Essay on Internet Privacy :: Free Essays Online

Web Privacy This present reality appears to have no protection on the Internet, regardless of the Governments exertion to enable the shopper to recover their security. In 1997 the administration passed the Consumer Internet Privacy Protection Act. Through this bill, the customer has the privilege to all data that an Internet organization has on them. The Internet Company can't sell the data of that buyer without that customer's composed assent. The bill sounds great isn't that right? On the off chance that the bill is so incredible, how is it that our private data is as yet getting out there? All things considered, how about we investigate. As per an article that I found through Yahoo!, organizations are utilizing the customer's data as an organization resource just on the off chance that the organization was to fail. In the article it discusses how Amazon.com has checked on it protection arrangements and has chosen to simply prepare to sell anything they have on a buyer, for example, names, transportation and charging addresses, Mastercard numbers, email addresses, businesses, blessing lists of things to get, Social Secur I ty Numbers... etc. Isn't unreasonably terrifying, at some point, an organization is doing fine, getting all the data that they can on an individual and saying that all data is made sure about, at that point the following day, they are failing and selling the informa t particle to whoever has the biggest offered. Who would've believed that when you went to purchase that thing you truly needed off the Internet, your data was being put away so it could be sold? How negligent of them. For me, I don't gi ve out any data besi des my name, and who realizes who has that. You may ask yourself, where does the Internet Privacy Act of 1997 play in this? I am pondering something very similar. All things considered, it clearly doesn't assume an enormous job; Amozon.com has quit letting their clients decrease the choice of leaving their data alone sold. Where is the legislature? For what reason would they say they aren't venturing up? I felt that the thinking behind this whole demonstration was to secure customers, I don't perceive any assurance whatsoever. There was an announcement in the article that was recently referenced that just overwhelmed me. Patty Smith made it concerning client data, she stated: ''We treat client information with extraordinary consideration and thought,'' she stated, ''and we will keep on doing so going ahead.

Blog Archive Friday Factoid Doing Business in at NYU Stern

Blog Archive Friday Factoid “Doing Business in…” at NYU Stern For candidates seeking global immersion during their MBA experience, New York University’s Stern School of Business provides ample opportunity to study abroad, with trips as short as one to two weeks or as long as a full semester, through its “Doing Business in…” (DBi) program. DBi trips take place between the fall and winter semesters, during spring break, and in May (after classes conclude). Each course (trip) is tailored to its specific locale and includes a mix of lectures given by Stern faculty as well as by local business practitioners and/or government representatives. Complementing the classroom learning are hands-on field experiences at corporate headquarters, factories, ports, development sites, and other such locations. DBi destinations in 2014â€"2015 included Spain, Brazil, Singapore, Morocco, and Hong Kong, just to name a few. Students who participate in the DBi program gain a new perspective on conducting business in a different culture while making some great m emories with fellow “Sternies” along with way. For more information on other defining characteristics of the MBA program at NYU Stern or one of 15 other top business schools, please check out the mbaMission Insider’s Guides. Share ThisTweet Friday Factoids New York University (Stern) Blog Archive Friday Factoid “Doing Business in…” at NYU Stern For candidates seeking global immersion during their MBA experience, New York University’s (NYU’s) Stern School of Business provides ample opportunity to study abroad, with one- or two-week trips, through its “Doing Business in…” (DBi) program. DBi trips take place between the fall and winter semesters, during spring break, and in May (after classes conclude). Each course (trip) is tailored to its specific locale and includes a mix of lectures given by Stern faculty as well as by local business practitioners and/or government representatives. Complementing the classroom learning are hands-on field experiences at corporate headquarters, factories, ports, development sites, and other such locations. DBi destinations in recent years have included Costa Rica, Spain, Brazil, Singapore, Israel, and Australia, just to name a few. Students who participate in the DBi program gain a new perspective on conducting business in a different culture while making some great memories with fe llow “Sternies” along the way. For more information on other defining characteristics of the