This document provides details about a proposed allergy bracelet product that monitors a patient's vital signs and sends alerts to caregivers if an allergic reaction is detected. It discusses the vision for the product to provide faster access to medical care. An analysis of the healthcare informatics industry finds it has high threats from new entrants, substitutes, and rivalry. The target customers are described as people with severe peanut allergies needing quick medical attention. The product and its features that meet customer needs are outlined. Suppliers, partners, and a focused high-cost strategy are also summarized. Key business processes like manufacturing and quality control are described along with their functionalities and integration into control systems.
This document provides details about a proposed allergy bracelet product that monitors a patient's vital signs and sends alerts to caregivers if an allergic reaction is detected. It discusses the vision for the product to provide faster access to medical care. An analysis of the healthcare informatics industry finds it has high threats from new entrants, substitutes, and rivalry. The target customers are described as people with severe peanut allergies needing quick medical attention. The product and its features that meet customer needs are outlined. Suppliers, partners, and a focused high-cost strategy are also summarized. Key business processes like manufacturing and quality control are described along with their functionalities and integration into control systems.
This document provides details about a proposed allergy bracelet product that monitors a patient's vital signs and sends alerts to caregivers if an allergic reaction is detected. It discusses the vision for the product to provide faster access to medical care. An analysis of the healthcare informatics industry finds it has high threats from new entrants, substitutes, and rivalry. The target customers are described as people with severe peanut allergies needing quick medical attention. The product and its features that meet customer needs are outlined. Suppliers, partners, and a focused high-cost strategy are also summarized. Key business processes like manufacturing and quality control are described along with their functionalities and integration into control systems.
This document provides details about a proposed allergy bracelet product that monitors a patient's vital signs and sends alerts to caregivers if an allergic reaction is detected. It discusses the vision for the product to provide faster access to medical care. An analysis of the healthcare informatics industry finds it has high threats from new entrants, substitutes, and rivalry. The target customers are described as people with severe peanut allergies needing quick medical attention. The product and its features that meet customer needs are outlined. Suppliers, partners, and a focused high-cost strategy are also summarized. Key business processes like manufacturing and quality control are described along with their functionalities and integration into control systems.
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INFOSYS.110 BUSINESS SYSTEMS:
DELIVERABLE 2: BUSINESS SECTION 2014
Name Christine Jensen Olagues NetID cjen904 Group Number: 267 Website Link: Tutorial Details Tutor: Day: Time: Yvonne Hong 25/05/14 12pm Time Spent on Assignment: 25 hours Word Count: 1,648
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2 ALLERGY BRACELET INTRODUCTION The problem; many people with allergies arent receiving urgent medical help fast enough when an allergic reaction occurs is one which is demanding increasing attention. A proposed solution is through developing and implementing software similar to the Nike fuel band(Nike, 2014) into an existing hardware derived from the Medic-Alert allergy bracelet (Medic-Alert, 2010); decreasing the time before an anaphylaxis patient receives medical attention. IT systems are used to monitor any changes to the patients heart rate, pulse and blood pressure, identifying when an allergic reaction occurs. A notification with the necessary information is sent through Bluetooth to an app linked to caregivers/medical services. 3. BUSINESS SECTION 3.1 Vision To provide a gateway for faster, more efficient access to medical attention, in order to improve quality of life. 3.2 Industry Anal ysis: Healthcare Informatics Industry
Force: High/Low: Justification: Buyer power: Low There are few choices for a buyer in this industry because competing companies products are unable to perform the same specific tasks as my proposed solution(Medic-Alert,2010). Hence, buyer power is low in this industry. Supplier power: Low Supplier power in the industry is low. There are many suppliers to choose from in terms of the raw materials(Kadmar plastics,2009-2010). Flexible circuit boards can be provided by multiple NZ based companies. (QualiEco Circuits Ltd,2012). There are also various stainless steel and plastic suppliers in NZ(Kadmar plastics,2009-2010). Development of the
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3 software is also important and there are various companies who can supply these services. For example; Phosphor(Phosphor Essence Ltd), Sush mobile(Sush mobile,2013) and VADR(VADR,2012). Threat of new entrants: High Threat of new entrants is high because there are few barriers to entry. The type of product being produced must be considered. Simple medical bracelets are not expensive to produce as demonstrated by Medic-Alert (Medic-Alert,2014). Hence, making it easy to enter the market. Threat of substitutes: High Threat of substitutes is high as there are many substitutes to our product yet they dont have the same functions. The Medic Alert bracelet(Medic-Alert,2014) and the Life Alert help necklace(LifeAlert,2014) are both reactive, whereas my solution is proactive. Rivalry among existing competitors: High There are more and more systems and products emerging in this industry, with many operating from both iPhone and Droid cellular phones. (Medical Alert Comparison,2013). As a result, the rivalry between competitors is high. Overall attractiveness of the industry: This industry is not attractive because threat of substitutes, rivalry amoung compeitiors and threat of new entrants are all high. This will make it hard for companies to break into the market and remain profitable in the long run, as competition is feirce with well established substitutes. Diversification will be hard to adopt as competitors are innovating and advancing their products on a regular basis; competitive advantage is also hard to achieve.
