Knowledge and Information Management Skills for the Workplace

This report discusses knowledge and information management skills for the workplace, with a focus on John Deer company in the heavy equipment industry. It covers topics such as information systems, customer relationship management, Porter's five forces, and the use of big data analytics and IoT to manage knowledge. The report also includes advantages and challenges associated with these technologies.

Knowledge and Information
Management Skills for the
Workplace
1

Executive Summary
In today's business world information technology is playing important role that allow
organisation to conduct automatic business operations along with better decision-making
opportunities. Present report is conducted on John Deer which is operating in heavy industrial
equipment. From this report has been identified that consumer relationship management benefit
organisation in number of ways such as managing project, analytics and more. This report also
identifies that, big data analytics and IoT implementation facilitate organisation to have instant
data access and higher efficiency through which company can assure smoot operations even
during covid-19 outbreak.
2

3

INTRODCTION
Information system is defined as integration of components in order to collect, store and
process data in order to provide information and digital products. In today's modern world
information technology is playing major role, during the outbreak of covid-19 industries around
the world forced to reduce onsite labour force and conduct remote operations (Azeem, 2021). In
this knowledge and information management skill is playing essential and important role for the
workplace through which companies can effectively perform their business operation without
depending upon humans. Present report has been conducted on John Deer which is operating its
business operations in heavy equipment industry and was founded in the year 1837. Present
report include discussion on the information system implemented within company along with the
use of consumer relationship management along with its benefit. Furthermore, use of big data
analytics and internet of things to manage knowledge at company along with significant
recommendation is being included in this report.
MAIN BODY
Identify information systems implemented within the John Deer company and list a range of
typical data collected to generate knowledge from the use of sensors in their machinery.
John Deer implemented the use of Myjohndeere.com which is an online portal and provide
access to farmers of data gathered from sensor which is attached to their own machinery, as they
work the aggregated data and field from other users around the world. Furthermore, it is also
connected to external database which include financial as well as weather data (Wang, Zhang
and Zhong, 2021). With the help of these services John Deer allow farmers to undertake better
informed decisions about utilising their equipment. With the help of big data analytics services
company offers services to farmers that will benefit in number of ways.
4

Do you think that the use of Customer relationship management (CRM) systems would benefit
the efficient operation of John Deer- explain both advantages and challenges of
implementing a CRM system?
Customer connection the executives (CRM) is primarily a blend of practices, advances and
frameworks that associations use to supervise and inspect buyer cooperation and data all through
the shopper lifecycle. The goal is to additionally foster customer support associations and help
customer upkeep and drive bargains improvement. CRM systems accumulate buyer data across
different stations, or assets, between the shopper and the association, which could fuse the
association's site, telephone, live visit, direct promoting standard mail, and interpersonal
organizations. CRM structures can moreover give client confronting staff people unmistakable
information on customers' own special information, purchase history, buying tendencies and
concerns. It has been assessed that Consumer connection the executives (CRM) is an
advancement for managing every one of association's associations and collaboration's with
existing just as likely purchasers. The objective is basic: Improve business connections (Ayvaz
and Alpay, 2021). A CRM framework assists organizations with remaining associated with
clients, smooth out measures, and further develop profitability. Furthermore, it has been
evaluated that, A CRM arrangement assists company to effectively emphasise upon company
interaction with numerous individuals that include, consumers, suppliers, service users,
colleagues and more all through their lifecycle with them, including discovering new consumer
winning their business and offering help and extra all through efforts the relationship. Thus,
according to the analysis it has been evaluated that, CRM is an effective form of technology as
well as a business software that duly qualifies individuals as well as team to enhance
effectiveness of their consumer connections through successful sales efforts and communication.
It serves to successfully fabricate connections to convey future-evidence client experience in
fulfilling their needs in an instant manner. However, it has been evaluated that, CRMs can be
altered to meet prerequisites that shifts from one association to another. It assists with dealing
with various cycles in a business at the same time with customized format with extraordinary
modules, fields and route catches to coordinate with the business necessities. It helps with
5

