a grassroots approach to global networking for companies, market and government from the smallest local level to a global audience. It currently represents more than 16,000 information technological related companies throughout the world. Based in Washington, DC, the Information Technology Association of American is the only organization of its kind that helps to unite local, state, national and global businesses in the area of technology. While technology today encompasses a wide range of individual focuses, it is becoming increasing clear that the IT field of the future will include many more topics and more demand than ever before. For those interested in becoming part of this rapidly growing field the time is now. Getting in on new developments could prove to be a very exciting and lucrative choice. http://ezinearticles. com/? Definition-of-Information-Technology;id=1109986 Advantages of Information Technology in the Business World Not only is information technology a fascinating and rewarding field for those with an interest in programming or computer systems, workers in nearly every other industry benefit from the advantages of information technology. From high-speed communications systems to complex, specialized databases to customized internal computer networks,  information technology  is inseparable from the modern business world. In industries as diverse as health care, government, education and manufacturing, IT professionals work to meet a wide array of technology demands. IT professionals choose hardware and software appropriate to the requirements of a particular organization, and then they take charge of its installation, maintenance, security and efficiency. In many cases, their management skills and business acumen are just as important as their ability to work with computing technology. allbusinessschools. com/business-careers/article/advantages-of-information-technology Hotel and Catering Software Applications Vertical-market software for the hospitality industry can be divided into three broad categories: hotel, catering and back-office An important concept when discussing hospitality-related software is integrated hotel system, which is a set of computer applications that, together, assist in managing and controlling all aspects of hotel operations. Such a system helps management to better satisfy the needs of the guests, and should be capable of handling every transaction from the guest’s initial telephone inquiry to their final billing. An integrated hotel system is composed of many different systems linked together, which include the following: * Reservation systems. Many authors include the reservation function within the property-management system. However, with the growing importance of central reservations system (CRS) and other forms of electronic distribution, and the development of techniques such as yield management, reservations system must now be discussed separately. A reservation system has two primary functions: to display room availability and to manage bookings. Other functions can include the ability to track guest deposits and travel agent commission, and the ability to provide important management and operational information. * Property-management systems (PMS). Sometimes referred to as front-office systems, these track which rooms are currently occupied or vacant in the hotel, and maintain the guests’ folios by recording details of sales and payment transactions. A PMS is now a necessity for most hotels and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to manage a hotel of 100 bedrooms or more without one. * A multitude of ancillary systems used to support the hotel’s PMS. For example, electronic door-locking systems generate a unique electronic key each time a new guest is registered, thus helping to increase security. Energy-management systems help to reduce heat and power costs by automatically turning off heating or air conditioning in rooms or sections of the hotel which are unoccupied. In-room entertainment systems provide extra services such as information screens, films, or computer games to guests while at the same time generating additional revenue for the hotel. Telephone systems record data on each call made from the direct-dial telephone in the guest’s room. Several computer systems from the catering area also interface with the PMS. For example, electronic point-of-sales (EPOS) systems record the transactions that occur in the hotel’s bars and food outlets, while mini-bars are used to provide drinks and small food items in the guestroom. In the last three cases, integration between the systems allows charges to be posted automatically to the guest’s account folio, thus helping to increase security and ensure that the guest does not depart without paying for all services received. * Catering information systems (CIS). These manage and control all aspects of food and beverage productions and sales. A CIS is also composed of several separate systems linked together to exchange data. Recipe-costing systems accurately cost food and beverage items and automatically update costs when ingredient prices change. Stock-control systems track inventory movements, record deliveries and issues, and identify variances between actual and theoretical stock. EPOS systems transfer orders electronically from the service area to the kitchen, and ensure that guest bills are legible, accurately priced and up to date. Conference and banqueting systems manage and control the complex tasks of function reservations, organization and billing. Other examples of catering-related software packages focus on