Digital Transformation at 3Com plc

The assignment provides an in-depth analysis of the digital transformation trend affecting businesses, including 3Com plc. It explores various recent techniques such as cloud-computing, applications of social media, and Artificial Intelligence to aid in gathering information and facts. The report utilizes qualitative and quantitative methodologies to gather relevant data, overcoming several research issues encountered by the investigator. The outcome is a beneficial project for 3Com plc, with the goal of improving business activities through digital transformation.

Managing successful
business project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P 1. Aims and objectives of research..........................................................................................1
P 2. Project management plan....................................................................................................2
P 3. Work break down structure..................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P 4. Small scale research by using quantitative and qualitative research methodologies...........7
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P 5. Analysation of research and information using correct tools and techniques...................10
P 6. Recommendation..............................................................................................................13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................14
P 7. Self reflection.....................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Now a days, world is becoming very modern, every things is being digitalised. This has
brought so many changes in the corporate world also. This is proved to be beneficial for all types
of companies whether it is large or small (Broekx and et. al., 2011). This has been examined that
it is necessary for small business organisations to apply digitalisation in their day to day
commercial activities in order to improve their goods and services effectively. It is not just about
using software, but is associated with developing innovative and creative ideas in venture. After
applying digitalisation, a firm could easily remake their merchandises or deliverables for
attracting large number of consumers towards them. Advanced technologies aids in saving time
as well as reducing wastages that contributes in attaining higher productivity for company. The
current report is based on 3COM plc which was established in the year of 1979 by Robert
Metcalfe. It is small firm which is famous for manufacturing computer network goods or
services. This project is describing about different factors associated with corporation's aims and
objectives, work break down structure, project management plan, etc.
TASK 1
P 1. Aims and objectives of research
Digitalization is giving positive effects to not only ventures but also on every individuals.
For a small sized enterprise, it is very important for adapting modern techniques so that they can
supply best quality goods or services to potential clients. This conception could be used by 3Com
corporation in order to upgrade the quality of their current and upcoming merchandises as well.
As they are providing computer based networking goods such as routers, IP voice systems,
wireless access points, network interface controllers, intrusion prevention system and many more
; they could utilise advanced technology for these products and could make it more innovative
(Fleming, and Koppelman, 2016). In addition to this, various sections of business such as
marketing, advertisement, manufacturing, delivery, accounting, etc. can be effectively managed
via the concept of digitalisation.
Topic : “ Impact of digital technology in supporting small business growth and innovation : A
case study on 3 Com plc “
Background of project : This assignment is all about the influence of digital technologies on the
small companies such as 3 com. By using such techniques, this enterprise can easily increase its
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production and in turn gain high sum of profits. Thus, they may enlarge their business in
effective manner and serve to large number of users. Apart from this, it also assists in generating
a good brand image in front of potential clients and retain them for a long time period by meeting
their demands and requirements (Denzin and Lincoln, 2011). Additionally, it offers golden
opportunity of gaining competitive benefits and establishing a powerful position at present
market place. Therefore, in order to make strong positioning in this business world, 3Com
should make some alternations in their regular activities for instant, human resource
management, accounting, manufacturing, sales , promotional actions, etc.
Aim of research : “ To evaluate the impact of digital technology in supporting small business
growth and innovation : A case study on 3 Com plc “.
Research objectives : After analysing present scenario of above mentioned company, researcher
has designed some objectives which are stated below :
 To determine the effects of modern technology in 3 Com corporation
 To analyse the way of earning more profitability by applying advanced tools and
techniques in given firm.
Research questions : While carrying out this investigation, some of the questions arises in
context of this which are mentioned below :
 How company can use digital techniques in their business activities ?
 What are the influences of implementing such advanced technologies within enterprise ?
 Does this enforcement aids venture in their development ?
