Within the finance industry, and many other industries, there is very little use of Mac operating system and Apple hardware. In this, the first installment of a series of blogs, I will try to depict the reasons that Mac's are not as prevalent in the workplace as PCs.
1. Mac is proprietary - No one else can make them, they are made by one company, and serviced by one company, Apple.
2. Relatively new - Many corporations would need an absolute IT overhaul to switch to the Apple computers, this could be extremely costly.
3. Hardware costs more - Apple computers are very expensive as compared to PCs
4. Financial information systems tend to run on PC. Therefore most financial software is not optimized for MAC OS
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Netflix: a disruptive technology, being disrupted.
Netflix has the reputation of being the blockbuster killer. Netflix allows people to view movies and tv shows on demand or by dvd through the mail at any time through a monthly charge. This has said to be the killer of the brick a mortar video rental store. But how long will it last?
I am a former member of Netflix, for a few reasons. Mainly, I do not feel that it is worth the money for the selection they offer. Many of the movies on Netflix for immediate online viewing are very limited and somewhat dated. As an avid movie watcher, I normally like to see movies as soon as they are released on dvd, Netflix does not have the movies immediately, there is somewhat of a delay before they become available on the menu. This is somewhat frustrating in that they rarely had what i was wanting to watch.
Another main reason is the development of digital cable. I already pay a cable fee, and have Comcast on demand. On demand does more than Netflix ever did, and it conveniently is located right on my cable box, and attaches fees to my cable bill and offers many free programs. On demand technology through my digital cable box has killed my Netflix subscription. This is a perfect example of what i like to call the technology food chain. Netflix kills blockbuster, and soon I believe OnDemand will kill Netflix.
I am a former member of Netflix, for a few reasons. Mainly, I do not feel that it is worth the money for the selection they offer. Many of the movies on Netflix for immediate online viewing are very limited and somewhat dated. As an avid movie watcher, I normally like to see movies as soon as they are released on dvd, Netflix does not have the movies immediately, there is somewhat of a delay before they become available on the menu. This is somewhat frustrating in that they rarely had what i was wanting to watch.
Another main reason is the development of digital cable. I already pay a cable fee, and have Comcast on demand. On demand does more than Netflix ever did, and it conveniently is located right on my cable box, and attaches fees to my cable bill and offers many free programs. On demand technology through my digital cable box has killed my Netflix subscription. This is a perfect example of what i like to call the technology food chain. Netflix kills blockbuster, and soon I believe OnDemand will kill Netflix.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Tech innovation - cutting costs one place, hurting an industry elsewhere
A key factor for many organizations today is to identify how technology can best integrate with key business processes. Many businesses are cutting costs by using a somewhat new technology.
In going on with disruptive technology, I bring to you, the disruption of videoconferencing. With technological innovations making the world much more tight knit. Great phone connections and e-mail have made it easier to do business in multiple places at one time.
However, It is said that 93% of communication between people is determined by non-verbal cues such as tone of voice and body language. Telephone calls and e-mails cannot capture this, but videoconferencing can.
Videoconferencing is eliminating the need for expensive business trips for employees, allowing them to be in multiple places at one time. Not only does it cut costs, it also is more efficient in that employees are not using time to travel. This may seem good for some, but not for others. Airlines are feeling the effects. Technological innovation has disrupted the business traveler market. Although nothing will totally replace and in-person meeting, things like videoconferencing are attempting to mimic it.
In going on with disruptive technology, I bring to you, the disruption of videoconferencing. With technological innovations making the world much more tight knit. Great phone connections and e-mail have made it easier to do business in multiple places at one time.
However, It is said that 93% of communication between people is determined by non-verbal cues such as tone of voice and body language. Telephone calls and e-mails cannot capture this, but videoconferencing can.