specialist areas such as beverage control, nutritional analysis and menu engineering. Integration is very important for the efficient operation of these systems. For example, the recipe-costing system uses up-to-date prices from the stock-control system to calculate the cost of various recipes, which are then combined to form menus. These menus are sold to the customer through both the conference and banqueting system and the EPOS. They are also used, together with the sales data from the EPOS to detect variances in stock levels by the stock-control system. * Back-office systems. Software is also widely used in what could be described as the normal business areas of the hospitality industry. For example, accounting systems track debtors and creditors and generate final accounts and management reports periodically. Payroll systems automate the process of calculating wages and salaries, as well as maintaining period-to-date balances. Software is also used in the marketing area for data warehousing and database marketing. Each of the above hospitality systems can be (and often is) used separately. However, the systems are much more effective if integrated and allowed to communicate with each other. For example, recipe-costing is much more accurate if the recipe-costing system can access the latest purchase prices from the stock control system. Similarly, security and control are greatly increased if ancillary systems such as electronic door locks and EPOS are linked directly into the property-management system. It is integration at this level that has given rise to the concept of the integrated hotel system- a suite of software packages which are linked and assist in managing and controlling all aspects of a hospitality establishment’s operations. Hotel Central Reservations Offices The growth of travel in the 1960s, which prompted the airlines to develop computerized reservations systems, put similar pressures on the hotels. Individual properties were receiving growing numbers of telephone calls, letters and telexes from potential customers wanting to book accommodation. Large clerical squads were needed to sort mail, type letters, send telegrams and handle other requests. Bottlenecks were frequent, administration costs skyrocketed and experienced staffs were in short supply. An opportunity for rationalization was recognized by many of the US hotel chains. They noted the inefficiencies of the existing system and determined the best way to serve the customer, and at the same time provide a valuable service to their member hotels, were to centralize the reservations function into central reservations offices (CROs). These functioned in a similar manner to the reservations offices operated by the airlines, except, of course, the product being sold was hotel rooms, not airline seats. The CRO kept track of the rates, availability, special packages, negotiated rates and descriptions of each property, and allowed customers to book any room in the chain by contacting a single central location. The booking process was further simplified by the introduction of toll-free telephone services in the United States in the mid-1960s, which allowed potential customers to make a single free telephone call to inquire about or book any of the chain’s hotels anywhere in the world. The UK-based budget hotel group Travelodge provides a very good example of how a CRO can operate efficiently. In all its marketing, the group publishes only a single free number that connects the customer (be it a travel agent or independent traveler) to the central reservations office. Individual reservation numbers for each property are not published and individual lodges do not handle advanced reservations, referring all inquiries to the CRO. In this way, reservations staff and operating costs on a group basis are kept to the minimum. Particularly interesting is its philosophy of never being full. Should the particular lodge requested not have rooms available, accommodation is automatically offered at a nearby alternative. Centralizing the reservation function also bring other advantages. Bottlenecks are reduced while, at the same time, reservations agent are used more intensively than they would be at unit level as centralization helps to average out the busy and slack periods. A more professional level of customer service is possible because of the use of dedicated, well-trained staff, and service quality is also more consistent as centralization makes it easier to monitor and control. Overall, the lesson is clear: a centralized booking environment is faster, more efficient and, if well-designed, far more economical to operate than unit level reservation offices. Only two major costs remained: telecommunications, as the CRO had to pay for the provision of the toll-free service; and the labor cost of the reservations agents needed to answer phones and process other inquiries. It didn’t take companies long to figure out that these, too, could be reduced by allowing customers direct access to their systems electronically. The incremental cost of processing a booking electronically is dramatically less expensive than processing a free call to a CRO. For example, a recent estimate claims that a voice booking, through a CRO, costs hotels between ? 12 and ? 15, while the cost of processing it electronically can be as low as ? 3. 