P 2. Project management plan
Project management plan is designed by employer of an organisation to take decisions in
terms of several things such as inputs, working procedure, time taken in accomplishment of
certain work, allocation of job roles to project team and stakeholders. Thus, it can be said that
this management plan is essentially used for determining about how specific project is executed,
observed and completed in an efficacious style (Geraldi and Lechter, 2012). It would be treated
as a concise elaborated documentation that involves administration plans, standards and other
preparation documents as well. This task should have to utilise as reference for entire corporates'
chores for ensuring that management is carrying out all of its activity in consistent manner by
following its policies as well as procedures. It is including different components that assists in
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receiving data regarding management plan in a easy way. Some of the key components
associated with this planning is discussed as follows : Cost : This is an important factor that needs to be consider by every companies as every
one wishes to produce goods and services in a cost effective manner. For doing the same,
firm ought to take use of effective software so that entire documentation related work
should done in proper way. There are some activities that consume large sum of revenue
such as doing paper work, recruitments, promotional activities and many more. As 3 Com
is involving in performing paper- works, they have to invest high amount of money in
purchasing papers only. If they need to cut out such an extra expenditure, they should use
the option of digitalisation (Hirshkowitz and et. al., 2015). For this, accounting system
needs to more developed. Every computer system have to be installed with certain
modern applications such as Spread Sheet, Ms – Excel, etc. for performing electronic
based calculations. In addition to this, all such documents that gets created from this can
be saved for a long period of time safely and securely on clouds. The beauty of this cloud
computing is that any one can use its saved data from any where and any time if there is
accessibility of internet connection. Apart from this, hiring could also be done by using
digital tools that give option of doing video calling. Thus, as a result, managers can
recruit employees from same place without travelling here and there and using
opportunity of taking interviews online. This saves a large amount of money as well as
time. Scope : This component is linked with the value or significance of project administration
and its scope in market location. It comprises of all such things that are going to be
conducted in this research project. For 3COM venture, it is indispensable to execute
digitalisation in their corporate structure for landscaping their business artefacts and for
making its wide scope at market. In order to upgrade the quality and quantity of their
electronic goods as well as services, this project would help since it is offering impressive
objectives and is making clear conception about the utilisation of advanced technology
(Hwang and Lim, 2012). By examining this assignment, firm easily get convince about
adapting digital techniques because it is highlighting every section and clarifying about
the advantages of doing the same. This is stating that it supports in rising their
productivity and improving quality of servicing or productions efficaciously. After
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implementation of several applications or tools, company can easily increase their whole
turnover. Time : Project needs to more effective while conducting various works related to
research. For this, 3Com should control and manage all of their functional and structural
activities as per the allotted time. This will aids in reducing lapsing of time and also
helps in decreasing additional burden from the shoulder of an individual since assign
works within entire work – forces on timely. Hence, it can be said that management of
time aids in completing all business activities in suitable way. After performing the
similar work, venture could receive different opportunities from their targeted market.
Workers of firm require to perform chores in accordance to proposed time for receiving
high benefits effectively. Quality : This factor from project management is directly giving impact on system of
decision making of firm. Quality is nothing but giving satisfaction to the clients so that
they maintain their trust on company and remain their permanent customer. 3Com is
already making good quality products and services and this is the reason of receiving
few number of complaints against their deliverables and almost every client is liking their
goods (Meredith and Mantel, 2011). Though, they would take aid of modern tools that
contributes in manufacturing best quality of accessories in very less time frame. This also
consumes limited amount of raw materials and thus saves money. Recent technologies
could make every task very simple. Therefore, as a result, less time is consumed even for
doing large number of work in small time. Risk management : It is also an eminent portion of this report where - in each and every
risky elements require to be removed that gets arise during executing several business
operations. Firm could take help of digital techniques in identifying the risks and taking
proper decisions for eliminating them. 3 Com organisation should carry out this project as
fast as possible since more time would consumes extra sum of revenue. Communication : For doing market related investigation, 3Com have to convey
messages in proper manner with local civilians in order to get familiar with their
requirements and demands. After that manufacturing ought to be done in relation to that.
Company may take usage of extrinsic mode of communication for performing activities
associated with research and can also utilise intrinsic ways of communication in order to
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solve their business issues by taking help of personnels. This overall process would
charge nearly 400$.
 Resources : This is the procedure of identifying different resources that is necessary for
given firm for performing marketing researches. This has been examined that 3Com
needs human resources, funding, technological assets, etc. for reaching or attaining their
pre - setted aims and objectives. All such resources should be present in adequate
quantity so that no conflicts and issues would create in present as well as upcoming days.
