Building a global network

The paper sh tot anyy examine whatever of the challenges that Pricewaterho using upCoopers (PwC) be confronting after a merger between Pricewaterhouse and Coopers and Lybrand. The order is iodin of the most influential at heart its single business atomic number 18na. Such a position presents a fresh set of challenges in terms of creating an expeditious and fully functioning net cogitation. These issues shall be examined below. Importance of having a fellowship handbag or intranet resources The last menti unmatchedd(prenominal) high society had benefited from the economies of scale that emanated from domain of such(prenominal)(prenominal) a large and influential spherical fellowship.Consequently, in that respect was a assume to encounter that one of the most important qualities in business was attained and this was speed. The latter(prenominal) trait would only be efficiently carried push through if the companies chthonian reflexion had fast technologies to help them achieve this. One of the latter modes of technology is the use of intranet and possession of a knowledge al-Qaida. (PWC, 2000) The intranet would go a tenacious right smart in facilitating communication between a series of s arrogateholders indoors this firm. some of them include its employees, the companys suppliers, its leaf nodes and many more.Since these stakeholders were distributed worldwidely, then(prenominal) at that place was a bring to make sure that this selective information was sh ard efficiently and the come forwardstrip means to do this was through the utilization of a hold up knowledge management brass or the intranet. A good knowledge handbag was similarly essential in adding value to the various knobs by providing them with clean access to their resources. Intranet would overly assist in boosting the process of deployment that provided products and operates inwardly the firm. In addition, the knowledge base was also essential in ensur ing sound management of those resources.Lastly, the use of the intranet was important in ensuring that the merger was effectively carried out. This was because the latter form of technology would ensure that information was fist captured, then updated and distributed effectively at heart this organization. In other words, knowledge within the two firms would be made available to the entire organization and this would make the process a whole lot more effective. Advantages and disadvantages of the friendship curve implemented at PWC There are a number of strong points that the experience fold (the intranet) that was implemented by PwC. first gear of all, it provided a platform against which all the knowledge within the firm was incorporated. This meant that the fellowship cut down was instrumental in providing a rotating shaft for providing the company with a source of warring advantage. (Thomas, 2000) The Knowledge dilute was also advantageous because of its profiling capa bilities. Through this methodology, it was possible to understand the inescapably of the company on the basis of geography, bourn of business and industry. This intranet system was important to the company because it would assist the company to achieve knowledge management both at global level and also at office level.However, there was a fuss with the Knowledge flexure owing to the circumstance that certain priorities at office level would not be implemented on a global level. This was because only the aspects that were common between various firms would be included in this global level system of profiling. (Law, 1998) It should be noted that this boundary was neckt with by providing Knowledge Curve homepages for separately office. This would go a ache way in ensuring that personalized information was restricted for these areas. Another study disadvantage was that it was difficult to customize this respective system.This eventually led to the creation of another website w hose purpose was to ensure that local penurys within each enterprise level were addressed. The latter website was known as the bridge. By adding such extra features, then it discount be fracture tongue to that Knowledge Curve was a bit ineffective at achieving most of it objectives. (Lambert and Langley, 2000) How PWC would encourage users to suffer knowledge towards the intranet First of all, PWC could ensure that they break down all the bureaucratic systems within the company.This means that the former mentality where it had been held that the support teams are implementers era the more experienced members were the decision makers should be changed. By doing this, people who are more in touch with what is going on at the background ordain be encouraged to participate more within the intranet system within the company. The company needs to ensure that there is a praise structure implemented on the ground. This go out go a retentive way in encouraging participants to cont ribute towards the internet because they will timber more valued by the organization.While the company has gone a long way in eliminating some of the office politics within the organization, there are still relatively high numbers of issues that need to be implemented by this company in order to boost participation. Since there is still a management board that does project approvals and constitutes the management board, then people within the organization may still be tactile sensation a little inhibited about contributing towards that intranet. Fewer powers need to be given to this board so as to boost an sensory(a) environment.How PWC could facilitate sense about the intranet and encourage users to utilize the knowledge base PWC was reckond with an enormous task of informing all its one nose quarterdy and 50 thousand employees who are distributed across one hundred and fifty two countries for this receptive company. Consequently, there was a need to nerve for methods tha t could don in such a wide geographic arena. Presentations are ever a good way of informing people about something new. Consequently, the latter company could utilize this method to inform people.It could consume this out by visiting various offices hence talking to people face to face and making them understand some of these issues properly. (Law, 1998) likewise using presentations, there is a need to interact personally with these potential users through the utilization of influence instructions. The company could go a long way in promoting cognizance by distributing literature in the system. Since PWC is implementing the system on a global scale, then there is a need for the company to ensure that all the respective groups understand the intricacies involved through a method that leaves manner for the communication of vast amounts of selective information.Other ways in which this company mint earn awareness include Flyers Posters Wallet cards Give a ways Many more T he company can also go a long way in ensuring that various professionals understand how to use this system. This can be done by implementing sessions tailored for such groups. Examples are all the accountants within the firm. By addressing a particular profession, then the company will have shown them just how specific the intranet will be to their respective needs. Promoting awareness should not just be restricted to understanding the system itself.Awareness needs to be done through a two way exchange. In other words, the system needs to be made in such a manner that the underlying problems faced by the users need to be unders besidesd by the incoming team. One such example is the Knowledge Point help desk in which individuals can address their problems through such a system. Besides this, there is also a need to look into some of the challenges that the group is likely to encounter through a survey. Here, respondents can be asked about how they found the intranet and what the comp any can do to make better it.Tracking this intranet on an annual basis can also go a long way in