Expanding The Market Share For Apples Iphone Marketing Essay

Expanding The Market Share For Apples Iphone Marketing Essay A Marketing Research project for the MSc International Marketing Management programme 2010/11 Executive Summary The purpose of this research was to determine how to increase the market share of the iPhone in China. In order to conduct the study, the marketing research problem was identified as to determine the needs and preferences of buyers of smartphones in the Chinese market. In line with the research problem six hypotheses were developed to be tested. In this project, several research approaches were used. Exploratory research was conducted to help the researchers obtain a basic understanding and insight into the problems facing Apple Inc., while conclusive research helped to build upon the findings of the exploratory research. Through searching and reading secondary data, the researchers identified the different factors, in terms of physical factors (e.g., price, quality, ease of use), social factors (e.g., fashion purchasing, group identity, symbol of status) and emotional factors (e.g., brand image, appearance, advertisement, etc.), that theoretically should influence purchase behaviour. Based on the secondary data, a questionnaire was designed and administered to 176 Chinese students in the University of Leeds from 11th to 22nd November 2010 to collect the primary data of their perceptions and satisfactions towards smartphones and the iPhone. The results were analysed using SPSS, and several statistical tests performed to check whether the hypotheses were accepted in the study. From the project, the researchers found that all the three factors (physical factor, social factor and emotional factor) individually were closely related to the perceptions of iPhone, and also that these three factors combined exerted influence towards the perceptions. Moreover, consumers perceptions toward the iPhone were found to be related to their post purchase satisfactions as well. Gender and income, as the demographic moderators, also have influence on the perceptions and satisfactions of iPhone, although the effect of gender was limited. As a result, the study could be considered as a reference of iPhone to identify their current problems in Chinese market and design corresponding marketing strategy to increase their marketing share in China. Table of Contents 1 A Marketing Research project for the MSc International Marketing Management programme 2010/11 1 Introduction 4 Background 6 SWOT analysis for iPhone in Chinese market 7 Problem Definition 7 Management Decision Problem 7 Market Research Problem 8 Research Components 8 Research Approach Development 8 Literature review 8 1.1.1Physical Factors 8 1.1.2Social Factors 9 1.1.3Emotional/Psychological Factors 9 1.1.4Demographic Factors 9 Conceptual Model 11 Research Question and Hypotheses 11 Research Design and Methodology 13 Research Design 13 Secondary Research 13 Primary Research 14 1.1.5Research Approach 14 1.1.6Sampling Design 14 1.1.7Questionnaire Design 16 Field work 19 Analytical Methods 20 Results and Hypotheses Testing 21 Profile of the respondents 21 Factors influencing mobile phone choices 21 1.1.8Factors influencing smartphone preferences 21 1.1.9Factors related to iPhones 22 1.1.10Post Purchase Satisfaction 23 Hypothesis Testing 23 7. Conclusions and Recommendations 29 7.1 Conclusion 29 The conclusion is shown in the following model: 30 7.2 Recommendations 30 7.3 Limitations of the Research 31 8. References 32 9.List of Appendix 34 Appendix 1: Questionnaire 34 9.2 Appendix 2: Respondents Profile Frequency 39 9.3 Appendix 3: Mean Value 41 9.4 Appendix 4: Moderator regression table 44 Introduction The market for smartphones has been growing continually. The proof of its popularity is that sales of smartphones to end users have reached 54.3 million units in the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 48.7 percent from the same period in 2009. smartphones hold 17.3 percent of worldwide mobile phone devices sales (Gartner, May 2010). There are currently more than 6 types of operating systems available in the smartphone market, such as Symbian, RIM, Apple iOS, Android, Windows Mobile and Linux. The Nokia Symbian holds the highest market share followed by RIM BlackBerry and Apple iOS in the year 2010 (Gartner, May 2010). The players in the market compete by introducing new innovations and adding value to their phones, since the consumers expect more from smartphones than from basic feature phones (Mintel, January 2010). Creating an image of being a state of the art technology provider may give the positive connotations in the customers head that allow them to set a higher price, as the strategy that Apple implemented with the iPhone has shown (Data Monitor, May 2010). Even so, according to the fact that 51 percent of the consumers will not buy the phone unless the price come down (Mintel, January 2010), price does clearly matter to them. The factors influencing smartphone purchasing decisions needs to be identified in order to develop new potential opportunities to create distinctive competencies. This study will cover factors influencing iPhone perception and iPhone post purchase satisfaction. This should give a guide to a successful marketing strategy in the future. Background Apple Inc. is one of the major companies of technology and innovation in consumer products in the world. They provide a wide range of products and services, from laptop and desktop computers to accessories and software services. The company recorded revenues of almost $43 billion during the financial year ending in September 2009 (FY2009), an increase of over 14% since 2008. The increase in revenues was mainly due to growth in sales of iPhone handsets and the related sales of third-party digital content and applications from the iTunes Store (Data Monitor, May 2010). But even though China has the highest number of mobile phone subscribers in the world, the sales figures for iPhone in China as reported by China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd. are far behind the rest of the big markets in the world. It took only 30 hours for Apple iPhone to reach over 200,000 sold units in the U.S. in 2007, but it took more than a month to reach the same number in China (The Economic Times, October 2010). One possible factor holding the iPhone back in China is its relatively high price. Apple and Unicom charge $730 to $1,020 for the iPhone, not including discounts on service, making it more expensive than grey market iPhones brought into the country through places like Hong Kong. There may be up to two million such grey market iPhones in China according to an estimate by Paul Wuh, an analyst covering China Unicom for Samsung Securities. In addition to this, the Wi-Fi Internet function was initially disabled on Unicoms iPhones to comply with Chinese government rules (Wall Street