50 (HSMAI, 1995). Computerized Reservation Systems Initially, central reservations agents processed booking by checking on ‘Availability Blackboards’ displayed on the walls of the center, or in massive books which were updated by hand. However, as booking volumes grew, these manual operating methods were quickly overwhelmed and hotel companies introduced computers to help manage the increasing workload. By developing their own systems, hotel companies gave themselves both the opportunity and the flexibility to make the systems more closely match the requirements of the hotel product. Free from the constraints of the GDS, the new systems were capable of incorporating extensive product details written in full, bbreviation-free English, along with an unlimited number of rates and room types. These developments made the system far more effective as both an informative and marketing tool, as it gave the hotelier the opportunity to differentiate based on product quality and features, as well as on price. Travel agents also benefited from the development of CROs and CRSs. Traditionally, they had used published travel guides such as the ABC Guide to find information when looking for a hotel to meet a guest’s needs a nd budget. While these provide considerable information on the facilities, etc, they rarely show room rates, as they are published infrequently and would become outdated too quickly. As a result, travel agents had to contact the hotel directly to determine rates and availability, which usually involved expensive long-distance telephone calls. Thus the advent of the CRO, which provided a free number to find information about and to make bookings in any hotel in a chain, greatly helped to reduce costs and encourage the booking of hotel rooms by the travel agents. However, as travel agents were already familiar with the use of computer systems for information search and booking purposes because of their use of the airline systems, the increasingly began to demand that hotel rooms be made available in the same way. From the travel agent’s perspective, the cost of finding information and processing a booking is much lower electronically. Using an electronic system, a travel agent with a client flying to Glasgow can check availability in hotels in the area on the required date, see what room rates each is offering, and make a booking in seconds and at a minimal cost. Making the same booking manually would involve several long-distance phone calls and possibly a fax to confirm the details, which together with the time expended would probably make the transaction unprofitable. In monetary terms, Thomas Cook estimate that the cost of making a hotel booking over the telephone is approximately ? 3, as opposed to 76 pence to reserve the same room electronically. As a result, many agencies actively discourage their staff from using manual search and booking methods, and operations not available on their computerized systems will lose out. Reservations Systems Operation Irrespective of whether the reservation is being made at the unit or the central level, the method of actually processing the reservation is relatively standard. The process starts with an Availability Inquiry. The date of arrival needed is entered, along with the type(s) of room and the number of nights required. The system will respond by displaying room availability for the requested period and, on some systems, the rate to be offered to the client. If the requested accommodation is unavailable, the system may allow overbooking up to predetermined limits. If rooms are available, the client’s name, address, and telephone number are entered, along with details such as method of payment, the source of business and any special requirements. Utilities to help speed up the reservation process may be provided. For example, some systems allow the postal code to be entered first; from this most of the address can be filled automatically by the computer, and only minor details such as the street number need to be edited. Similarly, if the guest has stayed in the hotel before, or is a member of the chain’s loyalty club, such details may be automatically drawn from the guest history system. When all the details have been entered, a confirmation number is generated by the reservation system, which the guest can quote if the reservation needs to be changed at a later date. An individually addressed letter, fax, or e-mail, confirming the details of the reservation, is later generated as part of the night audit. Most systems also accept group reservations, which operate in a slightly different manner. First of all, a master reservation is set up with the group details and a block of rooms is allocated to the group. A special rate for the group may be offered and programmed into the system. Special accounting instructions (such as billing a master folio for all accommodation and breakfast charges and the individual room folios for all other charges) can also be setup at this stage, thus helping to eliminate unnecessary work for the front-office staff. Individual group members can then make their own reservations, and are allocated rooms from the reserved block. Property Management Systems The front-office is often described as the center of all hotel activities. It not only acts as the main contact point between the hotel and the guest, but also provides information to and receives information from practically very other department in the hotel. A property management system (PMS) helps manage these interactions, and at the same time acts as an information hub for the other computer systems. These functions of the PMS may be broken down into the following different categories: * Registration – allocating vacant rooms to incoming guests and marking those rooms as b eing occupied. * Housekeeping – tracking which rooms are occupied, waiting to be cleaned, waiting to