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The final element to Evans IT strategic plans and advantage would be their systems testing and security for the organization. Security controls related to the technology infrastructure-such as backup supplies, network access control, and firewall protection- are the most relevant area that Evans has to deal with. Managers must be careful in identifying what is valid data, what errors might be made while handling data, and what potential business losses could result form inaccurate or lost data.

At Evans, each individual is given a user name in which they have to log on to the system with. This will enable the IT organization to limit and monitor what systems and software the user is using and has access to. Without the proper authority granted by the IT organization, the user is withheld from accessing any information that should not be seen. The unauthorized use of data can result in a material loss, such as embezzlement of funds, or in harder to measure losses, such as disclosure of sensitive data. The ultimate protection against system failures is to have a backup copy. When a file becomes contaminated or destroyed, the most recent version can be restored.

This is what Evans has come to realize and control. In any case, the security of data, and computers is necessary for Evans so that employees, customers, and others can be confident that their interactions with the organization are confident and the assets of the business are safe.

Physical security also is an important part of the IT organization at Evans. Each employee is given a Chubb security card that has their thumb print scanned on to it. This gives access to the different buildings, and once inside, access to the divisions. Such areas as imaging require special access because of the amount of equipment that the room houses. Storage facilities called the “Vault”, for back-ups and important documentation, also require added accessibility. All of these precautions Evans does is according to their IT strategy.

Looking at Evans at a whole, it is a obvious that there are many aspects in which information technology is used. Each element serves it’s own purpose and it part of their strategic plan and advantage. From communication to security measures, Evans has installed and maintained a high level of IT that has enabled it to succeed and grow into the market leader we see before us. By constantly upgrading and ensuring they are on the cutting edge of technology, Evans is bound to have future success.

St. Francis Xavier University

Business 419

Evans Consoles And It’s

IT Strategies and Advantages

For:

Professor G. Trites

November

26, 1999

Nathan Laviolette

961121

We define information technology (IT) to include not only computer technology (hardware and software) for processing and storing information, but also communications technology for transmitting information. Advances in computer and communications technologies have enabled firms to pursue IT investments. This will help them to gain maximum advantage from their knowledge assets-to leverage the knowledge of individual employees to the benefit of other employees and the organization as a whole.

Businesses have strived to achieve a competitive advantage in the past by competing in one of two ways:

1. By Cost- by being a low-cost producer of a good and service

2. By Differentiation of a product or service- by competing on customer perceptions of product quality and customer support services.

Information technology is an integral part of many companies day to day operations. By the 1990’s, applications of IT were widespread and sophisticated enough to enable firms to compete in other innovative ways. Whereas in the past firms had to choose between a low-cost and a differentiation strategy, today IT enables firms in some industries to compete on both low cost and product differentiation simultaneously. Further, some firms are attempting to compete not only on both low cost and high quality, but also on the ability to make highly varied customized products. Referred to as “mass customization,” IT is used to rapidly link processes and work groups in order to produce customized products that are exactly what a customer wants.

Evans Consoles, a Calgary based manufacturing firm, is a prime example of how, and where information technology is implemented and utilized in terms of strategic advantage and strategic plans. Founded in 1980, Evans is recognized worldwide for its expertise in the design and manufacture of technical furniture, desks and computer consoles for specialized environments such as data and control centers, trading floors, command centers, computer floors and other technology-intensive work centers. Over the years, Evans has built an international reputation for reliable project management, innovative product design and superior quality through more than 2,000 high-profile installation’s. Such high profile installations include customers as NASA, FedEx, EDS, AT&T, IBM, Dow Chemical, Shell, United Airlines, FAA, and Deutsche Telekom. (See photo exhibits for examples of products and installs)

Evans overall corporate strategy is to provide high quality customized products at a competitive price to customers all around the world. As a

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