P 3. Work break down structure
It is essential to keep each and every work in proper structure in advance before starting
any activity in order to accomplish that without having any confusion in future. For doing the
same, Gantt chart is required to be designed appropriately. For this project, below mentioned
chores should be completed within allotted time period. : Aims and objective : It is the first step where in several logical aims and objectives is
going to be framed in accordance to the theme of this project in order to start work of
researching in effect – able manner. A researcher would take around 15 days for
designing the same (Wahyuni, 2012). The main motto of this assignment is to identify
the role of contemporaneous technologies in the development of small scale corporates
and in the preparation of innovational merchandises in 3Com. Project management plan : This is the second step where by investigator needs to
formulate a management schemes wherein different activities is needed to consider . For
example,communication, cost controlling, management of quality, performing time
management and many more. This plan of action might consumes roughly 10 days. Primary and secondary research : It is the third stage where research worker have to
collect relevant information and data regarding the topic of this task. This would be
performed by carrying out primary as well as secondary research. Primary one will be
executed by talking and taking interview of people and employees as well. On the other
contrary , secondary one would be carry out by taking use of different websites which
are present over internet, journals, books, etc. This gathering might be completed in
nearly 20 days.
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 Data interpretation and analysation : After aggregating data, the next step is to analyse
of those gathered data and do interpretation on the ground of such findings. This may
take around 5 days.
 Self reflection : This is the last step but not the least one in which investigator has to talk
about about their personal feeling and experiences. Here in various obstructors faced by
him or her is discussed. Apart from this, the value of digital technologies is also
described in this section. This will consume about 2 to 3 days.
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TASK 2
P 4. Small scale research by using quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
For accumulating relevant information in terms of theme of given project, members of
research team need to apply accurate research methodologies. Some of the key methods of
collecting those data and figures are discussed as follow : Qualitative research : This is the technique of evaluating ideas and thoughts of ordinary
people which is performed by carrying out surveys, convincing civilians to fill up sheets
of questionnaire. Interrogation of personnels as well as users should be taken for knowing
about their feelings and thoughts. Most of the investigators are taking help of this
methodology for gaining sound and deep knowledge associated with the topic of inquiry.
Hence, it can be stated that this operation is providing assistance for knowing about the
behaviour and psychological aspects of people regrading theme of concern. Quantitative research : It is considered as the tool of accumulating numerical data that
is helping research workers in making right decisions regarding conducting business
actions. This is totally different from qualitative methods since in this procedure
information is being assembled from a large sample size (Peters, Howard and Sharp,
2012). Primary research : In this process, applicable information is collected by taking use of
primary sources. This is to be noted that this work of investigation is accomplished by
utilising both quantitative as well as qualitative research methodologies. Feedbacks of
civilians, questionnaires, surveys, etc. are some of the primary sources that is put - upon
while assembling information.
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 Secondary research : By applying this method, researcher may easily gather both
previous as well as existing data with respect to the topic of this project. Webpages of
government and several libraries, census, books, journals, etc. are some of the main
sources that is being used by them for discovering about knowledge of their
interestingness. This is viewed as the faster style of collecting information because in this
method, research members only have to search certify sources from where they would
find such data.
Qualitative research techniques has been utilized in this program for getting important
news and information. Questionnaire is formulated below for gathering data from work forces
and localised citizens. Here in sample size of 20 is taken. The formatting of questionnaire is
mentioned below :
Questionnaire
Name : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Age : ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gender : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Whether advancement in technology assist in creating merchandises and services at less
period of time ?
 Yes
 No
2. Did you find out the effects of digital technology in a small as well as medium size
companies ?
 Yes
 No
3. Which divisions is of necessity to get altered by taking aid of modern technologies with in
3Com ?
 Human resource department
 Manufacturing department
 Accounting
4. Which kind of application should be used for the intention of stocking sensitive data of the
venture ?
 Hard disks
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 Cloud technology
 The Internet of Things
5. Which type of digital technique is required for conveying or transferring messages of
3Com ?
 Social media
 Mobile technology
6. Which latest application would assist enterprise in generating innovational goods and
services ?
 Artificial intelligence
 Big data analytics
Secondary research
According to the thought of Westerman, Bonnet and McAfee (2014), modern techniques
ought to be utilized by nearly almost all firms as this assists in enhancing the productivity as well
as profitableness of the company. This also helps in manufacturing innovative commodities and
services that would draw attention of more and more consumers and ultimately selling rate of
venture increases drastically. For instance, 3Com could take usages of Big Analytics and
Artificial Intelligence as recent technology for designing innovative deliverables. Thus, in turn,
company may earn higher amount of profits and also hold up good position in market area by
making their brand image more famed in the eyes of all civilians who surviving in UK.
