Technology and Information Case

Technology and Information

Abstract

Running a business is never easy. In any business you will need to follow certain rules and regulations. The business will need a management team to make sure the operations of the business are functioning properly. Companies also need to be aware of how technology can help or hurt their business.

I work for a company that sells architectural hardware. In this business we need to follow the rules and regulations that make sure we are following the rules of the basic legal environment to "provide a safe workplace for employees and ensure that all citizens are offered an equal opportunity to work" (Introduction to Business, pg. 9 - 10).

One of the rules that we follow closely is the Occupational Safety and Health Act or OSHA. Safety in our warehouse, as well as throughout the company is very important, and OSHA ensures that we are providing a safe working environment for the employees and have measures in place in case an on-the-job injury occurs.

As may other businesses, we also are required to comply with the regulations of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or EEOC. Making sure we do not discriminate based on such things as age, race or religion makes the business safe against any claims being filed due to discriminations.

We also need to make certain our products are produced in ways that will abide by US Manufacturing Laws. For example, we need to confirm that our vendors abide by the Clean Water Act which provides standards to prevent poor water quality to due to certain manufacturing processes they may use(Clean Water Act, U.S. EPA).

Our company has recently started purchasing materials that have recycled content which also shows that we are being socially responsible in regards to the environment. We also use biodegradable packing materials instead of Styrofoam to reduce our carbon footprint.

The company's economic environment is probably one of the most common as we follow the "predictable credit and debt cycle" (Introduction to Business, pg.10). We are a bit different and our terms are Net 10 instead of Net 30. This means we require repayment of invoiced orders in 10 days instead of 30 day. By having our customers pay early means we can pay our vendors early.

Our business has four major departments - Customer Service, Accounting, Purchasing/IT and the Warehouse Department. Each of these areas has a department manager that reports to the CEO of the company.

In our management structure I am the Manager of the Customer Service and Accounts Receivable Departments. I oversee both departments, and I have two Leads, one in each department, that report to me.

We also have a Human Recourses Department and a Marketing