SixDegrees lasted a mere four years (1997-2001), but it launched an idea that we could socialize globally from our computer.

A decade later sites like Myspace and Facebook have become a staple of our culture. In days past we would exchange phone numbers and addresses, but now it is common to ask someone if they are on Facebook. These sites have created a way to communicate with people we would otherwise not keep in contact with. Just recently I came across an old high school buddy of mine whom I hadn’t heard from in over 20 years. When we graduated from high school, we told each other that we would “keep in touch”. At first we did, then life became busy with kids, work, and chores. Somewhere between moving and changing phone numbers we fell out of contact with each other, and I hadn’t heard from him until I came across his name on Facebook. It turns out he and his wife live in Texas. We chat online like the years had never passed, and I am so grateful for the technology that brought two old friends together again.

Social networking sites have established a platform for people to speak out on topics they otherwise would be too afraid.

Freedom of Speech is a right of the American people, but some people are too reserved to execute this liberty. They may be afraid that their opinions don’t matter or that they will be looked upon as unintelligent. Others may simply be timid and not like to speak out in front of a group. If a person visits any social networking site, he or she can see some well thought out debates going on as well as some immature and unintelligent discussions. The point is that the person used this site as a tool to express himself; however, this freedom can be taken too far with offensive comments, racial slurs, and bullying. These types of comments can be very troublesome and, in acute cases, may even result in fatal actions. On October 16, 2006, 13 year old Megan Meier committed suicide after she had a series of encounters with a fictional character on MySpace who pretended to like her. A mother of one of Megan’s friends had created the account pretending to be a young man; she then used it to entice her into an online romance. After she had established a relationship with Megan, she then proceeded to assault her with vicious comments and defamation.

Today, in any college classrooms where professors allow laptops, at least one student will be on a social networking site.

hmmm are you taking notes?

These sites not only distract the people who are on them, but also distract the people who sit near the networker. Anyone socializing on the web cannot be effective in taking classroom notes at the same time. I find it very distractive if the person’s screen in front of me has one of these sites displayed because I think it is very rude to the classroom and the professor. Teachers put a lot of effort into the lectures they give, and I imagine that speaking in front of a classroom for three to four hours isn’t easy. Some colleges have even banned the use of laptops in the classroom because surfing the web has become too disruptive. A laptop is a valuable tool for note- taking, but unfortunately teachers have had to police the use of computers in classes because of a few individuals.

Although clichés are frowned upon these days, I feel one is necessary in this case. There are two sides to every coin when it comes to social networking sites.

On one side, it has made us more social. We can keep in contact with a vast amount of people that would be impossible to do in person. I have a brother who lives in Arizona, and I try to visit with him once a year. We chat on the phone occasionally and exchange emails. We also use Facebook for the daily communication that happens between friends and family. I have two children who live away from home; they prefer social networking sites as a means of contact. They actually were responsible for setting up my account! I have gotten back in touch with old friends I haven’t heard from in years and probably would not have if it weren’t for social networking. I can see their lives from their point of view; their experiences, family, and even troubles.

On the other side of the coin, social networking sites have made us anti-social. I have seen people leave comments for their significant other with terms of endearment or plans for the weekend, and I wonder why they didn’t just say these things in person. Instead, they ask if the recipient had seen the posted comment, and if so, why the recipient hadn’t replied.
I am also guilty of being anti-social with the people I interact with on my social network account. I came in contact with an old buddy of mine who lives five miles from me. We exchange comments weekly on what is happening in our lives, but not once have we gotten together in person or met each other’s spouse. Before social networking sites became popular, people actually met up with friends and updated each other with the details of their lives. They met for dinner parties, outings, or just for fun. Today we just type something into a comment box and press send.

Whether we like them or not social networking sites are here to stay.

The names and layouts may change, but the same basic concept will remain. They have reacquainted family and friends. Friendships have developed that are not limited by the boundaries that surround us. Social networking sites have indeed changed how we socialize. It will be interesting what new technologies and ideas will be fashioned that will make an impact on our culture as social networking sites have.
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RFID technology has streamlined the logistics operations at Wal-Mart and also has improved the efficiency of associates on the floor. Employees can carry a hand held computer and are prompted to not reorder if the out of stock items are still in the back room. Warehouse workers can now scan an entire pallet and know within an instant what the contents are and where to distribute them to.

