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INFOSYS.110 BUSINESS SYSTEMS: DELIVERABLE 2: BUSINESS SECTION2014

Name Nicholas Hon Liang NgNetID nng982Group Number: 121Website Link: http://infosys110groupxxx.blogspot.co.nz/

Tutorial DetailsTutor: Day: Time:Claris Chung Monday 3pm

Time Spent on Assignment: 20 hours Word Count: 1649

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LIGHT IS ESSENTIAL FOR LIFEINTRODUCTION

The world today is one filled with the brilliance and exuberance of modern day technology.

Despite our grand leaps of innovation, many people still live without light. This is mainly due

to a lack of infrastructure in less economically developed country (LEDCs). This problem is

also evident in more economically developed countries (MEDCs) where daylight hours per

day drops significantly during winter. To combat this chronic problem, the solution is

profound; harness the sun’s light energy and reflect it back to specific parts of the Earth,

using a network of mirror satellites.

3. BUSINESS SECTION

3.1 Vision

To be the world’s leader in floodlight technology by providing an affordable, rapidly

responsive, and natural source of light to every settlement, city, and country in the world.

3.2 Industry Analysis: Solar Powered Floodlight Industry

Industry: Solar Powered Floodlight Industry. A floodlight is commonly an artificial light that

illuminates a wide area. The use of mirror satellites to reflect sunlight can be viewed as a

natural type of floodlight.

Force: High/Low: Justification:

Buyer power: High There are many companies in this industry, which

buyers can choose to buy from. This is evident in

the long list of top companies that sell LED solar

floodlights. (Johnson, 2014)

Supplier power: Low Companies have many suppliers which they can

buy from. This is because solar floodlights are

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made using solar cells which are quite extensively

made. (Eco Business Links, n.d.)

Threat of new entrants: Low It is relatively expensive to start up a solar panel

floodlight business. Machinery to make solar

panels are expensive, meaning substantial

amounts of start-up capital is needed. Hence,

barriers of entry to this industry is high. (LMS

Machinery, n.d.)

Threat of substitutes: Low Light is used in our everyday lives. The only real

substitute to light is fire. However, there are

many dangers associated with its use and it’s not

bright enough. (BSEF, n.d.)

Rivalry among existing

competitors:

High There are a large number of companies in the

industry. They are all fighting for a piece of the

market share leading to increased rivalries.

(Johnson, 2014).

Overall attractiveness of the industry: Overall, this industry is relatively unattractive to

potential new businesses. This is predominantly due to the high competition that already

exists and the high buyer power.

3.3 Customers and Their Needs

A target group for this product would be MEDCs who are experiencing shortened daylight

hours. Finnish Meteorological Institute (n.d.) states that Finland only experiences about 6

hours of sunlight in a day during midwinter. Hence, people living in these ice cold climates

are unable to gain access to sufficient sunlight for recreational activities. Furthermore,

research by the Harvard Medical School (2006) suggests that vitamin D from the sun is vital

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for “bone strength and preventing osteoporosis”. In this way, the product adheres to the

customers’ social and health needs.

LEDCs, like Uganda, are another possible target group. These countries lack the capital

needed to build infrastructure for electricity. Indiegogo (2013) states that there are “590

million Africans [that] live off the grid”. These countries are forced to use flame based lamps

that release harmful gases. Indiegogo (2013) also explains that these lamps are cheap but

fuel to run them is not. Therefore, these lamps cause significant health issues and financial

costs.

3.4 The Product and Service

Using the sun and a network of mirror satellites, it is possible to illuminate specific areas

using a natural source of light. This is useful as the mirror satellites are able to reflect light to

countries experiencing winter, allowing customers to enjoy sunlight. Also, the fact that they

are able to gain greater exposure to the sun means that they decrease their risk of vitamin D

deficiencies.

Mirror satellites would remove the problem of having to build expensive infrastructure.

Also, kerosene lamps would be replaced by a natural light source, removing harmful health

issues associated with burning fossil fuels. Because these countries cannot afford to pay top

dollar for the satellites, their fee can be subsidised by charging MEDCs more. Sponsorship

from large corporations is also a viable option.

3.5 Suppliers and Partners

An invaluable supplier to this business would be Navman; a company specialising in GPS

technology. Navman have an existing network of satellites which can be used to pinpoint

locations of low light intensity. A telecommunications company, like Telecom, would also be

a useful supplier. They have an extensive network which can transmit information between

the ground team and the mirror satellite network.

A partner specialising specifically in satellite technology would be beneficial to the business.

NASA is an organisation that has extensive knowledge needed to operate a vast satellite

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network. An energy company, like Mercury Energy in New Zealand, would also be a valuable

partner. In order to exploit the market, it would make strategic sense to partner with

Mercury Energy as they are able to provide the business with information regarding

people’s lighting bills. This can then be used to employ effective marketing campaigns.

3.6 Strategy: High Cost and Broad market

The high cost of the product is mainly due to its uniqueness and the fact that it is a world-

first innovation. The product will initially be marketed to richer European nations suffering

the effects of a bitter, cold winter, and are therefore more likely to buy and be able to afford

the product.