MBA program at NYU Stern or one of 15 other top business schools, please check out the  mbaMission Insider’s Guides. Share ThisTweet Friday Factoids New York University (Stern) Blog Archive Friday Factoid “Doing Business in…” at NYU Stern DBi students visiting Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai; Photo Credit Vay Kothari For candidates seeking global immersion during their MBA experience, New York University’s (NYU’s) Stern School of Business provides ample opportunity to study abroad, with one- or two-week trips, through its “Doing Business in…” (DBi) program. DBi trips take place between the fall and winter semesters, during spring break, and in May (after classes conclude). Each course (trip) is tailored to its specific locale and includes a mix of lectures given by Stern faculty as well as by local business practitioners and/or government representatives. Complementing the classroom learning are hands-on field experiences at corporate headquarters, factories, ports, development sites, and other such locations. DBi destinations in recent years have included Costa Rica, Spain, Brazil, Singapore, Morocco, and Hong Kong, just to name a few. Students who participate in the DBi program gain a new perspective on conducting business in a different culture while making some great memories with f ellow “Sternies” along the way. For more information on other defining characteristics of the MBA program at NYU Stern or one of 15 other top business schools, please check out the  mbaMission Insider’s Guides. Share ThisTweet Friday Factoids New York University (Stern)

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 Is Not Working

It’s not working. The NMDA, National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which states that people under the age of 21 can’t consume or purchase alcohol, has only served to heighten the problem that is currently being faced. The only realistic way to make real progress while reversing the negative effect the NMDA act has had and is having is to abolish the NMDA act and introduce a new act that establishes different phases to introduce alcohol to minors. In essence, the purpose of the NMDA act was to decrease the number of drunk driving fatalities. The number of drunk driving fatalities has decreased and underage drunk drivers are involved in less than half as many today as they were back then. The NMDA act can be seen as successful, only if we skim it and don’t pay attention to the details. The decrease in drunk driving fatalities isn’t mainly due to the NMDA act, and can in fact be credited due to the increase of several safety measures being taken, mandatory laws for airbags and seatbelts, increase in overall awareness, as well as stricter punishments and more serious consequences. The tendency of people to drink and drive could also be credited here.(2) At 18 years of age, Americans can serve and die for their countries. At 18 years of age, Americans can sign contractually binding agreements. At 18 years of age, Americans can serve on jury, giving them the power to decide the fate of people. At 18 years of age, Americans can create history by choosing the next president ofShow MoreRelatedEssay on Stakeholder Analyses for Us Drinking Age986 Words   |  4 Pagesliving in the United States already know, the national minimum age for purchasing alcohol is twenty-one. However, prior to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, some states lowered the drinking age below 21 (mainly as a result of the lowered voting age). The Drinking Age Act was put into place as a result of a correlation between young drinking and motor vehicle fatalities. Under the provisions of the Act, any states with a minimum drinking age below 21 are subject to a 10% cut in highwayRead MoreShould The Drinking Age Be Lowered?994 Words   |  4 PagesShould the Drinking Age Be Lowered? Approximately 2 out of every 3 high school students have drank to the point of getting intoxicated (binge drink), in more than one occasion (Centers for Disease and Control Prevention [CDC], n.d.). Binge drinking has become increasingly common for youth under the minimum legal drinking age, making it increasingly dangerous because of the lack of supervision that young adults have that can consequently, lead to death because of fear of the law (Bonnie O’ConnellRead MoreLowering The Minimum Legal Drinking Age Essay1521 Words   |  7 PagesBeer For Everyone! The debate of lowering the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) has been going on for decades in the United States. Those opposed, argue that the current MLDA is not efficient and counterproductive (Engs 1). One study indicated that thousands of lives under the age of twenty-one are lost each year to alcohol (McCardell 1). Underage drinking is an issue that persists, despite evidence suggesting that the minimum legal drinking age of twenty-one has lowered alcohol usage among individualRead MoreThe Minimum Drinking Age Act1211 Words   |  5 Pages Some people find it hard to understand that at the age of eighteen