Videoconferencing is eliminating the need for expensive business trips for employees, allowing them to be in multiple places at one time. Not only does it cut costs, it also is more efficient in that employees are not using time to travel. This may seem good for some, but not for others. Airlines are feeling the effects. Technological innovation has disrupted the business traveler market. Although nothing will totally replace and in-person meeting, things like videoconferencing are attempting to mimic it.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Disruptive Technology - Job Killers
In my study of technology that is disrupting industries, I noticed that most of the hype is about the way that technology is killing jobs.
With all the havoc in the financial markets, and the serious implications of the unemployment rate, it seems it all may stem from the increase in technology.
"New technologies are wreaking havoc on employment figures -- from EZpasses ousting toll collectors to Google-controlled self-driving automobiles rendering taxicab drivers obsolete. Every new computer program is basically doing some task that a person used to do. But the computer usually does it faster, more accurately, for less money, and without any health insurance costs."
People are so worried about jobs, yet technology is killing them.
Within the business world companies are constantly trying to find ways to cut costs to raise earnings. Technology can help with that, eliminating employee salaries and replacing them with machines. But this in turn drives the unemployment number up., Hurting markets as a whole. So since the company is making more money, the rich executives are getting richer, whereas the people at the bottom are getting replaced by machines and losing their salary. This stems the biggest question of all, is technology advancement hurting the U.S. economy? Indirectly... It may be....
With all the havoc in the financial markets, and the serious implications of the unemployment rate, it seems it all may stem from the increase in technology.
Just today, I hit CNN.com and found this article that relates exactly to what I have been reporting on all week. Technology killing jobs.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/09/07/rushkoff.jobs.obsolete/index.html?hpt=hp_c1
"New technologies are wreaking havoc on employment figures -- from EZpasses ousting toll collectors to Google-controlled self-driving automobiles rendering taxicab drivers obsolete. Every new computer program is basically doing some task that a person used to do. But the computer usually does it faster, more accurately, for less money, and without any health insurance costs."
People are so worried about jobs, yet technology is killing them.
Within the business world companies are constantly trying to find ways to cut costs to raise earnings. Technology can help with that, eliminating employee salaries and replacing them with machines. But this in turn drives the unemployment number up., Hurting markets as a whole. So since the company is making more money, the rich executives are getting richer, whereas the people at the bottom are getting replaced by machines and losing their salary. This stems the biggest question of all, is technology advancement hurting the U.S. economy? Indirectly... It may be....
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Cell Phone Tech - How Much is to Much?
Over the past ten years or so, we have seen dramatic technology changes in the way people use their cell phones. I remember getting my first cell phone and being able to do one thing, make calls. Shortly thereafter texting became the hottest new thing.
Now because i own an iPhone, i can do everything from shopping online, using a gps, playing music, pay for my starbucks coffee, to controlling my computer all from my simple little cellular telephone. However, when is enough enough?
Many people (like my mother) prefer not to have a phone like this. Both of my sisters, their husbands, and my father have the iPhone, and love it. My mom had it at one point, but then decided she did not want it anymore. She said it was because she just simply didn't need it, and it was too complicated to use, and she couldn't type using the touchscreen. Very interesting in that she went from the hottest piece of cellular technology, back to a simple little flip phone because it was all she needed.
My father, hated the iPhone when he first got it, not because it was hard to use, or because it was to weird to type on a touchscreen, but it was simply it made him to connected. He says he leaves it at home half of the time while he's not at work because he hates being able to see his work e-mail on the iPhone while he's say... on the golf course. He told me "there are sometimes i just do not want to be checking my e-mail, and sometimes i don't want the iPhone to check my e-mail either.
Is this just a thing of the past? Do older people who did not grow up with this technology prefer not to have it? It is interesting to me because if i do not have my phone with my, i feel like i am missing something. I like to be able to google something when I'm arguing over some dumb fact, or to be able to check the weather at a click of the finger. But some do not.
With all the new technology coming out in cell phones, things like projectors out of the sides of them, 3D screens, and other ridiculous trends, it raises a question to me. How much is to much? Will there be a day where the cell phone is basically done getting add-on treatment? Or will there be one day where people like my mother won't be able to have just a simple flip phone? We will see. But as for now, some of this technology going into smartphones seems just excessive.