following the promoting and transformation openings and assists organisation with inspecting
and comprehend the conceivable outcomes and takes business with you all over the place.
Mentioned below there are some advantages of challenges of CRM system is being defined in
context with John Deer:
Advantages:
Sales force automation:
This tool track consumer interactions and computerize certain business elements of the
business cycle that are important to follow leads in order to effectively enhance loyalty of
consumers and gain new set of customers.
Workflow automation:
CRM frameworks assist organizations with enhancing measures by smoothing out
workload, empowering workers to effectively emphasise upon creativity.
Lead management :
Sales lead can be effectively tracked through CRM, empowering sales groups to input
follow and examine information for leads in a single spot.
Human resource management:
CRM frameworks assist with following employee data, for example performance
reviews, information of employees, contact information and benefits with organisation. This
empowers the HR unit to manager internal workforce in a well define and effective manner.
Analytics:
It has been evaluated that, analytics within CRM assist with making better consumer
loyalty rates by examining client information and making designated promoting efforts.
Integration with other software:
Numerous CRM frameworks can coordinate with other programming, for example,
enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and call centre.
Project management:
Some CRM frameworks incorporate highlights to help clients monitor customer project
subtleties like strategic alignment, risk management and progress and objectives.
Improves Customer Service
6

CRM system allows organisation to effectively manage all of its contact as well as
aggregates lead and consumer information. With the help of CRM company can have easy
access towards key essential information associated to consumer behaviour for example,
previous communications, purchase records and more. This will aid organisation to make less
efforts in order to offer high quality support to consumers which significantly helps in improving
consumer service.
Challenges:
Lack of Communication:
CRM execution decisions are taken by the top organization in all relationship because of
the spending plan and the communication changes which will happen after the CRM has been
completed. This decision and the communication a brief time frame later, needed to be passed on
to the whole staff and the top organization ought to be solid of the course of action all through
the execution cycle. Nonattendance of correspondence can achieve shortcomings and mental
impediment in the characters of the staff (Azeem, 2021). Nonappearance of correspondence
moreover happens when the CRM is completed and still the salesforce couldn't invigorate the
CRM in a rush with their get-together nuances and rely upon their consideration staff to do
similarly for their advantage.
Set Clear Objectives
Characterizing clear targets that a business plans to accomplish with the framework is
one of the privileged insights for a smooth and fruitful CRM execution. Further, it is prudent to
run after making these goals as quantifiable measurements. Neglecting to do as such may make it
hard to assess the ROI or centre advantages of the framework.
However, with the help of effective strategies such as proper leadership, strong
communication structure, setting clear objectives will effectively allow company to overcome
these challenges. Thus, it has been determined that with the help of implementing CRM system
John Deer can maximise effectiveness of its business operations in a well define and effective
manner.
How could John Deer apply IS/IT to counter each of Porter’s five forces?
Bargaining power of buyers: High
7

John Deer is operating its business operations in heavy equipment industry. It has been
identified that from number of years this industry is facing high level of competition which
increases bargaining power of buyers. In this with the application of IS/IT John Deer can
significantly provide unique and innovative products and services with high quality to its
consumers. This will also help company to develop long-term relationship as IT/IS allow
company to sell high quality products than other companies or arrivals may find hard to match.
Bargaining power of suppliers: Low
Bargaining power of suppliers is having low power over John Deer, as this organisation
is engaged in the process of manufacturing, construction, agriculture and forestry machinery and
other equipment’s (Cousin, 2021). Due to their large base business number of suppliers wants to
perform their business operations with this company in order to conduct long term sustainable
business. However, John Deer can significantly enhance competitiveness and can further
maximize their negotiating power with the application of IS/IT into their business operations.
This will significantly enhance company competitiveness in respective industry along with
maximum negotiation power.
Threat of new entrant: Low
Threat of new entrants is low over John Deer, as this organisation is an established
company which is offering its services worldwide with high quality products and services. It has
the underlined that in order to make entry in heavy equipment industry there is a need of huge
capital investments. John Deer is a renowned organisation with number of suppliers and
consumers (Hamilton, 2021). In this company with the help of taking this opportunity can
enhance its competitiveness and market segment and can grab a greater number of consumer
base. With the help of implementation IT/IS and into their business operations for example, with
the help of automation technology John Deer can enable end users to significantly maximise the
productivity of their equipment. This will significantly allow company to enhance their market
share in a well-defined and effective manner.
Threat of substitution: High
Threat of substitution is high for John Deer, as this company is facing competitive forces
from organisations like NH Industrial (U.K.), Kubota Corp. (Japan), AGCO (U.S.) and Claas
KGaA (Germany). Furthermore, it has been underlined that John Deer largest competitors
include Kubota Corp. (Japan), AGCO (U.S.) etc. those who are offering same or similar form of
8