you can fight and die for your country, but you cannot legally drink or purchase alcoholic beverages. Others find it hard to believe that there are people who want people under the age of twenty-one drinking. The important question is: should the drinking age be lowered to eighteen instead of remaining at twenty-one? The legal drinking age is the age at which a person can consume or purchase alcohol. These laws cover a wide rangeRead MoreMinimum Legal Drinking Age Should Remain at the Age of 21 Essay1310 Words   |  6 PagesWithout a doubt, the United States has been facing serious national problems with underage drinking. Depending on personal ideologies, some people might not agree that the current minimum drinking age of twenty-one is based on scientific facts rather then ideology of prohibitionism. For example, since 1975 over seventeen thousand lives have been saved since the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) was changed to age twenty-one (Balkin 167). This shows that even over a short amount of time, a higherRead MoreLowering The National Drinking Age1698 Words   |  7 PagesLowering the National Drinking Age Winston Churchill was infamous for his one liners and occasional drunken outbursts. One night at a party, he shocked a rather prominent woman with his drunken atrocities. Insulted, she turned to him and said, â€Å"Mr. Churchill, you are as drunk as a dog.† The Prime Minister returned, â€Å"Madam, I may be very drunk, but you are very ugly. But tomorrow,† he added, â€Å"I shall be sober† (Churchill, W). 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At the age of eighteen year olds you receive and are expected to use the rights and responsibilities to vote, serve on juries, get married, sign contracts, join the military--which includes taking on the responsibilities of life and death--and be prosecuted as an adults in the court of law along with many other things. In 1984, the national government raised the drinking age from 18 to 21. Mothers Against Drunk Driving was a key contributingRead MoreDrinking Culture and American Social Norms1318 Words   |  6 PagesSPEECH #3 – PERSUASIVE SPEECH Name: DANIEL C. DILIGENT Title: Lowering the Legal Drinking Age Specific Purpose: To argue in favor of lowering the minimum legal drinking age in the United States. Thesis Statement: I w ill discuss 1) the current legal drinking age, 2) the effect that this drinking age has upon American social norms, and 3) the potential benefits of a lower drinking age. I. INTRODUCTION A. Hook: Alcohol is ever-present in today’s American society. Television viewers are constantly bombardedRead MoreThe Legal Drinking Age Of The United States Essay1385 Words   |  6 Pagesthe night before when they went out drinking. It is a common fact that most teenagers have had a drink of alcohol before their twenty-first birthday. Most teenagers drink regularly or in some cases, binge drink. Nobody can prevent underage drinking. When people tell a teenagers they cannot have something, it inclines them to want it even more and teenagers will go to extreme lengths to obtain it. In 1984, Congress passed the law stating the legal drinking age in the United States was twenty-one (Alcoholism)

Statutory Background Of Facta Litigation Essay - 939 Words

Before addressing the specific claims of this Comment, it is necessary to examine the statutory background of FACTA litigation, the realities of class action  § 1681c(g) litigation, the case law establishing what constitutes â€Å"willfulness,† and the standards for a 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss. Sections I.A and I.B will examine FACTA and its underlying policies, as well as the reasons for the temporary safe harbor Congress later created for violations of the expiration date requirement. Next, Section I.C will explore the realities of  § 1681c(g) litigation, particularly the massive liability that defendants face from the aggregation of statutory damages via class action suits. Third, because the recovery of statutory damages depends on showing that a defendant willfully violated FACTA, Section I.D will explore Safeco, the Supreme Court decision establishing the meaning of willfulness in FACTA cases. Finally, Section I.E will examine the â€Å"new† pleading standard s established in Twombly and Iqbal in order to better inform the later discussion of pre- and post-Iqbal 1681c(g) case law. A. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act Congress passed FACTA on December 4, 2003, amending the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the â€Å"FCRA†). FACTA was intended to address identity theft by, among other provisions, requiring lenders to identify and respond to possible indications of identity theft, giving consumers greater control over their credit history and information, and establishing the rights

Questions On Quantitative And Qualitative Research