be inspected, or ready to be passed back to the front desk for allocation to incoming guests. Guest accounting – tracking all guest charges and payments and producing the final guest bill. * Night audit – automatically performing end-of-day routines such as posting room charges to each guest folio. Stock-Control Systems A stock-control system helps manage and control the flow of stock through an organization by recording the value of each stock item in different locations (such as the central stores, the dry stores, and the kitchen) and tracking stock movements into, out of and between each of these locations. The concept of stock control is based on the accounting principle that the item’s opening stock, plus its purchases must be equal to its closing stock plus the amount consumed. If these are not equal, then what is known as a variance exists, which means that some of the stock is missing. However, carrying out stock control manually is very labor-intensive and time-consuming. For example, to check a single product, the amount of that product delivered and issued over the period has to be calculated by totaling the delivery dockets and requisitions, respectively. The previous period’s closing stock period would then have to be found, and the theoretical closing stock figure calculated. Then the quantity of the item actually in stock would have to be established by performing a stock take and physically counting the number of the product in each storage location. Lastly, theoretical and actual figures would have to be compared to see if any variance existed. All the effort for just a single stock item! In any reasonably sized catering operation, the same process would have to be performed for hundreds, if not thousands of products on a regular basis. Using a computerized system, all the boring, repetitive and error-prone calculations are carried out automatically. Most of the data needed (apart from the actual stock figures) is already available on the system (for example, opening stock is available from the previous period, purchases from the records of deliveries and returns, and issues from the record of requisitions from the sales units) and the calculations can be carried out in seconds by the computer. As a result, the likelihood of errors is reduced and the stock-control process can be carried out more frequently with little extra effort. O’Connor, 2000) REVIEW OF RELATED MODELS System Development Life Cycle The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a conceptual model used in project management that describes the stages involved in an information system development project from an initial feasibility study through maintenance of the completed application. Various SDLC methodologies have been developed to guide th e processes involved including the waterfall model (the original SDLC method), rapid application development (RAD), joint application development (JAD), the fountain model and the spiral model. Mostly, several models are combined into some sort of hybrid methodology. Documentation is crucial regardless of the type of model chosen or devised for any application, and is usually done in parallel with the development process. Some methods work better for specific types of projects, but in the final analysis, the most important factor for the success of a project may be how closely particular plan was followed. startvbdotnet. com/sdlc/sdlc. aspx Waterfall System Development Life Cycle Model The simplest software development life cycle model is the waterfall model, which states that the phases are organized in a linear order. A project begins with feasibility analysis. On the successful demonstration of the feasibility analysis, the requirements analysis and project planning begins. The design starts after the requirements analysis is done. And coding begins after the design is done. Once the programming is completed, the code is integrated and testing is done. On successful completion of testing, the system is installed. After this the regular operation and maintenance of the system takes place. freetutes. com/systemanalysis/sa2-waterfall-software-life-cycle. tml; Prototyping System Development Life Cycle Model The goal of prototyping based development is to counter the first two limitations of the waterfall model discussed earlier. The basic idea here is that instead of freezing the requirements before a design or coding can proceed, a throwaway prototype is built to understand the requirements. This prototype is developed based on the currently known requirements. Development of the prototype obviousl y undergoes design, coding and testing. But each of these phases is not done very formally or thoroughly. By using this prototype, the client can get an actual feel of the system, since the interactions with prototype can enable the client to better understand the requirements of the desired system. Prototyping is an attractive idea for complicated and large systems for which there is no manual process or existing system to help determining the requirements. In such situations letting the client plan with the prototype provides invaluable and intangible inputs which helps in determining the requirements for the system. It is also an effective method to demonstrate the feasibility of a certain approach. This might be needed for novel systems where it is not clear that constraint can be met or that algorithms can be developed to implement the requirements. freetutes. com/systemanalysis/sa2-prototyping-model. html Spiral Life Cycle Model This is a recent model that has been proposed by Boehm. As the name suggests, the