Now because i own an iPhone, i can do everything from shopping online, using a gps, playing music, pay for my starbucks coffee, to controlling my computer all from my simple little cellular telephone. However, when is enough enough?
Many people (like my mother) prefer not to have a phone like this. Both of my sisters, their husbands, and my father have the iPhone, and love it. My mom had it at one point, but then decided she did not want it anymore. She said it was because she just simply didn't need it, and it was too complicated to use, and she couldn't type using the touchscreen. Very interesting in that she went from the hottest piece of cellular technology, back to a simple little flip phone because it was all she needed.
My father, hated the iPhone when he first got it, not because it was hard to use, or because it was to weird to type on a touchscreen, but it was simply it made him to connected. He says he leaves it at home half of the time while he's not at work because he hates being able to see his work e-mail on the iPhone while he's say... on the golf course. He told me "there are sometimes i just do not want to be checking my e-mail, and sometimes i don't want the iPhone to check my e-mail either.
Is this just a thing of the past? Do older people who did not grow up with this technology prefer not to have it? It is interesting to me because if i do not have my phone with my, i feel like i am missing something. I like to be able to google something when I'm arguing over some dumb fact, or to be able to check the weather at a click of the finger. But some do not.
With all the new technology coming out in cell phones, things like projectors out of the sides of them, 3D screens, and other ridiculous trends, it raises a question to me. How much is to much? Will there be a day where the cell phone is basically done getting add-on treatment? Or will there be one day where people like my mother won't be able to have just a simple flip phone? We will see. But as for now, some of this technology going into smartphones seems just excessive.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Online Banking - "How convenient is to convenient?"
In present day, the internet has changed many aspects of our economy and world, making most things more convenient and easier to accomplish. This is especially true in the banking industry. Remember the days when to pay a bill you had to write a check and send it in the mail? Or to deposit your check from work you would have to hit the bank drive through on your way home on a payday, and wait in a terribly long line because everyone else was doing the same thing?
These days are over, nowadays most employers love direct deposit, and most employees do to. I know I love direct deposit because it is so terribly easy, and so quick and efficient.
But what effect do these things have on the banking industry? There is now a much less need for bank tellers, because most people use direct deposit and online banking for all of their banking needs.
I am a fan of online banking, but not everyone is. I have a friend who prides himself on getting his check from his job, driving to the bank, and depositing it himself rather than signing up for direct deposit. He claims it makes him feel like he really made the money, rather than just seeing a larger number in your account page on a screen. In essence i understand this. Even things like debit cards can have a similar effect. I feel that when I use a debit card it is barely even money, it is just a number on the screen. "debit and forget it" is a popular saying used to depict the way that a debit card transaction feels impersonal and like you are barely spending the money at all. I feel that when i have cash in my wallet and am going to hand fork it over for something, I think hard about if I really need it. Whereas my debit card and online transactions just changed the number on the screen.
Online banking is the new trend, it makes it even easier to spend and move your money. But is it really a good thing for consumers? Seeing as though it makes it even easier for people to spend and not save? You be the judge. Personally, I like the convenience.
These days are over, nowadays most employers love direct deposit, and most employees do to. I know I love direct deposit because it is so terribly easy, and so quick and efficient.
But what effect do these things have on the banking industry? There is now a much less need for bank tellers, because most people use direct deposit and online banking for all of their banking needs.
I am a fan of online banking, but not everyone is. I have a friend who prides himself on getting his check from his job, driving to the bank, and depositing it himself rather than signing up for direct deposit. He claims it makes him feel like he really made the money, rather than just seeing a larger number in your account page on a screen. In essence i understand this. Even things like debit cards can have a similar effect. I feel that when I use a debit card it is barely even money, it is just a number on the screen. "debit and forget it" is a popular saying used to depict the way that a debit card transaction feels impersonal and like you are barely spending the money at all. I feel that when i have cash in my wallet and am going to hand fork it over for something, I think hard about if I really need it. Whereas my debit card and online transactions just changed the number on the screen.