As profits increase, it is envisioned that the product will be sold to LEDCs in desperate need

of lighting at night. This can be done through subsidies and sponsorships, thereby expanding

the sale of the product to a different market. Hence, this aligns with the broad market

competitive scope which will be used.

The overall strategy is therefore Differentiation.

3.7 Value Chain Activity: Technology development (and R&D)

The most important value chain activity for this business is Technology development (and

R&D).

Technology development (and R&D) is essential to this business as the product being

offered is an utterly new innovation. In order to charge a high cost, the product must be of

high quality. This is also emphatically emphasised in the vision whereby this company

promises to be the “world’s leader in floodlight technology”. To meet this bold criteria, it is

paramount for the technology to be cutting edge. Along with this, it is also of great

importance that the research into new technology is done thoroughly in order to create

new and better technology for every “settlement, city, and country in the world”. In this

way, technology development (and R&D) is one of the most important value chain activities

for this business.

3.8 Business Processes

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3.8.1. WEATHER INFORMATION GATHERING PROCESS - This process gathers weather

information which is needed to identify the areas where light intensity is low. By going

through the stringent steps in the process, irrelevant information is discarded. In the

meantime, the relevant weather information can be stored and used to align the satellites in

specific ways in order for sunlight to be reflected into the right areas.

3.8.2. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROCESS – This process analyses a customers’ feedback on

the product, in particular looking for negative feedback, which can be used to help improve

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the product. By being able to identify and analyse a customer’s particular negative feedback,

the business will be able to implement changes to rectify the problem.

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3.9 Functionalities

3.9.1. WEATHER INFORMATION GATHERING PROCESS

Ability to detect low levels of light intensity. Predict weather patterns accurately.

3.9.2. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROCESS

Identify improvements that need to be made. Catalogue needs, demands, and desires of customers.

3.10 Systems

3.10.1. WEATHER INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – This system assists the business in

locating the areas where light is needed the most. The system is able to categorise key

information. Once the system has located a specific location, this information is then able to

be used to automatically align the mirror satellites accordingly. By being able to locate

specific areas, no matter how big or small, the vision of bringing light to “every settlement,

city, and country in the world” is fulfilled.

3.10.2. FEEDBACK PROCESSING SYSTEM – This system allows the business to make the full use

of its customers’ feedback. It will sort out a feedback based on its usefulness helping to

support decision making. The ability to process a customer’s particular negative feedback,

allows the business to implement changes to correct the problem. This system would aid in

any future modifications to the product, keeping with the business’ firm believe in being the

“world’s leader in floodlight technology” by constantly making improvements.

3.10.3. WEATHER PREDICTING SUPPORT SYSTEM – This system enables the weather

information gathered to be processed rapidly. The system is able to predict weather

patterns using the data collected. By being able to systematically process the weather

information gathered, response time to weather changes is greatly decreased, enhancing

the automation capabilities of the product. Hence, this clearly satisfies the rapid response

part of the business’ vision.

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3.11. Summary Table: Value Chain to Systems

Value Chain Activity

Processes Functionalities Specific Information System(s)

Broad Information System(s)

Technology

developmen

t (and R&D)

1. Weather information gathering process

1. Ability to detect low levels of light intensity.

2. Predict weather patterns accurately.

Weather information management system

Weather predicting support system

Collaboration system

Decisions support system

2. Product

improvement

process

3. Identify improvements that need to be made.

4. Catalogue needs, demands, and desires of customers.

Feedback processing system

Feedback processing system

Supply chain management system

Decision support system

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CONCLUSION

The lack of light in modern day civilisation is a fixable disparity. Through the implementation

of mirror satellites, this problem is resolvable. The use of information systems, particularly,

the weather information management system, allows this problem to be identified and

rapidly resolved. Using information technology, information is collected to facilitate in the

automation of the mirror satellites. Hence, through the use of information systems and

information technology, the mirror satellite network is more effective in meeting the needs

of customers.

REFERENCES

1. Johnson, D. (2014). Top LED Floodlight Manufacturers. Retrieved from http://www.ledsolarfloodlights.com/top-led-floodlight-manufacturers/

2. Eco Business Links. (n.d.). Solar Panel & Cell Manufacturers. Retrieved from http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/solar_panel___cell_manufacturers/

3. Guangzhou LMS Machinery. (n.d.). Machine to Make Solar Panel. Retrieved from http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/machine-to-make-solar-panel_1495608318.html?s=p

4. Bromine Science and Environmental Forum. (n.d.). The Dangers of Fire. Retrieved from http://www.bsef.com/fire-safety-benefits/the-dangers-of-fire

5. Finnish Meteorological Institute (n.d.). Seasons in Finland. Retrieved from http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/seasons-in-finland

6. Harvard Medical School (2006). Vitamin D: Enjoying its day in the sun. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Vitamin-D-Enjoying-its-day-in-the-sun.htm

7. Indiegogo (2013). Light the Future for Rural Ugandans. Retrieved from https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/light-the-future-for-rural-ugandans

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