activities in this model can be organized like a spiral. The spiral has many cycles. The radial dimension represents the cumulative cost incurred in accomplishing the steps dome so far and the angular dimension represents the progress made in completing each cycle of the spiral. The structure of the spiral model is shown in the figure given below. Each cycle in the spiral begins with the identification of objectives for that cycle and the different alternatives are possible for achieving the objectives and the imposed constraints. The next step in the spiral life cycle model is to evaluate these different alternatives based on the objectives and constraints. This will also involve identifying uncertainties and risks involved. The next step is to develop strategies that resolve the uncertainties and risks. This step may involve activities such as benchmarking, simulation and prototyping. Next, the software is developed by keeping in mind the risks. Finally the next stage is planned. The next step is determined by remaining risks. For example, its performance or user-interface risks are considered more important than the program development risks. The next step may be evolutionary development that involves developing a more detailed prototype for resolving the risks. On the other hand, if the program development risks dominate and previous prototypes have resolved all the user-interface and performance risks; the next step will follow the basic waterfall approach. The risk driven nature of the spiral model allows it to accommodate any mixture of specification-oriented, prototype-oriented, simulation-oriented or some other approach. An important feature of the model is that each cycle of the spiral is completed by a review, which covers all the products developed during that cycle, including plans for the next cycle. The spiral model works for developed as well as enhancement projects. freetutes. com/systemanalysis/sa2-spiral-model. html SYNTHESIS Even long ago, resorts existed but not as extravagant as those made today. Resorts started from simple public baths in ancient Rome and developed into spas in Europe around the 1300s. In North America, people started on building hotels and inns nearby the spas. Not long after that, Americans had started to develop beach resorts and mountain-based resorts. There started the wide variety of services and amenities offered by the resort management. Services and amenities offered by the resorts mainly depend on what kind of resort they are. There are different kinds of resorts and one of the most popular types is the water-based resort. Swimming pools and beaches are popular in this type. There are many activities that can be done in water-based resorts. In beaches, you can do parasailing, jet skiing and other popular extreme and fun endeavors. These activities attract the prospect customers, but the location and design is also important in marketing the resort business. Good facilities are also appealing to the guests like Jacuzzi, scenic views, and safety devices. Resorts and hotels became popular alongside each other. Hotels developed not long after public baths in Rome and spas in Europe and North America became popular. It was actually cited in the Bible that during the ancient times, there were rooms for rent or traveler’s inn existing way back then. Usually, rooms contain basic necessities for the guests, but as time went by, the conveniences offered became diverse. As the facilities became more varied, cost also raises up to a certain price, depending on what rate of hotel it is. In order to provide more quality and more effective services to the consumers, information technology has been widely used. Computer literacy and awareness is all over the world and technology has been dominating since then. Business establishments have discovered the convenience that information technology brought and therefore becoming almost a necessity for every enterprise. There are many advantages conveyed by technology to different industries. These range from high-speed communications systems to complex, specialized databases to customized internal computer networks. These days, information technology and business became inseparable. There are many similarities between the computer systems used by resorts and hotels. It is because they have similar services offered to their consumers mostly in the reservations of the rooms and checking its availability. To be able to serve their guests better, clear information regarding the rooms available for booking must be seen by them. More systems were particularly made for hotels that are also applicable for the resort operations. Examples of these are property management system, stock-control system and reservation system. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Planning Phase Analysis Phase Design Phase Coding Phase Testing Phase Implementation Phase Maintenance Phase Figure 1. 5 Eclectic Model Maintenance Phase Implementation Phase Testing Phase Coding Phase Design Phase Analysis Phase Planning Phase STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Planning Phase 1. What are the resources available to the researchers? 2. What are the requirements needed for the study? Study Phase 1. What articles are needed and relevant to the study? 2. What models can be used in the study? Analysis Phase 1. Is there an existing computer system being used in the organization? 2. Will a new system make the service of the company more effective and more efficient? Design Phase 1. What are the different factors to consider in developing a new system? 