Journal, Dec 2009), which might also have contributed to the slow take-off of iPhone sales. NOTE Is this a reference SWOT analysis for iPhone in Chinese market Strengths Strong brand name Focuses RD driving innovation Provides State of the art technologies Opportunities Strong growth in smartphones market segment Continuing growth in demand for handheld devices Weaknesses Product recalls Patent infringement Expensive Price Threats Intense competition Dependence on specific suppliers Chinese Governments regulations High cost of internet bundle provider Reference: Data monitor 21 May 2010 Available at http://www.datamonitor.com Problem Definition Management Decision Problem Apple Inc. has encountered some potential limitations for the iPhone in the Chinese market, such as government regulations, grey market opportunities and the high price of the phone. Even though 100,000 iPhone 4s were sold in the first 4 days of availability (Sutherland, 2010), representing a high demand for the iPhone, the market share in China is still lower than anywhere else in the world. Hence, the management decision problem for Apple could be How to increase iPhone market share in China? Market Research Problem To answer the management decision problem it needs to be translated into a market research problem, which the researchers therefore define to be: To determine the needs and preferences of buyers of smartphones in the Chinese market Research Components To clarify consumers perceptions toward smartphones. To determine the factors that influence consumers decision to buy the iPhone. To evaluate consumers post purchase behaviour of iPhone. To discover potential influence of demographic factors on iPhone satisfaction Research Approach Development Literature review According to the secondary data that have been collected for this study, there are 4 main factors that should influence consumers technology buying decisions. Physical Factors Consumers would look into visible aspects (design) more than software specific aspects (operating system). Three main factors that consumers focus on are good design, the brand of the handset and quality of integrated camera. The consumers cannot always tell the distinction between the latest innovative phones and other phones. The companies attempts to position themselves, as high technology innovators may not be significant when consumers do not look for it (Mintel, January 2010). A better design leads to a sense of better usability and help to extend users emotional attachment to the device (Nanda, 2008) Social Factors As a rule, in the emerging markets of the world the penetration of mobile technology is higher in the high-income segments of a population. In the developed world a mobile handset is part of the everyday world, while elsewhere it is still considered as a luxury and a symbol of status. Thus, while income is less related to the ownership of a mobile handset in Europe, in China it is still a very important factor (Castells et al., 2004). To specify on teenage consumers, they want to keep up with the most recent trend so there is a quick turnover in their technology adopting behaviour. They were controlled by trend not technology and they fear to be excluded from their group because the lack of technology involvement (Mintel, August 2008). People were influenced by their own group about which phone to buy. The innovation and designs were developed to satisfy consumers social needs (Vincent, 2009). Young users are also more likely to use SMS rather than voice calls than other users, mainly because it is cheaper and because they usually have more time to master the technical skill of texting. For the older, working population where the employer pays the bills the opposite is the general rule (Castells et al., 2004). Emotional/Psychological Factors The role of the phones is more than just a communication tool. They become personal objects (Hallnà ¤s Redstrà ¶m, 2002). The common emotional responses among mobile phone users are being cool, chilled out and tuned into a mobile phone culture The thrill and the novelty of the mobile phone: What the phones can do for the users are the factors that enable and strengthen the relationship. Demographic Factors There is a positive relation between age and price concern. Older buyers would take price as an important factor when deciding to buy a new phone (Mintel, January 2010). As well as teenage buyers, they have a budget constraint due to their limited income. Consequently they would wait until they are certain about their choice so as to avoid making a bad purchase. This concern leads to a brand criterion. In order to reduce the risk of wasting their money, they would stick to the trusted brand only (Mintel, August 2008). Technology goods are a low elasticity product to men. During the recession men still buy new technology goods. Women are more prices sensitive than men and they are also interested in design more than men (Mintel, June 2009). Due to the two facts that in China ownership of a mobile phone is positively related to income, and that a larger part of the high-income earners are men, there is a gap between number of male and female users of mobile phones. However, there is a growing market segment targeted at women where the exterior design is the major selling point (Castells et al., 2004). There is also a difference in how male and females perceive and use their handsets; female users are not only likelier to see the phone as a fashionable accessory but also use it as a key channel to maintain personal relationships. This becomes evident in studies that show that even if more men than women use SMS, women are more frequent users of it than men (Castells et al., 2004). Conceptual Model Figure 1: Model of Smartphone Purchasing Decision H1 H3 H4 H5 H6 iPhone Perceptions Post purchase Satisfaction Demographic Moderators Physical Factors H2 Social Factors Emotional Factors Research Question and Hypotheses Q1: Is there any relationship between physical factors and the iPhone perceptions? H1: There is a relationship between physical factors and the iPhone perceptions. Q2: Is there any relationship between social factors and the iPhone perceptions? H2: There is a relationship between social factors and the iPhone perceptions. Q3: Is there any relationship between emotional factors and the iPhone perceptions? H3: There is a relationship between emotional factors and the iPhone perceptions. Q4: Is there a relationship between physical factors, social factors and emotional factors and iPhone perceptions? H4: There is a relationship between physical factors, social factors and emotional factors and iPhone perceptions. Q5: Is there a relationship between iPhone perceptions and post purchase satisfactions? H5: There is a relationship between iPhone perceptions and post purchase satisfactions. Q6a: Does the demographic moderator of income influence the relationship between