Managers and employees would not have a difficult time getting used to using RFID. This technology is a prime example of a successful computer based Information Systems. Managers will have the ease and accuracy of instant reports on inventory, sales and shipments. Managers also need dependable information for decision making as inaccurate information could cost the company money.

One major drawback of RFID technology may be in the loss of jobs when warehouse workers could be replaced by automated systems.There may not be a need for associates to manually scan upc codes. Hopefully though employees will be retrained for different jobs within the company or be able to move into other positions.

Wal-Mart has paved the way for RFID technology and positioned itself for major growth. By providing their employees with a strong company to work for they have enabled families the comfort of knowing that they have a secure job.

Major retailers will not be able to compete in operations cost if they do not decide to begin implementing RFID technology. This gives those that do the competitive advantage of cost leadership and a head start when new technologies are introduced.

Wal-Mart has made RFID the standard and the technology has begun to appear in other products. MasterCard’s Pay Pass has been a big success by allowing customers to simply wave their card over a reader rather than hand the card to the store employee. Motorola has partnered with MasterCard in a joint venture to test RFID technology in its hand held devices to act as a payment method for low cost purchases. It has even been rumored that the next generation iPhone will offer a RFID reader allowing users to sync to iTunes simply by tapping their device to their computer.

As RFID technology becomes mainstream it opens a whole new market for companies to capitalize on its popularity. There will be a need for companies to manufacture the hardware needed to use RFID. Not only is there a need for the RFID tags themselves but also the various readers. From handheld devices to large readers at various places through a store will be needed. Point of Sale terminals (POS) will need to be installed for those companies that use RFID technology in its sales.

It will be interesting to see where RFID will be incorporated next.

Using RFID technology, Wal-Mart can track each package as it leaves the supplier and begins its transit. Once it reaches a Wal-Mart distribution center it is automatically read into the inventory management system. Inventory is instantly updated. Orders are placed on stock that is low.

Wal-Mart places RFID readers throughout its stores to track the location of every package in its inventory. When a package arrives at the receiving doors it is read. Backroom storage is constantly updated as inventory is moved to the sales floor and replenished. As inventory is moved to the sales floor there is a reader that updates stock on the shelves eliminating the need for a stock person to check for any missing items. There is even a reader located at the box crushers.

E-commerce using RFID technology eliminates some of the steps required in purchasing goods. The traditional process for placing a purchase order required many steps. After tracking that inventory was low someone had to physically prepare a purchase requisition and obtain approval from the controller. The requisition is then sent over to the purchasing department where it is then mailed to the supplier. Wal-Mart has automated this process using RFID. Now when a purchase is needed the order requisition is delivered to the supplier electronically whenever inventory reaches a pre-determined level. The information system is set up in a way that there is no longer a need for personal to approve an order and because the order is placed electronically the supplier would receive it within seconds rather than within days.

Value Chain, “a series of activities that include inbound logistics, warehouse and storage, production, finished product storage, outbound logistics, marketing and sales, and customer service”.

Every aspect of the Value Chain has been improved by using RFID technology. By requiring the suppliers to pick up the cost of the RFID tags and penalizing those that don’t, Wal-Mart is now able to update its inventory and predict when they need to place an order automatically. This reduces inventory but also can prevent items from being out of stock. Perishable items can be put on the shelves and even offered for sale to move the item before it expires.

Efficiency in the warehouse can be enhanced by automating with machines the can run twenty-four hours a day and the return on investment is lower than human labor. Misplaced pallets are a thing of the past as workers can now scan an entire pallet and know its contents, ship date, store location and expiration date if applicable.

Incorporating RFID technology in the Point of Sale (POS) reduces the amount of time at check out. Rather than scanning each item individually a cashier can technically scan the whole cart at once. This could also be used at self check-out lanes as well, greatly increasing customer satisfaction. Data from sales could be updated to reflect what items were purchased and need to be restocked or ordered.

With a global network of a 146 distribution centers, Wal-Mart has a competitive advantage over the competition and using RFID technology has enabled Wal-Mart to streamline their logistics operations. The cost savings enables Wal-Mart to continue to over low prices to its customers.