Other Approaches to Research In the 20th century researchers developed other research designs that draw on quantitative and qualitative elements. Mixed methods, action research, and program evaluation follow the research design process of quantitative and qualitative research. Action research and program evaluation however are not applied research designs. Mixed Methods As the name implies, mixed methods research combines both quantitative and qualitative components to add depth and breadth to the research study (Laureate Education, Inc., n.d. g). As with quantitative and qualitative research methodology, mixed methods researchers begin with the research question that will guide the type of data collected, do an extensive literature†¦show more content†¦Like qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research, action researchers reflect on their practice, and then define a problem within it, gather data, review the literature, identify colleagues who will collaborate in the action research process, carry out the action plan, analyze the data, and form possible conclusions (Lodico, Spaulding, Voegtle, 2010). Multiple types of data are collected. Researchers use a triangulation matrix to corroborate their results. Unlike applied research, action researchers do not use complicated statistical analysis to measure quantitativ e data. They also do not provide the deep level of analysis found in qualitative research. However, action researchers can and do use descriptive statistics, coding, and triangulation to detect possible themes that emerge from the data, thereby ensuring their results are credible and dependable (Lodico, Spaulding, Voegtle, 2010). There are two types of action research: critical action research and practical action research. In critical action research, the researcher attempts to address major societal issues, such as sexism, racism, or other types of injustice within an educational system (Lodico, Spaulding, Voegtle, 2010). In contrast, practical action research involves making changes to educational systems, but the changes are smaller and happenShow MoreRelatedQuantitative and Qualitative Research Questions and Hypothesis1050 Words   |  5 PagesQuantitative and Qualitative Research Questions and Hypothesis Yasmine Swindle Revised Problem Statement– Quantitative Study Jung (2007) found that general education teacher’s attitudes toward the integration of students with disabilities reflect a lack of confidence both in their own instructional skills and in the quality of support personnel currently provides. General and special education teachers are placed in inclusive classroom settings for the betterment of the student; however, planningRead MoreThe Social Construction Of Experience1437 Words   |  6 PagesIn particular, qualitative researchers tend to focus more on the social-constructed reality and the contextual influence, interaction and constraints between the researcher(s) and the participants. They are interested in finding answers to questions that focus on the â€Å"social construction of experience and how meaning is created† (Cooper White, 2012, p. 15). However, quantitative researchers â€Å"emphasize measurement and analysis, and focus on product rather than process† (Cooper White, 2012, p.Read MoreQualitative And Quantitative Research Design1537 Words   |  7 PagesResearch and Program Evaluation This paper will compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative research designs. While giving the information, I will also elaborate on the types of research designs that they both implore. At the end of the paper, the reader will have a better understanding for qualitative and quantitative research designs and when to use each type of design. Qualitative Research Design Cresswell (2014) states â€Å"qualitative methods rely on text and image data, have unique stepsRead MoreResearch Methodologies : Questions, Variables, And Data793 Words   |  4 PagesResearch Methodologies: Questions, Variables, and Data Gathering information and conducting research is the starting point when a teacher wants to know a best teaching method or practice. Quantitative and qualitative research can be used for a teacher’s research. If quantitative research is used, three types of questions are available, and are of extreme importance. These types of questions include: descriptive, relational, and causal. It is up to the teacher doing the research to decide howRead MoreQuantitative vs Qualitative Research on which is Better1830 Words   |  7 PagesThere has always been a discussion as to which method of study was better: quantitative, or qualitative. The quantitative approach focuses more on quantifying data and generalizing results from a sample to a population of interest. The use of quantitative methods is used for general features of a population and to measure the incidence of various views and opinions in a chosen sample. Qualitative methods are used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons and motivations. This type of methodRead MoreComparing and Contrasting NCUs Concept Paper Requirements for Qualitative and or Quantitative Papers1409 Words   |  6 Pagesdissertation. Part of the dissertation process is to inquire and