iPhone perceptions and post purchase satisfaction? H6a: The demographic moderator of income influences the relationship between iPhone perceptions and post purchase satisfaction. Q6b: Does the demographic moderator of gender influence the relationship between iPhone perceptions and post purchase satisfaction? H6b: The demographic moderator of gender influences the relationship between iPhone perceptions and post purchase satisfaction. Research Design and Methodology Research Design Research design is a framework or blueprint conducting a market research project that specifies the procedures necessary to obtain the information needed to structure or solve the marketing problem (Malhotra, 2009: 94). The objective of this project is to improve the sales volume of iPhone in China. The first step here was to define the management decision problem and then apply suitable market research approach. There are two types of research designs; Exploratory: An exploratory research was conducted to gain a basic understanding and insight in the problems faced by Apple Inc. This was done mainly through secondary data. The exploratory research proved that there was some problem and further research was required in order to address it appropriately. Conclusive: A conclusive research was conducted to build upon the finding of the exploratory research. It is done mainly to test the formulated hypotheses. The conclusive research is of two types; descriptive and casual. The descriptive research was used to identify the relationship between the different variables affecting the buying behaviour whereas the causal research was used to determine the cause and effect relationships between the moderator and the variables. Secondary Research This is one of the most important elements of a market research project especially when there is time and cost constraint. Since the study revolves around a very new, unique and innovative product so the secondary data has been entirely sourced from the quality journals, newspapers and research articles. In order to maintain authenticity of the data, all the data was compared among each other and this lay the foundation for the development of the research model for the study. Primary Research Research Approach The survey method was used to collect the information from the respondents in this research. This method was chosen due to its advantages of ease, reliability, and simplicity along with the fact that it can simultaneously demonstrate the insights into who the actual consumers are, how the consumers behave, and why the consumers behave in certain way (Malhotra, 2009: p214). With the consideration of time and resource constraints, the questionnaires were distributed to Chinese students at the University of Leeds. In addition to distributing the questionnaire face to face to the respondents, an on-line version of the questionnaire was also made available by the researchers to collect data from the respondents. Sampling Design In this case, to understand the correlations between different types of factors and the smartphone purchasing decision of Chinese consumers and between demographic moderators and the customer satisfaction, the sample size was determined according to the four steps of the Sampling Design Process (Malhotra, 2009: p371). Defining the Target Population: Elements of the Sample: Prospective purchasers of mobile phones in China Sample Units: Chinese mobile phone users Extent: Chinese students study in the University of Leeds Time Period: November, 2010 Sample Frame: The Chinese students who study at the University of Leeds were the target population of this research. According to the web page of the University of Leeds (http://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/30313/asia/200/china), the number of Chinese students was 561 when the research was undertaken. Therefore, the sample size was calculated based on the population size of 561. Sampling Technique: Sampling techniques can be classified as non-probability sampling and probability sampling (Malhotra, 2009: p373). Non-probability sampling was selected for the data collection in this research due to the time and resource constraints; the selecting of sample elements was based on the research teams personal judgment and conveniencealecting of sample elements was survey was carried out among different income level.ch could expand the age interval of the re. Determining the sample size: The sample size of the research was calculated by statistical method with the formula below: n = where: n = sample size required N = population size Z = number of standard errors (Z=1.96 for 95% confidence level) (Anton, 1995, cited by Palihawadana, 2009) The sample size was calculated at 95% confidence level, therefore n = = 229 According to the calculation above, 229 questionnaires were required to be collected in this research. However, due to the time and resource constraints, instead 76% of the required sample size or 176 questionnaires were to be included in this research. Questionnaire Design A questionnaire was designed to collect the quantitative primary data. According to the literature review, three factors were embraced in the questionnaire to determine their relevance of smartphones purchasing decision. Besides, collecting basic information of the respondents helped to investigate whether the demographic moderators affected the consumer satisfaction. The questionnaire was designed on the basis of questionnaire design process (Malhotra, 2009 p.331). Information Needed: The first step is to make sure the information which should be collected and used to analyse the result. Thus, it is vital to clearly understand the research questions and hypotheses so as to help the questionnaire remain focused. As the respondents are students at the University of Leeds, the wording and style used in the questionnaire was appropriate to their level of education. Type of Interviewing Method: The survey was conducted mainly by using personal interviews, accompanied by an internet survey. As a result, complex questions were avoided and all the questions were made as detailed and clear as possible so as to avoid any ambiguity. Content of Individual Questions: All questions were designed based on six hypotheses. Reviewing the form and structure of related researches helped the questionnaire to be succinct and well-structured, and thus easy for young respondents to answer. Question Design: The questionnaire was designed to be as simple as possible to achieve raise the willingness to answer of the respondents. Moreover, the questions were oriented to require less effort and to avoid asking for sensitive information. Question structure and operationalisation of the variables Question design: 7-Attitudinal Scales Dichotomous Data Multiple-Choice Questions Questions Social Factors Physical Factors Emotional Factors Q: 3d, 3e, 3f, 7d, 7e, 7f Q:3g-i, 7g-i, 8a-g, 12a-g H1 H2 H3 