2. What is the most efficient design for the proposed system? Testing Phase 1. How does the new system work? 2. Does the new system work properly? 3. What are the errors encountered by the new system? 4. Can the system handle the volume data and incoming transactions easily? Implementation Phase 1. How can the actual implementation of the new system be simulated in order to detect possible errors? 2. How can the person-in-charge ne trained to use the new system? Maintenance Phase 1. How can the new system assure the accuracy of the information about the process? 2. What are the possible improvements in order to enhance the new system? HYPOTHESIS SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The significance of the study and the proposed system is to have a more efficient and effective handling of daily transactions and operations of the company. This study is assigned to create a system that will be more convenient and will make more accurate reports. Villa Concepcion Wet and Wild Waves, Inc. ’s manual recording of transactions shall be replaced by the use of a new computer system. The system proposed shall make the guests at ease and transact more conveniently. It shall also lessen the work of the personnel by minimizing the labors they have to do. The projected computer system is deemed more reliable, accurate, and efficient. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS The study focused on the following proposed systems: reservation system, and payroll system. It is mainly for the front-desk operations which consist of billing, payments, and reservations. Interview of the management and the personnel of VCWWI shall be held inside their premises. Figure 1. 1 System Development Life Cycle Figure 1. 2 Waterfall System Development Life Cycle Model Figure 1. 3 Prototyping System Development Life Cycle Model Figure 1. 4 Spiral Life Cycle Model

The Opening Sequince of Witness by Peter Weir Essays

The Opening Sequince of Witness by Peter Weir Essays The Opening Sequince of Witness by Peter Weir Essay The Opening Sequince of Witness by Peter Weir Essay â€Å"Witness† is an American film made in 1985 produced by Australian film maker Peter Weir; he has successfully conveyed many themes, issues and concepts in this film. The opening scene of the film â€Å"Witness† establishes many features of the film. These features include the camera shots, camera angles, light, sound, and dialogue, positioning of characters and setting. The opening scene is significant as it examines the concepts of ; how the peaceful Amish communities are marginalised and isolated from the modern world; the sense of unity and affinity the Amish culture have with the land; and the contrast between the two different worlds of the slow paced and peaceful life style of the Amish and the fast paced, materialistic, hectic lifestyle of the modern world. In the peaceful Amish community, the examination of marginalisation and isolation from the modern world in which they co- exist is examined. The Amish culture differ from modern day culture dramatically as they are virtually fundamentalists and live very simply and do not have any material goods as we do. The Amish people reject modern conveniences such as cars,, television, electricity and the telephone, living self sufficiently from the land working together to make everyday necessities such as their simple clothing, food, furniture and housing. Weir shows the audience that the alternate lifestyle of the Amish is not â€Å"weird†, but strangely enlightened. The terms isolated and marginalised are often used to describe the social process of becoming or being alienated from the society around them. When placed into the society in which they are marginalised the ideas, values, habits to which these individual Amish members are accustomed are challenged or contradicted by the ideas, values and customs of the modern day group or community they enter. In the film Witness Peter Weir has created two different worlds with different value systems. The close up shot of individual Amish faces in the cramped room at the funeral creates a sense of close community, but also highlights the fact that they are confined from the outside world. Culture is also evident as the mysterious German language in which they speak represents a religious tradition, confinement and isolation from the English spoken society around them. The Amish widow Rachel Lapp is taking her young son Samuel to Philadelphia for the first time, to stay with her sister whilst she morns and recovers the loss of her husband; The long shot of the Samuel at the train station, trying to work out how the bubblers works, highlights his fragile and innocent personality, it emphasize the differences of the two worlds due to the isolation and marginalisation of the Amish community. The mid shot of Rachel trying to perchance a train ticket when another person pushes her out of the frame suggests that the different worlds can’t work together and that there are existing conflicts between the Amish and people modern world, it implies that the modern world has rejected her and her culture, creating a sense of isolation and marginalisation. The examination of the contrast between the two worlds of the slow paced and peaceful life style of the Amish and the fast paced, hectic lifestyle of the modern world is shown through the collision of two worlds; the idealistic world of the Amish comes into conflict with the ugly main culture of the modern world. The camera is set at Samuels head height showing the fast paced movements of the passing modern society and its people. At the start of the movie, before the