solve a hypothesis using some form of research method. This paper compares and contrasts NCU’s concept paper requirements for qualitative and or quantitative papers. Northcentral Expectation Both qualitative and quantitative concept designs share design elements. Sampson (2012) states that a good or enriched qualitative and or quantitative concept paper is a product of forethought. Northcentral University (NCU) provides its Doctoral studentsRead More Research Methods1483 Words   |  6 PagesAnalyze of research in averagely can be accounted as an aim for understanding or a systematic study in search of information to shape or accept achievable facts. There are two mainly different ways of research. First, there is the basic research that appears not to go into the study field and the second, way is the applied research that studies given area into the aspect. It applies to resolve, understand and advance the methods and systems that are used in the search for human understanding of abnormalRead MoreEssay on Qualitative and Quantitative Research889 Words   |  4 Pages Qualitative and Quantitative study designs both can be beneficial in research design. They both provide valuable options for researchers in the field. These techniques can either be used separately in a research study or they can be combined to achieve maximum information. 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In order for this method to be understood, there are numerous amounts of conditions which must be initially recognized. Concepts are hypothetical labels assigned on reality that are appointed binary characters, hence making them changeable. Variables are then investigated to inspect designs of affiliation, as well as a chain of reaction. At the most basic level, there exists at least

To Kill a Mockingbird Summative Assessment Essay free essay sample

The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was a story about how Atticus was defending Tom Robinson who was a black man. Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech took place on August 28, 1963 in Washington, D. C.. Martin Luther King and Atticus both believe in a nonviolent resolution to problems, standing in someone else’s shoes before judging them, and they both want the races to be equal. Martin Luther King and Atticus dont use violence to solve their problems. Most people like the resolution of their problem not to be solved violently. â€Å"We must not allow our creative process to degenerate into physical violence†(MLK). It means that they dont want to use violence to achieve freedom. â€Å"In our courts, when it’s a white mans word against a black man’s, the white man always wins†(251). Atticus is saying that it isnt fair that they dont care what the black man says. We will write a custom essay sample on To Kill a Mockingbird Summative Assessment Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Black men dont get as fair of trials that white men get. They should base the decision on what the person is really like. You shouldn’t judge a person until you stand in their shoes. †I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character†(MLK). It means he wants people to be judged based on what they act like and not judge based on the color of their skin. â€Å"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view†(33). Atticus is saying that you dont know a person until you know what their life is like. He says you have to get to know a person before making any judgements about them. He is saying everyone should be treated fairly. Everybody should be treated the same way as everyone else. The races should be equal. †I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of â€Å"interposition† and â€Å"nullification†, one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers†(MLK). It means he wants whats best for the children of the future. He wants the races to be able to get along. â€Å"Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal†(233). Atticus is saying that the courts juries shouldn’t base their conclusions on the color of the defendant’s skin but on the evidence itself. Atticus believes that law supposed to be applied fairly to everyone. The law should be applied fairly no matter what your skin color is. Martin Luther King and Atticus believe in a nonviolent resolution to problems, standing in the other persons shoes before judging them, and the races to be equal. The juries in courts should base if the defendant is guilty or not based on the evidence provided and not based on the color of their skin. If a jury is all white and they are racist the black man wont get a fair trial in court. Everyone should be able to have a fair trial in court. You have to know what the person is like before making any judgements about them. In the old south if you were black you never got treated fairly. They thought in the old south if you were black you were found guilty no matter what even if there is no sufficient evidence. You are supposed to have a good amount of evidence to be able to find the defendant guilty or not.

