CANON: INTEGRATED INFORMATION SYSTEMS
INTRODUCTION
Canon Inc. is a joint stock corporation (kabushiki kaisha) formed under Japanese Commercial Code. The Company was incorporated under the laws of Japan on August 10, 1937 to produce and sell Japan’s first focal plane shutter 35mm still camera, which was developed by its predecessor company. The Precision Optical Research Laboratories was organized in 1933. In the late 1950s, Canon entered the business machines field utilizing technology obtained through the development of photographic and optical products. With the successful introduction of electronic calculators in 1964, Canon continued to expand its operations to include plain paper copying machines, faxes, laser beam printers, bubble jet printers, computers, video camcorders and digital cameras ( 2004).
Canon is a world leader in imaging products and solutions for the digital home and office. Canon has reinforced its position as a leading innovator in imaging technology solutions by surging ahead to the No.2 position for patents registered in the US in 2005 – second only to IBM and up from its No.3 ranking in 2004. The researches of Canon in the development of new technologies are its pride. Its research centers are located in different countries like France, UK, Australia, USA and Japan. The company operates in a highly competitive environment. The company is managing its processes by ensuring that its new products come to market quickly, are to the highest technical specifications, and can be competitively priced. Canons recognize that a good information management strategy is an essential component of business success.
Mass of documentation, email, and other paperwork are now circulating around businesses are faced with a. Because of this potential information overload, Canon has developed skills and technologies to control, know- how to manage it and the ability to share it throughout the organization and beyond. Canon has used its technology, understanding and systems integration skills to help improve its own process- aiding it to become more efficient, more productive and more profitable.
Canon has played a significant role in helping a range of business and non-business organizations to develop better Information Management Systems because of its reputation as major provider of Information Systems Management Solutions. It has also developed a tailored suite of ICT solutions for the education market. The ICT solutions for education are designed to keep costs down and minimize teacher’s administration time, therefore allowing them to concentrate on their real job. The aim is to equip educational establishments with a business level, ICT infrastructure that not only meets the organizations own needs but also contributes to producing the workforce of the future .With a system like that, schools are able to enhance their students ability to learn, practice and hone their information management skills .
For example, with the right infrastructure in place, students could access the schools website remotely from home to help their homework. This site could even contain lesson notes to assist parents/careers in supporting the learning experience. Many schools operate within severe constraints. One solution therefore is to lease rather than purchase outright. Buying outright ties up resources that could better be used for other educational purposes, thus using a significant portion of the head-teachers equipment budget.
THE CASE STUDY: Canon UK Can With Easynet ()
Profile
Canon UK and Easynet have been working in partnership since 1997. Following a review of its channel strategy in 2002, Canon re-evaluated its IP access services and investigated other ISPs. As a result of the evaluation process Canon decided to foster a closer working relationship with Easynet, the UK’s leading independent broadband provider.
The Business Challenge
Canon’s decision to work with Easynet followed a presentation of the company’s capabilities, outlining the new reseller program, which placed increased importance on the level of product training, and support Easynet could provide to its partners. With an increasing focus on network printing and IT solutions, Canon needed to be reassured that they could work with a partner who would provide them with the right level of support to deliver integrated IT solutions to their end customers.
The Solution
“Increasingly our customers are looking for cost effective IT solutions, which enabled them to improve the performance and efficiency of their network infrastructures,” said , Canon. “Working with Easynet we see some major opportunities to add significant value to the services we offer our customers, because of capabilities that Easynet’s wholly-owned network and its unique and differentiated products provide.”In the last month, Easynet has joined Canon on a road show, undertaking joint marketing activities to promote sales opportunities to Canon staff. Initial joint activities have already produced significant results, including a leading UK independent drinks manufacturer and several legal firms, where the cost-efficiencies of Easynet’s solutions has enabled Canon to up sell bigger margin products. Easynet products sold by Canon are ADSL, Leased Lines, VPN’s, Point to Point.
Did Canon Make the Right Decision?
Because of its reputation as a major provider of Information Systems Management Solutions, its decision to foster a closer working relationship with Easynet, the UK’s leading independent broadband provider is unquestionable. It my own opinion and base on my knowledge, the solutions provided by Canon is appropriate, suitable, and effective in solving the present problem. Canon needed to be reassured that they could work with a partner who would provide them with the right level of support to deliver integrated IT solutions to their end customers. In order to increase Canon’s costumers they must look for effective IT solutions that will enable them to improve the performance and efficiency of their network infrastructures and Easynet can provide the necessary service. If Canon will work closer with Easynet, there could be some major opportunities to add significant value to the services they offer to their customers, because of capabilities that Easynet’s wholly owned network and its unique and differentiated products provide. In addition, Easynet and Canon can undertake joint marketing activities to promote sales opportunities to Canon staff. This joint activities could produced significant results by attracting a leading UK independent drinks manufacturer and several legal firms. Building a closer working relationship with Easynet’s solutions will enable Canon to sell bigger margin from their products ADSL, Leased Lines, VPN’s, Point to Point.
