Reflection on the proposed ICT solution
The primary objective of the entailed task set for us by the lecturer and the course was to aid the development of superior answers for information and communications technology, in order that business processes, technical and competitive advantage, and additional performance and business solutions could be developed. This was to be realized through group work. An Australia based ICT solution provider, Lighthouses vision is to create solutions for clients so as to increase areas of productivity, efficiency and performance, and in order that the client under study, Definitive Accounting and Taxation (DAAT), can choose the most effective from a range of appropriate technological solutions. Working in a group has enabled me to experience new knowledge in ways beggaring description. Therefore my reflection on the proposed ICT solution can be described as an experience similar to that which I would have undergone had I been really involved in working for a real company for the same job. In the possibility that I may work in the professional field of information and communication technology, this experience, I believe, will prove fruitful in helping me develop feasible solutions for clients in the form of appropriate levels of technologies and applications.
From the very outset it was important to seek professional applications and tangible ideas as this is the manner in which Lighthouse or even other ICT solution providers would handle client needs in real life circumstances. Hence, by observing the mutual maturity and professionalism of both Lighthouse and DAAT it can be comprehended that the types of technologies recommended and employed can handle and effectively meet the requirements and outcomes required by DAAT which have been clearly elucidated.
Being a startup organization scheduled to begin operations on the 1st of July, the needs of DAAT were observed to be predominantly foundational. This included primarily the establishment of a stable and sustainable, well-designed IT system. The concern of security with regards to data and smooth access to professional information were additional requirements. High levels of job automation in order to elevate productivity and the availability of low cost communication channels for the company to be connected with their clients were also important priorities.
Lighthouses proposed multi-fold solution thus consisted of job automation, electronic data interchange (EDI), knowledge management (KM) and seamless communication measures in order to fulfill DAATs specific requirements. The introduction of accounting software ensured that employees of DAAT are liberated from basic clerical activities such as collection and input of data and could hence focus on more productive issues such as analysis and interpretation. An external source KM system on DAATs website which provided free access to free online professional sources and an internal source KM system supported by a forum and case database were also suggested.
To prevent the leak of confidential data strict security policies and mechanisms were offered. In order to prevent the failure of the computer system, secondary server and spare computers for backup were advised where the secondary database server would backup the data of the main server frequently, especially at the end of each month. According to the analysis of the needs and requirements of the Definitive Accounting and Taxation, Lighthouse customized a set of ICT solutions which included an Office Network, Web and Email Server, and MYOB Server. All these three parts would be connected through VPN network to ensure secure communication and protect the clients confidential information. The existing clients or the potential clients are enabled to communicate with DAATs staff through several channels Email, WebPages, Forum, News letter and RSS feeds, thus fulfilling customer relationship management (CRM) objectives as well.
The chief aim of any information and communications solutions provider firm is to supplement the dominant function of client companies by providing a superior edge of technical and competitive advantage, and added performance and business solutions against similar competing businesses. Through the development of group work it was possible for us to produce varied solutions and ideas to organizations and in the process craft advantages for them. Lighthouse has been observed to have the competence to generate solutions for clients problems of any severity and in addition create all requisite solutions.
Reflection on the group working
The experience of working in and with a group was an overwhelmingly positive one for me. Besides the academic edge it has given me by working with peers of exceptional caliber, it has disclosed to me the significance of diversity in views, judgments and experiences. Keeping my linguistic barriers in mind, my learning duration at the university has presented me with unforeseen challenges that have undoubtedly helped my grow and comprehend the varied modes of learning patterns, cognition and rational processing especially because my peers come from different backgrounds themselves. In retrospect, this has enabled me to develop wider perspectives and improved ways of thinking and dealing with problems.
Since my colleagues each had wide ranging views and aptitudes, they also had their own unique ways of communicating and connecting with other peers in the working group. In the process, I have been able to appreciate the many ways in which individuals tackle and articulate ideas, especially those with regard to the assignment in question. The lack of support and coordination, during meetings, was another aspect that was observed, when working in a group and is one of the avenues which when understood can be useful to students looking to work in groups in general. The time slots and accessible prospects would sometimes not be convenient for all of the members, as some of the group meetings were not conducted at times that were in alignment with studying at the university. However, in such situations, patience is of utmost importance and it is required of each member to be empathetic with the other to ensure that the entailed task is progressed at and that each individual is able to put in his own contribution towards the fulfillment of the groups goals and objectives.
Working in a group is a unique learning experience as it helped me understand the significance of learning from other people and not just restricting oneself to academic learning and other conventional modes. There is always difficulty in managing diversity and bringing together people from multiple backdrops and social circumstances imply that the involved task was unduly complicated from the very beginning and at moments quite difficult to work with. However this is also accompanied by other unanticipated synergistic outcomes. To conclude this section of my contemplation, it is worth noting that though there are many hurdles involved in working in a group the potential benefits that can be reaped in the process are bountiful and in this particular scenario it has helped the group and myself to consider the various situations that can be anticipated in real life working conditions where there could be similar challenges in the process of executing delegated projects and in delivering clients contracts.
Personal Reflection
It is important to note that it is the underlying difference between the learning mechanism between Saudi Arabia and Australia that has led to many of the issues that I have come across in this learning curve. There is a more refined focus on critical learning and practical experience, here in Australia, rather than reiterating methods. This necessitated that I fully utilize all lecturer notes, academic material, course readings, tutorial discussions and recommended exercises, which is in direct contrast to my hitherto experience with the educational system back in Saudi Arabia. In addition, since this was my opening semester at the University of Wollongong this was an exceptionally exigent hindrance to my progress. However I do feel that though these same challenges will present themselves in subsequent semesters, they may not pose the same level of difficulty due to the knowledge and skill sets that I have gained through this virgin experience.
Language has been the predominant barrier as English is not my first language. Though I have successfully completed the ETS course at the Wollongong University College, I am personally of the opinion that this course is insufficient in offering us with the level of English dexterity required to fully understand journal articles and materials at the Masters level and to resolve issues arising in the verbal context. However, I am well aware that it is vital that I overcome these trials if I wish to carve myself a professional niche in the information and communication technologies domain, as this avenue is founded chiefly on the English language and hence need to harness the required degree of English language mastery especially with respect to the related technical vernacular usage. These key facets of the study here, though exceedingly taxing to international students, has been appealing to me due to the strong credibility that they have given to the Australian education system and I hope that I persistently persevere in this learning curve as I firmly believe that they will endow me with the potential to pave my professional and personal best into the future, while helping me to nurture the relevant problem solving skills required to develop information and communication technology solutions that would be valuable to the businesses that seek them.
Besides being able to grasp various new aspects about ICT solutions, including the advantages of aspects such as EDI and Knowledge Management, the actuality of interactions between ICT solution providers and client companies was more effectively comprehended as a result of this course. One of the most beneficial outcomes that I have derived from this course was the advantages of learning through group work. The globalized workplace of contemporary businesses will revolve around team based activities and environments and hence a hands-on experience of dealing with such a situation will definitely be fruitful for me, both in a personal as well professional perspective.
To sum up, on comprehending the varied backgrounds and social grooming of the different students that I have worked with, I have fully understood the extent of diversity in experiences and educational styles that could prove helpful in viewing problems from different perspectives and hence solve them more effectively. Thus, the judgment and experience of all participating students should be considered as the resultant synergistic productivity would without doubt be more superior to that of each of these students when considered on their own.
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