Q4,Q10,Q14 Q1, Q2, Q5, Q: 3a, 3b, 3c, 7a, 7b, 7c Demo- graphic Moderators Q15, Q16, Q17, Q18, Q19 H6 Post- purchase Satisfaction Q13 Q6 Construct Item Reference H4 iPhone Percep-tions H5 Q11 The questionnaire included 19 questions in four pages. In this questionnaire, three formats of questions were designed, which are, respectively; multiple-choice questions, 7-attitudinal scales and dichotomous questions. Multiple-choice questions were designed in order to get the general information about peoples perception of mobile phones and smartphones, as well as respondents personal information. As respondents are familiar with phones, and the personal information questions are basic background questions, respondents could easily choose a preference choice from the several alternatives. In addition, since the questions were asked in an objective way, the data collected can be taken as reliable. Dichotomous data is that classified into either one of two mutually exclusive values. In the questionnaire, the dichotomous questions were about Yes or No questions about purchasing phones of respondents. Scale questions were used to indicate respondents attitudinal preference of the given items or sentences. In the questionnaire, scale questions were designed as the model of 7-attitudinal scale questions. Among most of these questions, 7 represented strongly agree or strongly satisfied while 1 represents strongly disagree or strongly dissatisfied, indicating respondents attitude in a much more detailed manner. All the factors that directly influence the hypothesis can be evaluated in on the 7-attitudinal scale question model, including physical factors, social factors as well as emotional factors. In this way the researchers found it easy to evaluate the factors that influence peoples preferences regarding smartphones according to the data. Question wording: Questions in the questionnaire were appropriate, simple and objective. While designing the questionnaire, special attention was given so that the questions did not mislead or prime the respondents in any way. This way the reliability of the data is enhanced. Sections of the questionnaire: The questionnaire was divided into four parts; Section A: Mobile Phones in the Market; Section B: Smartphones in the Market; Section C: iPhone and Section D: Personal Information. In Section A, it the respondents general perception about mobile phones was explored; in Section B, the questionnaire tried to get an idea of Chinese international students preferences towards smartphones at Leeds University; in Section C, the questionnaire focused on the attitude towards iPhone among Chinese students at Leeds University; and in the last part, Section D, it is appertained that all the respondents provide their basic personal information, which is an essential part of demographic factors as it would help the researchers to test Hypothesis 4 as a reference. Among the first three sections, equivalent attitudinal questions are asked in order to make a comparison among students attitude towards feature phones, smartphones and the iPhone. Also, all these three parts contained questions about physical factors, social factors and emotional factors that could influence peoples decision while buying phones. Form and Layout: The questionnaire was designed in a way that would inspire the respondents willingness and interest to finish it. This was done by way of keeping sections clearly defined, avoiding the title or questions within a section to be separated between alternatives in two pages. Additionally, certain care was taken to give the questionnaire an appealing look, and the university logo was added to give a serious and trustworthy impression. Pilot testing: Before collecting data from Chinese students in Leeds University, a pilot testing was made among five Chinese students at different schools, to test the practicability of the questionnaire. The suggestions from the five respondents were taken into consideration. The questionnaire was then complemented with some new alternatives, covering more situations and factors in a better way. While doing the actual survey, it was concluded that the respondents of the questionnaire perceived it to be much easier to answer all the questions after the views of the respondents of the Pilot project were incorporated. Field work The duration of data collection was between 11th and 22nd of November 2010, when 176 questionnaires were distributed by the six members of the research team. The researchers collected the data from Chinese students by requesting them to fill out the questionnaires on the campus of the University of Leeds. Analytical Methods In this study, a variety of statistical methods were used to analyse the data which had collected from 176 respondents, in order to understand whether the physical factor, social factor and emotional factor significantly relate to iPhone perceptions, whether these three factors combined together and affected iPhone perception, whether there is a relationship between iPhone perceptions and post purchase satisfaction, and whether demographic factor could be considered as a moderator influences on the relationship between iPhone perceptions and post purchase satisfaction according to the conceptual model. The following are the methods adopted: Bi-variate regression analysis was used to calculate whether there was a relationship between the respondents preferences regarding the different factor (independent variable) and their perception of iPhone (dependent variable). This method was also used to test whether there was a relationship between the perception of respondents towards iPhone (independent variable) and the post purchase satisfaction (dependent variable). When measuring the importance of demographic moderating variables affect the satisfaction of iPhone (dependent variable), bi-variate regression analysis was be used as well. Multiple Regression analysis was conducted to analyse the degree of connection between three factors in terms of physical factor, social factor and emotional factor (independent variables) and the perception of iPhone (dependent variable). Results and Hypotheses Testing Profile of the respondents Among the 176 respondents, 63 of them (35.8%) were male while 113 of them (64.2%) were female. 72.7% of total sample are between the age of 20 and 23. Merely 13.1% of the respondents came from families with the family income level of less than RMB 5000 per month. 61.4% of all the respondents studied in Business School. 