1-Design phase: Designing the database for the organization using E-R diagram. 1%
2-Providing the design of tables and relationships between these tables on paper not in MS Access. 2%
3-Providing data dictionaries for these tables with explanation of how relationships were created. 1%

Apple and Management Information Systems
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Apple and Management Information Systems
Introduction
Apple is the best multinational technology firm that is based in America and is headquartered in California. The company designs, formulates and sells computer software, online services and a wide range of consumer electronics. The hardware products that the company manufactures and sells includes the iPhone smartphone, Mac personal computer, iPod media player, iPad, and the newly made smart watch that is known as iWatch. The consume software that the company produces includes the Mac operating system, ITunes media browser, the ilife suite, iWork suite productivity software, Final cut Studio, Aperturephotography package, iOS mobile operating systems, and many other software packages catering to different private and commercial corporate needs (O’ Grady, 2009).
History of Apple, It customers and Markets
Apple was founded back in 197 by Steve Jobs, Ronald Wayne and Steve Wozniak. The initial line of business of the company was to develop and sells computers for both domestic consumers and for the corporate world. This is the first market that apple serves even today. The company later expanded into developing its own revolutionary operating systems (the Mac OS) that actually marked its penetration in the operating systems and software market. The company then formulated productivity, creativity and multimedia software and programs such as the iTunes (which is world renowned online store and music player. The company further expanded till it devised its famous iPod back in 2001. This marked its entrance into the potable music player market and it is today the leader of this market. To diversify its portfolio further and to cater yet another market, the company devised its revolutionary and famous iPhone to make its footprint in the cell phone market. Since then, the company has been customizing its services and products with both hardware and software improvement, along with coming up with new products such as the iPhone. In terms of the customer base, the company has a diverse customer portfolio that includes all age groups from children to teens and from teens to the older people. The products of the company are normally on the higher end as compared to its rival firms such as Samsung and Microsoft. Also included its customer base are professionals and corporate firms that use its customized hardware and software product for improving productivity, efficiency and operating activities (O’ Grady, 2009).
Resources, processes and systems at Apple
Apple has a flat organizational structure and a global presence, along with different domains in electronic or technology industry. This requires Apple to have an information dissemination system that allows availability of the right information at the right time for its employees, and thus ensuring that the business decisions are consistent and backed with appropriate information availability. As Apple believe in being an innovation leader, the same goes with their management information systems and processes, which are all virtualized. The company is of the belief that virtualization allows it to gain competitive advantage that will lead it into a progressive future. Apple’s intranet renders it with the essential platform for undertaking different decisions and processes, and it allows employees to access all the desired information on their desktop systems. In terms of the external linkage, the company features an extranet that enables it to collaborate and interact with keydevelopers and suppliers of its hardware and software applications. This allows the company to formulate and use a seemingly infinite value chain for its management information domain through creating virtual links between the production units and the suppliers, which in turn are linked to retail stores. Information from the retail stores is transmitted to customer service department that already has accessibility towards production details and suppliers. Thus, the management information systems of the company allows diverse and frequent information to be retrieved and analyzed easily, and also allows to link all parties in the company’s value chain. This enables the company to render customized services to the consumers and thus gain competitive advantage (Sousa & Oz, 2014). The company has also taken a tie up through utility computing, and this allows it to reduce the quantity of computer assets that it’s owns and offering payment for services. This concept has been actually gaining momentum and is known as SaaS (or software as a service). This has allowed the company to achieve a differentiation from its competitors and has made the overall management information systems effective and leaner. Thus the MIS of a company is a very important segment and allows substantial advantage for a company if it is administered effectively.
In terms of its resources, the company has a great standing in term of both its financial assets, fixed assets, and human and supplier resources. The company is today the biggest in terms of revenue and profits, which allows it to expense a lot in research and development. It has a very qualified line of employees and managers that includes all the top professionals in the tech industry. The supplier chain of the company is high developed and the company maintains consistent and priority relations with them. All the resources of the company are highly synchronized with the information management systems that allows for smooth and uninterrupted processes (Lashinsky, 2011).
Systems and database
The three possible systems for which I could design a database for includes the internal control systems, the supplier information system and retail information systems. The databasefor internal control systems would include all the code of conducts, rules and regulation of the company along with information on processes and procedures that the company follows for different operations. It will also contain information regarding HR practices and desired behavior and efficiency from employees, and would serve as a complete guide for the employees and the management. The supplier database would include all information and credentials regarding the supplier, and their performance and outcomes for the company over the years. Every supplier would be easily evaluated through this database based on their previous track record and credentials. The retail information database would provide a complete historic and up to date account of the retailer’s information and their sales and trends regarding Apple products and service over the years.
The process of designing the database would include steps such as determining the purpose for the database, finding and organizing desired information through connecting it with data collection sources, dividing the information into flow charts, sections, and tables, specifying primary keys, creating tabular relationships, refining the design, and applying normalization rules (Stephens, 2010).
The latest technologies that are associated with internal controls are the advanced accounting, accounting and internal control software that allows for accuracy and transparency of information. They aredesigned to facilitate both accuracy and compliance with the rules and the makes the task of MIS systems easier.
The supplier information systems are related to the company’s supply chain, and is a very important aspects of its business. The latest technologies being used in the supply chain and logistics includes labor management systems for monitoring productivity, organizing the suppliers etc. Cloud computing technologies in the supply chain network are also being used frequently, and the adoption of cloud has increased in the sector of supply chain software. Warehouse management systems and technologies are also being developed and linked with supplier networks (Goldman, 2015).
The latest technologies that are being used in the retail segment includes beacons such as Bluetooth connected beacons that allow for real time and customized messages and offers. Other technologies being used include biometrics and digital tools that allow for customer facilitation and in-store customized services.
References
Goldman, S. (2015, October 6). 5 cutting-edge retail technology trends. Retrieved from CIO: http://www.cio.com/article/2989716/retail/5-cutting-edge-retail-technology-trends.html
Lashinsky, A. (2011, May 9). How Apple works: Inside the world’s biggest startup. Retrieved from fortune.com: http://fortune.com/2011/05/09/inside-apple/
O’ Grady, J. D. (2009). Apple Inc. New York: ABC-CLIO.
Sousa, K. J., & Oz, E. (2014). Management Information Systems. New York: Cengage Learning.
Stephens, R. (2010). Beginning Database Design Solutions. London: John Wiley & Sons.