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4 3.3 Customers and Their Needs Our target customers are anaphylaxis patients with sereve peanut allergic reactions.(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research,1998-2014) They require urgent medical care when experiencing an allergic reaction therefore reducing the impact the reaction has on their health and mental well-being. Their needs can stem from the symptoms of the allergy, as these factors make up the allergy itself. One of the requirements in regards to treatment is a trip to the emergency room (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research,1998-2014) linking to the need of quick, effective medical care. 3.4 The Product and Service Our product has been designed and developed with various functionalities in order to meet the customers needs. Firstly, the ability to measure the pulse, heart rate and blood pressure of the paitent helps satisfy the customers needs. This is important because according to the symptoms of an anaphylaxis patient, any severe drop in blood pressure(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research,1998-2014) and/or rapid increase in pulse can indicate a reaction is taking place. By taking these measurements the neccessary information is provided and used to ensure the appropriate medical care is given quickly. Secondly, sending this information to caregivers and/or emergency services decreases the time taken for medical attention to be given. Information will be on hand and easy to access, saving time with questions for diagnosis. Caregivers can react promptly and get to paitents as soon as possible. The patients location will be provided by a GPS system included in the software helping decrease time.
3.5 Suppliers and Partners Our first supplier is a software/mobile application development company; VADR. VADR will provide knowledge, tools and guidance throughout the process of redesigning/developing the app.(VADR,2012) They will help link the measurement of the information from the bracelet to the app, ensuring the app is simple and easy to use, especially in emergencies. Our second supplier is a plastic material trading house; Kendmar Plastics (Kadmar- plastics,2009-2010) They will provide us with high quality raw materials needed to start the manufacturing process.
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5 Our first partner Allergy NZ is an organization that is highly experienced with anaplylaxis patients.(Allergy NZ,2010) The partnership is important to provide extensive information about past cases and evolving research. Our second partner is the NZ District health Board. They will help adapt our application and notification system to work with various hospitals around NZ, making it easier for patients and medical staff to work the application.(Manat Hauora,2014) 3.6 Strategy: Focused High Cost Our business will target a narrow scope with individuals who have severe peanut allergies, known as anaphylaxis patients. This segment includes those who need the bracelets as a precaution and safety measure, to ensure they have access to health care at all times. The scope can be narrowed by the symptoms of a peanut allergy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research,1998-2014). Our business will use a high cost strategy. The materials involved with the production of the allergy bracelet are relatively expensive, for example; developing the app and software, hence streamling processes. (Eran Galperin,2013) This will be more expensive then if producing a metal bracelet, similar to Medic-Alert(Medic-Alert,2014). Streamlining the technology/software means lengthing both the quality-control and manufacturing processes, resulting in increased expenses. 3.7 Value Chain Acti vity: Make the product and/or service This is the most important value chain activity because in order for the software to exist and work, it needs to have a vehicle to exist in. The bracelet is this vehicle, with the manufacturing and quality control aspects of this VCA describing how this bracelet will be constructed to support the software. When produced, expensive high quality materials will be used; reinforcing the strategy. Elimination and streamlining production helps create a gateway for faster, more efficient access to medical attention.
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6 3.8 Business Processes 3.8.1. BUSINESS PROCESS 1: MANUFACTURING PROCESS(MP). The MP is important because in order to satisfy the customers needs, we need to have a physical product to give them. To do this, we must Make the product using MPs. MPs identify the stages using high quality products but also where monetary savings can be made, increasing productivity. In doing so, the information will be able to be provided at a faster rate.
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7 3.8.2. QUALITY-CONTROL PROCESS (QCP) The QCP is important because it acts as a buffer during and after the manufacturing process/production of the good, ensuring nothing less than high quality products are produced. This process reconfirms these products meet the quality requirements which include the ability to measure pulse, blood pressure and heart rate also sending notifications to caregivers at a fast rate; in accordance with the vision.
3.9 Functional iti es 3.9.1. BUSINESS PROCESS 1- QUALITY-CONTROL PROCESS Compare item with quality requirements. Record wasted quantity, including all measurements of the difference between useable and unusable units of output.