What are the other Alternatives that Canon could have considered?
Fostering a closer working relationship with Easynet, the UK’s leading independent broadband provider is probably the best alternative that Canon could have. Canon working with effective IT solutions will enable them to improve the performance and efficiency of their network infrastructures. A remarkable increase in their costumers will surely follow. However, there are still possible alternatives to face Canon’s problem. These are:
Instead of fostering a closer working relationship with Easynet, it is more reasonable to foster a direct working relationship with the different institution in the market. For example with the education market. Since Canon has its own ICT infrastructures, what they should do is develop or improve this aspect. If they could improve their ICT infrastructure, they do not need anymore the service of Easynet. They can also provide the same services as what Easynet is providing for the costumer. In that way, Canon could earn more because they do not need to spend more paying Easynet. However, the risk of tight competition with Easynet is clearly visible. If Canon will fail to compete with Easynet, they might experience a lower profitability rate.
To compete with Easynet and to gain more costumers, Canon must improve or modernize their technology. If Canon could improve and could modernize their technology, they can easily compete with Easynet. By modernizing and improving Canon’s technology, they could provide the costumer with a good quality of service; a good quality of service means more customers and more customers’ means more income/profit and more profit means company’s success.
Because individuals have different view and opinions, conflict in life and in work is unavoidable. In today’s fast paced and competitive climate, businesses are more vulnerable to conflict. Individuals within the organizations contribute conflict. Researches found out that there are more than 65 percent of performance problems result from strained relationship between employees rather than from deficits in their skill level or motivation.
Canon should learn to manage conflict within their organization immediately and appropriately. A dramatic improvement in company’s performance is rest assured. The important thing to remember is know the right strategies to minimize and deal with conflict. This concept helps clear the mind for better decision making and eventually ensure success.
(2002-05), co director of Ag. Marketing Resource Center of the State University Extension has identified below six steps or techniques for managing a dispute within the group or business.
a. Initiate Dialogue
Call the group together and establish the fact that you will be open, honest, and attentive to everyone’s needs in what is likely to be a sensitive situation. Discuss only present problems and discuss them one at a time. Remember, everyone has a right to talk. It is important to understand every person’s position.
b. Involve all Parties
Next, involve all parties in the communication process. Involvement begins by asking questions and encouraging others to answer. Listen as people respond to your questions.
c. Assimilate Information
The third phase is to assimilate all this information. Everyone must consider all of the facts and feelings. Clarify every position expressed and its cause.
d. Reinforce Agreements
The next step is to reinforce agreements. Reinforcing agreements is a powerful psychological tool. This process builds trust and understanding and makes negotiating easier. Always reinforce agreements before you negotiate disagreements.
e. Negotiate Disagreements
This begins by reviewing and ranking the disagreements. When issues are ranked, seek adjustments from each adversary, with the most insignificant or easiest problem first. Remind them that you cannot negotiate disagreements until the facts and feelings are understood by everyone.
f. Solidify Agreements
The last step is to solidify agreements and confirm solutions to the problem. Begin by reviewing the changes agreed to, and ask if compromises are still acceptable. Review proposed actions carefully. Commitment to the adjustment can be confirmed through formal or informal contracts, a checklist, or even a handshake.
How do these Alternatives match up to the Solution that Canon has
decided to Implement?
I have mentioned above three possible alternatives on how Canon could add significant changes to the services they offer to their customers these are 1) work directly with the prospected institution, 2) improve and modernize technology, and 3) manage organizational conflict immediately and appropriately. These are the alternatives that I laid for Canon to make better services to their costumers. Unfortunately, these alternatives do not match up to the solution that Canon has decided to implement. The Canon instead decided to foster a closer working relationship with Easynet, the UK’s leading independent broadband provider. It is the opposite of what I am thinking. The Canon’s decision to foster a closer working relationship with Easynet I think probably the safeties decision to make. Canon’s decision in turn has decided to make Easynet an ally instead of making it a good competitor. I can say that it is a nice and wise move. I remember the famous saying “if you cannot beat them join them”, I think Canon is applying that concept. What do you think? Undoubtedly, it is obvious.
Canon’s decision to foster a closer working relationship with Easynet removes the threat of competition between the two companies. We cannot question what Canon did, it is their decision and they are just doing what they think is right for their company. It is only natural for a company to resort to another solution that they think is more favorable on their part.