murder scene, we see Samuel exploring around the train station, walking slowly in indifference to everyone else who are rushing about to be places. This reinforces the concept that the Amish community live a simplistic slow paced lifestyle. The slow paced opening credits relate to the Amish world as they are black and white, this echo’s the values and the slow pace of the Amish culture. The close up of the wheels on the Horse and buggy highlights the Amish’s pre-modern form of transport, The shot of the Horse and buggy which moves to long shot of a semi trailer following close behind, juxtaposes the difference between Amish and the modern American world, it highlights the difference in pace, in which the individuals feel they have to move. After close analysis, Peter Weir’s â€Å"Witness† successfully portray fascinating ideas to the audience. The idea of their unity and affinity with the land is suggested. Through the opening scene the sense of unity and the peaceful nature of the Amish community is examined through the wide shot of long, luscious grass, with the Amish emerging from as if they’re from the land itself. This shot is accompanied by natural abundant lighting, again suggesting there natural ifestyle and highlighting the gentle nature of the people thus establishing the Amish effectively as peaceful people who are in harmony with nature. Weir uses the techniques of the long shot in the opening scene where human figures walking together, whilst only seeing half of their body as if they are coming from the earth, the next shot of the close up of the human figures clearly demonstrating that they are Amish people, with this angle shot Weir has demonstrated the unity of the Amish community a s they walk as one together with the earth. Throughout this film Weir has clearly presented the concepts of,; how the peaceful Amish communities are marginalised and isolated from the modern world; the sense of unity and affinity the Amish culture have with the land; and the contrast between the two different worlds of the slow paced and peaceful life style of the Amish and the fast paced, materialistic, hectic lifestyle of the modern world.

Case Study Analysis Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Case Study Analysis Paper - Essay Example Robins should have taken initiative to discover what his job would entail him to do. Since he had not, ideally someone else should have helped him to understand, and walked him through his first integration, so that no mistakes were made. Because so little paperwork has been completed, and it is unclear who should have completed the paperwork and scheduled physicals for the new employees, Mr. Robins will need to step up and complete the work himself. While there are several solutions, there are two that seem the most likely to be successful. First, Mr. Robins could go and speak to Ms. Carrolls, the woman for whom he hired the employees, and outright admit his mistake. Then, working together they could revise the timeline and determine what, if any, the consequences should be for his mistakes. Ms. Carrolls is also the most likely source of information as to who (if any one else is at fault) should have been helping him, and address those problems. The second, and more likely solution, is that Mr. Robins needs to pull it together. He should make a list of what he needs to complete, and put aside other work until he has fixed his errors. This solution allows him to complete his work on time, and not inconvenience Ms. Carrolls, or the newly hired workers. Mr.

Film review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Film review - Essay Example He found suicide to be the only way to get away from the troubles of life. But the twist which has been noted in the film is that Kim surviving from suicide. He is washed away to an island where he finds himself alone. He tries to go back to the normal life but he found himself to be stuck on the island. With the passage of some time, he finds himself comfortable on the island because he was away from debt collectors. It should be noted that the island could be viewed from the town tall skyscrapers. Jung-Yeon, a young lady who has been staying at her flat for about a very long time liked to take photos. She finds Kim when she took close photo shots of the moon. It comes to understanding of Jung Yeon that she has found herself an alien on the island (Hae-Joon). Since the genre of the film is adventure, the story has been set up in outdoor locations mostly. As a matter of fact, the director has created an easy transition of story from city life to the deserted island. The audience watching the movie will actually relate themselves with the situation of being deserted at an island. The film provides an interesting feel to the audiences because the story merely depicts people who are running from communicating with people. That is also visible through the context Kim and Yeon characters. Yeon was not leaving her flat which allowed her to get away with the communication process of people directly and Kim found island to be better than being in the town where he had the chance of skipping payments and burdens he could not tolerate (Hae-Joon). The usage of cinematography has been well managed in the film which makes it quite different from other films of similar plot line. The deserted island becomes a new land for Yeon who thought that she had witnessed aliens. The film provides both fictional and non-fictional feel to the plot making audiences of all ages watch and like it. There has been a lot of buzz in the media about this film because it provided a different