Mercedes Benzs E-Biz Solution Essay Example

Mercedes Benzs E-Biz Solution Essay Free Case Study | Mercedes Benzs E-Biz Solution: The Factory Delivery Reservation System | Free | Case Studies | Case Study in Business, Management Case Details Themes: e-Supply Chain Management Case Length: 06 Pages Period: 1990-2001 Organization : SciQuest. com Pub Date : 2002 Teaching Note : Available Countries : USA Industry : Information Technology (Electronic Commerce) Mercedes Benzs E-Biz Solution: The Factory Delivery Reservation System One of our most fundamental goals in developing the system was to strengthen and market the Mercedes-Benz brand in the United States. The fact that we would be one of the first car manufacturers in the United States to have a factory delivery program would be seen as a very positive thing in this regard. William Engelke, Assistant Manager, IT Systems, Mercedes Benz US International, commenting on the FDRS. Linking Customers By 2000, Mercedes Benz United States International (MBUSI), builder of the high-quality MClass sports utility vehicle (SUV), established itself as a company that also delivered superior customer services. One such service was the delivery option where by the customer could take delivery of the vehicle at the factory in Alabama, US. We will write a custom essay sample on Mercedes Benzs E-Biz Solution specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Mercedes Benzs E-Biz Solution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Mercedes Benzs E-Biz Solution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The program called the Factory Delivery Reservation System (FDRS), enabled MBUSI to create and validate 1800 orders per hour. FDRS also automatically generated material requirements and Bills of Material1 for 35,000 vehicles per hour. The Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution that made FDRS possible was based on Lotus Domino2 and IBM Netfinity3 server4. Analysts felt that with its innovative use of the new program, MBUSI not only managed to improve its customer relations by providing the best service, but also demonstrated its commitment to customers by making them an integral part of the process. Customers were, in a way linked directly to the factory floor – which was a powerful sales tool. Background: Mbusi and its Business Challenges MBUSI was a wholly-owned subsidiary of DaimlerChrylser AG. 5 In 1993, Daimler Benz realized that the Benz brand could be extended to wider market segments. Traditionally, Mercedes Benz6 appealed to older and sophisticated customers only. Daimler Benz wanted to attract customers below 40 years of age, who wanted a rugged vehicle with all the safety and luxury features of a Mercedes. Daimler Benz decided to develop a SUV known as the M-Class. It expected strong demand for the new vehicle and therefore planned to build its first car-manufacturing facility – MBUSI – in the (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) US. The MBUSI facility had many advantages. First, labor costs in the US were almost half that of in Germany. Second, the US was the leading geographic market for SUVs. Third, as the vehicles were assembled in the US, they could be distributed to Canada and Mexico more efficiently. In January 1997, the factory started production at partial capacity and by the end of the year, it was producing at full capacity. By 2000, the factory was rolling out around 380 vehicles per day. The new M-Class „allactivityvehicle represented a new concept for the company. Also, mass customization required that each vehicle be treated as a separate project, with its own Bill of Material. To deal with these challenges, Daimler Benz decided to implement an enterprise wide Information Technology (IT) system, with the help of IBM Global Services7. To further strengthen the image of Mercedes Benz in the US, MBUSI planned to deliver vehicles at the factory, becoming the first international automobile manufacturer in the US to do so. MBUSI also wanted to enrich the customersexperience. Commented William Engelke, â€Å"The factory delivery option gives Mercedes-Benz customers something that they do not get from other automobile manufacturers which is why we think the program will resonate with our customers. We think that having the factory delivery program available to Mercedes customers adds to the overall experience of the customer. † The Design of FDRS The FDRS program was proposed in the first quarter of 1998. In the third quarter of 1998, MBUSI entered into a contract with IBM. A development team was constituted with IBM Global Solutions specialists and IBM e-commerce developers, who worked closely with MBUSI. The program became operational by the first quarter of 1999. The IT team at MBUSI had a clear set of functional specifications for FDRS. However, they relied on IBM to transform the concept into an e-business solution. The FDRS was designed in such a way that customers buying the M-Class SUV could specify that will take delivery of their new vehicle at the