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8 3.9.2. BUSINESS PROCESS 2 MANUFACTURING PROCESS Check quantity of materials and units of output required for the manufacturing cycle. Record the total manufacturing cycle time. 3.10 Systems
3.10.1. MANUFACTURING-CONTROL SYSTEM(MCS): The MCS incorporates the above functionalities(3.9.2) through its ability to control each stage of the manufacturing process. By monitoring the quantity of inputs and the steps taken to complete the cycle, noting the total manufacturing cycle time, the system will be able to identify any areas that can be improved. The vision is linked through the ability to produce units of outputs faster, hence the product can reach customers sooner and their quality of life will be improved. 3.10.2. QUALITY-CONTROL SYSTEM(QCS): The QCS incorporates the above functionalities(3.9.1) and ensures the maximum use of time and quality in all areas of production. By monitoring wasteage, resources and time can be saved and monetary savings can be used elsewhere; for example developing the app further which may decrease the time taken for urgent help to be notified and received. 3.10.3. MACHINERY-MANAGEMENT SYSTEM(MMS): The MMS incorporates the above functionalities(3.9.2 and 3.9.1) through controlling the status of the machinery, monitoring the electronics and ensuring all aspects of the machine are in check. While employees monitor the machinery there are measurements/factors which may be missed or forgotten. The system can prevent these mistakes and this may be vital in a time of an emergency where the bracelet must be used. Quality of life for patients can again be improved.
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9 3.11. Summary Table: Value Chai n to Systems
Value Chain Activity Processes Functionalities Specific Information System(s) Broad Information System(s)
Make the product and/or service 1. Manufacturing process
1. Check materials and units of output required for manufacturing cycle. 2. Record the total manufacturing cycle time. Manufacturing-control system Transaction-processing system 2. Quality-control process 3. Compare item with quality requirements. 4. Record wasted quantity, including all measurements of the difference between useable and unusable units of outputs.
Quality-control system Transaction-processing system
Decision-Support System
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10 CONCLUSION Our allergy bracelet is a solution which can be advanced and developed using IT systems to ensure faster medical help for patients. Both manufacturing and quality-control processes are supported by IT systems which decreases costs, increases productivity and improves the quality of the product; adding value for the customer. Customers needs are met and their quality of life is improved through the help of IT systems. REFERENCES
Nike (2014) Nike + Fuel band. Retrieved from: https://secure- nikeplus.nike.com/plus/products/fuelband/#how_it_works_section Food Allergy Research and Education (2014) Facts and Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.foodallergy.org/facts-and-stats Allergy NZ (2010) News and Events. Retrieved from http://www.allergy.org.nz/news++events/News+Archive/Food+allergy+research+fund+launch ed.html Medic-Alert (2010) Why Medic-Alert. Retrieved from http://www.medicalert.co.nz/content/why-medic-alert/default.aspx Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (1998-2014). Diseases and conditions, Food Allergy Symptoms. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/food-allergy/basics/symptoms/con-20019293 CDC Government (2013) Adolescence and School Health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/ Life alert (2014) Medical Emergencies. Retrieved from http://www.lifealerthelp.com/medical_50.aspx QualiEco Circuits Ltd (2012). Disadvantages of Flexible PCBs. Retrieved from: http://www.qualiecocircuits.co.nz/flexible-pcbs.htm -
Phosphor Essence Ltd. Mobile web development, touch screen kiosks and mobile apps. Retrieved from: http://www.phosphor.co.nz
VADR (2012). Fighting asthma with utility. Retrieved from: http://vadr.com.au/
Medical Alert Comparison (2013). Iphone apps for Medical Alert. Retrieved from: http://www.medicalalertcomparison.com/articles/new-iphone-medical-alert-apps.php
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (1998-2014). Anaphylaxis: A life threatening condition. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peanut- allergy/basics/symptoms/con-20027898
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11 Wikipedia (2014). Health informatics. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_informatics
Sush Mobile (2013). How we work at Sush mobile. Retrieved from: http://www.sushmobile.co.nz/how-we-work/
Kadmar plastics (2009-2010) Raw plastic. Retreived from: http://www.kamdarplastics.com/raw-plastic.htm
Allergy New Zealand (NZ) (2010). Peanut and tree allergy. Retrieved from: http://www.allergy.org.nz/A-Z+Allergies/Food+allergy/Peanut+and+tree+nut+allergy.html
Ministry of Health Manat Hauora (2014) Objectives and roles of DHBs. Retrieved from: http://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/key-health-sector-organisations- and-people/district-health-boards Eran Galperin (2013). The real cost of Research and Development. Retrieved from: http://www.techfounder.net/2013/02/01/the-real-cost-of-software-development/