64.8% of the respondents have postgraduate educational level. The largest percentage of respondents came from East China, accounts for 43.8%, while only 5% of the respondents came from Northeast China. Factors influencing mobile phone choices Factors influencing smartphone preferences According to the questionnaire result, physical factors were the most important factors that influenced peoples purchasing of smartphones, with an average score of 5.77 on the attitudinal scale while social factors were the least important with an average score of 4.65. Among the physical factors that influenced respondents decision of buying smartphone quality was the most important with an average score of 6.21, while price was the least important with 5.17. Among social factors, pursuing fashion was the most important with an average score of 5.10 while group identity was the least important with 4.40. As to the emotional factors, the appearance of the smartphone was the most important in respondents mind with 5.80 average score, while advertisements were of least importance with 4.09. As mentioned about the functions of smartphones, which are part of emotional factors that influencing peoples decision of buying smartphones, the function of browsing the websites was the most attractive with an average score of 5.70 while the function of video was the least important with 4.51. Factors related to iPhones Regarding the iPhone, emotional factors were the most important factors affecting respondents purchasing behaviour with an average score of 5.26, while the social factors were the least important with 4.37. Among the physical factors, most of the respondents agreed with the sentence iPhone has a high quality, with this factor getting the highest score of 5.47. At the same time most of them think iPhone is expensive because the sentence iPhone has a reasonable price only registered the average score of 3.72. Within the social factors a majority of the respondents believed iPhone to be a symbol of fashion with the score of 5.65, while few people wanted to buy an iPhone just because their friends or family have one, this factor recording only 3.28. Among emotional factors, iPhone has a good design of appearance was the most agreeable sentence with the score of 5.61, and the sentence The advertisements of iPhone are attractive the least with an average score of 4.79. As to functions, included in emotional factors which influence peoples purchasing decisions regarding the iPhone, the availability of applications through which you can go over websites like Facebook or Youtube was the most attractive with a score of 5.91, while

Review of Home security Systems

Chapter 1IntroductionSecurity is one of the major issue in the present universe. Robbery, offense and larceny are the chief important causes that make security as an issue. Smart security system includes easiness of monitoring and observing the presence of the human utilizing different type of detectors like IR, PIR detector etc. Earlier security systems were personally monitored by security guards. Scope of this type of system was reduced due to unprofessional security guards. Therefore to get the better of this, many research workers have been done in the country of the place security to run into occupant’s convenience and safety. Conventional security systems were introduced which used cameras, burglar dismay. Main drawback of this system was the big power ingestion by cameras as they continuously enter the events traveling around it [ 1 ] . This system was costlier. To supply excess bed of security and to get the better of the disadvantage of conventional security system, machine-controlled security systems were introduced. Many researches have been done in the field of development and execution of automated security system. Automated security system uses different types of detector to observe the human presence and gesture. IR and PIR detectors are the most widely used detectors. Advantage of this system was low cost and easiness of observing the interloper presence. Home security system becomes as an of import thing, specially when we are populating in a topographic point where there is a possibility of high-crime rate. It is better to hold good security system alternatively of seting our lives into a hazard. Three chief constituents that are to be considered in put ining a place security system are detector, dismay and control unit. Sensor is the constituent that monitor the country continuously. Once it detects any motion, it will do the dismay to trip. Control unit helps the dismay to do sound so that if there is an invasion activity takes topographic point it could be identified. Home security system can be operated to run on electrical system or on batteries.Installing an battery operated place security system is easy but are less effectual compared to those system that run on electricity. Less functionality can be seen in battery operated system. There are many different types of dismay system. For smaller places self contained place security systems are easy to put in but for big houses or office infinite, place security system holding separate constituents leads to efficient security system compared to self contained place security system. 1.1 Problem Designation Main and of import consideration in the bing modern places is the security system. Earlier the place security systems were expensive and were really difficult to supervise. In order to get the better of the drawbacks of the earlier conventional security systems and to carry through the security concerns of the house proprietors, an efficient and cost effectual security systems were introduced. One of the chief job in the bing security system is the architecture and execution cost. Hence this undertaking aims at security system for places that introduces three different degrees of security and an notification signal via short directing message ( SMS ) will be achieved if any instance of security breach. 1.2Why do we Need Home Security System? Now-a-days with the emerging tendencies in the universe, condemnable activities like larceny, robbery has besides been increased. Homes without security systems will be the chief marks for the stealers. Homes equipped with the well developed security system will hold less opportunity of being robbed. Security system enables our place to be safe at any clip. As security system uses different constituents, these constituents will be monitored by the several security centre. Hence there will be decrease in the offense rates.Home security system is needed to forestall burglaries and place invasions. Installing a security system in places provides a piece of head that our household is under protection. Alarm systems will assist to hedge the place invasions. It is non possible to supervise the place continuously by manual hence this sytem will gives added protection when the place proprietors are off. security system will besides assist in protecting the place from fire. Early sensing of t he state of affairss by the monitoring station will assist in cut downing the harm to the home.Security is needed because of the undermentioned groundsTo protect the place and household from interlopers.To protect place from fires.To protect valuable things from being stolen.Provides medical aid if in instance of any exigency.Secured signifier of proctor can be achieved through radio signalling device.1.3 Types There are many different types of security system. Security systems are classified into two major classs viz. conventional and automated security system. Another categorization includes monitored and unmonitored security system. 