products and services among consumer base. In this with the help of moving towards automation
of their operations and applying IT/IS will significantly allow company to maximize its
competitiveness over other rivals. For example, with the help of programmable automation
company can make customisation and can undertake frequent changes throughout the
manufacturing process which will allow John Deer to offer innovative and unique products and
services and market segment.
Rivalry among existing competitors: high
John Deer is operating its business services in heavy equipment industry and offer that
product in services worldwide. It enhances rivalry among firms furthermore, it has been
underlined that John Deer is facing high competition in some countries. Thus, in this application
of IT/ IT will significantly enhance company competitiveness, as this technology allow
organisation to conduct cost effective operations with high technology and innovativeness
(Koppmann, 2021). Along with this it has been identified that John Deer by making
implementation of IT/IS into their manufacturing operations can provide innovative and high-
quality equipment to its consumers. For example, with the application of IT/IS John Deer can
provide high quality equipment’s and can also provide excess of data with an ease through which
farmers can have excess of gather data. This will significantly allow company to redefine their
business in low-cost implementation. It will also allow John Deer to reduce their overall wastage
through which company can enhance its competitiveness.
Do you think that Big data analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT) can help to manage
knowledge at John Deer company? Explain both pros and cons of the use of such technologies.
Big Data analytics:
Big data analytics is "the way toward taking a gander at gigantic educational assortments
containing a variety of data types. It assists with revealing concealed plans, dark associations,
market designs, customer tendencies, and other accommodating information. Companies that
execute Big Data Analytics consistently get number of business rewards, including more fruitful
promoting endeavours, the revelation of new pay openings, further created customer support
movement, more viable errand and higher intensity. Companies execute Big Data Analytics
because they need to make more proficient business choice. Big data analytics offers prescient
9

modelers and information researchers the ability to analyse Big Data from different and varied
sources, including restrictive data and other coordinated data.
With the help of this tool John Deer can effectively have endless source of informational
and business insight that can prompt functional improvement and new opportunities for
organizations to give undiscovered income as well as revenue. Thus, according to the analysis it
has been evaluated that Big data analytics allow company to harness their data and further utilize
them to effectively determine new set of opportunities through which organisation like John
Deer can conduct more efficient business operations while assuring happy consumers and more
profitability.
Pros:
Cost reduction:
Big data analytics is an effective technology that significantly reduce costs. Technologies
like adoop and cloud-based analytics allow companies to assure cost advantages (Rajarajan,
Renukadevi and Basim, 2021). With the help of big data analytics technologies John Deer can
determine more effective way to conduct business.
Faster, better decision making:
Big data analytics facilitate organisation to effectively evaluate information in immediate
way. This significantly allow them to undertake decision in a faster manner. By taking use of this
John Deer can assure better decision making that will significantly optimize business efficiency.
Cons:
Rapid change:
Another normal drawback to immense data examination is that the development is
advancing rapidly. Companies face the certified possibility that they will place assets into a
particular advancement just to have something much better several months afterward
Cybersecurity risks:
It has been evaluated that the major con of big data analytics is associated to
cybersecurity risks. In addition to this, it has been evaluated that it is the major risk which is
affecting organisations in terms of managing and securing their data and information in a well
define and effective manner.
10

Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is for the most part characterized as number of actual
gadgets that are introduced with sensors, programming, and various advances to partner and
exchanging data with various contraptions and systems over the web. In simple words, Internet
of things are mainly termed as network of physical objects that are mainly embedded with
software, sensors and other form of technologies. These gadgets range from typical family
protests to complex mechanical instruments. Furthermore, it has been underlined that in today’s
business world IoT is playing major role in enhancing overall revenue, improving efficiency and
making reduction in operating costs.
Pros:
Automation:
It has been evaluated that automation prompts consistency in assignments, nature of
administration and control of everyday undertakings without human intercession (Maduskar,
Gohil and Mangrulkar, 2021). Machine-to-machine correspondence likewise keeps up with
straightforwardness all through the cycle.
Cost Savings:
IoT mitigates the issues related with bottlenecks, system damages and breakdowns. IoT
allow company to save cost in a well define and effective manner by doing cost effective
business.
Instant Data Access:
More accessible data improves on the dynamic interaction, making life simpler to
oversee.
Efficiency:
Machine-to-machine cooperation accommodates better effectiveness, empowering
individuals to zero in on different positions.
Cons:
Privacy and Security:
As a significant number of regular apparatuses, machines and administrations become
associated with the internet, substantially more data is promptly accessible. It makes it harder to
keep private data out of the hands of programmers and other unapproved clients.
Complexity
11