At the same time, organisation should use application of social media such as Face -
book, Twitter, You tube, What's app, etc. for doing promotion of their recently designed
merchandises so that each and every person get familiar about such commodities. The mentioned
firm ought to also apply cloud technology in their working activities so that data could be stored
for longer time frame. Such information would be shared as well as taken in use from any - place
and every - time in the existence of internet connection.
TASK 3
P 5. Analysation of research and information using correct tools and techniques
Theme 1 : Contribution of technological promotion in making goods in minimum time period
Whether advancement in technology assist in Frequency
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creating merchandises and services at less
period of time ?
Yes 15
No 5
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
5
Column G
Interpretation :15 persons are in support of above statement while 5 are not.
Theme 2 : Impact of digital technology in growth of corporation
Did you find out the effects of digital
technology in a small as well as medium size
companies ?
Frequency
Yes 16
No 4
10

Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
16
4
Column G
Interpretation : 16 people are saying yes whereas other 4 are not in support of this.
Theme 3 : Necessity of modernisation in various sectors of firm
Which divisions is of necessity to get altered
by taking aid of modern technologies with in
3Com ?
Frequency
Human resource department 5
Manufacturing department 10
Accounting 5
Human resource department
Production department
Accounting
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
5
10
5 Column G
Interpretation : Most of the citizens are voted for product development section.
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Theme 4 : Requirement of modern tools for storing important information
Which kind of application should be used for
the intention of stocking sensitive data of the
venture ?
Frequency
The Internet of Things 6
Hard disks 4
Cloud technology 10
Hard disks
Cloud technology
The Internet of Things
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
4
10
6
Column G
Interpretation: Almost all people are in support of using cloud-computing technique.
Theme 5 : Usage of digital medium of communication
Which type of digital technique is required for
conveying or transferring messages of 3Com ?
Frequency
Social media 15
Mobile technology 5
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Social media Mobile technology
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
5 Column I
Interpretation : Most of people are voted for using social media applications.
Theme 6 : Support of innovative technology in forming unique products
Which latest application would assist
enterprise in generating innovational goods and
services ?
Frequency
Big data analytics 4
Artificial intelligence 16
Artificial intelligence Big data analytics
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18 16
4
Column B
Interpretation : Large number of civilians are supported for the use of Artificial Intelligence.
P 6. Recommendation
3COM is a manufacturing company that deals in digital electronics products. This
company is known for its computer network products like interface controller and switches,
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routers, wireless etc. On studying impact of technologies on this company and other ones, it has
recommended that:
 3COM should introduce some more technologies like Big data Analytics and Artificial
Intelligence. These technologies help in manufacturing some more innovative products or
services in order to retain the customers.
 This company needs to use applications of social media technologies to promote its
products online like Facebook, You Tube, Instagram etc.
 These social media also help 3COM in connecting with clients and to develop effective
communication with them.
 For sharing and storing its information about products, a cloud technology can be used.
Therefore, on recommending these, 3COM becomes able to improve its performance by
making its system more effective.
TASK 4
P 7. Self reflection
After examining this research, I become able to know how technologies and its innovation help
the organisations in improving their performance management. This study had helped me in
gaining knowledge of all uncovered aspect at my acknowledgement. While conducting research
or gathering information about this company and impact of technology on it, I have faced many
difficulties that comes as barriers in completion of it. These problems can be stated as:-
 Time limit given for this research was so less to gather much information. Also resources
were not sufficient for it. All these make me unable in giving appropriate conclusion for
this report.
 Sample was also not appropriately taken that needed to handle the current situation of
3COM.
CONCLUSION
From the above based report, it can summarised that digital technology is now becomes a
trend which is being used by every company since it aids a lot in growing business activities.
3Com should also take use of various recent techniques such as cloud - computing, applications
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of social media, Artificial Intelligence, etc. In order to gather information and facts, different
methodologies has been used that is qualitative and quantitative in this project. Several issues
were faced by researcher while carrying out this research report. Even so, investigator has
accomplished this assignment effectively by collecting relevant facts and figures which is proved
to be beneficial for 3Com plc.
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