The document discusses the integration of business operations following the acquisition of an online retailer, outlining the current technological infrastructure, types of networks, and business software essential for successful integration. It highlights the benefits of an integrated network, which include cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced employee motivation. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of careful planning and integration of assets to maximize the potential gains from the merger.

1. Technology integration
TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION
Student’s name: Unit 1: Critical Concepts
and Competencies for the IT Professional
Tutor:
Institution: Kaplan University
Date of submission:
Table of Contents
Introduction
3
Current Infrustructure
3
Types of Networks
3
Types of business software
4
Benefits of an integrated Network
6
Conclusion
6
Bibliography
6
Introduction
As you all know by now we recently acquired the online widget
retailer Widgets – R – Us. The payoff from joining with them is
that it puts us into the position to become the world’s leading
widget supplier, The acquisition of a retailer aspect to our
already successful manufacturing company is a positive move
and puts us ahead, especially after the recent bankruptcy of We
Sell U Widgets thus management revolution through integration
of these two ventures is no longer in doubt but a necessity.

2. 1. Current infrastructure.
Widgets R Us or Widgets USA are both not in a technological
position to handle the type of expansion we are considering
undertaking. Our individual hardware and software needs as a
company we are enlisting your help and advice to put us into a
position to move forward. Integrating our business support
systems managed by the IT department and operations support
systems handled by the network team will boost the operational
capacity and efficiency and thus better synchronizing of the
technology backbone.
2. Network Types.
We have 3 different network types manly (Internet, intranet,
extranet).
· Internet
This is the world-wide network of computers accessible to
anyone who knows their Internet Protocol also called the ip
address. All you need to access the Internet is your ip address
and a computer. IP address is a unique set of numbers that
defines the computer's location (e.g. 100.3.9.1) .The Internet is
now global and can be accessed by anyone who can get access
from an Internet service provider.
· Intranet
This network that is not available to the world outside of the
Intranet it’s a personal network owned by the organization. The
Intranet network is connected to the Internet then the Intranet
will be hidden behind a firewall and thus if it allows access
from the Internet it becomes an Extranet. The firewall helps in
controlling access in between the Intranet and Internet and to
permit access and control traffic to the Intranet and allow only
the people who are members of our organization to gain access.
The company mostly uses t for printing purposes to the central
networked printers.
· Extranet

3. An Extranet is an Intranet that’s partially accessible to people
authorized but outside the organizations intranet. The actual
server, the computer that serves up the web pages, will reside
behind a firewall that protects any intrusion. Access levels can
be changed for different individuals and groups and this is done
through access usernames and passwords.
3. Types of business software
· ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) SYSTEMS.
Enterprise Resource Planning systems bring together both
internal and external information sources for the organization
within a single summarized solution. They incorporate all
practical systems used by an organization .i.e. planning,
inventory management, logs, manufacturing, finance,
accounting, HR, marketing and sales, etc. typically ERP
solutions use an integrated database to hold information from
the various users and standardize the use of one application to
run an entire business. Its benefits are that a single data source
for info and dataincreases the company’s overall market share.
· CRM (Customer Relationship Management) SYSTEMS.
Customer relationship management is a strategy for achieving
success through customer satisfaction by making sure that you
focus most on your customers. Ineffective and inefficient
business norms that don’t employ simple systems like as
Customer Relationship Management systems wastes money and
no company would want its money wasted. Crms eliminate
costly analysis and solutions once implemented; it also ends
poor working practices that waste time. Misplaced invoices
become a thing of the past since they are eliminated. The
systems also increase customer confidence. Unwanted and
unnecessary software programs are eliminated thus money
meant for software licenses can be saved for other uses. They
can help you figure out which marketing campaign tool s
bringing in more revenue. It also reduces redundancy in data
entry processes thus improved workflow and efficiency.
Customer satisfaction due to improved time of delivery

4. · HRMS (Human Resource Management) Systems.
It’s a combination of processes and systems that connect HR
management and IT through HR software’s. HR functions
involve tracking of company employees, and so if an
organization wants to reduce the manual labor an organization
performs, they choose to replace those processes. And so HR
Execs and IT experts develop test and implement an integrated
system .A great HRMS has numerous benefits like performing
Payroll, Database for employee info, Performance evaluations,
learning and recruiting management, Employee self-services
etc.
· HCM (Human Capital Management) Systems.
Human Capital Management is the approach of employees that
perceives people as assets (human capital) whose value at any
given time can be calculated and whose future value can be
enhanced through investments in them. Organizations that
support HCM gives there employees clearly defined roles and
consistently communicated performance expectations. It’s the
part of errs that deals with employee records. These records
provide managers with the necessary information needed to
make decisions that are based on data. The software automates
many of the day-to-day record-keeping processes.
· BI (Business intelligence) Systems.
These are techniques and tools for the changing of raw data
into useful information for business analysis purposes. These
technologies are capable of withstanding large amounts of
unstructured data for the purpose of identifying, development
and also form new strategic business opportunities. Its
techniques involve predictive views of business operations.BI
also supports an extensive range of business decisions ranging
from strategic to operational. BI is most effective when it
combines external data with data from company sources this
provides a more complete picture which in turn creates and
creates an intelligence base that cannot be derived from a single
data set.

5. 4. BENEFITS OF AN INTEGRATED NETWORK.
· Staff savings and motivation since they will be trained to deal
with a wider range of related issues hence more variety of work
per employee and a better understanding of how to meet
customers' needs.
· Premises savings since Instead of operating from two sets of
premises one premise that’s most beneficial to the business and
their stakeholders through rationalization.
· Economies of scale. Various economies of scale lead to
various forms of savings, including :
I. Information technology economies.
II. HR management economies of scale operating only one
system for managing and developing people.
· Procurementcommercial savings.
· A one-stop venue with a strong Internet and the latest
technology will make it easier for businesses to discuss issues
affecting them. This will in turn lead to very substantial
communication savings.
5. CONCLUSION.
Requirements in choosing an appropriate business network
integration model is not easy, but too often it is pushed aside
during the excitement of the whole chase. Extreme focus should
be placed on integrating the assets of the companies so as to
realize the expected values.Bibliography
Cheeseman, H., 2012. Business integraton.Prentice Hall.
London.
Clarkson, K., 2014. Business mergers: Text and cases (13th ed).
Cengage learning. New York.
Cross, F. & Miller, R., 2014.The legal environment of business:
Text and cases. Oxford University press. Oxford.

6. Mallor, J., 2012. Business law (15th ed). McGraw Hill. London.
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