factory. They could place the order at any of the 355 Mercedes Benz dealers in the US. An authorized employee at the dealership entered the factory delivery order the web interface. Timing was the most important aspect of the FDRSfunctionality, as it was closely linked with MBUSIs vehicle production schedule. Mercedes Benz United States of America (MBUSA)8, based in Montvale, NJ, was the first link in the FDRS program. It was the point where the dealer actually placed the order. MBUSAs role was to coordinate the distribution of vehicles to dealers across the country. Later, it had to add the order to the companys Baan Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)9system, which scheduled the order for production. About three months before the production date, the dealer could schedule in a window, the date and time of arrival of the customer at the factory for delivery. The window was then automatically computed by the FDRS to give the dealer, the possible delivery dates. Apart from the delivery date, the customer could also specify the accessories for the car and also request a factory tour. FDRS was based on Lotus Domino (Refer Exhibit I), Lotus Enterprise Integrator10 and IBM Netfinity servers. It also interfaced with IBM S/390 Parallel Enterprise Server, Model 9672-R45 located in Montvale, NJ (Refer Figure I). There were two Domino servers – an IBM Netfinity 5500 and an IBM Netfinity 3000. FIGURE I SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE OF FDRS Source: MBUSI The former that acted as the „internal Domino serverwas placed behind a firewall 11. It replicated databases through the firewall to the external server. The replication, which was encrypted, represented the primary means by which the FDRS system achieved security. Netfinity 3000 acted as an „external Domino server. It had public information and was also the primary communication linkage for dealers. The ack-end of the FDRS was equipped with an Oracle database that updated the internal Domino server database with order information. The updation was done using Lotus Enterprise Integrator. The data which was replicated to the internal Domino server included lists of valid dealers and lists of order numbers. When an order was placed by the dealer on the FDRS system, the data was first stored on the external Domino server, after which it w as replicated to the internal Domino server. Then it was replicated to the back-end database via the Lotus Enterprise Integrator. Data replication between the Lotus Notes servers happened every 15 minutes and data exchange with the back-end database three times per day. There was also a link between the back end database and an IBM S/39012 mainframe based system located at MBUSA via a T113 line. MBUSA managed the flow of vehicles to Mercedes dealers across the United States. This mainframe based system, received new vehicle orders (as opposed to factory delivery reservation requests) from individual dealers. The orders were then sent to MBUSIs Baan system and also to the back-end database. The vehicle ordering and factory reservation data were coordinated with each other when the back-end database uploaded the data to the internal Domino server. This coordinated the production and delivery information. FDRS Implementation One of the most challenging aspects of the implementation seemed to be the complexity of the Lotus and Domino scripts. The development team had to group all the information from diverse systems. Commented William Engelke, â€Å"There was a substantial amount of very complex coding involved in the FDRS solution. This application involves a lot more than having our dealers fill out a form and submitting it. There are many things the servers have to do for the system to function properly, such as looking at calendars and production schedules. We built a solution with some very advanced communication linkages. † IBM faced many technical challenges during the implementation of the program. One of them was the different timing schemes of the Lotus Notes databases and backend databases (ERP). This led to discrepancies in the data. Domino server was a Near Real Time (NRT) Server14, and MBUSIs backend activities were both real time15and batch processing16. Also, to get the best results, the Domino server was an optimised subset of the ERP table set17. However, the development team achieved a balance between the two „sidesof the solution by focusing on issues of timing, error detection schemes, and alerts. Customer Satisfaction: FDRS Primary Benefit MBUSI seemed to measure FDRSsuccess in terms of increased satisfaction of its customers. The company also believed that the marketing and customer satisfaction aspects outweighed the significance of more traditional cost-based benefits. Apart from the factory delivery experience, the program also offered the customer a factory tour and ride on the off-road course at a low cost. The company also seemed to gain strategic marketing benefits from the FDRS program, as it was able to establish Mercedes-Benz as a