Since the IoT is a particularly huge, different organization, a solitary disappointment in
either the product or equipment can have shocking results. Along with this, it has been evaluated
that IoT application is also bit complex.
Thus, according to the above-mentioned analysis it has been evaluated that, Big Data
Analytics empowers companies to dissect their information in full setting rapidly, and some offer
continuous examination. Use Big Data Analytics have ability to drive innovation allow John
Deer to have real-time analysis and better optimization. While on the other hand, if it is talked
about Internet of Things (IoT) this technology is significantly a system of integrated computing
devices that offers facility to transfer data over network without the need of human-to-computer
or human-to-human interaction. Thus, it has been evaluated that both bog data analytics and
Internet of Things (IoT) is forward looking technology with the help of which John Deer can
manage knowledge and can further conduct its operations in cost effective manner.
Recommendations
Due to the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic there are number of challenges which is
prevailing in business environment and can affect organisation in number of ways. In this,
automation, big data analysis, Internet of Things (IoT) offer number of significant benefits and
support companies through which they can strengthen their knowledge management practices
and can further conduct their operations in effective manner.
In context to John Deer, it is recommended to organisation to significantly shift towards
automation and accelerate the adoption of AI, based technology. It has been identified that
Covid-19 pandemic lead countries to impose lock down and make people to stay at home that
lead towards closure of industry and restriction of human to get out from their home. This not
only affects industries to perform their operations but also lead towards number of challenges in
front of organisation to keep on continuing their business operations. John Deer is operating
business operations in in heavy equipment industry with more than 70000 employees. Covid-19
emergence lead company to perform their operations without the help of humans. Furthermore, it
has been underlined that Covid-19 is still existing and keep on emerging which led countries to
impose lockdown accordingly. In this, companies like John Deer can get affected in number of
ways which can further let them towards facing number of losses. In context to this it is
recommended to company to reduce the dependency and pressure on humans and implement AI
12

-based technology, IS/IT, Big Data Analytics and move towards automated operations. Due to
social distancing companies are required to completely go digital and remote. In this it is
essential for John Deer to have human resource reformed and adopt IoT orientation strategy.
Along with this organisation is also recommended to invest in highly skilled data analytics,
engineers, financial and tech experts and other administrator. Implementation of technologies
like IoT will significantly allow company to get interconnected through which they can have
capability of transmission of data over define network without having any human involvement.
This not only lead John Deer to conduct their services in effective manner but can also allow
them to conduct their operations even during lockdown.
CONCLUSION
As per the above-mentioned report it has been concluded that information system, internet
of things and other digital technologies are playing important roles for companies through which
they can not only maintain their business operations effectiveness but can also provide high
quality products and services to customers. It helps organisation to maintain consumer
relationship management in effective manner. This report states that consumer relationship is
having advantage in terms of improving consumer service in effective manner. Furthermore, it
has been identified that big data analytics allow organisation to conduct cost effective business
operations with faster decision-making ability. With the implementation of internet of things
organisation can assure automation, cost savings and instant data access, through which they can
perform their business operations effectively during the outbreak of covid-19.
13

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ayvaz, S. and Alpay, K., 2021. Predictive maintenance system for production lines in
manufacturing: A machine learning approach using IoT data in real-time. Expert Systems with
Applications, 173, p.114598.
Azeem, M 2021. Big data applications to take up major challenges across manufacturing
industries: A brief review. Materials Today: Proceedings.
Cousin, P.F., 2021. The Internet of Things (IoT) in Manufacturing and Healthcare; Two Critical
Infrastructures (Doctoral dissertation, Utica College).
Hamilton, S., 2021. Real-Time Big Data Analytics, Sustainable Industry 4.0 Wireless Networks,
and Internet of Things-based Decision Support Systems in Cyber-Physical Smart
Manufacturing. Economics, Management, and Financial Markets, 16(2), pp.84-94.
Koppmann, J., 2021. Overcoming the Challenges of Big Data Analytics Adoption for Small and
Medium Sized Enterprises in the Manufacturing Industry.
Maduskar, S., Gohil, M. and Mangrulkar, R., 2021. Recent Challenges in IoT. Security Issues
and Privacy Threats in Smart Ubiquitous Computing, 341, p.65.
Rajarajan, S., Renukadevi, S. and Basim, N.M.A., 2021. Industrial IoT and Intelligent
Manufacturing. In Futuristic Trends in Intelligent Manufacturing (pp. 185-203). Springer, Cham.
Sahoo, S., 2021. Big data analytics in manufacturing: a bibliometric analysis of research in the
field of business management. International Journal of Production Research, pp.1-29.
Tyagi, A., Bhushan, B. and Singh, R.V., 2021. 8 Big Data Analytics. Integration of WSNs into
Internet of Things: A Security Perspective, p.135.
14

Wang, J., Xu, C., Zhang, J. and Zhong, R., 2021. Big data analytics for intelligent manufacturing
systems: A review. Journal of Manufacturing Systems.
15