Online banking is the new trend, it makes it even easier to spend and move your money. But is it really a good thing for consumers? Seeing as though it makes it even easier for people to spend and not save? You be the judge. Personally, I like the convenience.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Trying to Make a Dollar Out of 15 Cents : Online Investing
When watching TV( which I tend to do more than I normally would admit) there are certain advertisements that tend to stick out. Whether its Apple's simple yet stunning commercials, to IBM's "I'm an IBMer" commercials, the technology companies are tearing up the cable marketplace. Even when it comes to finance.
Behold, The E-trade baby.
Everyone knows him, everyone loves him. The e-trade baby has kids who don't even know what an online brokerage is talking about e-trade. Brilliant
Online brokerages are a huge trend. Because of the capability of online brokerages, technology has once again changed the landscape of an entire industry; Investments. The eruption of online brokerages out there have reduced the need for stock brokers overall and also given less personal aspect to investing with a broker. Although all online trades are approved by a broker, there is no real contact between the client and broker.
The thought is great, I can manage my money myself through an online brokerage on my laptop, tablet, or phone, make millions, retire early, move to florida, and play golf everyday. This is just what they want you to think. E-trade, Scottrade, Charles Schwab, and TD Ameritrade are all broadcasting commercials telling you about how cheap their trades are, how accurate and recent their data is, and how easy it is to work for even the casual investor. They tend to leave a few things out.
People may spend their time reading Yahoo Finance, and watching CNBC to get their stock picks to type into their e-trade account, and in a perfect world, every investment grows. But that is hardly true, by the time that information get to CNBC, or Yahoo, it is public information. Large brokerages probably knew this hours if not days before you did. Because the market is so dominated by these large brokerage houses, it makes it tough for a small guy investor to make a dollar out of 15 cents, or even a dollar out of 99 cents.
Buy low sell high, basically the bare bones of any business. For one person to make money investing, another must lose money, and with about 60% of all market trades being done by computers in brokerage houses with no personal interaction, it is tough for a small person to make anything trading simple stocks on a e-trade account.
Technology has made it easier and more convenient to invest, but it also has made it a bit riskier.
The following link contains a real-life version of an e-trade commercial. Check it out, and invest wisely.
http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6477219/remix-e-trade-baby-loses-everything
Behold, The E-trade baby.
Everyone knows him, everyone loves him. The e-trade baby has kids who don't even know what an online brokerage is talking about e-trade. Brilliant
Online brokerages are a huge trend. Because of the capability of online brokerages, technology has once again changed the landscape of an entire industry; Investments. The eruption of online brokerages out there have reduced the need for stock brokers overall and also given less personal aspect to investing with a broker. Although all online trades are approved by a broker, there is no real contact between the client and broker.
The thought is great, I can manage my money myself through an online brokerage on my laptop, tablet, or phone, make millions, retire early, move to florida, and play golf everyday. This is just what they want you to think. E-trade, Scottrade, Charles Schwab, and TD Ameritrade are all broadcasting commercials telling you about how cheap their trades are, how accurate and recent their data is, and how easy it is to work for even the casual investor. They tend to leave a few things out.
People may spend their time reading Yahoo Finance, and watching CNBC to get their stock picks to type into their e-trade account, and in a perfect world, every investment grows. But that is hardly true, by the time that information get to CNBC, or Yahoo, it is public information. Large brokerages probably knew this hours if not days before you did. Because the market is so dominated by these large brokerage houses, it makes it tough for a small guy investor to make a dollar out of 15 cents, or even a dollar out of 99 cents.
Buy low sell high, basically the bare bones of any business. For one person to make money investing, another must lose money, and with about 60% of all market trades being done by computers in brokerage houses with no personal interaction, it is tough for a small person to make anything trading simple stocks on a e-trade account.
Technology has made it easier and more convenient to invest, but it also has made it a bit riskier.
The following link contains a real-life version of an e-trade commercial. Check it out, and invest wisely.
http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6477219/remix-e-trade-baby-loses-everything
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