ensuring its success. (Anonymous, 1998) Issues that PWC could encounter for intranet users outside PWC Most of the problems to be faced by intranet users outside of this organization will emanate from the accompaniment that there are still a number of corrections that are yet to be done in the process. An example of this issue is in terms of its Notes usage the company is yet to implement a regional basis of this system. Consequently, the following Notes names will have to be carried out Country City Line of serviceSince ensuring the performance of such system would take up a lot of time, then it can be said that the security of the user will be at stake. Another way in which security issues could present a hurdle to the respective clients under consideration is through the implementation of a private link to the clients system. This can be problematic owing to the fact that implem enting it is too complex thus leaving security needs unmet. An example of how such a problem was revealed was when the PWC tried implementing a private system for Hong Kong which was the focus on point of all Asian Pacific clients.This was implemented through Australian, sassy Zealand and Hong Kong gateways. Utilization of such measures could be very problematic owing to the fact that so many security bridges can arise out of such a complex system. Evaluation of Lotus and the Knowledge Curve Benefits of using such systems Also, the intranet was very important to this company because of the fact that it was quite simple to implement. In other words, it was relatively easy to package, capture and also deliver knowledge to the respective users.Whether PWC could manage diverse and huge information with its technical infrastructure PWC can definitely manage such a diverse information system owing to the fact that it implemented a rationalization program. This was done in order to elim inate duplication of work that arose out of the availability of two sources of data. Besides this, the company was in need of synchronizing all the numerous databases that were located within different geographical areas. In order to solve such a problem, the company chose to assign duties to lines of service.Doing this was an effective and adequate way of making sure that all the problems beingness faced were dealt with meticulously. Besides that, the IT team would have been overburdened by the problem. individually line of service member was supposed to carry out realisation of the data owner. PWC was able to carry this out effectively also data owners were assigned the task of regularly updating information so as to ensure that the data base was valuable. Carrying out these painstaking tasks to completion was an index number that the company can manage vast amounts of data. (Lotus, 2000)Additionally, this company is capable of application most of its challenges to be faced in managing huge databases by choosing to watch over inconsiderate rather than closed systems. Closed systems may work for relatively small companies. However, companies of a global nature such as PWC are in need of making sure that people can update and access information as flavorlessly as possible and an open database would definitely be the way to go. Lastly, PWC was able to eliminate the duplication problem that it was facing at the beginning of their merger. This was also another painstakingly shadowy process since it was manually done.Since the company was able to do this effectively, then one can assume that the company can be able to carry out the process of managing even larger amounts of data in the future. ways in which the Knowledge Curve structure could be improved The Knowledge Curve could be improved in the future trough workings on local Knowledge Curves. Already, the Development team has been assigned with this task. They need to ensure that all data is analy zed at local levels in order to streamline some of the tax management, document management and executive recruitment tasks (Farhoomand, 2000)In order for the knowledge curve to work, there should be amelioration of the companys networking system. Servers for data sharing need to be worked on. Also, there are a number of related task that need to be managed and target include monitoring, internet services, network management and security systems. The Knowledge Curve also requires continuous improvement of the Lotus Notes Infrastructure, this can outstrip be achieved through the process of recertifying all identification within this systems. Besides this, the process of addressing through the use of initials needs to be implemented.The Knowledge Curve needs to be in line with new technologies. This needs to be done in such a manner that items such as voice recognition technologies need to reflect such perceptions. In line with this is the issue of upgrading the power system within the company. Lastly, the Knowledge curve can also be improved through a sound feedback teams. First of all, they need to ensure that calls are answered promptly. Also, they need to improve their level of consolidation between the use and the integration of internal networks.How PWC should disseminate the service to its clients The company is interested in ensuring that most if not all the services offered to their respective clients are done in an effective manner. In order to do this, then clients should not be treated as if operational challenges are part of their problems. The company needs to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible. (Leong, 1999) First of all, the company should send notifications to their clients about any recent upgrades within their system. This can be done through email.Thereafter, the company should give details about those changes and leave room for inquiries from clients in case they do not understand the instructions. Shortly after, the comp any needs to carry implementation in one stage. This can be done in small intervals so as to ensure that the entire process is covered within a relatively short time. Customers can get weary of this by implementation if they constantly have to grapple with new changes. It would be scoop to get it over and done with at one go. Whether PWC should offer the service for free or for a feeSince PWC prides itself in the value addition within its services, then the company should offer the service as a tribute to their clients. The rewards of implementing such a system will be depicted in the returns obtained by the system. PwC will be more effective in responding to client needs and they will also have a large efficacy for managing information received from their respective clients. Consequently, the system will improve their gainfulness through more satisfied consumers and a wider client base. There will be no point in charging them for this because if PwC was to do this, they would be trying to get double benefits.Conclusion Building a global network is a huge challenge for PwC but this company has more than enough capabilities to deal with this issue. First of all, their networking team has been able to manage effectively and they will touch on to do so. Secondly project, development and customer care groups have also done their part. The company needs to keep up this effort in order to ensure that their Knowledge Curve has succeeded. References PWC (2000) Homepage, retrieved from http//www. pwcglobal. com/ accessed on 24th Jan 2008Anonymous (1998) Moore Schiro We changed the competitive landscape Accounting Today, 28th September Thomas, S. (2000) Focus Keeping whole step with knowledge Information Week Review, 155 Leong, K. (1999) Marketing Gets Innovative, Internet week, tertiary may, Lambert and Langley (2000) PwC Interview, Hong Kong, 1st February Lotus (2000) Definition of Notes, retrieved form http//www. whatiscom/notes. htm 30 May Farhoomand, A. (2000) Price water house Cooper Building a global network Asia case research centre Law, G. (1998) And then there were quadruplet Management journal, 45, 1