Canon did not think that they are spending a big money paying for the service of Easynet. If they could develop a highly competitive technology, they can save and earn more. This will give them the chance to compete and dominate the in the field of IT solutions. However, this alternative is more risky compared with the solution implemented by Canon. The good thing in this alternative is I am encouraging a competition, which is the true essence of a free market. I admit that with Easynet, Canon will benefit more.
CONCLUSIONS
Canon Inc. is a joint stock corporation (kabushiki kaisha) formed under Japanese Commercial Code. The Company was incorporated under the laws of Japan on August 10, 1937. In the late 1950s, Canon entered the business machines field utilizing technology obtained through the development of photographic and optical products. With the successful introduction of electronic calculators in 1964, Canon continued to expand its operations to include plain paper copying machines, faxes, laser beam printers, bubble jet printers, computers, video camcorders and digital cameras. Canon is a world leader in imaging products and solutions for the digital home and office. Canon has reinforced its position as a leading innovator in imaging technology solutions by surging ahead to the No.2 position for patents registered in the US in 2005 – second only to IBM and up from its No.3 ranking in 2004. The researches of Canon in the development of new technologies are its pride. The company is managing its processes by ensuring that its new products come to market quickly, are to the highest technical specifications, and can be competitively priced. Canons recognize that a good information management strategy is an essential component of business success. Canon has played a significant role in helping a range of business and non-business organizations to develop better Information Management Systems because of its reputation as major provider of Information Systems Management Solutions. It has also developed a tailored suite of ICT solutions for the education market. The ICT solutions for education are designed to keep costs down and minimize teacher’s administration time, therefore allowing them to concentrate on their real job. The aim is to equip educational establishments with a business level, ICT infrastructure that not only meets the organizations own needs but also contributes to producing the workforce of the future .With a system like that, schools are able to enhance their students ability to learn, practice and hone their information management skills . With the right infrastructure in place, students could access the schools website remotely from home to help their homework. This site could even contain lesson notes to assist parents/careers in supporting the learning experience. Many schools operate within severe constraints. One solution therefore is to lease rather than purchase outright. Buying outright ties up resources that could better be used for other educational purposes, thus using a significant portion of the head-teachers equipment budget.
On the case study, Canon decided to foster a closer working relationship with Easynet, the UK’s leading independent broadband provider is unquestionable. The solution provided by Canon is appropriate, suitable, and effective in solving the present problem. Canon needed to be reassured that they could work with a partner who would provide them with the right level of support to deliver integrated IT solutions to their end customers. Fostering a closer working relationship with Easynet, the UK’s leading independent broadband provider is probably the best alternative that Canon could have. Canon working with effective IT solutions will enable them to improve the performance and efficiency of their network infrastructures. A remarkable increase in their costumers will surely follow. However, there are still possible alternatives to solve Canon’s problem. These are: 1) work directly with the prospected institution, 2) improve and modernize technology, and 3) manage organizational conflict immediately and appropriately.
Instead of fostering a closer working relationship with Easynet, it is more reasonable to foster a direct working relationship with the different institution in the market. Since Canon has its own ICT infrastructures, what they should do is develop or improve this aspect. If they could improve their ICT infrastructure, they don’t need anymore the service of Easynet. In that way, Canon could earn more because they don’t need to spend more paying Easynet.
Canon must improve or modernize their technology. If Canon could improve and could modernize their technology, they can easily compete with Easynet. By modernizing and improving Canon’s technology, they could provide the costumer with a good quality of service; a good quality of service means more customers and more customers’ means more income/profit and more profit means company’s success.
Canon must learn to manage conflict within their organization immediately and appropriately. A dramatic improvement in company’s performance is rest assured. The important thing to remember is know the right strategies to minimize and deal with conflict. This concept helps clear the mind for better decision making and eventually ensure success.
Unfortunately, these alternatives do not match up to the solution that Canon has decided to implement. It is the opposite of what I am thinking. The Canon’s decision to foster a closer working relationship with Easynet I think probably the safeties decision to make. I can say that it is a nice and wise move. I remember the famous saying “if you cannot beat them join them”, I think Canon is applying that concept. What do you think? Undoubtedly, it is obvious. This decision removes the threat of competition between the two companies. We cannot question what Canon did, it is their decision and they are just doing what they think is right for their company. It is only natural for a company to resort to another solution that they think is more favorable on their part.
However, my alternatives are more risky compared with the solution implemented by Canon. The good thing in my alternatives, I am encouraging a competition, which is the true essence of a free market. I admit that with Easynet, Canon will benefit more.
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