1.3.1 Monitored security system: This is one of the most normally used security system. In this type of security system centre, place will be straight connected to security centre and this centre will supervise the position of the place continuously. Security centre will be active merely when any one of the constituents or supervising devices in the place are triggered. System includes dismay system that alerts call centre and near by constabulary station. In many of the systems, watchful causes the security centre to do an automatic phone call, text message, e-mail etc to the house proprietor or to the close by help-line centre for the immediate deliverance. BenefitsSystem includes 24/7 monitoring that ensures that the place is under changeless monitoring.Video surveillance system can besides be included to increase the security of the place.Video survelliance system is most effectual in monitoring and observing the interlopers, belongings tresspassers.As cameras are used in this type of system, it can besides be used as an grounds against an interloper.1.3.1.2 Types of monitoring Monitored place security system uses three different type of supervising methods they are ( a ) Monitoring utilizing land line: This is specially designed for families that have landline. Because of the ground that the security system control panel is connected to phone line, land line is used as monitoring device. ( B ) Internet/wireless monitoring: This system is used in places that don’t have landline. System makes usage of cyberspace or broadband connexion to direct watchful signal to security centre via short directing message or electronic mail. ( degree Celsius ) Two-way voice monitoring: This is one of the particular type of monitoring device that is used in supervising type of security system. One of the particular characteristic of this system is that it allows the individual inside the place to straight pass on with the individual in the security centre in instance of any exigency for immediate deliverance. 1.3.2 Unmonitored security system This is the another categorization of place security system which sets off a Siren inside and outside the place. Compared to monitored place security system, this system will be cheaper as it does non include more constituents for monitoring. Unmonitored security systems can besides utilize brassy visible radiations. If there is any invasion activity taking topographic point in the place, so automatically these brassy visible radiations will glow. Due to that high strength light breathing from the peculiar topographic point, the neighbors can come to cognize that there is any exigency. BenefitsNo monitoring fees.As loud Siren will be used this will deflect and scares the intruder/burglars.Cheaper as less monitoring constituents are used.DisadvantageIf the neighbor does non hear the Sirens so they can’t describe it to the close by constabulary station.1.4Overview of the proposed system Figure 1.4 Overview of the Proposed System Overview of the proposed smart security system for places is as shown in figure above. The undertaking is aimed at developing a smart security system for places. Undertaking has been planned to include three-tier security system. Three different degrees of security is used in this undertaking. Security system is designed and developed to supervise the place utilizing different type of detectors. Proposed system uses detectors like Finger-print detector, IR detector, PIR detector at different degrees and besides makes usage of Image treating tool in face acknowledgment procedure. At the first degree of security, finger-print detector is used for hallmark to let the individual into the place. When the person/intruder comes to the door, his/her finger print will be checked. If the finger print lucifers so the individual will be allowed to come in into the following degree of security procedure. At the 2nd degree of security, entry of the individual into the place will be detected utilizing IR detector. This detector will feel certain features of the milieus by either breathing or observing the infrared radiation that emits from the human organic structure. Hence the human presence will be detected at this phase. PIR detector is an gesture detection detector that detects the human gesture utilizing infrared radiation breathing from the human organic structure. As a individual passes in forepart of the detector, temperature at that point which is under detectors field of observation will alter. This alteration in temperature detects the human gesture. Finally at the 3rd degree, image of the individual will be captured. Here some images of the individuals belonging to the place will be pre-stored. Then the captured image is compared is compared with the pre-stored database, if the databases does non fit so an watchful signal will be generated. Alert signal includes doorbell and GSM engineering. If the image does non fit so at that clip doorbell will get down beeping and an short sending message will be sent to the authorised figure as an watchful signal utilizing GSM engineering. The full undertaking is designed and developed utilizing constituents like Finger-print detector, IR detector, PIR detector, accountant unit, consecutive port, webcam, doorbell, GSM etc. One of the characteristics of this designed place security system is that an Image processing tool is used in combination with the embedded system to plan three-level smart security system for places. Face acknowledgment is used as an 3rd degree of security. This method includes the face acknowledgment which is one of the important and of import process in face acknowledgment method. In this undertaking, cross correlativity attack is used. This is one of the basic statistical attack to image regristration. cross correlativity is one of the standard tool for measuring the similarity between two images. Main ground for choosing the cross correlativity attack in this undertaking is due to its advantages. First advantage is that attack is simple to calculate. Second is the calculation of cross correlativity can be achieved utilizing fourier methods. One more advantage is that cross correlativity method is independent of scaling and interlingual renditions in the strength. 1.5 Advantages The advantages of place security system are:Detects offenses, protects ownerships from larcenies.As the system includes three different degrees of security, there will be less opportunity of being theft as dismay sound will be generated that alerts the neighbors.There will be increase in the place resale value during sale in the market.