premium brand. (Refer Table I for advantages of FDRS in different areas). Customers could also visit the various tourist spots in Alabama after picking up their M-class vehicles. TABLE I ADVANTAGES OF THE FDRS PROGRAM AREA Strategic Marketing Benefits Cost Savings ADVANTAGES FDRS was expected to improve customer satisfaction and brand loyalty, as it enriched Mercedes customers experience. The program also strengthened the brand image of Mercedes in the US. Development of a web-based solution enabled MBUSI to offer the factory delivery program at substantially lower costs, due to less reliance on administrative personnel. â€Å"Package Marketing† the FDRS program with a ride to tourist sites, enhanced the image of Alabama as a tourist destination. The creation of a similar – albeit smaller – factory delivery system to the European Customer Delivery Center in Sindelfingen, Germany, reflected favorably on the MBUSI business unit. Source: MBUSI Regional Economic Development DaimlerChrysler AG Future of FDRS In 2000, MBUSI planned to leverage FDRSplatform by adding a range of other services. MBUSI built an advanced platform to create communication links to its suppliers. Through the link, MBUSI provided them feedback on the quality of supplies it received. The dealers and suppliers had a user-ID and password, which the system recognized. It then routed them into the appropriate stage of the FDRS. The company also planned to extend the innovative system to include transactional applications such as ordering materials and checking order status on the Web. The company expected that the new system based on FDRS, would be more cost-effective than the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)18 system. ] Bill of Material keeps track of all raw materials, parts, and subassemblies used to create a finished product. 2] A product of IBM Corp. , Lotus Notes and Domino R5 are the industrys leading client/server combination for collaborative messaging and e-business solutions. 3] The IBM Netfinity server offers solutions for file-and-print and application computing needs. 4] A computer or de vice on a network that manages network resources. For example, a file server is a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files. Any user on the network can store files on the server. A print server is a computer that manages one or more printers, and a network server is a computer that manages network traffic. A database server is a computer system that processes database queries. 5] DaimlerChrysler AG was the result of a merger between two leading car manufacturers – Daimler Benz of Germany and Chrysler Corp. of the US in 1998. 6] A luxury brand of passenger cars, Sports Utility Vehicles from DaimlerChrysler. 7] IBM Global Services is the services and consultancy division of IBM Corp. that offers extensive ebusiness solutions. 8] MBUSA is the wholly owned US subsidiary of DaimlerChrylser. ] ERP attempts to integrate all departments and functions across a company onto a single computer system that can serve all those different departments particular needs. 10] A server-based data distribution product that enables data exchange between Lotus Domino and a number of host and relational applications. 11] A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or f rom a private network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria. 12] The IBM S/390 servers offer direct high speed access to the e-business application and are used for Enterprise Computing. 13] A dedicated phone connection supporting data rates of 1. 544 Mbits per second. A T1 Line actually consists of 24 individual channels, each of which supports 64 Kbits per second. Each 64 Kbit per second channel can be configured to voice or data traffic. 14] The NRT Server System supports real time distribution of near-real time data. 5] Real time refers to events simulated by a computer at the same speed that they would occur in real life. 16] Executing a series of noninteractive jobs all at one time. The term dates back to the days when users entered programs on punch cards. They gave a batch of these programmed cards to the system operator, who fed them into the computer. Usually, batch jo bs are stored up during working hours and then executed whenever the computer is idle. Batch processing is particularly useful for operations that require the computer or a peripheral device for an extended period of time. Once a batch job begins, it continues until it is done or until an error occurs. Note that batch processing implies that there is no interaction with the user while the program is being executed. 17] The ERP tables are the database tables, (thousands of them), on which the package is built. The programmers and end users must set these tables to match their business processes. Each table has a decision „switchthat leads the software down one decision path or another. 18] EDI connects all the suppliers in and out of the US. www. icmrindia. org/free resources/casestudies/Mercedes Benz-ITSystems-Case Studies. htm