Life is fair Essay

Many people think that life is not fair, but I totally disagree with them. You need to pay for what’s not fair in your life. In some cases, when people win the big prize money on the lottery, they may have lost some of the most valuable things in their life. Last year, A California man got the big money from the lottery, but subsequently got in a car accident losing his family. Many people think Bill Gates should not be that rich without working hard, but we have to admit that he is very smart. He used his computer knowledge to create the first Operating System that is user friendly to different people in all walks of life, which became good news for the computer industry. His most successful attribute is his business skill. He made the different version of Windows on each year and it mase people follow his operation system upgrades each year. But he needs to spend most of his own time working in his company. Time magazine interviewed him before, and he said that he needs to be in the Microsoft office almost 12 hours every day including the holidays. And he will not waste his money on expensive things such as: car, watch, housing, food, etc†¦.. His life is very simple. He wakes up every 7am and after breakfast, he will be back in the office. I don’t think people like to get rich without any entertainment, but Bill Gates got rich without a rich life. Some people will think some third-world citizens is an example that life is not fair. We should know life is not only a race to get rich in money or possessions. We can chase a simple life and still be rich. Some third-world people may not buy food, but they do grow food by themselves. They will do everything for themselves without relying too much on money. For example: they will make the house, table, chair, food, even the entertainment from their surroundings. The first or second world people will think how to get money every day. Unlike some third-world citizens, they will chase the money for their life. At least, the third-world people can live without money. They will not think they can’t live without money. Nowadays, many people commit suicide over money. But the third-world people seem happier than first or second country people because their life is very simple. They will not think too much on being rich or not rich. Many third-world children don’t even have computers, video games, etc†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ but they still find other sources of entertainment. They don’t have any stress in school to be the have the latest gadgets and cars and be cool. Also, first world children can’t live without electronic gadgets. And, for some, their parents will push their child to be doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. and they will get stressed out or a be unhappy about it. That’s why the life is still fair even if it doesn’t look like it is. You can life without money, but you can be happier than your life with money. In turn, poor people, or poor countries, should be very happy to take out such loans, confident that investment returns are so high that the repayments will not be difficult. I have been to places like South Africa, Kenya and Guatemala and although the people are poor they are so very happy. They might live in tiny houses and live in poverty, but they have a happy home and family even if they don’t have many possessions. I have been to places like Norway, Switzerland and the USA and some of the people are really wealthy. They don’t seem all that happy and some of them are really miserable compared to the poor people. A basic illustration of my point is: if you don’t have money, you can walk. If you have a little money, you can ride the bicycle. If you have more money, you can drive a car. If you are rich, you can hire a driver. In today’s social, many rich people get big money from their parents. Finally, since they are not good with managing their money, they will lose all their whole money. Then they need work harder than most people. All of us know that the weather doesn’t happen without explanations. Sunny warm days and cold freeze nights each have their roots in the laws of nature. These laws are absolutely fair since everywhere in the universe, so far as scientists know; they operate in exactly the same way. The weather in America is caused by the very same forces as the weather in Asia. â€Å"Outside† weather, then, clearly is fair. Not that fair days always greet us when we rise each morning, but in the sense that climate is produced by objective laws of nature which work the same way in every part of the world. We should not only focus on the money. Many people who become rich are not happy. Many feel lonely, stressed, unhappy, etc†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦What we should be focusing on is not money but on the quality of life. We cannot bring the money to heaven. Money is only a tool to make our life easy. We cannot say that life is not fair by using money as a standard. Actually, I discussed with my classmate about this and they figured out whether life is fair or not by money. I think that is totally wrong. Some people are working for money, but I am working for my hobby. I am happy work in my job even if I don’t get as much as a CEO. I can learn many different computer skills on my job. I can find my hobby from my job. Some people think they should not get a low rate salary on their job. I think they should rather be interested on their job to make them satisfied. If they are not satisfied, then they think their salary is low. Why should Bill Gates get rich? Because of his interest in the computer, and he put his interest on the business. The main idea is if you don’t love your job, you will never get rich. Many successful people love their job. That’s why I think life is fair. It’s just that most people dislike their job. We think we should focus on how people live. Don’t focus on whether people are rich or not rich. Many people are not happy with much money. They got rich and only focus on expensive things. They don’t know how to live life. Expensive things can’t make true happiness. Life is Fair says this is exactly how life works. But if we are to understand how justice operates in the world, we must first study life’s big picture. We cannot examine life only from the point of view of the material world only.

MAKING HUMAN RESOURCES INTO COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 996 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Management Essay Type Narrative essay Did you like this example? There is a growing recognition today that the importance of human resource is crucial to corporate success. Human, not financial or capital must be the starting point and ongoing foundation of a successful strategy. Companies today have marked human resource as one of their important changing assets that has been proven to be the vital for the company to grow. Top organisations today are talking about people before strategy, underscoring Peter Duckers long-held contention that people are a resource, not a cost . It has moved beyond merely an administrative to a strategic role in comparison to yesteryears, it was merely an administrative and supporting function of the organisation. Hierarchy has been replaced by networks, bureaucratic system has transformed into flexible processes and control based management roles have evolved into relationships featuring empowerment and coaching. Due to these transitions, it becomes the solid ground for the human resource func tion to finally evolve as a necessary lead to companies. History has shown companies such as Seylan Bank of the Ceylinco Corporations had failed in the recent past due to poor leadership, poor quality and poor competitiveness. As Dr. Hans-Paul Buerkner, CEO of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) (The Talent Advantage, 2008) says that, how well a country or a company performs, depends on its people. As human factor are the most important success factor for companies going forward, therefore, companies which have the right talent will gain competitive advantage. The main reason on why companies today must emphasize human resource as their competitive advantage is due to the recognition that scarce resources are the skills and expertise. This fresh perspective on the value of employees to an organization has widened the focus of HRM. Unlike capital, knowledgeable people cannot be accumulated at the top of the company. Knowledge and expertise resides in the heads of the employees at all levels and is embedded in the relationship of work groups, the kind of groups that is the closest to the customers, competitors as well as technology. Human resource therefore, must become the key players in the design, development and the delivery of the companys strategy. Human Resource plays a significant, strategic role in supporting organizations. It serves as the keystone of any severe change management planning. To be competitive, they must also be the triggering factor to transform the culture of organisations, in order for the organizations to be less hierarchal, practice oriented, intact formal groups, and inwardly focused and more flat, outcome oriented, integrated and externally focused. It is the task of human resource to make sure that the culture, approach and structure of the organisation and the excellence, dedication and motivation of its employees add entirely to the attainment of business objectives. The importance of human resource in organization clearly defined when the corporate strategies and HR strategies must be developed simultaneously. As human resources are valuable and nearly impossible to imitate, companies will gain advantage by emphasising on developing HR skills and capitalising on the competencies. As strategies has increasingly depend on strengthening organizational competitiveness committed employees, automatically has put human resource in a central role. Human Resource can contribute by providing the most important competitive key by creating what we call people advantage the ability to create competitive advantage through people strategies. That means now the role of HR is not just to implement the things out but also to plan out in such a manner that the employees can be strategically used to get edge over the competitors. This includes formulating and executing human resource policies and practices that produce the employee competencies and behaviours the company needs to achieve its strategic aims. In othe r words, it is an alignment of HR planning, selection, performance evaluation, compensation, development and staffing practices with the business strategies of the organization. Care in selecting the right people to the organization also contributes. To get the right person in the right place requires extensive analyses from job description to needs of the organization as well as the key individuals. In a world driven by innovation and rapid change, learning organization provides a clear competitive advantage. Companies can also invest in training and attracting talent. Talent may soon become scarcer and to tackle this problem companies should communicate this problem to the HR managers to identify new talent pools, so that HR managers can implement programs that will enable talent affiliation and development. HR managers should make sure that the right people are being trained in the right place. The challenge that will be facing will also includes to recruit employees with vari ous backgrounds and to navigate the diverse cultures and geographical. Besides talent scouting, human resource contributes to be a competitive advantage in organizations by promoting cross divisional and cross functional collaboration. This action will maximizes utilisation of human resource and thus, encourages teamwork and foster relationships in between employees. Skills may be sharpen by redefining and expanding spheres of authority and responsibility to encourage the leadership skills among the employees. This shall be done to measure the changes and see how well the employees are performing and are they in the right direction. With the workforce in developed economies ageing, companies faces the loss of capacity and knowledge as employees retire, and the loss of productivity. Therefore to overcome this problem, HR can contribute by shifting work schedules, adjust health-management programs so that an ageing workforce can maintain the highest levels of productivity. Meeti ng the challenges of developing and retaining the best employees, anticipating change and enabling the organization to become a learning organization, will be challenges for human resource to contribute to be the competitive advantage. Top level human resource must now view the new task of HR not from old lenses, but starting to treat employees not like raw materials, but instead a unique asset whom are worthwhile investment. Human resource managers therefore, must see employees more like talent investors and to be treated like partners, and also to be rewarded the way other investors are. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "MAKING HUMAN RESOURCES INTO COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE" essay for you Create order